Bumblebee (Karen Beecher-Duncan) is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics and other related media, commonly as a member of the Teen Titans. She first appeared as Karen in December 1976's Teen Titans #45, and adopted the Bumblebee identity three issues later. Historically, Bumblebee is sometimes considered DC Comics' first Black woman superhero character, though this distinction is also accorded to Nubia, a less traditional costumed crimefighter than Bumblebee, who debuted three years earlier in 1973. She is however DC's first African-American female superhero.

Bumblebee has been substantially adapted into media outside comics, primarily in association with the Teen Titans. T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, Ozioma Akagha, Masasa Moyo, Kimberly Brooks, and Teala Dunn have voiced the character in animated television series and films.

Publication history

Karen Beecher first appeared in Teen Titans #45 and was created by writer Bob Rozakis and artist Irv Novick. Her Bumblebee alias first appeared in Teen Titans #48.

Fictional character biography

Teen Titans

Karen Beecher is a scientist and the girlfriend of Teen Titans member Mal Duncan, also known as Herald. Karen secretly builds a bumblebee-themed supersuit and attacks the Teen Titans in an attempt to bolster Mal's reputation. She escapes without her true identity being revealed.

DC Rebirth

In the DC Rebirth continuity, Karen Beecher is the pregnant wife of Mal Duncan. Following a battle with Mister Twister, Karen goes into labor and eventually gives birth to a daughter.

Mal takes Karen to Meta Solutions to evaluate her powers, as it was the same company that took his powers away. Unbeknownst to them, Meta Solutions is run by Psimon and the Fearsome Five, which Mal realizes after spotting Mammoth in the lobby. Though the Fearsome Five claims to have changed, the Titans investigate their headquarters and come under attack. Karen suits up using a special suit designed for her by Meta Solutions and discovers she has the ability to fly and shrink. She manages to rescue the Titans, but Psimon takes her memories of Mal and her child. Karen later regains her memories and retires to be with her family.

Powers and abilities

Bumblebee originally had no true superpowers and her unique abilities were derived from her high-tech battle suit. The suit greatly increased her strength, speed, stamina, endurance, agility, reflexes and acted as body armor. It also allowed her to fly and generate electricity and yellow honey-like adhesives. Bumblebee was later given the ability to shrink to the size of a bee, a power inspired by her animated counterpart.

Other versions

  • A young, alternate universe incarnation of Bumblebee appears in Tiny Titans.
  • An alternate timeline incarnation of Bumblebee appears in Titans Tomorrow as a member of Cyborg's Titans East.

In other media

Television

frame|Bumblebee as she appears in the [[Teen Titans (TV series)|Teen Titans animated series.]]

  • A young Bumblebee appears in Teen Titans (2003), voiced by T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh. This version is an honorary member of the Teen Titans and a founding member of Titans East who later becomes their leader following Brother Blood's attempt to seek revenge on them and Cyborg.
  • Bumblebee appears in Teen Titans Go! (2013), voiced by Ozioma Akagha.

Video games

  • Bumblebee appears as an unlockable character in Teen Titans (2006), voiced again by T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh.
  • Bumblebee appears in DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power, voiced again by Kimberly Brooks.
  • Bumblebee appears as part of Legos DC Super Heroes minifigure series.

References

  • World of Black Heroes: Bumblebee Biography