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Thunderbolt (DC Comics)

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Not to be confused with Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt.
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt appearing in the cover art of JSA vol. 1 #21, art by Alan Davis.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceFlash Comics #1 (January 1940)
Created byJohn B. Wentworth
Stan Aschmeier
In-story information
Alter egoYz
Species5th Dimension Genie
Team affiliationsJustice Society of America
All-Star Squadron
Justice League
AbilitiesMagic
Reality warping
Flight
Invisibility
Electro-blasts

The Thunderbolt (real name: Yz) is a fictional character appearing in comics published by DC Comics and the name of other fictional genie variants within the 5th Dimension as well. Yz originally was portrayed as a genie-like character who hosts Johnny Thunder and then later Jakeem Thunder. He also appeared as an original and common member of the Justice Society of America.

Jim Gaffigan voices the character in the second season of The CW television show Stargirl.

Publication history

Thunderbolt (Yz) first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published with a cover date of January 1940, and was created by John Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier.[1][2][3]

Fictional character biography

Yz is a 5th Dimension Genie who resided in a pen that was entrusted to Johnny Thunder on his birthday where the Badhnesians would use it to rule the world. This plan was thwarted when Badhnesia was attacked by a neighboring country.[4][5] Later on, Johnny Thunder became aware of Thunderbolt's existence and the summoning word "cei-u".[6]

In the early 1950s, Johnny is kidnapped by the Badhnesians with the intention of executing their original world conquest plan. With help from Thunderbolt, Johnny manages to summon Superman and the would-be conquerors' plans are defeated.[7]

During Johnny Thunder's time with the Justice Society of America, his control over Thunderbolt was weakening due to a spell cast by Badhnesian priests.[8]

When Johnny Thunder started suffering from symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, he loses track of a pen in which the Thunderbolt is being stored. The pen eventually ends up in the ownership of a young African American boy named Jakeem Williams, who takes up the name Johnny Jakeem Thunder or Jakeem Thunder.[9]

In a later battle with Solomon Grundy, Jakeem unwittingly cures Johnny Thunder of Alzheimer's thanks to Thunderbolt. However, Johnny immediately falls prey to the Ultra-Humanite, who takes over Johnny's body in order to command the Thunderbolt's powers. In the "Stealing Thunder" storyline, Jakeem is one of several heroes left free from Ultra-Humanite's control. Eventually Jakeem wrests control of the Thunderbolt back from Ultra-Humanite, but Johnny Thunder loses his life. Jakeem then wishes that the Thunderbolt could save Johnny somehow, so the genie chooses to merge with Johnny, creating a new being with the memories of both. He later assumes the name Johnny Thunderbolt.[10]

In the "DC Rebirth" reboot, it was mentioned that Johnny Thunder lost Thunderbolt after Joseph McCarthy had him reveal his secret.[11]

In the "Watchmen" sequel "Doomsday Clock", Thunderbolt returned when Doctor Manhattan undid the experiment that erased the Justice Society of America and the Legion of Super-Heroes. He was once again merged with Johnny Thunder to become Johnny Thunderbolt.[12]

Jakeem later encounters the Teen Titans after Djinn is forced by her brother Elias to summon Johnny Thunderbolt. Elias attacks Johnny Thunderbolt and tears an artifact known as the Stone of Souls from within its body, rendering Jakeem powerless.[13] When the Titans nearly die while trying to save Djinn, Jakeem discovers that some of Johnny Thunderbolt's power is within his body, and is able to save the young heroes. After Elias' defeat, Djinn restores Johnny Thunderbolt and leaves with Jakeem to explore her newfound freedom.[14]

Powers and abilities

Thunderbolt can perform magic and perform reality warping. In addition, he can fly, become invisible, and fire electro-blasts.

Variants

Mzzttexxal

Mzzttexxal is a parasitic energy being from an unknown planet. She bonded with a private detective named Jonni Thunder.[15]

Zzlrrrzzzm

Zzlrrrzzzm is a parasitic energy being from an unknown planet and is the lover of Mzzttexxal. He later became bonded to Skyman.[16]

In other media

  • The Yz incarnation of Thunderbolt makes non-speaking appearances in the Justice League Unlimited animated television series episodes "Initiation", "The Greatest Story Never Told", and "Destroyer". This version is a member of an expanded Justice League.
  • The Yz incarnation of Thunderbolt appears in the live-action television series Stargirl, voiced by an uncredited actor in the season one episode "Icicle" and Jim Gaffigan in season two.[17] This version requires strict rules to grant wishes, such as specific wording. Additionally, according to Pat Dugan, Thunderbolt was a dangerous weapon. In the pilot episode, Thunderbolt and Johnny Thunder were with the Justice Society of America (JSA) until they were attacked by the Injustice Society, during which Johnny was killed by Brainwave and Thunderbolt was left trapped in his pen for over 10 years after Johnny wished for him to return to it and wait for a new owner. In the episode "Summer School: Chapter Three", Dugan's son Mike gets ahold of the pen and befriends Thunderbolt. Following a confrontation with Shade however, Mike unknowingly wishes for the pen to end up in better hands, causing it to be teleported to his friend Jakeem Williams' house. Thunderbolt later assists Stargirl's JSA and their allies in fighting Eclipso.

References

  1. ^ "DC's 'Rebirth': Decoding the Superhero Comic Book Relaunch". The Hollywood Reporter. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  2. ^ "CEI-U! Did Johnny Thunder Banish the JSA? Can He Bring Them Back for Rebirth?". Newsarama. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Doomsday Clock #3, Annotated Part 2 - The JSA 'Returns', Doom Patrol & Arkham". CBR. 26 January 2018.
  4. ^ Flash Comics, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 34-35 (January 1940). All-American Publications.
  5. ^ Flash Comics, vol. 1, no. 8, p. 32 (August 1940). All-American Publications.
  6. ^ Flash Comics, vol. 1, no. 2, p. 35 (February 1940). All-American Publications.
  7. ^ Superman Family #204. DC Comics.
  8. ^ E. Nelson Bridwell (w), Kurt Schaffenberger (p), Frank Chiaramonte (i). "The Rescue of His Majesty, Johnny Thunder" Superman Family, vol. 1, no. 204 (November/December 1980). DC Comics.
  9. ^ JLA #26. DC Comics.
  10. ^ JSA #46. DC Comics.
  11. ^ DC Universe: Rebirth one-shot (May 2016). DC Comics.
  12. ^ Doomsday Clock #12. DC Comics.
  13. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 6) #39. DC Comics.
  14. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 6) #39-41. DC Comics.
  15. ^ Jonni Thunder #1. DC Comics.
  16. ^ Infinity Inc. #41. DC Comics.
  17. ^ Bucksbaum, Bucksbaum (November 5, 2020). "DC's Stargirl casts Jim Gaffigan as Thunderbolt for season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
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