Karate Kid is Val Armorr, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th Century. Born in Japan, he is the greatest martial artist in the known universe. He has mastered every known form of martial arts, including a "super karate" that allows him to hold his own against Superboy. His long-term romantic partner and later wife is Princess Projectra. He was killed by Nemesis Kid during An Eye for an Eye. He returned to life in The Lightning Saga, and was killed again by the Morticoccus Virus in Countdown.

His temporary successor Myg was killed by Radiation Roy during Final Crisis. In Reboot Legion continuity, Val Armorr begins his career as a member of Workforce. In Prime Legion continuity, there is a third version of Val Armorr. Karate Kid was created by Jim Shooter, first appearing in Adventure Comics #346. (1966)

Appearances

Karate Kid (1976—1978)

Total Issues: 15 Dates Published: April, 1976–August, 1978

Karate Kid Vol 1 #1 "My World Begins in Yesterday" (April 1976)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #2 "The International Dooms of Major Disaster" (June 1976)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #3 "The Revenger" (August 1976)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #4 "The Rage of Yesterdays Lost" (October 1976)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #5 "The Tomorrow Thief" (December 1976)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #6 "Showdown with Commander Blud!" (February 1977)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #7 "The Gyro-Master Strikes Twice!" (April 1977)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #8 "Pandemonium... Panic... Pulsar!" (June 1977)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #9 "The Black Belt Contract" (August 1977)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #10 "Death-Duel on Orando" (October 1977)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #11 "Disasters of Yesteryear" (December 1977)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #12 "The Time of Your Death" (January 1978)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #13 "Tomorrow's Battle... Yesterday" (April 1978)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #14 "Tomorrow's Battle... Yesterday" (June 1978)
Karate Kid Vol 1 #15 "Bring Back My Future to Me!" (August 1978)

Television

Karate Kid as featured in the Legion of Super Heroes animated series.
Karate Kid appeared in the Legion of Super Heroes episode "The Karate Kid", voiced by Keith Ferguson. Despite defeating Superman in one-on-one battle (by throwing him out of a ring and causing a disqualification, rather than through physical force), his lack of a superpower meant he was initially given menial chores around the ship and later kicked out of the Legion for trying to take down Grimbor without back-up. He was later reinstated when he was able to defeat Grimbor while the other Legionnaires were temporarily de-powered.
Val is mentioned in The CW series Supergirl by Querl "Brainy" Dox / Brainiac 5 as a friend of his back in the 31st century and a fellow member of the Legion of Superheroes.

Film

DC Comics granted Columbia Pictures permission to use the "Karate Kid" name for a series of movies starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. However, these films did not depict the comic's character. There is a "thank you to DC Comics" for allowing the use of the name at the end of the credits.
Karate Kid appears as the main character in the animated film JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time, voiced by Dante Basco. Here, he's shown to have the extrasensory ability in the pupil of his right eye to perceive stress points, fracture planes, or weaknesses in objects as well a Ki-based attacks in addition to his fighting skills.