Johnny and Jakeem Thunder
Johnny created by Robert Kanigher & Carmine
Infantino
Jakeem created by Grant Morrison & Howard Porter
+ History
Johnny Thunder was born the seventh son of a seventh son on July 7, 1917 to Simon B. Thunder and his wife Mildred. This "numerically significant" birth was impetus for a superstitious group of Badhnesians to kidnap baby Johnny. These people believed that on his seventh birthday, he was destined to become the master of their other-dimensional pink djinn. Taken while only a year old, Johnny was raised in Badhnesia.
Legend would tell that before that time, the neighboring company of Agolea declared war on Bahdnisia and kidnapped Johnny, who was lost at sea and eventually returned to his parents. Johnny, however, later secretly admitted that he accidentally set himself adrift at sea; he was not kidnapped. (JSA: Strange Adventures #2) He returned home to his parents and over time, he accidentally discovered the magic words which would summon the genie: "Cei-U" (Say You). Control over this Thunderbolt earned Johnny membership in the newly formed Justice Society.
Thought Johnny never married he did leave a legacy. He had a relationship with a girl named Daisy Darling that lasted through most of the war years, although she eventually left him. In 1941 he adopted a young girl named Peachy Pet, who even joined him when he did a stint in the U.S. Navy, becoming the mascot of Johnny's ship. In 1947, Johnny met Dinah Drake, Black Canary I, with whom he shared a number of adventures. Although Johnny had a crush on her, it was not requited, and Dinah eventually married her longtime boy friend Larry Lance.
In the 1960s, he had a relationship with another woman; allegedly, William Twotrees, a member of the group Primal Force, may be his son from this union. Johnny apparently carried a torch for Dinah Drake Lance for many years, and he was very saddened to discover that she had died during the JSA's time in Limbo. He was happy to find, however, that Peachy Pet, now an adult, became the founder of a highly successful frozen yogurt chain. Just before the so-called "Zero Hour," he adopted a young girl named Kiku, the last native of Badhnesia. Both Twotrees' and Kiku's current whereabouts are unknown.
Johnny began to lose control over the Thunderbolt because of his declining mental health and the original pink Thunderbolt fell into the hands of the young Jakeem Thunder. It seems Johnny had put the genie inside an ink pen, which Jay Garrick (The Flash) then unwittingly gave to Jakeem. Jakeem discovered that the Thunderbolt actually came from the Fifth Dimension and was controlled by speaking it's name (Yz) backwards ("Say You"). During a dimensional war involving the JLA, the Thunderbolt merged with another blue genie named Lkz from the Fifth Dimension. Lkz is controlled by speaking the phrase "so cool." Yz and Lkz formed a new purple genie named Ylzkz and this new genie is also now controlled by the phrase "so cool." Since then, the Thunderbolt has appeared only in it's pink form, but is still controlled by the command "so cool."
Jakeem's mother left his father while she was still pregnant with the boy. He was fully orphaned when his mother died of cancer. His aunt Lashawn was granted custody and his father, Phil, never knew (and still does not know) about his birth. Jakeem became a self-reliant latchkey kid who grew up on the streets and adopted a tough, foul-mouthed attitude in order to survive life on the street.
After assuming control of the genie, Jakeem was welcomed as a part-time member of the new Justice Society where other young heroes like Stargirl have been a positive influence on him. He also benefits from the guidance of Johnny Thunder himself. He and Hourman Rick Tyler have also built a brotherly friendship.
Poor Johnny's body did not survive when it was then overtaken by the Ultra-Humanite. To save Johnny, the Thunderbolt fused itself to him. The genie now bears Johnny's likeness and memories. It's not clear how the personalities of the two genies and and Johnny Thunder's soul interact, and whether any one personality is dominant. Johnny's family was informed of Johnny's death and a funeral was held at Valhalla. The family does not know that he lives on as the Thunderbolt.
With Johnny's help, Jakeem recently met his biological father, Phil, who is now an engineering student. Jakeem did not reveal his true identity, but also met Phil's wife, Jennifer and his younger half-brother. He is torn between his longing to reconnect with his biological father, but not wanting to upset Phil's life.
His aunt is not entirely supportive of Jakeem's new role as hero, but he also receives guidance from Jay and Joan Garrick.
The first Johnny Thunder was a hero of the Old West, and first appeared in All-American Western #100 and later married Madame .44.
+ Powers
Johnny and Jakeem have control over genies which hail from the 5th dimension, the same place as Superman's nemesis, Mr. Myxzptlk and Aquaman's foe, Qwsp. These genies have near-limitless power, but are bound by the commands of their masters. They can project energy, teleport, creat hard-light constructs and affect third dimensional matter in ways that appear "magical."
The genies appear to gladly serve their masters and have never expressed the desire to be "freed."
According to the legends, only the seventh son of a seventh son can wield a Thunderbolt. This appears indeed to be only a legend, as neither Kiku nor Jakeem meet this criterion.
Appearances + References
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All-Star
Comics #3-35, 37-40 
