From Lex Luthor to Judgment Day, Superman it has some of the most iconic supervillains in comic book history, characters who have transcended DC media again and again; yet an underrated Superman: The Animated Series the villain Volcana finally entered the main DC Comics canon. Years after its animated debut, Volcana once again takes on superheroes, but this time with a new redesign and a new team of supervillains.
In Black Lightning #2 – written by Brandon Thomas, with art by Fico Ossio – Lightning, Daughter of Black Lightning, and Natasha Steel, a member of the Superman Family, find Volcana and her new team wreaking havoc in a steel mill. Volcana tells the heroes that she is back in town, implying that she and her new team have a problem with how Steelworks is helping the Metahumans, creating an all-out fight between Volcana and Steel.
The Volcana crossover is an exciting revival of the character; whether his villainous return will stand the test of time like other animated supervillains before her, remains to be determined.
Volcana Premieres: Delayed First Appearance of 'Superman: The Animated Series' Comic Villain
Black Lightning #2– Written by Brandon Thomas; Art by Fico Ossi; Color by Ulises Arreola; Lyrics by Lucas Gattoni
Volcana premiered in Superman: The Animated Series, Season 3, Episode 1, “Where There's Smoke”, as Claire Selton, a young metahuman with pyrokinetic powers. Although not as popular as other villains that have come from the series, such as Live Wire, Volcana is an ultra-powerful and charming villain who has faced off against Superman, never before appearing in the comics until now. With his return to the spotlight, Volcana's origin story sets up the perfect middle ground for the new Black Lightning current metahuman themes of the series.
Volcana represents those metahumans who do not want to contain their powers, an excellent intermediary between the two sides of justice.
Claire was sent to The Metropolis Center for Paranormal Studies to keep her powers in check, but was taken by the government to be trained into a living weapon, explaining why Volcana would be skeptical of Steelworks helping metahumans with their powers. After the consequences of Absolute powermany still agree with Amanda Waller that metahumans are dangerous to society, while Black Lighting and his family lead the effort to help metahumans who cannot control their powers. Volcana represents those metahumans who do not want to contain their powers, an excellent intermediary between the two sides of justice.
Volcana enters DC Canon with a redesign and new team – what this means for the character
DC is investing in the character
Volcana's move into the mainstream universe comes at the perfect time with DC in the midst of its All inclusive Initiative and Black Bolt dealing with the consequences of Absolute power. Whether she remains a cameo or becomes a prominent character, her new look and new team build anticipation for her impending battle and how she will play a role in the story. Volcana's introduction into the DCU paves the way for her to make an impact on major CC The tradition of the universe, and offers infinite potential for a forgotten and underappreciated Superman: The Animated Series villain.
Black Lightning #1 is now available from DC Comics!
Superman: The Animated Series is a cartoon centered on the many adventures of the Man of Steel. Aired from 1996 to 2000, it is part of Warner Bros. DC Animated Universe, set in the same continuity as Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League: Unlimited.