A Forgotten Superman Villain Becomes Canon After Animated Debut: It’s True!

Superman boasts a range of legendary adversaries, from the cunning Lex Luthor to the monstrous Doomsday. Among this stellar cast of supervillains, Volcana from Superman: The Animated Series has recently made a noteworthy transition into the DC Comics main canon. Despite being one of the series’ underrated villains, Volcana is making her return with a new design and an intriguing alliance of supervillains.

In her latest appearance, Volcana notifies the heroes that her team is back in town, expressing dissatisfaction with Steelworks’ approach to assisting metahumans. This sets the stage for an anticipated confrontation between Volcana and Steel.

Volcana from the DCAU makes her debut in Black Lightning #2 pic.twitter.com/QHkoSKg8xe — DCU Updates (@dcuworld) December 22, 2024

Volcana’s resurgence ignites a compelling narrative as she re-enters the world of comics. The question remains whether her return will resonate as profoundly as other animated villains have throughout the years.

Volcana’s Long-Awaited Debut: An Underrated Villain from “Superman: The Animated Series”

Volcana in Superman: The Animated Series

Volcana’s character first appeared in the third season of Superman: The Animated Series, specifically in the episode titled “Where There’s Smoke.”In her debut as Claire Selton, she is portrayed as a young metahuman possessing pyrokinetic abilities. Although overshadowed by more popular villains like Live Wire, Volcana possesses tremendous power and charisma, having already clashed with Superman. Until now, her presence was absent from the comic book realm. With her current return, Volcana offers a narrative that aligns seamlessly with the metahuman themes of the new Black Lightning series.

Volcana personifies a faction of metahumans who refuse to suppress their abilities, thus serving as a striking representation of the complex interplay of justice.

Initially, Claire Selton was confined to Metropolis’s Center for Paranormal Studies to learn to manage her powers. However, the government’s intervention in her training as a living weapon serves as a conduit for Volcana’s skepticism toward Steelworks’ approach to metahuman aid. In the wake of the fallout from Absolute Power, the debate persists—with Amanda Waller asserting the danger posed by metahumans, while Black Lightning advocates for those struggling to manage their powers. This positions Volcana as a character embodying a crucial middle ground within the broader dialogue of justice.

Volcana Joins the DC Canon With a Makeover & Team Dynamics

DC Is Committing to Volcana’s Character Development

Black Lightning #2; Volcana and her team prepare for battle

Volcana’s integration into the mainstream DC universe coincides with the ALL-In Initiative, alongside Black Lightning’s grappling with the consequences of Absolute Power. Whether she emerges merely as a brief cameo or evolves into a significant player is yet to be seen, but her redesigned persona and fresh team evoke excitement about her imminent role in forthcoming conflicts. Volcana’s entry into the DC Universe opens avenues for her to leave a lasting mark on the lore and offers a revival for an often-overlooked Superman: The Animated Series antagonist.

Don’t miss Black Lightning #1, now available from DC Comics!

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