Vibe (comics)
| Vibe | |
|---|---|
_charcter_artwork.jpg) Vibe from Legends #1 (November 1986), artist John Byrne |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Justice League of America Annual #2 (October 1984)[1] |
| Created by | Gerry Conway (writer) Chuck Patton (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Francisco "Paco" Ramon |
| Team affiliations | Justice League Los Lobos |
| Abilities | sonic vibration manipulation, seismic powers |
Vibe is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Justice League of America Annual #2 (October 1984),[1] and was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton.[2]
Contents |
Fictional character biography [edit]
Paco Ramone's career as Vibe began shortly after Aquaman disbanded the original Justice League. When young Paco heard that a new Justice League was forming in his own hometown of Detroit, he decided to give up his position as the leader of a local street gang, Los Lobos, to join up.[1] What made Ramone a candidate was his metahuman ability to emit powerful vibratory shock waves.
Vibe's presence on the team caused Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter to harbor some strong doubts about the new JLA, particularly after he got the League involved in a rumble with a rival gang.[3] However, Vibe soon proved his mettle during the League's battles against Cadre,[4] Anton Allegro,[5] and Amazo.[6] He stayed with the League through the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, when his powers played a vital role in defeating Despero.[7]
During Darkseid's assault on Earth during the Legends mini-series, the Justice League of America was disbanded and Paco left his JLA comrades to seek the familiar solace of the streets. Vibe was attacked by one of Professor Ivo's androids, and became the first Justice League member to be killed in the line of duty.[8] The Martian Manhunter brought Vibe's body back to the League's mountain sanctuary, where Vibe was laid to rest in a cryogenic chamber. However, Paco's dead form has twice been resurrected by evil-doers.[9][10]
One of Vibe's younger brothers, Armando, developed a similar set of vibratory powers and joined Booster Gold's team of heroes, the Conglomerate, using the code names Reverb and later Hardline.[11] He has since been depicted as the owner of a dance club named Reverb in the Little Tachyon section of Old Town Metropolis.[12]
Trinity [edit]
In the Trinity maxi-series, reality is altered, and a living Paco is shown as a member of The League, an underground version of the Justice League.[13] However, soon after Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman return, his head is disintegrated by an energy blast, thus killing him again.
"Blackest Night" [edit]
In a Justice League of America tie-in to the Blackest Night crossover, Vibe was reanimated as a member of the Black Lantern Corps, rising from his coffin in the Hall of Justice.[14] Alongside the Black Lantern Steel, Vibe attacked his former teammates, Gypsy and Vixen, until Doctor Light destroyed him.[15]
Powers and abilities [edit]
Vibe's sonic powers enabled him to create shock waves of considerable strength. His power could shatter concrete of steel. His agility was above average(and he was a superb break-dancer). Under Batman's tutelage, Vibe became a more skilled combatant
The New 52 [edit]
| Justice League of America's Vibe | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Ongoing |
| Genre | Superhero |
| Publication date | February 2013 – present |
| Number of issues | 1 (as of April 2013 cover date) |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Andrew Kreisberg, Geoff Johns, Sterling Gates |
| Artist(s) | Pete Woods, Sean Parsons |
In DC's Free Comic Book Day 2012 sample, a gatefold revealed various characters who will make an appearance in Justice League over the coming year, one of which is Vibe. Geoff Johns revealed that Vibe's return will be explored in greater detail in the third story arc of Justice League.[16] On August 26, 2012, DC announced a new Justice League of America title which would feature Vibe.[17] On November 5, 2012, DC announced that Vibe would star in his own ongoing monthly title.[18] It is written by Andrew Kreisberg and drawn by Pete Woods and debuted in February 2013.[19]
Other versions [edit]
Vibe has a major role in an issue of the Justice League Unlimited comic book series where he stopped Doctor Sivana's plan to rebuild Mister Atom.[volume & issue needed]
In other media [edit]
Television [edit]
Vibe has made several appearances in Justice League Unlimited. He was often seen next to other members of the Detroit League, but he did not get a major role in any episode. His most prominent action is helping rescue civilians in the New Mexico city attacked in "Flashpoint". He is shown with fellow Detroit-era members Vixen, Steel and Gypsy in the final "curtain call" of the episode "Destroyer."
Vibe appears in a series of DC Nation Shorts voiced by Carlos Alazraqui. In a two-part short, he goes up against Professor Ivo's breakdancing robot Extremo in a breakdancing contest.[citation needed]
Film [edit]
A parallel earth version of Vibe named "Breakdance" appears in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths voiced by Carlos Alazraqui. He's a part of Owlman's team and is beaten by Superman when he and the Justice League first arrive on their Earth.
Controversy [edit]
Comics artist George Pérez took exception to the Vibe character. In a 1985 interview with Heidi MacDonald, he stated, "I have a certain bigotry towards Vibe...I sincerely say he's the one character who turned me off the JLA. If nothing else, every character that was introduced was an ethnic stereotype."[20] Perez's dislike of the character was such that in JLA/Avengers in which every member of both teams were depicted at least once, Vibe's cameo was merely of his legs as he fell off panel.
References [edit]
- ^ a b c Justice League of America Annual #2 (October 1984) at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. "The prestigious Justice League of America got a bit easier to join, thanks to writer Gerry Conway and artist Chuck Patton. Marking the debut of camouflaging hero Gypsy, the shockwave-casting Vibe, and the second generation hero Steel, this landmark comic saw many of the more famous League members step down in order to make way for a younger roster to carry on their legacy."
- ^ Justice League of America #233 (December 1984)
- ^ Justice League of America #233-236 (December 1984-February 1985)
- ^ Justice League of America #237-239 (July–September 1985)
- ^ Justice League of America #241-243 (August–October 1985)
- ^ Justice League of America #254 (September 1986)
- ^ McDonnell, Luke (p)Smith, Bob (i)"DeMatteis, J.M." Justice League of America 258 (January 1987), DC Comics
- ^ JLA Annual #2 (1998)
- ^ Martian Manhunter vol. 2 #12 (November 1999)
- ^ Justice League Quarterly #1 (Winter 1990)
- ^ Superman Annual #14
- ^ Trinity #25 (November 2008)
- ^ Justice League of America (vol. 2) #39 (November 2009)
- ^ Justice League of America (Vol. 2) #40 (December 2009)
- ^ Truitt, Brian (May 4, 2012). "Geoff Johns gives out good vibes for Free Comic Book Day". USA Today.
- ^ Mullin, Pamela (August 26, 2012). "DC Entertainment Announces JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA". DC Comics
- ^ Gallaher, Valerie (November 5, 2012). "EXCLUSIVE!: 'Justice League of America' #1 Triumphs with 52 State Variants, Plus More News". MTV Geek.
- ^ Zalben, Alex (November 5, 2012). "EXCLUSIVE! 'Arrow' Creator Andrew Kreisberg On DC Comics New 'Vibe' Ongoing Series". MTV Geek.
- ^ MacDonald, Heidi; Heintjes, Tom, ed. (1985). "The George Pérez Interview". Focus on George Pérez. Fantagraphics Books. p. 29. ISBN 0-930193-09-1. Online version of interview:"Focus On George Pérez". TitansTower.com.
