Tobias Whale is the owner of El Ciento. He struggles to gain influence over the mysterious food deliveries, as this is something the city values. Wrapping Up The Challenge: Ride or Dies With Winner Tori Deal, Vanderpump Rules Episode 10, Plus the Season Finale of The Real Housewives of Miami, The Biggest Questions About the Seasons Stretch Run, KDs Suns Debut, Load Management, and Five-Year Anniversary of the Rockets-Clippers Tunnel Debacle. Later that night, Tobias rode in a car with Syonide and Khalil Payne, assuring Khalil that he would help him walk again, despite being paralyzed. There was a lot happening in the Black Lightning premiere episode, but one person who certainly stood out was the mysterious Tobias Whale. One that you can neither stop nor defend yourself from. All rights reserved. Unique PhysiologyThrough the usage of an anti . Writers on the whole seem obsessed with redemption, but like in real life, there is no ctrl+z for past behavior. Hence Black Lightning and other African-American comic heroes (he worked on Luke Cage, and created Misty Knight, among others). Right: Who is Anissa? Theres also Lala (a charismatic William Catlett), a former student at Garfield High who has since made himself a boss, so to speak. The Ploys and Tactics Behind Oscar Campaigning. Tobias respected his nephew enough as a blood relative to kill him personally. Donald Trump said that Dr. "Did you know that in Africa some people believe albinos are magical?" Despite the fact that he had a tracker inside Khalil, Tobias tasked his former lover Giselle Cutter with huntingKhalil down. In fact, the actual work of being a superhero (tossing off one-liners, fighting henchmen, freeing captives, dangling newly acquired informants from high places) isnt the shows strongest point. As a child, he preferred watching movies like Goodfellas and North By Northwest instead of Home Alone. I am a much sexier version. Tobias shot him with a harpoon in the premiere. Is it any wonder then that Black Lightning's Tobias Whale enjoys inflicting harm on others, or that he lays his loathing for black people bare? I am glad that Gambi has brought Lauren into the fold, even if their relationship feels shallow. :). On the set of Black Lightning here in Atlanta, Marvin Krondon Jones III spoke to me about playing Tobias, who he is on the television series, and his motivations: Tobias started off as a politician / ruler of the underworld, and his corrupt dealings led him to no longer to be on the board of politics in the land of Freeland. It is going to be very fun and interesting to see it unfold. Original multiverseLeader of The 100CriminalFreeland city council member (formerly)New multiverseCriminal (formerly)Leader of The 100 (formerly)Mayor of Freeland (formerly)Member of the Shadow Board (formerly) Copyright 2023 ComicBook.com. In the same manner that Bane took Venom in the DC comics. In recent times, the crime boss has received renewed attention because he will have an important role in the upcoming Black Lightning TV show that is expected to start broadcasting in 2018. headquarters along with Khalil and Syonide. The whole shtick is very thoughts and prayers, but instead of thoughts and prayers around a specific tragedy, its a loose and pliant concern for peace, in general, on earth. This proved beneficial during his final battlein the series finale. [7], In DC Rebirth, the real Tobias Whale was seen in the pages of Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands. He targeted Jennifer, knowing she was the future becauseher powers were even better than those of her father. FULL Fight! Thanks for reading! "[Tobias] obviously doesn't like black people," Isabella told TV Guide. Case in point: the 2012 interview Jones III did with The Breakfast Club, a New York-based hip-hop radio show known for stirring the pot with its celebrity guests. Tobias Whale is on the precipice of achieving everything he has worked for. "He has been beat down for who he is and how he looks," Jones III told TV Guide. It has been confirmed that the 100 will be making an appearance in Black Lightning, which makes sense because Whale will be having such an important role. Todd eventually accepted andbegan doing high-profile tech work forTobias,including spying on the A.S.A's pods. Working withthe A.S.A. At least, thats my opinion! They buy him out and make him the CEO of Kord Enterprises which has become a front for Intergang's criminal activities. What I mean by that is, on January 15, Paul Ryan looked pensively at a bust he verifiably doesnt think about the other 364 days of the year. He cant win! On the other hand, one of Black Lightnings biggest weaknesses is misutilization of their cast. Could James Harden Potentially Return to Houston After the Season? Thats what youre going to see, and we wanted to give a hint that he has a sense of self degradation going on, and thats rooted in the fact that theres a need thats not being met, whether it be acceptance, love, fear, respect. Whats different about the Sixers this year? The hurt that fuels Tobias' wickedness makes viewers understand him better but doesn't make him any more likable. Occupation People with albinism have been practically nonexistent on TV; one exception was a 1994 episode of Star Trek: DS9, which featured an alien criminal named The Albino, and he was played by a (white) man without albinism. [4], When he breaks out of prison some months later, he teams up with Syonide II in order to distribute a new highly addictive drug. a31 road closure alton; cdw insurance for rental cars; hygro cotton bath towels; Hello world! This was a game-changer, as Syonide grew to become one of the most formidable assassins in America. The 10 Best 'South Park' Episodes of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb, 10 Best Villains from 'Batman: The Animated Series', Ranked. And while we havent seen much of a hint of how this might play out in the TV version,Tobias could also be working with Syonide to distribute a highly addictive drug to the people of Freeland which will be another way he and Black Lightning are connected. And as much as I hate that manand I hate him deeplyits exciting to watch an antagonist who enjoys being the bad guy, with no hesitation, and no guilt. The character is portrayed by Marvin "Krondon" Jones III in the live action Arrowverse series Black Lightning . Black Lightning airs on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following new episodes of The Flash on The CW. But, a relationship that is formed off-screen, and that we only see glimpses of throughout the season, is not easy to connect with. But, the actor hopes his evil will inevitably contribute to the greater good. Biological Information Affiliation Soon after, Tobias' sister Tori came into town, greeting her brother. The Pierces have excelled against increasingly worse odds, and their triumph is more or less assured. He is the leader of the 100 Gang and the arch-enemy of the superhero Black Lightning. With that said, it remains to be seen how Whale will be depicted in Black Lightning. Fury of the Gods Star Adam Brody Reflects on Being Cast as The Flash in Canceled Justice League Movie (Exclusive). Anyone who's ever been "othered" can relate to how people with pronounced differences can become targets for hostility or microaggressions. He is irredeemable. Contents 1 Publication history This angered Tobias, holding him up by his neck, but when he explained that he'd tipped off the police, Tobias let him down, mildly annoyed. He has quite a taste for crime and . Lopez has given us nothing this season, and her inclusion feels like a choice that was made before the powers that be knew this was the end. While the two often made each other's lives miserable, they had great respect for each other. ), #BlackLightning #GetLit pic.twitter.com/CtQQHPn0pi. But later in the episode, he chooses to blow up the squad car in his second scrape with the law, this time wearing a tux. Kenya. After taking over both the Galante and Odessa crime families, he ends up in a gang war with Intergang. This was a problem for Tobias because Khalil was deadly. I understand the choice to make her someone from his past, it skips the preamble. Speaking of growth, JJ finally feels solidified as a hero. Initially, Tobias called his father out for being a terrible father but appeared to come round. People with albinism have been practically nonexistent on TV; one exception was a 1994 episode of, Jones III can easily mine his own experiences to inform Tobias' humanity. Whale has vast knowledge of criminal strategies and planning and possesses vast knowledge in political science. "I have to tap into the realities of Tobias Whale -- the layers and complexity that make him who he is, and his reasoning behind them," said Jones III. Sure, Marvin Jones III plays corrupt politician turned gang leader Tobias Whale on The CW's Black Lightning. I did enjoy his scraps but, you cannot say this man killed like 97 metas and is trying out for the League of Assassins and have him only manage to slightly kill one meta out of the six he was set upon. The drug's formula was supposedly in the possession of a woman named Violet Harper. Heres hoping. This article, or specific section, requires cleanup. Hes 48, he wears a knee brace, hes tired, and hes flustered. How Long Has Each Outer Banks Character Gone Without Showering? Whale's internalized racism is an extension of that philosophy, and just one of a number of issues that will be dealt with in the first few episodes of the series. Lets hope the magic doesnt wear off, and that this show doesnt devolve into a bland trudge through a disposable vigilantes id. Black Lightning is a way to make it a conversation at the dinner table or while youre throwing football in the backyard. But now we're able to put them on primetime television and see what the world thinks about it then. tobias whale racist moments. RELATED:Arrowverse: 10 Things That Make No Sense About Money. "I get, 'Are you black? Powered by a serum that grants him enhanced strength and longevity, which has given him decades of experience, Tobias was one of the most dangerous criminals alive. Its hard to say whether this being the final season necessitated changes to his story, or if he was always going to come to Freeland and give us the bare minimum. Played by Marvin "Krondon" Jones III, this version of Tobias was tough and possessed extraordinary powers that quickly made him a fan favorite. Those things not being met, and whether those things happened in his childhood of adolescence or adulthood, he carries it all the way though. While Tobias was alone in his penthouse, Black Lightning broke in and entered through the window causing the two to fight in a furious battle with the vigilante getting the upper hand. Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #tobiascaris, #tobias . But Jones also shared that a big part of playing Whale is making sure that hes not just a bad guy that there are layers: I was figuring out how much of me was in Tobias, and how much of Tobias is in me. But honing in on Tobias' albinism as the tender spot on which she'd unleash her aggression is explosive meta commentary, both within the world of Black Lightning and for the actor who plays Tobias himself. So now the outside amongst outsiders is the man of power, hes going to have an issue with those outsiders that made him feel that way. Tobias is not just a violent criminal who perpetually exploits and endangers Freeland, he is also a Black man who is anti-Blackdangerous as hell. Fury of the Gods Star Jack Dylan Grazer Reveals How Freddie Tries to Personally Benefit from His Powers, Shazam! General Information Tobias has been . Learning that the war is finished, Tobias tells the corpse of the nurse that it is time to return to Freeland.[13]. Will Be Examined in Further Detail in the TV Show. He often refers to them with stereotypes and racial slurs. October 20, 2021. ", Jones III can easily mine his own experiences to inform Tobias' humanity. Fury of the Gods Star Lucy Liu Reveals If She'd Return to Direct Superhero Projects After Luke Cage (Exclusive), ComicBook Nation: Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 3 Review & TV Shows Recap, Shazam! I related to Jefferson as a father, and Jennifer as a confused kid, and I relate to those things because theyre in me. Meanwhile, Peter Gambi kills Martin Proctor. Although, in the comic book, hes a much larger man. Tobias Whale was the leader of the criminal organization The 100, who have been terrorizing the city of Freeland for years. Are your parents black?" While Black Lightning technically paints Tobias as both, he is, for reasons that'll become clearer over time, the way he is for specific reasons that give him motives, old wounds and enormous power. After all, Marvin Jones III should be much better known to a lot of people as Krondon, who is not just a rapper but also someone who has written songs for some of the most famous rappers out there. But all of X-Men is about that. Seeking to avenge the murdered student and receiving help from his tailor friend Peter Gambi, Pierce becomes Black Lightning and attacks Joey and his men. Before the events of the series, Tobias thought he had killed Jefferson Pierce, even going as far as to dump his body in a river. Black Lightning: Who Is the Villain Tobias Whale? For decades, people have complained that the reflex to portray villains with dark skin reinforces racist notions that light-skinned people are inherently better than others; at the same time, the 'Mystical Albino' and 'Evil Albino' tropes have persisted in genre and fantasy stories, turning people with albinism into otherworldly creatures outside the human experience. He and Jefferson have a tte--tte about where gang activity is allowed, i.e. However, at the start of the series, rumors began surfacing that Jefferson Pierce had appeared. Despite his penchant for violence, what made Tobias a great villain was his intelligence. Tobias Whale was the leader of The 100 and the arch nemesis of Black Lightning. He then proceeded to watch a news report regarding the possible return of Black Lightning. He had a simple explanation for it: he wanted to be a respectable citizen, hence he didn't want any dirt on his hands. With the adequately sage help of Harry Morgan (James Remar as Gambi, Pierces tailor and cut man), of course. Its a perfect fit. Five Things You Didnt Know about DC Villain Tobias Whale, Adam Warlock Poses A Whole New Problem For The Guardians Of The Galaxy, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Joe Sinnott, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Cyborg Superman, Five Marvel Heroes Who Would Totally Destroy Superman, Why Donald Trump Might be the DC Universe President, The Black Knight: Breaking Down The Supporting Hero In The Eternals, The Wolverine is Returning to Marvel in 2018, 5 Marvel Heroes That Could Defeat Darkseid, Why We Dont Love Spider-Mans New Superpower, Thor vs. Hercules in the MCU: Lets See It, This Marvel Villain Should Appear in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Todd was skeptical due to the villain's reputation. "I love black people," Tobias tells low-level thug Lala (William Catlett) in Episode 2 before later choking him to death. NEXT:Arrowverse: 10 Clichs That Need To Go. He works on a lot of levels as an archetypal organized crime villain and is regularly referenced across all of DC as one of their central crimeboss characters, but he also is well remembered as the archnemesis of Black Lightning. But Tobias is always one step ahead, and he sends an invisible assassinpowered up with meta boostersto kill the apparent head, then takes his place, dubbing himself King. Please enter a valid email and try again. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! While attempting to assassinate the reverend, Black Lighting appeared, and thus, Tobias was able to confirm that the hero that had been presumed dead was indeed alive. Lesbians. Black Lightning situates itself in the real world and acknowledges that America and all its social mores are still happening at all times, whether or not youre choosing to look. Tobias Whale is a shadowy and mysterious crime figure, feared and respected by criminals worldwide. Are the Lakers dead? Tobias is the nemesis of Metropolis-based Outsiders member, Black Lightning. Unable to gain any information or find any trace of the formula, Syonide kills Harper. The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. After his return, Tobias killed Dwayne, the man who saved him during the shootout at 555 because he did not save Tori. Like Black Lightning himself, Tobias Whale doesnt have a huge comic presence, so the TV series can pretty much take the character in whatever direction they choose. I mean, he is ready charismatic and even though many of his statements are borderline / are racist, dude is funny. Marvin "Krondon" Jones currently stars in the CW's BLACK LIGHTNING, portraying "Tobias Whale," a crime boss and lead villain. But theres more happening there than with a typical gangster villain. Considering all he's been put through, Tobias has every right to want revenge; considering all Jones III has been through, Tobias gives Jones III license to air some long-simmering grievances. I dont want Jeff to be dead. It was the end of a long and chaotic era, but Tobias wouldn't have caused havoc for so long if it wasn't for the anti-aging serum. He returned home, revealing to Tori that he'd gone to see Gambi. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. ", A controversial character in comics canon, Tobias either inverts or reinforces a trope depending on which side of the aisle on which one sits. Whale is a master hand-to-hand combatant who is skilled in boxing, street fighting and judo. "It's dealing with the truths of today, whether you are a single mother, single father, student, gay or straight, black or white, dark or light, you know?" She wants to quit after Uriah is killed, but her dad reminds her of why she is needed. Led by Agent Odell, the A.S.A terrorized everyone in Freeland in Season 3. Tobias Whale on DC Database Tobias Whale on Wikipedia Partly about when she decided to protest (on the night of a big Garfield High fundraiser), partly about the overturned cars and smashed windows hed seen on the news. Instead, Whale is what superhero comics call a peak human, which is to say, he can perform physical capabilities that no real life human can manage but not to the same extent as characters with stated superpowers. Wishing to punish Lala, he had him gagged. The . And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light, Sins of the Father: The Book of Redemption, The Resurrection and the Light: The Book of Pain, The Book of Consequences: Chapter One: Rise of the Green Light Babies, The Book of Consequences: Chapter Two: Black Jesus Blues, The Book of Consequences: Chapter Three: Master Lowry, The Book of Consequences: Chapter Four: Translucent Freak, The Book of Blood: Chapter Two: The Perdi, The Book of Blood: Chapter Three: The Sange, The Book of Rebellion: Chapter One: Exodus, The Book of Rebellion: Chapter Two: Gift of Magi, The Book of Rebellion: Chapter Three: Angelitos Negros, The Book of Secrets: Chapter One: Prodigal Son, The Book of Secrets: Chapter Two: Just and Unjust, The Book of Secrets: Chapter Three: Pillar of Fire, The Book of Secrets: Chapter Four: Original Sin, The Book of the Apocalypse: Chapter One: The Alpha, The Book of the Apocalypse: Chapter Two: The Omega, The Book of Occupation: Chapter One: Birth of Blackbird, The Book of Resistance: Chapter Three: The Battle of Franklin Terrace, The Book of Markovia: Chapter One: Blessings and Curses Reborn, The Book of War: Chapter Three: Liberation, The Book of Reconstruction: Chapter Three, The Book of Resurrection: Chapter Two: Closure, Tobias appears to be an atheist, as when asked by Lady Eve if he was a churchgoer, he responded that his life hadn't led him down a "spiritual path.". I'd gonna need a decent rewatch to catch all the quotes, because they were a couple that I missed the first time around that were pretty good. Later that night, Tobias attended 555. "I get, 'Are you black? Black Lightning is great but it has its flaws, one of them beingand this is just me here, maybethe suit looks a little Disney Channel Original Movieish. Anyone who's ever been "othered" can relate to how people with pronounced differences can become targets for hostility or microaggressions. This has brought him into conflict with his nemesis, the vigilante Black Lightning. In 1998, Tobias took Syonide from an orphanage and raised her like she was his own daughter. Trust me, my brother, you got the mild version of it.". A couple days later, Tobias was called in by his doctor, Henry Mayfield, who wished to test him for psoriasis. The relationship between Tobias and Jefferson runs deeper than whats been revealed so far, Jones said. Let us know any questions and theories you may have about the series as a whole. Something went wrong. Tobias' reliance on the anti-aging serum made him remain young and durable. As a result, his stint as a villain was a productive one. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars, he repeats, a quote from Dr. King. At the same time, its another motivator because of the way he was brought up -- he was always the outsider amongst outsiders. But Tobias is always one step ahead, and he sends an invisible assassinpowered up with meta boostersto kill the apparent head, then takes his place, dubbing himself King. "A lot of people are ignorant as to what albinism is.". He is the archenemy of Black Lightning.[1]. Shes the eldest and most fed-up daughter of Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), the upright and distinguished principal of the school who also moonlights as the titular hero of the CWs new show, Black Lightning. In short, albinism is a genetic variation that can affect people of all ethnicities and greatly reduces melanin, which gives skin and hair and eyes pigment. "I would love to shed light on that," he told Envy. Hes one of the precious few not-black actors in this show, by the way. Often called "the Great White Whale" behind his back, Tobias Whale weighs close to 400lbs. Its a huge responsibility to display the limitless possibilities that someone with a genetic disposition, or any difference, can use to their advantage, Jones says. Actor: Black Lightning. Original multiverseThe 100 (formerly)New multiverseThe 100 (formerly)Shadow Board (formerly) Jones III handled it with grace. Status Created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden, the character made his first appearance in Black Lightning #1 (April 1977). Martin Proctor, Tobias provided the Garfield High studentwith a makeshift metal spinal cord that also gave him additional strength and durability. Fueled by anger due to the abuse he received for being an albino in an African-American community, by his father in particular, he worked his way to the top of the citys criminal underworld as the leader of his gang The 100 as well as a high-ranking position in the city council. Tobias later told his unnamed sister that her son was dead for using his name for his "half-assed" ventures and that he was an idiot.[8]. Tobias later fell out the window and is impaled through the chest by a spike. In DC Comics, Tobias Whale is an albino African-American crime lord and the archenemy of Black Lightning. That said, I feel Anissa. Two days later, Tori broke the news of Joey Toledo's death to Tobias, having found a box of albino dust along with his body. Marvin "Krondon" Jones III can understand the source of Tobias' anger. Taking longer than usual, he finally knocked him out, the pair discovers that the man was high on Green Light. His mayoral win was supposed to secure his seat on the Shadow Board, but that offer was rescinded after his failure to completely immobilize Freelands metas. Whale is portrayed by Marvin "Krondon" Jones III. So in the latest iterations of the comic books, Tobias does not have albinism. "I thought it was unfair that there weren't enough black heroes for my friends." Tobias takes a serum that enhances his strength. Tobias Whale (April 20, 1946 [1] - 2021) was the most notorious crime boss in Freeland as well as the archnemesis of Black Lightning. Admittedly, it gave me a complex. Mayor Billy Black appeared reluctant to work with Tobias, so the villain had him killed by Red. This caused him to cross paths with vigilantes like Black Lightning and Blue Devil. He was also generous enough to take in Syonide and raise her as his own. Marvin Krondon Jones III as Tobias and William Catlett as Lala. Everything that I was told in life I could not do, I made a point to actually do. Not just because we want the heroes to, but because he is so. The character was always an albino African American crime lord, first appearingin Black Lightning #1 (1977), and created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden. The woman left the family at some point, leaving Tobias and his sister to be raised by their father. As the War for Freeland gets international press coverage, Tobias watches television and, when the nurse's mother brings him food, he calls her "ma". Knowing that Jefferson's greatest weapon was his lightning strike,Tobias made plans to protect himself from it. That's what I'm hoping happens: That there's a great conversation. Even without their powers, Grace and Anissa take down Monovistasand Tobiasmeta gene harvesting plant, likely putting a pause on Tobias plan to expand his range outside of Freeland. The CW series stars Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning, a high school educator and superhero. Tobias Whale is a ruthless African American albino crimelord. During the talk, host DJ Envy asked Jones III to explain why he worked to hard to keep out of the sun. His power completes him, but what is missing in order for him to be completed that way? The two embraced, before Tobias, however, crushed his father's back, allowing him to die slowly. There's Tobias Whale, made superbly creepy and menacing by Krondon, one-third of 2DopeBoyz mainstay Strong Arm Steady. [But I can be] a bad guy too, thats in me and vice versa we all do that. Joey Toledo leads his men into attacking Earl and hits him with a car. Sheis often. CALL US TODAY AT 910.375.5100 The show premiered Tuesday, just on the heels of Martin Luther King Day. American media, from film to TV to advertising and on, overwhelmingly defines male sexiness as "blond hair and blue eyes," or perhaps tall, dark and handsome. Its a way to fuse the realities we face in 2018 with entertainment. Though the Black Lightning series had numerous villains, Tobias Whale stands out as the best of them all. Tobias did not originate as a way to prompt complex commentary, but for the Akils, Tobias' identity is a gift to Black Lightning -- a suddenly vital series that runs towards, rather than away from, sometimes painful conversations about issues within the black community.