Vykin the Black

Origin

Vykin was raised on New Genesis alongside his twin sister, Serafina. Extremely dedicated to Highfather, Vykin attended the Academy of Higher Conscience and joined Highfather's Elite Youth immediately following graduation. Though he did not intend to leave New Genesis, he accidentally became the nesting host of a Mother Box that was destined for Earth. As such he was roped into joining the others heading there on a humanitarian mission, becoming a member of the Forever People.

Creation

Vykin was created by Jack Kirby. He was rebooted by Dan DiDio and Keith Giffen.

Character Evolution

Bronze Age

Originally introduced as a New God going by the full name of "Vykin the Black" during the Bronze Age, Vykin was the son of Valkyra. Raised on New Genesis alongside his close friends, with whom he later formed the Forever People. During Darkseid's war on the New Gods, his friend Beautiful Dreamer was kidnapped and trapped on Earth. He and the remaining Forever People went to Earth to rescue her. There, they were aided by Superman and a cosmic being summoned by their Mother Box, called Infinity Man. After Beautiful Dreamer was rescued, Vykin and the Forever People decided to remain on Earth to explore the planet and their roots. This version of the character had magnetic abilities, allowing him to attract and repel items made of either iron or steel. He also had an innate ability with machines and electronics.

Modern Age

The early Modern Age saw the elimination of the suffix "the Black," and the revelation that the Forever People were not actually New Gods, but instead Earth-born humans who would have died as infants without the intervention of the New Gods, who took the children to New Genesis and raised them there as future protectors of Earth. This retcon was soon retconned, however, and Vykin and his team members were re-established as New Gods, and implied to be an example of the next stage of the New Gods' evolution.

New 52

The New 52 introduced the character's current origin, familial relationship to Serafina, and powers. His parentage, previously identified, is no longer clear. Unlike previous incarnations, he has an acrimonious relationship with other members of the team.

Major Story Arcs

The Forever People

Vykin is a member of the Forever People throughout their self-titled series, adventuring with his friends and opposing Darkseid, who took special interest in eliminating the group. During an encounter with Devilance the Pursuer, he and the rest of the team are teleported to the distant planet Adon, and replaced with Infinity Man. Vykin and the Forever People are trapped on the planet following the apparent deaths of both Infinity Man and Devilance. On Adon, Vykin attempts to aid in the civilization of the native population; to this end, he uses the Mother Box. However, the Mother Box overloads and explodes, killing Vykin, but creating Forevertown in the process. After an entity called the Dark attacks the remaining Forever People, all events that took place on Adon are reversed, and Vykin returns to life.

Death of the New Gods

During the Death of the New Gods, Vykin is killed by Infinity Man, as are the other Forever People. It is revealed that he and his teammates have been dead for some time prior to the discovery of their bodies, as they have been skeletonized.

Infinity Man and the Forever People

Vykin travels to Earth and joins the Forever People in their humanitarian mission to support humanity's evolution. He is largely uninterested in their task, and frequently clashes with the more independent and rebellious Mark Moonrider. When they are confronted by Mantis he refuses to try to help him, and he eagerly attacks the Red Lantern Guy Gardner due to Highfather's recent declaration of war on the Lantern Corps. Despite this, he slowly settles into working with the Forever People.

Alternate Versions

Amalgam Universe

A version of Vykin appears in the Amalgam Universe, as a member of the Un-People, a group formed by the fusion of the Forever People and the Inhumans. This version of the character is called Vykin the Black Bolt, and is created by an amalgamation between Vykin and Black Bolt.

Powers and Abilities

As a New God, he has all the powers and abilities inherent to his race, and is capable of sensing fluctuations in the Source. He is described as a "warrior class seven," implying a level of armed and unarmed combat skill. He also has the ability to control his own density, allowing him to become very heavy or very light. Presumably this may be extended to practical invulnerability and superhuman strength, and may allow some level of uncontrolled flight, but neither have been demonstrated

Weapons and Equipment

Vykin is the keeper of the team's Mother Box, a position referred to as the "nest." He is required for it to function properly, and is the one who communicates with it. With the Forever People, and facilitated by the Mother Box, she can merge into the consciousness of the Infinity Man.

Other Media

Television

Justice League

Vykin makes a cameo appearance at the end of the Justice League episode "Twilight Part 2." He does not speak in his appearance.

Young Justice

Vykin appears alongside the other Forever People in the Young Justice episode "Disordered". His costume, like those of his companions, was significantly altered from the original appearance. During the episode he displays an ability that may have been earth manipulation, or possibly an extension of his traditional magnetic powers, as the substance being manipulated was not clearly identified. He is also the leader of the Forever People. He is voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.