Dr. Foster Forest was a nuclear physicist who worked at S.T.A.R. Labs researching a new, experimental uranium isotope, code named I99. Together with his assistant Amanda Saunders, several important discoveries involving particle physics were made and Dr. Forest was widely regarded as being an early favorite for the 1943 Nobel Prize in physics. Unfortunately this bright future was interrupted when several gangsters broke into the lab and tried to kidnap the doctor. Dr. Forest resisted and a stray gunshot set off a terrible explosion. The explosion transformed Dr. Forest into a veritable human torch, a being covered in intensely hot fire, fires so hot they could melt bullets before they struck his body. Called Dr. Phosphorus by the press (notably the Daily Planet), he could also project bolts of flame that could tunnel through solid stone in a matter of seconds. He could also emit a flash of bright light capable of stunning his opponents. The explosion also caused Dr. Forest to require regular exposure to the I99 isotope, a very rare item. His mind was also unbalanced by the trauma, causing him to be irrational, paranoid, and violent. The JSA was finally able to capture him with the help of Ted Knight. His assistant Amanda Saunders and Ted Knight promised to seek a cure for Dr. Forest. Two years later they succeeded in creating a device that allowed Forest to control his powers, a belt that absorbed cosmic energy and converted it into the radiation Forest now needs to survive.  Using the cosmic belt, Forest has developed great control of his powers and even found new abilities.  It also allowed he and Amanda to live a somewhat normal life and the two were married in 1945. Ted Knight gave away the bride and The Gecko served as best man.  They currently live in Metropolis and have one daughter.

    Dr. Forest found that the high profile nature of the Dr. Phosphorus incident coupled with his recovery and newfound control over his powers had made him an unwilling media sensation.  He was regularly confronted by reporters and even government officials wanting to know if he planned to join the JLA and become another superhero.  Dr. Forest finally gave in somewhat, declaring in an interview that he despised the name "Dr. Phosphorus" that the media had given him and which only served to remind him of his unfortunate past.  He found a new name that was popular with the media and that also reflected his devotion to science, Supernova.

    However Dr. Forest had no interest in the limelight or being a superhero. He wanted to live a quiet life with Amanda and to study science, finding ways to help the world through scientific discoveries and not from his unwanted powers.  Amanda realized that with the growing number of metahumans in the world, there would no doubt be many people like Foster, gifted or cursed with fantastic powers that would set them apart from society, forcing them into isolation or worse.  The two decided to devote their lives to the study of metahumans, to help find scientific cures for those who's powers are uncontrollable, and to help counsel metahumans who want to lead normal lives, to guide them away from isolation and crime.  On rare occasions Dr. Forest has used his powers directly to aid the JLA, such as their mission to Apokolips, however he has made it known that he prefers to work with the JLA as an advisor and to help those with superpowers whom the JLA find in their adventures.