Impala (DC Comics)

Impala
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Super Friends #7 (October 1977)
Created by	E. Nelson Bridwell (writer) Ramona Fradon (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	M'Bulaze of South Africa (Pre-Crisis) Charles Mokose (Post-Rebirth)
Species	Metahuman
Place of origin	South Africa
Team affiliations	Global Guardians
Supporting character of	(Charles Mokose) Vixen
Abilities	(M'Bulaze) Superhuman speed, endurance, and agility (Charles Mokose) Via mystic totem: Limited healing powers Superhuman endurance Superhuman speed Aerokinesis

Impala is a fictional character and a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Super Friends #7 (October 1977) and was created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Ramona Fradon. The character is a South African speedster of the Global Guardians team and has super-speed and leaping powers. ^[1]

Fictional character biography

Impala

M'Bulaze is a politically minded Zulu warrior from South Africa. He helped the Flash dismantle a bomb in South Africa. ^[2] He later joined forces with other African heroes in the Crisis on Infinite Earths . He, along with other Global Guardians, were brainwashed by the Queen Bee of Bialya. ^[3]

As part of a public perception ploy, the Guardians and the Justice League were tricked into battling a giant, alien robot. The robot was sent by the Queen Bee herself, who was not too concerned if it were to kill any of the Guardians. During the battle, Impala 'rescues' Power Girl, not understanding that she was one of the few able to withstand the blows of the robot.

After coming to his senses and being rescued by Guardians and Justice League members, Impala takes some time off. While visiting Metropolis, he is attacked by the ancient being Fain Y'onia. The result of the battle is the loss of his powers. Before Fain is ultimately defeated, he causes the deaths of Impala's friends, Bushmaster and Thunderlord. Impala is later involved in Roulette's house of games, but he does not survive.

DC Universe (2017- )

After the events of Flashpoint, a rebooted version of Impala appeared with a new alter ego, Charles Mokose, whose mannerisms and appearance suggest an African and British heritage. While still retaining his previous power set, the nature of his abilities are described as "totemic" similarly to Vixen and her tantum totem, originating from the antelope totem in which he places on his head. He also retains his membership into the Global Guardians, whose objective is to investigate problematic beings and objects of power and intervene before they warrant the attention of the Justice League. Additionally, Vixen appears to harbor romantic interest in Charles. ^[4]

Impala, Olympian, and Doctor Mist team up with Vixen when an ancient deity hijacks the body of a scientist investigating mystical artifacts and threatens to take other hosts for his godly siblings. During the battle with the ancient deity, Impala witnesses Vixen's tantu totem broken by an ancient deity and she nearly succumbs to being possessed by an ancient goddess. However, she resists control and destroys both artifacts that allow the deities to control their hosts. In the aftermath, Vixen leaves to attend a photoshoot but not before suggesting to Impala that they should go out to dinner. When Impala asks If Mist intends to enlist her into CGI as an agent, Mist instead states that she'd more likely lead the team. ^[4]

Kid Impala

M'Bulaze is succeeded by a younger counterpart, Kid Impala, a member of the Ultramarine Corps who first appeared in the Neh-Buh-Loh storyline from JLA: Classified #2. He later travels to a dystopian pocket universe called 'Qwewq' with the rest of the Ultramarines. ^[5] He is seen fighting again with the Corps in Final Crisis. ^[6]

Powers and abilities

All versions of Impala possess powers associated with the namesake, including superhuman speed, endurance, and agility (leaping ability). ^{[7] [8]} The current incarnation of Impala's powers originates from a mystical totem and also demonstrated the ability to generate strong winds by rotating his arms at high speeds. Each time he wears the impala totem on his face, the totem heals him of any pre-existing injuries incurred prior to putting it on, granting him limited healing abilities. Due to the nature of his powers, he is also resistant to mystic possession so long as he has the totem on. Although compared to the Flash, Impala admitted that his powers are inferior. ^[4]

Other versions

Flashpoint

In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Impala is a member of the H.I.V.E. council. He voted for innocent civilians to live in Western Europe between Aquaman and Wonder Woman before using nuclear weapons to end the war. ^[9]

See also

• African characters in comics

References

1. Wells, John; Dallas, Keith (2018). Comic Book Implosion: An Oral History of DC Comics Circa 1978. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 38. ISBN   978-1605490854.
2. Super Friends. No. 7. October 1977.Missing or empty |title= (help)
3. Greenberger, Robert (2008), "Global Guardians", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 138, ISBN   978-0-7566-4119-1, OCLC   213309017
4. Thorne, Geoffrey; Easton, Brandon; Lore, Danny; Trammell, Jeff; Ellis, Grace; Aydin, Andrew (2021). Truth & justice. Burbank, CA. ISBN   978-1-77951-277-2. OCLC   1244256704.
5. "JLA: Classified". Justice League. No. 2. February 2005.
6. 'Final Crisis. No. 4. 2008.Missing or empty |title= (help)
7. Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #9. DC Comics. 1985. pp. 10–11.
8. Who's Who in the DC Universe #7. DC Comics. 1991. pp. 10–11.
9. "The World of Flashpoint". Flashpoint. No. 1. June 2011.

External links

• DCU Guide: Impala
• DCU Guide: Kid Impala
• Those Who Ride The Lightning: Impala