Jonathan L. Thunder (New Earth)

From DC Database

Johnny Thunder

Gallery

Real Name

Jonathan L. Thunder

Current Alias

Johnny Thunder

Aliases

Johnny Thunderbolt

Identity

Secret

Alignment

Good

Affiliation

Former member of the Justice Society of America

Relatives

Simon B. Thunder (father, deceased); Mildred Thunder (mother, deceased); Jacob Thunder (brother); James Thunder (brother); Jason Thunder (brother); Jefferson Thunder (brother); Jordan Thunder (brother); Joseph Thunder (brother); William Twotrees (son); Peachy Pet Thunder (adoptive daughter), Shocko (son-in-law), Thunderbolt (brother-in-law)

Universe

New Earth

Base Of Operations

The 5th Dimension

Characteristics

Gender

Male

Height

5' 8"

Weight

125 lbs (56.69 kg)

Eyes

Blue

Hair

Blond

Unusual Features

In his current state of being, Johnny exists as part of the Bahdnesian Thunderbolt.

Status

Citizenship

American

Marital Status

Single

Occupation

Too many to list

Origin

Origin

Creators

John B. Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier

First appearance

Flash Comics #1

History

Johnny Thunder is the seventh son of a seventh son, born at 7 a.m. on the seventh day of the seventh month in 1917. This causes him to be kidnapped and sold to a group of men from the fictional country of Badhnesia who had been looking for someone born at this time on this day. As an infant, Johnny is given possession of the genie-like "Thunderbolt" during a mystic ritual on his seventh birthday, which was intended to allow the Badhnesians to use Johnny to rule the world. However, the plan is soon aborted after an attack from a neighboring country. Johnny eventually returns to the United States and lives an un-extraordinary life until one day, while washing windows, he inadvertently summons the Thunderbolt with the magic words cei-u (pronounced "say you") which he accidentally uses to become a successful boxer. Eventually, Johnny figures out how to summon the Thunderbolt on cue, uses this ability to eventually join the Justice Society of America.

Johnny's appearances with the Justice Society and in his own solo adventures tended to be quite comedic, as Johnny's main personality trait was being fairly dim-witted, which prompts his much-smarter Thunderbolt to possess a sarcastic (if patient) attitude toward his "boss."

The Thunderbolt's abilities, thanks to his magical powers, are quite vast; however, he is limited by only being able to execute Johnny's exactly worded orders—which, thanks to Johnny's lack of intelligence, sometimes create a fair amount of chaos.

Johnny's adventures ceased in the late 1940s when he was replaced in the Justice Society stories by a heroine he had begun teaming up with, the Black Canary. The reason for his leaving the Justice Society is eventually explained to be that his control over his Thunderbolt is weakening, thanks to a spell cast by renegade Badhnesian priests. In the early 1950s, Johnny is kidnapped again by agents from Badhnesia, with the intention of executing their original world conquest plan. Johnny manages to summon Superman, and the would-be conquerors' plans are defeated. Johnny spent some time in Badhnesia afterwards, teaching the native citizens about democracy. He returns home after the country elects its first president.

Johnny rejoins the Justice Society upon its reformation in the 1960s, and joins them on various adventures through the following decades.

Johnny's Return

The absence of the JSA and of Johnny Thunder did not last long. Johnny is depicted as an over-weight man, not as old as his friends, but nostalgic for the past. It is explained that before he had entered into limbo he had lent his foster daughter a few thousand dollars and during his time fighting for the universe, she had created Peachy's Frozen Yogurt, a very successful chain of which Johnny is half owner... and now very wealthy. Of greater import to Johnny Thunder is his discovery that the Bahdnesians have all but disappeared. A visit to the island of Bahdnesia (now under the ownerhsip of Pol St. Germain) proves that no Bahdnesians are left there. Johnny states: "There were never very many of them... and the island magic had worn out. T-Bolt was all that was left, and he was with me in limbo. They had to leave or starve to death." This also introduced the young Kiku, according to the Thunder Bolt, the last remaining Bhadnesian.

After this Johnny is depicted as suffering from symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. At one point 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. Recently, in an attempt to save Johnny's life after the Ultra-Humanite used his body to take control of the Thunderbolt and temporarily remake Earth in his image, Johnny is merged with the Thunderbolt, taking the name "Johnny Thunderbolt" (although a recent issue of JSA, dealing with a Jakeem "gone mad", shows a Johnny separate from the genie and a denizen of the fifth dimension, part of the "Thunderbolt family").

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Reality Alteration: As the Thunderbolt, Johnny possesses all of the powers of a Genie from the 5th Dimension, which includes reality alteration of immeasurable range.

Thunderbolt Control (formerly): As a normal human, Johnny possessed the ability to summon and control the Bahdnesian Thunderbolt, Yz. By speaking the Genie's name backwards, "Cei-U" (pronounced "Say-You"), Johnny could command Yz to do his bidding. Denied the ability of free will, Yz was limited by the exacting nature of Johnny's words. If Johnny's commands were ambiguous, the Thunderbolt would ask Johnny to repeat the command using more specific directions.

Uncanny Good Luck (formerly): Johnny also appeared to possess uncanny good luck, though this is undoubtedly is an aspect of his association with the Thunderbolt.

Abilities

Jack of All Trades: Johnny would likely describe himself as a Jack of all trades, yet master of none. However, he did possess a small degree of writing talent, and frequently chronicled the adventures of his Justice Society friends.

Strength level

As a mortal human, Johnny Thunder possessed the strength level of a man his age, size and weight who engaged in minimal regular exercise. As the Bahdnesian Thunderbolt, Johnny's strength level is immeasurable.

Weaknesses

Alzheimer's (formerly): As Johnny grew older, he began suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.

Paraphernalia

Equipment: None known.
Transportation: None known.
Weapons: None known.

Notes

• Johnny Thunder has no connection to former Infinity, Inc. ally Jonni Thunder. Nor does he have any connection to the 19th century lawman of the same name.
  

Trivia

• All of the Thunder siblings have names that begin with the letter "J".

See Also

• Discuss Jonathan L. Thunder (New Earth) on the forums
• Appearances of Jonathan L. Thunder (New Earth) (Chronological)
• Appearances of Jonathan L. Thunder (New Earth) (Alphabetical)
• Character Gallery: Jonathan L. Thunder (New Earth)
• Fan-Art Gallery: Jonathan L. Thunder (New Earth)
• Quotations by Jonathan L. Thunder (New Earth)

Recommended Reading

• None.

Links and References

• at Wikipedia.org
  
• Johnny Thunder article at Wikipedia
• Johnny Thunder biography page at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
  

Footnotes