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Summary
It’s official: Jason Momoa is all set to play Lobo in James Gunn’s newDC Universe. As the formerAquamanstar prepares for his much-anticipatedDCUdebut inSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, it’s time for a quick crash course on his character’s history in the comics and some interesting trivia.
Lobo has been a significant presence in DC Comics for quite some time, with a variety of iterations. The character went from being a supposed parody to finding a much higher profile in DC stories. In fact, Lobo’s uber-cool aesthetic made him the favorite DC character ofMarvel Comics founder Stan Lee.
Who is Lobo in DC Comics?
The Only Surviving Czarnian
In DC Comics, Lobo is often portrayed as a bounty hunter who thrives on violence and destruction. He hails from the planet Czarnia and is the last surviving member of his race. But that’s only because he wiped them all out himself, which makes himan ideal Superman anti-thesis. Lobo’s powers include superhuman strength, regenerative abilities, and virtual immortality, much like Deadpool. In essence, he is an anti-hero with a hardened demeanor, which suits his profession as an interstellar mercenary.
Created by Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen, Lobo first appeared in 1983’sOmega Men#3. While the Czarnian was originally intended to be a straightforward villain, he later evolved into an intentional parody of thegritty superhero stories of the ’90s. Interestingly, the parody had an unexpected reverse effect on fans, who embraced Lobo as yet another rugged and rebellious anti-hero of that era. In fact, Giffen addressed this ina 2006 interview with Newsarama:
I have no idea why Lobo took off… I came up with him as an indictment of the Punisher, Wolverine hero prototype, and somehow he caught on as the high violence poster boy. Go figure.
Lobo’s Storylines & Character, Explained
Rebel Without A Cause
Lobo’s origin had a few retcons before he went on to make his presence felt inJustice League Internationaland beyond. He is a chaotic, unpredictable menace, but with a strict code. He finishes every contract he undertakes, no matter the risk. However, he wouldn’t hesitate to choose a counter-contract as long as it offered him more money. His genocidal tendencies led him to kill his entire species, brushing it all off as a science project. Following this, he became a regular presence inL.E.G.I.O.N.and its successor series,R.E.B.E.L.S.
Transition From Parody To Icon
But it wasn’t until 1990 that Lobo truly took off, especially thanks to the artwork of Simon Bisley, who gave him his exaggerated, demonic biker style. He continued to star in his own DC title for 64 issues while also appearing in some dark humor specials. This includedLobocop–a parody ofRoboCop– and theParamilitary Christmas Special, where the Easter Bunny hires Lobo to kill Santa Claus. Despite such outrageously funny storylines, Lobo remains a popular badass among fans, who celebrate him as a ruthless bounty hunter.
Finding The Right Story To Fit Into
Over the years, Lobo has evolved into some intriguing variations. He was de-aged into a teenager when he joined the space force L.E.G.I.O.N., where he even fought Wolverine and lost due to a popular vote by fans during theDC vs. Marvelcrossover series. There was also an attempt during the New 52 era to turn him into a more conventionally attractive anti-hero, which didn’t really work out. This was later followed by a return to his classic “Main Man” persona.
Recent Appearances & Other Mediums
In recent times, DC Comics has explored Lobo’s softer side through his relationship with his teenage daughter, Crush. Lobo’s appearances in other formats includeSuperman: The Animated Series, along with a string of voice roles in various other projects.
Before Momoa, Lobo’s only live-action appearance was in the second season ofKrypton, where Emmett J. Scanlan played the character. There were also attempts from multiple directors, including Guy Ritchie, Brad Payton, and even Michael Bay, who were rumored to be making a solo Lobo movie. In fact, Dwayne Johnson was attached to playing Lobo beforehe pivoted toBlack Adam.
Why Jason Momoa Is Perfect As Lobo
A Long Overdue Casting Announcement
From the description of the DC anti-hero and his character sketch, it’s evident whyJason Momoa’s casting as the DCU’s Lobois a no-brainer. In fact, DC fans might know that theGame of Thronesactor had wanted to play Lobo for quite some time. As a matter of fact, when Momoa was first offered a part inAquaman, he initially assumed it was for the role of Lobo. The actortook to Instagramto share his excitement about being cast as the Czarnian anti-hero, quoting one of his older interviews.
How Lobo Fits Into The DCU
Lobo InSupergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow
Lobo carries immense potential in his future within the DC Universe.Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrowis the perfect film in which to introduce him. According to the comic book’s author, Tom King, the story initially began as a Supergirl/Lobo pitch before editors suggested focusing solely on Supergirl. This means Lobo’s inclusion would feel more organic and wouldn’t detract from the main plot, which revolves around Kara Zor-El’s intergalactic journey.
Potential In Future DCU Projects
Jason Momoa’s casting as Lobo opens the door for actors from the previous DC era to return as different characters. This implies that Momoa’s Lobo wouldn’t necessarily be just a one-off villain or sidekick inSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. His ties to theJustice Leaguein the comics virtually assure his place in the further world-building of theDCU. In fact, if his character receives an epic reception, aPeacemaker-style spin-off series or even aDeadpool-style trilogy can’t be ruled out.
