  The only supernovae (SNe) to have shown early gamma-ray or X-ray emission
thus far are overenergetic, broad-lined Type Ic SNe (Hypernovae - HNe).
Recently, SN 2008D shows several novel features: (i) weak XRF, (ii) an early,
narrow optical peak, (iii) disappearance of the broad lines typical of SNIc
HNe, (iv) development of He lines as in SNeIb. Detailed analysis shows that SN
2008D was not a normal SN: its explosion energy (KE ~ 6*10^{51} erg) and
ejected mass (~7 Msun) are intermediate between normal SNeIbc and HNe. We
derive that SN 2008D was originally a ~30Msun star. When it collapsed a black
hole formed and a weak, mildly relativistic jet was produced, which caused the
XRF. SN 2008D is probably among the weakest explosions that produce
relativistic jets. Inner engine activity appears to be present whenever massive
stars collapse to black holes.
