Val-Yor

Val-Yor
Background information
First episode	Troq
Voice	Stephen Root
Character information
Real name	Val-Yor
Species	Vernathian
Affiliations	Formerly: Teen Titans
Place of Origin	Vernathia
Residence	Unknown
Relatives	Unknown
Allies	None
Powers and abilities	Fight Superhuman strength Laser vision Superhuman endurance Enhanced reflexes Expert piloting skills Space survival skills Leadership skills Hand-to-hand combat Alien martial arts

I don't need any help from a stupid Troq.

― Revealing his prejudice of Tamaraneans to Starfire.

Val-Yor is a superhero from another planet who appeared in the episode "Troq".

Role in the Series

The Teen Titans helped Val-Yor to defeat the Locrix, but the latter subsequently fell out of favor with the former because of his prejudice against Tamaraneans, Starfire's race. Val-Yor is presented as the arrogant symbol of prejudice and discrimination, a being that is flawed yet comparable with many of our own world, one who lies between the borders of good and evil (as he seeks to fight evil, yet ironically is touched more by its stain than many). Initially, he was viewed as something of a hero by the other Teen Titans, awing them with tales of his great deeds, until they found out what Troq—the name he always calls Starfire—meant.

The episode title, Troq, is a Tamaranian word which means "nothing" and which is used as a racial slur. It means that he views Starfire as just that—a "nothing"—meaning he thinks she (and the rest of her race) is useless. Val-Yor at first uses this term to refer to Starfire, but later, after she saves his life and helps him complete his mission, he gives an insincere "thank you" and says that she's "one of the good ones", which was still regarded as discriminatory by the Titans.

This racist attitude eventually sunders his relationship with the Titans and Earth in general, and he returns to his own planet out of disgust. Returning back into his ship to leave Earth, he secretly smiles, which implies that he really is thankful toward Starfire for saving his life.

Trivia

• Val-Yor seems to based off the DC Comic's Captain Atom, who has similar abilities (as does Superman) and pale silver-colored skin. Also, it should be noted there is a DC comics superhero named "Valor".

• He calls Raven "Sunshine", Robin "Spike", Beast Boy "Champ", Cyborg "Metal Butt", and Starfire "Troq".