Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden created Tobias Whale, first appearing in Black Lightning #1 (April 1977). The character of Moby Dick inspired him, hence his nickname, “the Great White Whale.” He was also influenced by real-life crime boss Frank Lucas, who ran a drug empire in Harlem in the 1960s and 1970s.

Tobias Whale started as the leader of the 100, a criminal organization operated in Metropolis. He was ruthless and ambitious, willing to kill anyone who stood in his way or challenged his authority. He hated Jefferson Pierce, a school teacher who spoke out against the 100’s drug trafficking. Pierce became a vigilante called Black Lightning and fought against Whale and his henchmen. Black Lightning eventually managed to send Whale to jail, but not before Whale killed one of Pierce’s students, Earl Clifford.

Whale escaped from prison and teamed up with Syonide II, a female assassin who used poisoned needles as weapons. They tried to distribute a new highly addictive drug, whose formula was supposedly in the possession of a woman named Violet Harper. Syonide killed Harper, but she came back to life when an alien entity called an Aurakle possessed her body. She became Halo, a superheroine with light-based powers, and joined the Outsiders, a team led by Batman.

Whale kidnaps Halo and her parents, hoping to get the drug formula from her. However, Halo had no memories of her previous life as the Outsiders foiled Violet Harper and Whale’s plan. Whale later had to leave Metropolis because of the pressure from Intergang, another criminal organization. He moved to Gotham City and tried to take over the crime scene there but faced opposition from Batman and Booster Gold.

Whales also had a family history that was revealed in later stories. He was born with albinism, which made him an outcast among his people. He was abused by his father, who blamed him for his mother’s death during childbirth. He also had a brother named Ishmael, who also had albinism. Ishmael became a preacher and tried to reform Tobias, but Tobias rejected him and killed him.

Whale also had a daughter named Tori, who also had albinism. Tori followed in her father’s footsteps and became a criminal. She joined the 100 and became their leader after Whale’s apparent death. She also became an enemy of Black Lightning and his family.

The whale has appeared in other media besides comics. He was featured in the animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Michael-Leon Wooley. He also appeared in the live-action series Black Lightning, portrayed by Marvin “Krondon” Jones III. In this version, he was a former politician who became a crime boss after being exposed as a metahuman with super strength and durability.

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