The Karate Kid

Original Karate Kid

Val Armorr is the son of Japan's greatest crimelord, Kirau Nezumi, also known as Black Dragon. When he was born, his mother, the American secret agent Valentina Armorr, tried to hide him from his father, but failed and was killed for her affront. Japan's biggest hero, Sensei Toshiaki White Crane eventually killed Black Dragon for his crimes, and adopted the infant Val. He raised Val as if he were his own son, and trained him in all manner of the martial arts. Val became the youngest warrior ever to earn the title Samurai, and went to work for his local shogun. But after trying his best and failing to please his supervisor, he quit and searched the galaxy for new forms of battle to master. (Superboy vol. 1 #210, Secret Origins #47) Note: Karate Kid's real name was first revealed in Adventure #359 (1967). The Sensei first appeared in Adventure #367 (1968). The Black Dragon and Valentina Armorr were first mentioned in Superboy #210 (1975).

When he returned to Earth, he found that the Legion of Super-Heroes was searching for new recruits to help fend off an impending Khund invasion. He applied, and, although he had no superhuman powers, was accepted after demonstrating his prowess against Superman himself. (Adventure #346) His Legion career almost ended ignominiously when fellow recruit Nemesis Kid framed him for betraying Earth to the Khunds. Nemesis Kid's treachery was discovered in time, and Val went on to become one of the greatest Legionnaires ever. (#347) As Karate Kid, Val took on the entire Fatal Five single-handedly (#378) and was elected Legion leader for one term. (Action #382)

Val fell in love with with his fellow Legion recruit, Princess Projectra, who joined the Legion on the same day. After a visit to Projectra's home on Orando, Val set out on a quest to win the princess' hand in marriage. He took a leave of absence and spent nearly a year proving his worth to her father, King Voxv. (Superboy vol. 1 #206, Karate Kid #1) When he returned, he put delivered the ultimate proof of his worth by saving the King himself from the new Black Dragon, Sadaharu. (Karate Kid #10)

After this, Val and Projectra were effectively engaged, but did not get around to planning their wedding for some time. They took a leave of absence in order to return to Orando (Legion vol. 2 #284), but upon their arrival, King Voxv died of a heart attack (#285) and Projectra's cousin, Pharoxx, took the throne. (#286) With the help of the Legion, they overthrew Pharoxx and Projectra's was made queen. Val and Projectra officially became Legion reservists. (#288) Val officially proposed (#296) and the couple were married on Orando in a surprisingly uninterrupted ceremony. (Legion vol. 2 Annual #2)

Their bliss would not last long. He and Projectra returned from their honeymoon to find that her planet, Orando, had been taken over by the Legion of Super-Villains. (Legion vol. 3 #2) He, Projectra, and several other Legionnaires were captured by the villains, and when they broke out to fight the villains, he took on their leader, Nemesis Kid. Nemesis Kid beat Val almost to death. Val chose to go down fighting -— the ultimate honor by his cultural standards. Despite Projectra's please, Val used his last ounce of strength to destroy the villains' power source, and died. (#4) Projectra killed Nemesis Kid in revenge soon afterward. (#5) A memorial to Val was built on Shanghalla.

After his death, Timber Wolf learned that he was the heir to Karate Kid's estate. (#9) He and the Sensei traveled to the planet Lythyl to honor Val's last wishes. There they met the young martial artist, Myg, (#10, 13, 15) who eventually came to Earth, entered the Legion Academy and became Karate Kid II. (Legion vol. 3 Annual #3)

Batch SW6: Karate Kid III

In Glorith Reality continuity, there was another Karate Kid introduced as a member of the so-called SW6 Legionnaires. He was killed in the explosion of the Dominion underground chambers during the effort to rescue the resistance troops, together with the SW6 Princess Projectra and Chameleon Boy. He never traveled to the twentieth century or married Projectra, and he didn't fight the Fatal Five singlehandedly -- although he certainly would have if he had had the opportunity.

Notes

Jim Shooter on Karate Kid: "Definitely scrutable. Blunt. Forward, open, sometimes rash, impulsive, hot-headed. He is exactly as he seems. Courageous, loyal, and bright, believe it or not. He can lead, but mostly prefers to be alone or operate with relative autonomy. He'll work with a group, but prefers many options to many orders. He can think deep, but doesn't want to—he is, in many ways, an artist!" —Interlac (1976)

Tom & Mary Bierbaum on Karate Kid: "Here's a guy who's mentally disciplined himself to such a degree that he can give Superboy a run for his money. The problem is, Karate Kid has trouble dealing with teammates who have so much more to work with and expect so much less of themselves. Well-matched with Princess Projectra, who also has occasional trouble regarding her teammates as worthy equals." —Interlac (2000)

In the Legion character index in the magazine Amazing Heroes (#46, Sept. 1984), Val is twice referred to as "Karate King." It states "He left the Legion and changed his name from karate Kid when he married Queen Projectra." Paul Levitz contributed to this article. This codename was never used in-comic, though, although Projectra was listed as "Queen Projectra" in the Best of DC Digest #24 (which featured new Legion costumes by George Pérez).

Retroboot

After the first great "Crisis," Val's teammates — under unrevealed circumstances — chose to attempt to resurrect Val. The three Legion founders were instrumental in arranging for the same ceremony that had revived Lightning Lad years before. (Adventure #312)

They were successful, and in a bizarre twist of fate, Val joined six other Legionnaires to travel back to the 21st century to perform the very same ritual to save someone else. (Justice League of America vol. 2 #3) Indeed the killing lightning chose Val's lightning rod and the hero would have died again if not for his quick reflexes. He dodged the lightning and cheated death again. After this mission, however, he was ordered to remain in the 21st century and undertake a new mission, aided by his teammate, Una. (#10)

Powers

Karate Kid is expert in many forms of martial arts. By applying simple physics, he has been known to best even Mon-El.

Appearances + References