View source for Karate Kid (character)

{{short description|DC Comics character}}
{{about|the DC Comics character|the protagonist of ''[[The Karate Kid]]'' franchise|Daniel LaRusso}}
{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|character_name= Karate Kid
|image= Karatekid.PNG
|converted= y
|caption= Karate Kid as depicted in ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]'' #45 (June 2007). Art by [[Ed Benes]].
|publisher= [[DC Comics]]
|debut= ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #346 (July [[1966 in comics|1966]])
|alter_ego= Val Armorr
|creators= [[Jim Shooter]] (writer and artist)
|species = [[Human]]
|homeworld = [[Earth]] ([[31st century]])
|alliances= [[Legion of Super-Heroes]]<br/>[[Justice League]]
|aliases=
|powers= Master of every [[martial arts|martial art]] up to the 31st century across the galaxy<br>Peak human physical condition<br>Able to sense weak spots in objects<br>Resistance to mind control|cat= super
|subcat= DC Comics
|hero= y
|sortkey= Karate Kid (Comics)
}} 
'''Karate Kid''' ('''Val Armorr''') is a [[superhero]] appearing in the [[DC Comics]] universe, primarily as a member of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]]. He is a master of every form of [[martial arts]] to have been developed by the 31st century.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=164}}</ref> The extent of his skill is so great that he can severely damage various types of hard material with a single blow and was briefly able to hold his own against [[Superboy (Kal-El)|Superboy]] through what he called "Super Karate".

Karate Kid has made limited appearances in other media, primarily in association with the Legion. He is voiced by [[Keith Ferguson (voice actor)|Keith Ferguson]] in ''[[Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)|Legion of Super Heroes]]'' (2006) and [[Dante Basco]] in ''[[JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time]]''.

==Publication history==
Karate Kid first appeared in ''Adventure Comics'' #346 (July 1966) and was created by [[Jim Shooter]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wells |first1=John |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969 |date=2014 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490557 |page=110}}</ref> The character appeared in Shooter's first published story, along with other new members of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]]: [[Princess Projectra]], [[Ferro Lad]] and [[Nemesis Kid]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=112}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
Val Armorr is the son of Japanese crime lord Kirau Nezumi, also known as Black Dragon. When he was born, his mother, American secret agent Valentina Armorr, tried to hide him from his father, but she failed and was killed for her effort. Japan's greatest hero Sensei Toshiaki (the White Crane) kills Black Dragon for his crimes, adopts Val, and trains him in martial arts. Following an unsuccessful attempt to impress Toshiaki, Val leaves him and searches the galaxy for new forms of battle to master.

===Legion of Super-Heroes===
{{Main|Legion of Super-Heroes}}

When Val returns to Earth, he applies to join the Legion of Super-Heroes, who are searching for recruits to battle the [[Khund]]s. Despite lacking powers, he joins the Legion after defeating Superboy in one-on-one combat. He later becomes the Legion's leader for one term{{efn|Val's term as leader began in ''Adventure Comics'' #382 (November 1969) and ended with the first term of Mon-El in ''Adventure Comics'' #392 (September 1970).}} and falls in love with [[Princess Projectra]].

Karate Kid is later killed in battle with [[Nemesis Kid]] and succeeded by [[Myg (character)|Myg]].<ref>{{cite comic|story=Lest Villainy Triumph|writer=[[Paul Levitz]]; [[Keith Giffen]]|penciller=Keith Giffen; [[Steve Lightle]]|inker=Larry Mahlstedt|volume=2|title=[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]|issue=4|date=Nov 1984|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic|story=An Eye for an Eye; a Villain for a Hero!|title=[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]|volume=2|issue=5|date=Dec 1984|publisher=DC Comics|writer=[[Paul Levitz]] and [[Keith Giffen]]| penciller =[[Steve Lightle]] |inker=Larry Mahlstedt}}</ref> Furthermore, a temporal clone of Karate Kid from "Batch SW6" is introduced in the "Five Years Later" arc.<ref>''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 4, #40 (February 1993)</ref>

===1994 reboot===
[[Image:KarateKidPZH.jpg|thumb|150px|Post-Zero Hour Karate Kid as depicted in ''Legion of Superheroes'' #103 (April 1998).<br>Art by [[Alan Davis]].|left]]Karate Kid is resurrected following ''[[Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!]]'', which reboots the Legion's continuity. He joins Leland McCauley's [[Workforce (comics)|Workforce]] before leaving them and joining the Legion. After the Legion's universe is destroyed, Karate Kid is among the Legionnaires who travel the multiverse to find survivors from other universes.[[Image:KarateKidThreeboot.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The Threeboot incarnation of Karate Kid as depicted in ''Legion of Superheroes'' (vol. 5) #5 (June 2005).<br>Art by [[Barry Kitson]].]]
In the "[[Threeboot]]", Karate Kid is a combat trainer for other Legion members.<ref>''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 5, #37 (February 2008)</ref>

===One Year Later and Countdown===
In ''[[One Year Later]]'' and ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]'', the pre-''Zero Hour'' Karate Kid resurfaces and is brainwashed into believing that he is the villain [[Trident (DC Comics)|Trident]].<ref name="JLAv2 10">''Justice League of America'' vol. 2, #10 (August 2007)</ref><ref>''[[Countdown to Final Crisis|Countdown]]'' #49 (May 23, 2007)</ref> After being freed from mind control, Karate Kid stays in the 21st century with [[Luornu Durgo|Una]] before being killed by the ''Morticoccus'' virus.<ref>''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]'' #7 (March 12, 2008)</ref> Karate Kid is later resurrected and rejoins the Legion.<ref>''[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]'' #22 (July 17, 2013)</ref>

==Solo series==
{{Infobox comic book title <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| title= Karate Kid
| noimage= yes
| caption=
| schedule= Bi-monthly
| format= [[Ongoing series|Ongoing]]
| publisher= [[DC Comics]] 
| date= March/April [[1976 in comics|1976]] – July/August [[1978 in comics|1978]]
| issues= 15
| main_char_team= Karate Kid
| writers= [[David Michelinie|Barry Jameson]]<br>[[Bob Rozakis]]<br>[[Paul Levitz]]<br>Jack C. Harris
| artists=
| pencillers= [[Ric Estrada]]<br>Juan Ortiz
| inkers=
| letterers =
| colorists=
| covers=
| creative_team_month=
| creative_team_year=
| creators=
| editors= [[Joe Orlando]]<br>[[Al Milgrom]]<br>[[Dennis O'Neil]]
| TPB=
| ISBN=
}}

The pre-''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' Karate Kid was featured in a 15-issue ongoing series, cover dated March/April 1976 through July/August 1978. It was written primarily by [[David Michelinie|Barry Jameson]] and [[Bob Rozakis]], with pencils by [[Ric Estrada]] and Juan Ortiz.<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/29809/ ''Karate Kid'' #2 (May/June 1976)] at the [[Grand Comics Database]]</ref>

In the series, Karate Kid attempts to prove to King Voxv of Orando that he is worthy of marrying Princess Projectra. While in the past, he befriends schoolteacher Iris Jacobs and encounters teen heroes [[Superboy (Kal-El)|Superboy]] and [[Dick Grayson|Robin]]. He battles numerous villains, including Nemesis Kid, [[Major Disaster]], and the [[Epoch (DC Comics)|Lord of Time]]. Eventually, he returns to the 30th century to assist the Legion during "[[Earthwar]]".<ref>''Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #244 (October 1978)</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
Karate Kid is a master in every documented form of martial arts. He can sense the weakest spot in an object and damage durable materials such as metal and stone with a single blow.

Furthermore, Karate Kid's discipline gives him resistance to mind control and prevents him from feeling pain.

As a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, Karate Kid is provided a Legion Flight Ring, which allows him to fly and protects him from the vacuum of space and other dangerous environments. He has an extensive collection of weapons, but seldom uses them in combat.

==In other media==
[[Image:LSH2.05-KarateKid.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Karate Kid as he appears in the  ''Legion of Super Heroes'' animated series.]]
* Karate Kid appears in ''[[Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)|Legion of Super Heroes]]'', voiced by [[Keith Ferguson (voice actor)|Keith Ferguson]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Karate Kid Voices (Legion of Super Heroes) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Legion-of-Super-Heroes/Karate-Kid/ |access-date=July 16, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
* Karate Kid appears in ''[[JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time]]'', voiced by [[Dante Basco]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Volpe |first=Giancarlo |author-link=Giancarlo Volpe |title=21 COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABOUT JLA ADVENTURES: TRAPPED IN TIME |url=http://greenlantern-tas.tumblr.com/post/73523614861 |website=Tumblr}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version possesses [[Qi|ki]]-based attacks.
* Karate Kid appears as a character summon in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://majorspoilers.com/2007/04/15/hero-history-the-karate-kid/ A Hero History of Karate Kid]
* [http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?GSub=89206 Karate Kid vs... Gallery]

{{Legion of Super-Heroes}}
{{Jim Shooter}}
{{Superman characters}}
[[Category:1976 comics debuts]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jim Shooter]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1966]]
[[Category:DC Comics martial artists]]
[[Category:DC Comics titles]]
[[Category:Fictional Japanese people]]
[[Category:Fictional karateka]]
[[Category:Fictional samurai]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes members]]
[[Category:Superheroes who are adopted]]