Origin
The Blimp is the son of Captain Swift (a parody of the Flash), a member of the Freedom Brigade who was capable of running and flying at exceptional speeds. The owner of a diner by day, he and other superhero progeny formed the incompetent superhero group the Inferior Five.
Creation
The Blimp was created by E. Nelson Bridwell, Joe Orlando and Mike Esposito.
Major Story Arcs
The Inferior Five
The Blimp joins his team in a series of adventures that, much to his surprise and the surprise of everyone around them, lead to victory for the team.
Angel and the Ape
The Blimp joins his team in battling Gorilla Grodd with Angel O’Day and Sam Simeon. Blimp and Awkwardman are sent to the roof to help guide their gorilla allies, but accidentally knock over a water tower, causing the gorillas to believe they are under attack. The gorillas shoot at them, but they survive and rejoin their team, ultimately defeating Grodd.
52
The Blimp appears at Booster Gold’s funeral as a pallbearer.
The Brave and the Bold
Blimp and the team are plucked out of 1972 by the Legion of Substitute Heroes. The two teams share a misadventure. At its conclusion, Blimp and the rest of the team are accidentally dropped off in 2010.
Bat-Mite
Awkwardman joins his team in fighting the forces of Gridlock. When Bat-Mite arrives and reboots the team, he is transformed into the more powerful Zeppelin. He becomes much more successful, but also more vicious. He is turned back to normal at Tough Bunny’s request.
Alternate Versions
The Superior 5
Hindenberg, of the Superior 5, is a serious, villainous adaptation of the Blimp.
Powers and Abilities
The Blimp inherited his father’s capacity for flight, but lacks his father’s speed. He can only fly very slowly, and “with a tailwind.”