Shrinking Violet - Definition and Overview

Shrinking Violet is a fictional character in the DC Universe, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Her real name is Salu Digby and she comes from the planet Imsk. She was created by writer Jerry Siegel, the co-creator of Superman and artist Jim Mooney. She has the power to shrink to tiny size, as do all Imsk natives.

Pre Zero Hour

In the original pre-Zero Hour continuity she was the thirteenth person to join the Legion of Super-Heroes. She first appeared in Action Comics #276 (1961). She tried out for membership at the same time as Sun Boy and Bouncing Boy. At that same try-out, Supergirl and Brainiac 5 joined the Legion. Shrinking Violet joined the Legion later, as did her fellow applicants Sun Boy and Bouncing Boy. Despite her shyness, Shrinking Violet, known as Vi to her teammates, served as an exemplary Legionnaire. She became romantically involved with Duplicate Boy of the Heroes of Lallor. Years later, she was kidnapped by radicals from her home planet Imsk, (they wanted Imsk to leave the United Planets). She was replaced by the Durlan shape shifter actress Yera who took Violet's place in the Legion in disguise. Some other Legionnaires became suspicious of the fake Violet when Yera, wearing Violet's form, suddenly fell in love with Colossal Boy who had had an unrequited crush on the real Violet for years. Yera's charade was exposed and the real Violet was rescued. After her recovery from the trauma of her abduction, Violet resumed her Legion career, at this time she broke up with Duplicate Boy who had not tried to rescue her, so earning her anger. Later, Violet entered into a relationship with fellow Legionnaire Lightning Lass.