We already knew that the Thunderbolt — one of the most powerful characters in DC Comics — would be coming to DC’s Stargirl in Season 2, voiced by comedian Jim Gaffigan. And now we know who may be teaming up with the pen-trapped genie when the show returns to The CW: Alkoya Brunson has been cast in the recurring role of Jakeem Thunder on the superhero drama, Decider has exclusively learned.
In the comics, Jakeem first appeared in The Flash #134, and was created by Grant Morrison, Mark Millar and Paul Ryan. Originally called J.J. Thunder, Jakeem is a legacy character like the other members of the JSA, having picked up the Thunderbolt after its original owner Johnny Thunder lost control of the power of the genie. Unlike Johnny, who had to say a special code to release the Thunderbolt, Jakeem was able to harness the power by clicking the pen and uttering the phrase “so cool.” But from there, like most monkey’s paw situations, he’d also need to be extremely specific about what he was asking for. Think Amelia Bedelia, but a genie, and you get the idea. He later joined the JSA, and formed a strong bond with Stargirl as a friend and a mentor.