Black Vulcan

Fictional character biography

''Super Friends''

Black Vulcan debuted in The All-New Super Friends Hour in September 1977. He was created to replace Black Lightning, who could not be used due to disputes between DC and the character's creator Tony Isabella.{{cite web| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080111224227/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/003717774.cfm| website= WizardUniverse.com

In the final incarnation of the series, The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, Black Vulcan is replaced by fellow black superhero Cyborg.

DC Comics

Comic book artist and Super Friends fan Alex Ross intended to create a modernized version of Black Vulcan for his rejected Captain Marvel series. The title would have had the character reimagined as Vulcan, an African-American child who could become an adult superhero after accidentally gaining the wizard Shazam's powers.

Black Vulcan makes a cameo appearance in the DC One Million 80-Page Giant special as a member of an alternate universe Justice League.

''Harvey Birdman''

''Attorney at Law''

Black Vulcan appears in Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, voiced by Phil LaMarr. This version describes his powers as "pure electricity... in my pants", which becomes a running gag throughout the series, and originally went by the codename "Supervolt" before calling himself Black Vulcan at Aquaman's suggestion. In his most notable appearance in the episode "Very Personal Injury", Black Vulcan and Apache Chief, among other superheroes, form the "Multicultural Pals".

''Attorney General''

Black Vulcan returns in Harvey Birdman: Attorney General, again voiced by LaMarr. Depicted as the 46th President of the United States preceding Phil Ken Sebben, who, on awakening amnesiac to find that he is now the 46.5th president, without having any memory of being elected, goes on to appoint his former employee and ghostwriter Harvey Birdman to the rank of attorney corporal to help him be removed from office, and instate Black Vulcan again in his place.

Powers and abilities

Black Vulcan's powers include the ability to project bolts of electricity from his hands. By charging his lower body with energy, he can fly at superhuman speeds. On a few occasions, he exhibited capabilities such as converting his physical form into pure energy and traveling through light speed (in an unsuccessful attempt to escape a black hole). He was able to open a rift in spacetime via energy fluctuation. Black Vulcan is capable of spot/welding microelectronics.

In other media

Television

• A character inspired by Black Vulcan named Juice appears in Justice League Unlimited, voiced by an uncredited CCH Pounder. He is an electrokinetic, genetically engineered superhero created by Project Cadmus to serve as a member of their Ultimen and operate independently of the Justice League, though the former group are led to believe that they are metahumans. Additionally, due to his powers, Juice speaks with a raspy voice that causes him to sound like he is speaking through a low-quality speaker or radio. In the episode "Ultimatum", the Ultimen discover the truth behind their creation and that they are suffering from cellular breakdown. They attack their manager Maxwell Lord in an attempt to find Cadmus member Amanda Waller, only to be thwarted by the League and taken back into Cadmus' custody. In the episode "Panic in the Sky", Cadmus utilizes an army of Ultimen clones in their siege on the League's Watchtower.
• Black Vulcan serves as inspiration for Young Justices incarnation of Static, voiced by Bryton James.

Film

• Black Vulcan makes a cameo appearance in Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon.
• Black Vulcan makes a cameo appearance in The Lego Batman Movie.

Merchandise

• Black Vulcan received a figure in the Justice League Unlimited tie-in toyline as part of a three-pack with Apache Chief and Samurai.
• A 6" Black Vulcan action figure was released in Wave 18 of Mattel's DC Universe Classics line.
• Black Vulcan received an 8" action figure by Figures Toy Company.
• Black Vulcan received a Lego minifigure in Series 2 of The Lego Batman Movie collectible minifigure line.

References

References

1. Smith, Zach (January 6, 2011). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110110185555/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/oral-history-captain-marvel-101-110106.html "An Oral History of Captain Marvel: The Modern Years"]. [[Newsarama]].
2. (September 23, 1978). "The World's Deadliest Game".
3. (February 2022). "Secret Origins of the Superfriends".
4. (February 2022). "Dive to Disaster".
5. (11 February 2017). "The LEGO Batman Movie Easter Eggs & References".
6. [http://www.oafe.net/yo/dcuc18_bv.php DC Universe Classics 18: Black Vulcan review], OAFE.net
7. (February 1, 2018). "Review: LEGO Batman Movie Minifigures Series 2". Jay's Brick Blog.