Black Bolt
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| Black Bolt | |
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 Black Bolt uses his hypersonic scream on the cover of War of Kings #5 (Sep. 2009). Art by Brandon Peterson. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Fantastic Four #45 (Dec. 1965) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Blackagar Boltagon |
| Species | Inhuman |
| Place of origin | Attilan |
| Team affiliations | Inhuman Royal Family Illuminati |
| Abilities | Superhuman physical attributes Flight Destructive hypersonic voice Molecular manipulation |
Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon) is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 (Dec. 1965) and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
The character of Black Bolt has featured in other Marvel-endorsed products such as arcade and video games, animated television series, and merchandise such as trading cards.
Contents |
[edit] Publication history
[edit] 1960s
Black Bolt's first appearance established the character as being a member of the Inhuman ruling class.[1] The title Thor featured a back-up feature called Tales of the Inhumans, which recounts the character's origin story. The son of two preeminent Inhumans, Black Bolt is exposed to the mutagenic Terrigen Mist while still an embryo and eventually demonstrates the ability to manipulate electrons. To protect the Inhuman community from his devastating voice, Black Bolt is placed inside a sound-proof chamber and is tutored in the use of his powers. Reentering Inhuman society as a young man — having vowed never to speak — the character is attacked by his younger brother Maximus, who attempts, unsuccessfully, to goad him into speaking.[2]
Black Bolt proved popular, and decides to leave Attilan to explore the outside world.[3] The character reappears in a story focusing on his cousin Medusa,[4] drives off the Hulk after the monster defeats the entire Inhuman Royal Family (Medusa, Gorgon, Karnak, Triton, and Crystal),[5] and with the Fantastic Four battles his brother Maximus and his own group of rogue Inhumans.[6]
[edit] 1970s
After being forced to intercede in the budding romance between the Fantastic Four's Johnny Storm and his cousin Crystal,[7] Black Bolt and the Inhumans feature in the title Amazing Adventures, and battle master villains such as the Mandarin and Magneto.[8] A story told in flashback in the title The Avengers reveals how Black Bolt came to be ruler of the Inhumans and Maximus was driven mad. Black Bolt discovers his brother has secretly allied himself with the alien Kree — the race whose genetic experiments first created the Inhumans — and in trying to stop an escaping Kree vessel overextends his sonic powers and causes the vessel to crash. Several members of the Council of Genetics — including his parents — are killed, with Maximus driven insane by his proximity to Black Bolt's use of his voice.[9] Black Bolt assumes the title of King, but is haunted by the consequences of his actions.
The character settles a quarrel between Johnny Storm and the mutant Quicksilver for the affections of Crystal and frees the slave caste of Inhuman society, the Alpha Primitives.[10] Black Bolt and the Royal Family aid the hero Spider-Man against the time-traveling villain Kang the Conqueror,[11] is forced to again battle the Hulk,[12] teams with the Fantastic Four and the Avengers against the threat of the robot Ultron,[13] and again allies with the Fantastic Four against the fifth-dimensional villain Xemu.[14]
Black Bolt and the Inhumans feature in a self-titled bi-monthly series[15] battling threats such as the villain Blastaar and the Kree, who regard the Inhumans as abominations. The character encounters the immortal villain the Sphinx - who has defeated the Fantastic Four and the Royal Family - blasts him over a light-year into deep space,[16] aids Kree hero Captain Marvel in preventing a war between the Kree and Skrulls on Earth,[17] joins with Fantastic Four member the Thing to defeat the mutated villain Graviton,[18] and appears briefly during an announcement that Crystal is pregnant with Quicksilver's child.[19]
[edit] 1980s
Black Bolt revisits his origins when he, members of the Royal Family, and Fantastic Four members Mister Fantastic and the Thing battle the villain Maelstrom. Maelstrom is revealed to be the son of a rival of Black Bolt's father, and after his minions are defeated attempts to destroy Attilan with a guided missile. Black Bolt, however, manages to defuse the missile and Maelstrom is defeated.[20]
Black Bolt's search for a new site for the city of Attilan (eventually the Himalayas) is detailed in a back-up feature of the alternate universe title What If,[21] is rated with other powerful Marvel characters by Spider-Man in an "out of universe" conversation with the reader[22] and another back-up feature in the title What If? details how Black Bolt worked with the Eternals to move the city of Attilan to the Himalayas.[23] Black Bolt also directed the eventual move of Attilan to the moon when the pollution on Earth became too much for the Inhumans.[24]
The character appears in a graphic novel detailing the eventual death of former ally Mar-Vell due to cancer,[25] humorous parodies of the Marvel Universe in a one-shot publication[26] and the title What If?,[27] and aids superheroine Dazzler against the villain the Absorbing Man.[28]
An alien device abandoned on the moon causes Black Bolt, the Royal Family, and the Fantastic Four to experience nightmares until destroyed by Triton.[29] The character is imprisoned by brother Maximus (who has also swapped their bodies) but later freed by the Royal Family and allies the Avengers,[30] appears in a one-shot title detailing several of Marvel's continuity mistakes,[31] is married to cousin Medusa (after an interruption - a battle between a Kree and Skrull soldier),[32] and appears in a back-up tale in the title Marvel Fanfare.[33]
With the Royal Family, Black Bolt encounters Dazzler once again,[34] appears in flashback in two titles,[35] attempts to subdue an erratic Quicksilver (distraught over his wife's affair),[36] and aids the mutant team X-Factor in defeating Maximus.[37] The Inhumans then assist the Fantastic Four against the villain Diablo,[38] skirmish with a later version of the team during The Evolutionary War,[39] and appear in the second volume of the title What If?[40]
Black Bolt clashes with Attilan's Genetic Council when he conceives a child (Ahura) with Medusa,[41] destroys the alien symbiote that Spider-Man bonds with in another issue of What If?,[42] and with the Royal Family encounters the hero Daredevil.[43]
[edit] 1990s
After another appearance in a back-up feature in the title What If?[44] a story told in flashback reveals how Maximus, using a creation called the Trikon, forced Black Bolt from Attilan. Black Bolt, however, eventually defeats the Trikon and regains the throne.[45] After aiding the teen super group the New Warriors[46] the Royal Family joins forces with X-Factor to stop master villain Apocalypse.[47]
Black Bolt makes a series of brief guest appearances in several titles[48] and his child is threatened by rogue Inhumans.[49] After two more appearances in back-up features in the titles X-Factor[50] and Starblast,[51] Black Bolt appears in several panels in two titles[52] before starring in the one-shot publication Inhumans: The Great Refuge[53] which details the Inhumans ongoing battle with the Kree.
With the Royal Family, the Fantastic Four, and Doom's heir Kristoff Vernard, Black Bolt thwarts Maximus again[54] and appears with the Fantastic Four during the Onslaught crisis.[55] After appearing in the one-shot title Bug[56] Black Bolt and the Inhumans feature in the Heroes Reborn universe, where they worship the entity Galactus and his Heralds, as gods.[57]
The character encounters the noble savage Ka-Zar[58] and witnesses Quicksilver reunite with Crystal[59] before he and the Royal Family appear in a back-up feature in the Fantastic Four title.[60] Black Bolt and the Inhumans then feature in a self-titled limited series which deals with the "coming of age" of a new group of Inhumans and stopping Maximus, who with both human and Inhuman allies attempts to subvert his brother's rule.[61] After an appearance in the final issue of a Quicksilver limited series[62] Black Bolt and the Inhumans team with Canadian superteam Alpha Flight.[63]
[edit] 2000s
The character is featured - again with the Royal Family - in a third self-titled limited series that has major developments for the Inhumans. Ronan the Accuser leads the Kree in a surprise attack, capturing Attilan and forcing the Royal Family into service against Kree enemies the Shi'ar. Karnak, Gorgon, and Triton covertly join the Shi'ar Imperial Guard while Black Bolt and Medusa must attempt the assassination of the Shi'ar ruler Lilandra at a ceremony ratifying an allliance between the Shi'ar and the Spartoi. Although the attempt fails and Black Bolt manages to defeat Ronan in personal combat, the Inhuman people choose to leave with the Kree and pursue a new future. This leaves Black Bolt and the Royal Family alone to fend for themselves.[64]
Interdimensional adventurers the Exiles also encounter an alternate universe version of Black Bolt.[65] Black Bolt decides to attempt reintegration with Earth, and several younger Inhumans - recently exposed to the Terrigen Mists - explore Earth with mixed results, including at one stage the intervention of the Fantastic Four. The Inhumans resettle in the Blue Area of the Moon and begin to rebuild.[66] The character also appears briefly in the mutant title X-Statix[67] and a one-shot title, Inhumans 2099, speculates on the future of the Inhumans and their role on Earth.[68]
In the title New Avengers,[69] Black Bolt is revealed to be a member of a superhero council called the Illuminati. Via a retcon of Marvel continuity the group form during the Kree-Skrull War[70] to deal with threats to Earth. During the Son of M storyline the mutant Quicksilver steals a canister of Terrigen crystals from Attilan, with Black Bolt and the rest of the Royal Family attempting to retrieve it.[71]
Black Bolt also rejects the Superhuman Registration Act and refuses to become involved in the ensuing Civil War. Courtesy of the hero Sentry, Black Bolt monitors the situation.[72] In the limited series Silent War, the US military attacks the Inhumans to prevent them from retrieving the crystals. Believing the stolen crystals should be returned to Attilan, Black Bolt issues a warning to the United States concerning further acts of aggression, and eventually launches an offensive against the nation. Gorgon and other Inhumans are captured during the attack, which prompts Black Bolt to personally head a team to rescue his subjects and retrieve the crystals. While the mission is successful, Maximus takes advantage of the situation and overthrows and temporarily incarcerates Black Bolt.[73]
The Illuminati also collect the Infinity Gems, and to prevent the abuse of power by the Titan Thanos and others, split the gems between themselves, vowing that they never be used in unison again. Black Bolt is given the Space gem.[74]
The character apparently suffers a setback when brutally beaten by the Hulk, on an rampage during the World War Hulk storyline and seeking revenge on Black Bolt for his role in the Hulk's exile from Earth.[75] During the events of the Secret Invasion limited series it is revealed that this was not in fact Black Bolt but rather a Skrull, who is killed in battle by members of the Illuminati.[76][77] The true Black Bolt is captured by the Skrulls, who intended to use his voice as a weapon of mass destruction.[78] The character is rescued when the heroes of Earth defeat the Skrull army and discover the location of their captured teammates.[79]
Black Bolt, angered by the repercussions caused by the Skrull invasion, changes tactics and embarks on an aggressive campaign against all former persecutors of the Inhumans in the War of Kings limited series. At his command the Inhumans attack the Kree and overthrow Ronan the Accuser, with Black Bolt declaring himself supreme ruler of the Kree Empire. This is followed by a preemptive strike against the Shi'ar empire, now controlled by the usurper Vulcan. Black Bolt intends to release the Terrigen Mist across the galaxy and end the war when, courtesy of the subsequent mutations, all are rendered equal, but the plan is stopped by Vulcan, with both characters apparently dying in an explosion.[80]
[edit] Powers and abilities
Via electron manipulation, Black Bolt can perform matter transformation, the controlled projection of energy as concussive blasts or force fields, broadcast jamming frequencies and achieve flight. The character can also channel power into a single devastating attack termed "The Master Blow". This act, however, leaves the character temporarily drained.
Black Bolt's final and most prominent offensive weapon is his voice, as his electron-harnessing ability is linked to the speech center of his brain. Speaking triggers a massive disturbance with a word capable of leveling a city.[81] Due to the extreme danger posed by this power, the character has undergone rigorous mental training to prevent himself from uttering a sound, even in sleep. The fork-like antenna on Black Bolt's forehead allows more controlled use of his voice.
[edit] Other versions
[edit] "Age of Apocalypse"
In the 1995 crossover storyline "Age of Apocalypse", Black Bolt and his family were slaughtered by Maximus, and then cloned by Maximus to serve as his personal guard.[82]
[edit] Earth X
Set on Earth-9997, this alternate version of Black Bolt releases the Terrigen Mist into Earth's atmosphere, granting powers to all humanity.[83] The character later reappears, and leads the deceased heroes in a bid to save humanity.[84]
[edit] "Heroes Reborn"
In the 1995-96 "Heroes Reborn" storyline, Black Bolt and the Inhumans worship statues of Galactus and his Heralds.[85]
[edit] "House of M"
In the 2005 "House of M" storyline, Black Bolt appears as an ally of Black Panther.[86]
[edit] Marvel Zombies
In the 2006 limited series Marvel Zombies, Black Bolt initially appears as one of the surviving heroes but is eventually zombified.[87] The character - able to speak as zombie - reappears in the limited series Marvel Zombies 3, forming an alliance with a zombified Wilson Fisk.[88]
[edit] Mutant X
In the 1998 miniseries Mutant X, Black Bolt leads a team of Inhumans and Eternals into battle against the Beyonder and Dracula.[89]
[edit] The Last Fantastic Four Story
Black Bolt and the Inhumans attempt to destroy a being called the Adjudicator, who is intent on conquering Earth.[90]
[edit] Ultimate Black Bolt
The Ultimate Black Bolt has the same abilities and limitations as his mainstream counterpart, and uses his abilities to destroy Attilan after it is infiltrated by the Fantastic Four.[91]
[edit] Other media
[edit] Television
- Black Bolt appeared in the 1994 Fantastic Four TV series.
[edit] Video games
- Black Bolt appears as a non-player character in the console game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (2006).
[edit] References
- ^ Fantastic Four #45 - 46 (Dec. 1965 - Jan. 1966)
- ^ Thor #146 (Nov. 1967); #148 – 149 (Jan. – Feb. 1968) & #152 (May. 1968)
- ^ Fantastic Four #59 (Feb. 1967)
- ^ Marvel Super-Heroes #15 (July 1968)
- ^ Hulk Annual #1 (Oct. 1968)
- ^ Fantastic Four #82 - 83 (Jan. - Feb. 1969)
- ^ Fantastic Four #99 (June 1970)
- ^ Amazing Adventures #1 - 10 (Aug. 1970 - Jan. 1972)
- ^ Avengers #95 (Jan. 1972)
- ^ Fantastic Four #131 - 132 (Feb. - Mar. 1973)
- ^ Marvel Team-Up #11 (July 1973)
- ^ Hulk #175 (Mar. 1974)
- ^ Avengers #127 (Sept. 1974) & Fantastic Four #150 (Sept. 1974)
- ^ Fantastic Four #159 (June 1975)
- ^ Inhumans #1 - 11 (Oct. 1975 - June 1977)
- ^ Fantastic Four Annual #12 (Jan. 1977)
- ^ Captain Marvel #53 (Nov. 1977)
- ^ Marvel Two-In-One Annual #4 (Jan. 1979)
- ^ Avengers #188 (Oct. 1979)
- ^ Marvel Two-In-One #71 - 72 (Jan. - Feb. 1981)
- ^ What If? #29 (Oct. 1981)
- ^ Amazing Spider-Man Annual #15 (Dec. 1981)
- ^ What If? #30 (Dec. 1981)
- ^ Fantastic Four #240 (Mar. 1982)
- ^ The Death of Captain Marvel (Apr. 1982)
- ^ Fantastic Four Roast (May. 1982)
- ^ What If? #34 (Aug. 1982)
- ^ Dazzler #19 (Sep. 1982)
- ^ Fantastic Four #248 (Nov. 1982)
- ^ Avengers Annual #12 (Jan. 1983)
- ^ Marvel No-Prize Book #1 (Jan. 1983)
- ^ Fantastic Four Annual #18 (Jan. 1984)
- ^ Marvel Fanfare #14 (May 1984)
- ^ Dazzler #32 (June 1984)
- ^ Avengers #248 (Oct. 1984) & #262 (Dec. 1985)
- ^ Vision & The Scarlet Witch #10 (July 1986)
- ^ X-Factor Annual #2 (Jan. 1987)
- ^ Fantastic Four #306 (Sep. 1987)
- ^ Fantastic Four Annual #21 (Jan. 1988)
- ^ What If? #1 (July 1989)
- ^ The Inhumans Marvel Graphic Novel #55 (Oct. 1989)
- ^ What If? #4 (Oct. 1989)
- ^ Daredevil #272 - 273 (Nov. - Dec. 1989)
- ^ What If? #9 (Jan. 1990)
- ^ Inhumans Special #1 (Apr. 1990)
- ^ New Warriors #6 (Dec. 1990)
- ^ X-Factor #65 - 68 (Apr. - July 1991)
- ^ Avengers #334 (July 1991);Silver Surfer #60 (Dec. 1991); Guardians of the Galaxy #27(Aug. 1992) & Fantastic Four #374 - 375 (Mar. - Apr. 1993)
- ^ Fantastic Four Unlimited #2 (June 1993)
- ^ Annual #8 (Dec. 1993)
- ^ #1 (Jan. 1994)
- ^ Fantastic Four #391 (Aug. 1994) & Spectacular Spider-Man Super Special #1 (Jan. 1995)
- ^ May (1995)
- ^ Fantastic Four #401 - 402 (June - July 1995)
- ^ Fantastic Four #411 - 413 (Apr. - June 1996) & #416 (Sep. 1996)
- ^ Bug #1 (Mar. 1997)
- ^ Fantastic Four vol. 2, #9 - 10 (July - Aug. 1997) & Iron Man vol. 2, #12 (Oct. 1997)
- ^ Ka-Zar vol. 3, #10 (Feb. 1998)
- ^ Quicksilver #4 (Feb. 1998)
- ^ Fantastic Four vol. 3, #8 (Aug. 1998)
- ^ The Inhumans vol. 2, #1 - 12 (Nov. 1998 - Oct. 1999)
- ^ Quicksilver #13 (Nov. 1998) Issues #1 - 13 (Nov. 1997 - Nov. 1998)
- ^ Alpha Flight/Inhumans Annual (Dec. 1998)
- ^ The Inhumans vol. 3, #1 - 3 (June - Aug. 2000) & #4 (Oct. 2000)
- ^ Exiles #23 - 25 (May - June 2003)
- ^ The Inhumans vol. 4, #1 - 3 (June - Aug. 2003) & #4 - 12 (Oct. - June 2004)
- ^ X-Statix #26 (Oct. 2004)
- ^ Inhumans 2099 (Dec. 2004)
- ^ New Avengers #7 (July 2005)
- ^ Avengers #88 - 97 (June 1971 - Mar. 1972)
- ^ Issue #6 (July 2006). Son of M #1 - 6 (Feb. - July 2006)
- ^ Civil War #1 – 7 (July 2006 – Jan. 2007)
- ^ Silent War # 1 - 6 (Jan. – Aug. 2007)
- ^ New Avengers: Illuminati #1 - 2 (Feb. - Mar. 2007); #3 (July 2007); #4 (Sep. 2007) & #5 (Jan. 2008)
- ^ Issue #1 (Aug. 2007) World War Hulk #1 - 5 (Aug. - Jan. 2008)
- ^ Secret Invasion: Inhumans #3 (Dec. 2008)
- ^ New Avengers: Illuminati #5 (June 2007)
- ^ Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1 (Oct. 2008)
- ^ Issue #6 (Jan. 2009) Secret Invasion #1 - 6 (June 2008 - Jan. 2009)
- ^ See X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #1 - 5 (Nov. 2007 - Mar. 2008); X-Men: Kingbreaker #1 - 4 (Feb. - May 2009) & War of Kings #1 - 6 (May. - Oct. 2009)
- ^ Thor #148 (Jan. 1968)
- ^ Age of Apocalypse :39 issues across 1995 - 1996
- ^ Earth X #0 - 13 (Mar. 1999 - June 2000)
- ^ Paradise X #0 - 12 (Apr. 2002 - Aug. 2003)
- ^ Heroes Reborn: Fantastic Four vol. 2. #1 - 13 (1995–1996)
- ^ House of M #1 - 8 (Jun. 2005 - Jan. 2006)
- ^ Marvel Zombies #1 - 5 (Feb. - June 2006)
- ^ Marvel Zombies 3 #1 - 4 (Dec. 2008 - Mar. 2009)
- ^ Mutant X #1 - 32 (Oct. 98 - Jun 01)
- ^ The Last Fantastic Four Story (Mar. 2007)
- ^ Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 (Oct. 2005)
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