Blackrock was the creation of Dr. Peter Silverstone in an attempt to increase ratings for the United Broadcasting Company (UBC) television network. Looking for someone to fill the supersuit; Silverstone hypnotized UBC President Samuel Tanner and later Tanner’s nephew, comedian Les Vegas, to fill the role.
The third Blackrock was created by Silverstone by using charged ions to animate the suit, eliminating the need for an unwitting pawn.
Finally, Silverstone assumed the mantle of Blackrock himself, using a powerful stone that could metabolize electromagnetic energy into energy to achieve flight, energy blasts and superhuman strength, and fought Superman and his cousin Supergirl. This rock, while a technological artifact, has the appearance of a polished gem that is black as coal. It was appropriately dubbed the “Blackrock”.