# Karate Kid (character)

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. 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 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 in 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. 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.

## 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 (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

When Val returns to Earth, he applies to join the Legion of Super-Heroes, who are searching for recruits to battle the Khunds. 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 and falls in love with Princess Projectra.
Karate Kid is later killed in battle with Nemesis Kid and succeeded by Myg. Furthermore, a temporal clone of Karate Kid from "Batch SW6" is introduced in the "Five Years Later" arc.

### 1994 reboot

Karate Kid is resurrected following Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!, which reboots the Legion's continuity. He joins Leland McCauley's 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.
In the "Threeboot", Karate Kid is a combat trainer for other Legion members.

### 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. After being freed from mind control, Karate Kid stays in the 21st century with Una before being killed by the Morticoccus virus. Karate Kid is later resurrected and rejoins the Legion.

## Solo series

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 Barry Jameson and Bob Rozakis, with pencils by Ric Estrada and Juan Ortiz.
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 and Robin. He battles numerous villains, including Nemesis Kid, Major Disaster, and the Lord of Time. Eventually, he returns to the 30th century to assist the Legion during "Earthwar".

## 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

* For the unrelated 1984 film The Karate Kid the filmmakers received special permission from DC Comics to use the title for the film (and its subsequent sequels).
* Karate Kid appears in Legion of Super Heroes, voiced by Keith Ferguson.
* Karate Kid appears in JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time, voiced by Dante Basco. This version possesses ki-based attacks.
* Karate Kid appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.