A
super hero published by
Marvel Comics.
Black Bolt first appeared in
Fantastic Four #45.
Black Bolt is the monarch of the Inhumans, a forced genetic offshoot of the
human race created by the alien Kree. The Inhumans decided to allow the most
genetically advanced of their race to be their ruler. Many of their race possess
superhuman powers due to their exposure to the Terrigan Mist, a substance that
causes rapid genetic advancement.
The former king of the Inhumans, Agon, used the Terrigan Mist to expose the
embryo of his unborn son. Because of this exposure, Agon's son, Blackagar
Boltagon possessed extrordinary powers. He was able to harnass the free electrons
around him to enhance his strength and to fly, as well as to channel them into
an energy blast through the use of the two-pronged antenna on his forehead. An unfortunate side effect of these powers, however, was that
anytime Agon's son spoke, it caused massive shockwaves. For this reason, Black
Bolt, as he came to be known, spent his early years in a sound proof chamber, away
from contact with most other Inhumans.
When he became an adult, Black Bolt left the confines of his sound proof room. Soon,
after leaving however, he was forced to use his powers to disable a fleeing Kree
ship. The Kree had been in contact with Black Bolt's younger brother Maximus
who had been working with the Kree to enslave the Inhumans. Black Bolt used his
voice to stop the Kree from leaving. Unfortunately, the ship crashed into the parliment
building where his parents were. The crash killed both his parents and Black
Bolt reluctantly accepted the leadership of the people. The use of his voice
also had another effect. Maximus, his brother, was caught in the backlash of the
sound and was driven mad by it.
For years to come, Black Bolt and the members of the royal family lead the
Inhumans. Their capital city of Attilan was eventually affected by the pollution
of the humans and had to be sealed off from the rest of the world by a force
shield. During this time, Medusa, Black Bolt's love, wandered away from the
city having been struck with amnesia. The royal family searched her and eventually
came into contact with the Fantastic Four.
Black Bolt has lead the Inhuman population through a number of attempts by Maximus
to take the throne from him. Some of these attempts have been successful for a
time, but Black Bolt has always regained the throne.