Name: Farris Knight Alias: Starman Age: 32 Personality: mysterious, stoic, calculating, stressed, observant Powers: Quarvat – Originally a Gravity Rod invented by the original Starman, Farris used his grandfather’s blueprints to convert the weapon into a Cosmic Rod. It grants him enhanced durability, flight, energy absorption and blasts, as well as enhanced speed and strength but not to any huge degree. It also protects him in space as he’s been to the moon and back twice now.
Starman Suit – Made from a type of material used by the military that is bullet proof, fire proof, and stab proof, the suit itself is pretty basic.
Starman Helmet – Taps into the Quarvat to grant Farris the enhanced durability, speed, and strength when in close proximity. Also acts as a two way control to the weapon and connects directly with the wearer’s mind through a temporary patch on the forehead.
Weaknesses: Without the Quarvat and the helmet, Farris is just a dude in good shape in light body armor. All standard human weaknesses would apply.
Background Hero: Robot Man Appearance: see avatar Potential Storylines: I wanna fight space aliens at some point with this guy, maybe have a superhero rivalry or bromance. Like Cyborg and Beast Boy, just for the JLU. BRIEF Bio:
Farris wasn't close with his grandfather, the original Starman. He had fond memories of looking out of telescopes at stars with him as a child, but didn't know about his grandfather's superheroics until after his death. Farris was in between jobs, in decent shape, and after cleaning out a storage unit for his grandmother he stumbled upon his superheroic legacy. Old pictures, the Gravity Rod, blueprints, and a couple different Starman suits were all in the unit. After tinkering with the Gravity Rod and transforming it into a Cosmic Rod, Farris was waiting for an opportunity to prove himself when the call for heroes was put out by the remaining Justice League members. He moved from Opal City to Metropolis and lives in the Metro Tower with several other heroes who made the move.
Notes: Farris has only operated as Starman for about six weeks.
Aerokinesis - The defining feature of Red Tornado is his ability to generate and, to a limited degree, manipulate wind. This primarily takes the form of, as his name would imply, tornadoes. Able to generate strong whirling winds from his arms and legs in a variety of ways in both offensive and defensive use. He can also utilize this ability to fly at high speeds.
Enhanced Physicals - Now, compared to any heavy hitter, Red Tornado's physical prowess is nothing much. But as an android made of tough metal, he is both more durable and physically stronger than any unpowered human. However aside from when using his Aerokinesis, his speed is unchanged. And, as a man of metal instead of flesh and blood, he can be rebuilt if destroyed but not outright killed.
Weaknesses:
I, Robot - As an android, Red Tornado trades the standard human weakness suite (disease, bloodloss, et cetera), for a whole new group of weaknesses. While protected to a degree against things like EMPs, they still present a danger to him. As are things like computer viruses, and if his outer layer is damaged and his circuitry exposed, liquids are very dangerous.
Villainous Roots - Red Tornado was programmed to, among other things, kill the Justice League. Though the technicians at STAR Labs are confident they've remedied this, the idea of villainous programming laying dormant frequently makes Red Tornado hesitate and second guess his own actions. Plus, it can be very hard to work alongside someone who was originally built to be your enemy.
Background Hero: Doctor Mid-Nite
Appearance: Red Tornado is a red android with a yellow arrow on his head, and three partial circles on his chest, with the empty space between the three resembling a capital T. His body is sleek and humanoid, metallic but otherwise not appearing particularly robotic. But his face is relatively featureless. With three sunken rectangles to represent eyes and a mouth, and little else. He wears a blue cape when performing super heroics. At the current time, Red Tornado does not have any sort of human disguise.
Potential Storylines:
Measure of a Man - Red Tornado's creator, Doctor T.O. Morrow, has escaped prison and started a new evil scheme, with his scientific mind, he has plenty of tools at his disposal to enact any plans he wishes to. This puts Red Tornado in direct opposition with his 'father' for the first time. With Red Tornado terrified to meet his creator, fearing he may fall back on his villainous programming and try to harm his comrades.
The Clash of Storms - The dastardly Weather Wizard has modified his Weather Wand, hooking it up to a beacon to massively increase his range. He's been using his control over weather to hold Central City and its sister City, Keystone, hostage. And he plans to expand his reach even further. The League is on the case, pitting Red Tornado's twisters up against Weather Wizard's storms.
Attack of the Killer Robots - Some villain has unleashed an army of murderous androids. Already very bad! Looks like a job for the Justice League! But Red Tornado has a problem; these androids are relentless, they refuse to stop in their tasks no matter what. And they are also very much on the android side of robots. Humanoid. The idea of destroying them is deeply uncomfortable to the Android hero. But the refusal to do so may endanger human lives.
In general, stories touching on Red Tornado's humanity, and him growing to understand and participate in human relationships, would all be rad in my book.
BRIEF Bio: Doctor T.O. Morrow was one of several evil geniuses to oppose the Justice League. And like the others, he didn't have a great win/loss ratio. Sure, he had a few near-wins, a few death rays that nearly did their job, some killer robots or suped up super tanks that put the League on the ropes. But there was simply no way to defeat a united front that strong. So he sought a different method, creating an android, and programming it to be a hero, temporarily. But with a push of a button, T.O. Morrow could kill that false programming to reveal the robot's true intentions; to destroy the Justice League. He had to dub the Android with a suitably heroic name, and decided upon; Red Tornado.
It was a slow plan, but the Doctor was confident his patience would be rewarded, Red Tornado appeared on the scene of a natural disaster, and using his Aerokinesis, helped the League save many lives. Introductions were had, and Red Tornado expressed interest in working with them further. A few calls in to assist here and there, a few temporary team-ups, and the League seemed to trust him as a fellow hero. Which was when he struck. T.O. Morrow planned a heist, and when the league arrived to fend off his mechanical minions, he hit the killswitch. Red Tornado turned on his allies, nearly succeeding in destroying the league because of the unexpected double-cross, before a timely intervention from the previously busy Superman.
Red Tornado fought alongside the Doctor's other creations, but during the battle, threw himself in front a stray laser that risked hitting a civilian. The League won the battle, and had to decide what to do with Red Tornado. They put it to a vote, with Red Tornado himself suggesting they vote against him, as he believed the only reason he saved the civilian's life was because of the hit he took from Hawkgirl's mace damaged his systems, causing him to temporarily revert to his false heroics programming. Being so against taking the risk on him was actually a point in his favor, and the League decided to give him a chance. They sent him to STAR Labs for repairs, and to ensure the dormant programming to destroy the League was removed. And now, with the League in dire need of new members, and Red Tornado finally being cleared, he intends to repay the kindness shown to him.
Notes: This is a Red Tornado very early in his career, with several alterations. One being the change in time period, as originally in the comics he was created for the JSA, not the JLA. Two being that I dropped the fact that he is possessed by a psychic space cyclone, because I think that muddies the concept a little.
Sample Post:
A faint whrrring noise comes to a halt in the middle in the Keystone City Branch STAR Labs. Coming from one of the physical testing chambers. Within the chamber was the aftermath of a relatively destructive test, with damaged training equipment, busted test dummies, and other pieces of wreckage strewn about. In the center, seated in two folding chairs that survived the tests, are a man, and a machine. "You have a clean bill of health, Mister Tornado. Sound of robot body, sound of robot mind." Doctor Simonson, Red Tornado's primary technician in the lab, says with a practiced smile while writing something down in his notepad.
It had been half a year since Red Tornado had checked himself in to STAR Labs at the Justice League's insistence, and now he was finally checking out. The word finally was not intended to be used as a way to scorn the Lab. It had been nothing but helpful, and the staff treated Red with a kindness he was still uncertain was deserved, and was certain it was not necessary given he was a machine. But they offered it freely regardless.
No, the word 'finally' was merely because he had begun to grow restless. It was a relatively new feeling, and the excitement of experiencing it temporarily eased the agitation, but only temporarily. He wished to pay back the kindness given him to, and could not do that when subjected to (an entirely agreed upon) house arrest. Mercifully, they granted him a great deal of literature to read during his time there. He particularly liked the books on Philosophy, especially Confucianism. A dated philosophy, certainly, but Red Tornado's circumstances made it all the more impactful to read about a way of thought centered around the value of personal ethics and morality. During one particularly rough day, he had compared himself to Confucius, and Doctor Morrow to the Qin Dynasty, eager to suppress his freedom. It was an egotistical thought, and he was very glad he had not shared it.
Realizing he had let himself be drawn into thought, and had yet to properly respond to his doctor, Red Tornado hastily organizes his thoughts and responds. "I am pleased to hear that, Doctor.." The word gave him pause. It felt wrong to refer to a professional and not use their title, but Doctors always made him think of his father creator. "You and your staff have done an excellent job repairing me." He felt he ought to say something more personal, but nothing came to mind.
"It was honestly a pleasure. We've never worked with an Android quite like you before, and you were a model patient." Simonson rose from his seat, and Red Tornado mirrored him. The two shook hands, with Doctor Simonson clapping the android on the shoulder. "I know you're eager to get out there now that you're able to. But if you need to, don't hesitate to come back, alright Red?" Red Tornado did not truly have any intention of returning. He had relied on their kindness long enough, and did not desire to be any more burdensome. But the offer was very much appreciated.
"I will keep that in mind, Doctor. Please relay my gratitude to the rest of your staff." Stiffly, Red Tornado turns to the wreckage, and with a spin of his arms (in the sense that the limbs rotated at the elbows in place, not that they were actually spun), generates a spiraling stream of air that pulls in all of the wrecked training equipment, and deposits it in a far more easy to manage pile. Then, with a nod, Red Tornado moves to depart. With no belongings of his own, there was no need to pack. And with no family.. no real family, there was no one to call. He had nothing he was required to do any longer. He could go wherever he wanted now, do whatever he wanted. And what he wanted to do, whether it was an earnest desire or merely an error in his code..
Kryptonite: Much like other Kryptonians whenever Kryptonite is presented in front of Kara she will start feeling as if her life force was being sucked away from her body.
Magic: Most Kryptonians are not very effective when it comes to combating magic and magic users. She has to be cautious when magic is involved since she usually does not have a way of protecting herself against it.
Background Hero:
Steel
Potential Storylines:
Holding Out For A Hero: During her time on Earth she is learning from the other heroes how she can do her part and help keep humanity safe. As well as being the beacon of hope for Earth.
Ghost Of The Past: A strange ship has recently crashed and landed in a remote part of Africa. Scientists cannot determine the origin, but one day it suddenly opens and a figure named Brainiac comes out wanting to collect the knowledge of humanity before destroying Earth.
Hell Hast No Fury: Losing control of her anger after feeling alienated on Earth, as well as feeling like her life has been mired by pain and suffering. Kara becomes a member of the Red Lantern Corp.
BRIEF Bio:
Kara was born in Argo City and as a child, she was taught much about Kypton’s history and culture. When she was nineteen years old the sun of Rao went supernova and was about to shatter Krypton. Kara’s father sent her out into space in a rocket that could only hold one passenger. And to her displeasure, she made the painful choice of leaving her home and family behind. The rocket puts her into a cryogenic sleep. Landing on Earth caused her pod to malfunction and would not open when she landed. Her pod was studied by the American government while her cousin was a young child. Many years later her pod opened with Kara being disorientated not knowing where she was.
The hero named Steel took Kara under his wing. Mentoring her because her cousin had been in a coma before her awakening. Being taught how to control her powers is still something she struggles with. She lives among the humans in Metropolis, working as a journalist for the Daily Planet and wanting to take over the position of protector of Metropolis while her cousin is out of commission.
The weather during this particular night was mild with minimal clouds in the sky. A bank was about to close with very few people currently inside. The bank tellers were helping the customers as best they could. An athletic blonde woman was in the line wanting to deposit some money. What they didn’t notice was the six masked men armed with assault rifles running into the bank. “Okay, everyone this is a stick up everyone gets down on the ground and doesn’t move.” One of the robbers spoke shooting a few times into the air. A few of the other robbers were making their way towards the backroom.
The blonde woman made sure to slip away while the other robbers were distracted. A few of the robbers were trying to break into the vault, while the others were keeping the small crowd in control. While the criminals were busy trying to rob the bank, a figure was standing a few feet from the criminals. Coughing loudly so her presence would be known. “I think you guys got the wrong place. The jail is that way.” She said pointing her finger southwards.
The robbers that were doing crowd control were aiming their guns at the figure. And in a flash, all of their guns disappeared in their hands. “Cute gun.” She said before bending the guns into a large metallic sculpture. The sculpture was of an animal called a duck. Placing the sculpture on the ground before taking action. She used her super speed to knock out the criminals, making sure to use some of her strength to not seriously hurt them.
She could hear the criminals talking near the vault. The figure again used her enhanced speed so she was crouched behind them. “Have you gotten in yet? The cops will be here soon.” She said smiling while watching them quickly turning around. She used her ice breath to freeze their guns and bend them into makeshift handcuffs.
The figure dragged them towards the group of unconscious robbers from before. Seeing the police coming towards the front door. Flying away through the glass roof left a note which read “A present from your friendly neighbourhood Supergirl.”
Martial Artist - Having trained under Richard Dragon, the world's foremost martial artist, the Question is a skilled martial artist capable of taking on multiple targets in a head on fight. To top it off, however, he's not exactly one to play fair. He frequently uses dirty tactics and things within his environment to give himself even more of an edge against his foes.
Investigator Extraordinaire - Noted as one of the world's finest detectives, the Question has sharpened his investigative skills like a knife, able to spot vital clues and make informed deductions off of them. His unorthodox mindset also allows him to come to conclusions others would have failed to. On top of this, he is skilled with hacking, able to crack the toughest of systems if given enough time.
Grappling Hook - A grappling hook designed by Rodor which allows the Question to scale large distances and tall buildings with the pull of a trigger.
Weaknesses:
Only Human, After All - The Question has no powers to speak of. He still needs to eat, drink, and sleep and cannot shrug off blades, bullets, or blunt force. Every hit will hurt and taking on a metahuman in a head on fight will likely end with his maiming, crippling, or death.
My Reputation Precedes Me - The Question is a well known crackpot and conspiracy theorist, often leading to a tainted opinion for people coming into meeting him with prior knowledge of his exploits. Few would ally with him outside of a League environment, even fewer trust him in one, and only a small amount of people actually like him.
Former Team Affiliation:
N/A
Background Hero:
Captain Atom
Appearance:
Vic Sage has ginger hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. A tattered suit and tie conceals his well-built form, with a height of 6'2 and weight of 189 pounds. As the Question, his appearance evokes that of a film noir detective: suit, trenchcoat, fedora, with a faceless visage to conceal his identity. His normally red hair is dyed black using the same gaseous compound that binds the mask to his face.
Potential Storylines:
Cry Of The Banshee - An old foe from the Question's past, notorious gangster Maxwell "The Banshee" Bine, resurfaces in Metropolis looking to take over the city's criminal underworld by force. With an army of mobsters at the Banshee's side, the Question must enlist the help of the Justice League to take him down once and for all.
The Happening In Metropolis - Children have been disappearing in Metropolis, abducted from their homes in the dead of night. The Question takes it on himself to investigate, discovering that the culprits behind these kidnappings are members of a cult known as the Serpent's Order, who are looking to sacrifice the kids in an attempt to summon a powerful demon.
Cadmus Unveiled - More disappearances have been occurring in several major US cities; all the victims have been metahumans. Vic plans to report the case but finds himself stonewalled by shady officials who show up to the Daily Planet's office. It's up to the Question to investigate these disappearances and the government's connections to them, but how deep does the conspiracy go?
BRIEF Bio:
Charles Victor Szasz was born in Hub City to a destitute mother who worked as a prostitute to support herself and her son. At age 7, Charlie's mother was murdered and he was placed into a home for destitute children, which he was promptly kicked out of at the age of 18. After a short while on the streets, he was taken in by Aristotle "Tot" Rodor, a chemistry professor at the local university. Pulling some strings, Tot managed to get Charlie into college, where the young man changed his name to Vic Sage and majored in communications.
Fresh out of college, he got a job at The Hub City Gazette, Hub City's premiere newspaper. For a while, Vic was comfortable in his position but was troubled by Hub City's crime and corruption. He needed a way to do something about it beyond his job; that came in his mentor Tot, who needed help with a former colleague, Arby Twain, who was looking to illegally sell one of their inventions, Pseudoderm, an artificial skin that was meant to be used as a bandage. Vic agreed to help Tot out and take down Twain's operation, with Tot designing him a mask using Pseudoderm. Needless to say, Vic succeeded. His next target: the Gospel of Sinners, Hub City's resident crime syndicate.
A year ago, the Question was brutally beaten by Lady Shiva, who was hired at the time by the Sinners. After taking a bullet to the head and a dip in the icy Hubert River, Vic was saved by the very woman who beat the life out of him and sent off to train under Richard Dragon. Under Dragon's tutelage, Vic learned martial arts and took on his mentor's Zen philosophy. After returning to Hub City ten months later, Vic dismantled the Gospel of Sinners' organization, accomplishing what he had set out to do five years prior when he began his career. Now, he has joined the Justice League, moving from his native Hub City to Metropolis and taking on a new day job at the Daily Planet.
Four men inside the shack. From outside the window the Question can hear the occasional mumbled curse, sometimes barks of laughter. He feels his muscles tense beneath his trenchcoat, the knot of excitement in his stomach rising. In just a moment, he will do violence, or maybe have violence done to him. He might die. But in this moment, he is alive.
The door crumbles into splinters at the force of his foot. The poker game ceases as the four men all jump to their feet. The Question steps over the broken door and into the shack, cracking his knuckles. "You have a flash drive. I want it," he says as he continues his stride forward.
One of the thugs, a well built man with red hair, chuckles. "Fellas, I don't think he really wants it. Do you think he wa-" His words are cut short by a fist to his face which sends him reeling back and into the CRT television they had set up, the TV falling onto the man's head. The Question blocks a punch and follows up with a sharp jab to his attacker's throat, sending the man to the floor as he coughs and sputters for air. He ducks beneath an attempted tackle, throwing the man over his shoulders and onto the ground. A quick stomp to the charger's face and he's out for the count.
The last man standing raises his hands. "Goddamn! Don't hurt me man, please!" The Question steps forward and grabs him by his shirt collar, gazing deep into the man's eyes.
"You have five seconds to tell me where the flash drive is before I break every bone in your body. Starting with the fingers."
"I-it's in a safe in the back! I'll unlock it for you." Question drags the man over to a door and pushes him forward. The man produces a key and unlocks it, before stepping inside and heading to the safe. He spins the dial a few times before it cracks open, revealing stacks of money. On the top of a band of hundred dollar bills sits a small thumb drive which the man grabs and hands over to the vigilante.
"I'm probably gonna get hurt bad for doing this... At least tell me who the hell you are."
"Good question," he says, before knocking the thug out with a single punch.
Homo magi: As a descendant of Jebediah of Canaan, Teth was born with the ability to use magic. Even when not empowered, his connection to the Rock of Eternity marks him as the current Wizard and one of Earth's foremost magic users.
Magical Empowerment (SHAZAM): When invoking the ancient magic, Teth is transformed into a demigod-like figure. Beyond the physical changes to his appearance, the effect imparts abilities associated with the heroes and gods of his native Ancient Egypt: • The Stamina of Shu (invulnerability) • The Speed of Horus (heightened reflexes, flight) • The Strength of Amun (super strength) • The Wisdom of Zehuti (genius intellect) • The Power of Aten (magic, immortality) • The Courage of Mehen
Weaknesses
Lightning Rod (Area of Effect): Casting SHAZAM invokes the power of the Rock of Eternity to come down in the form that is likened to a lightning strike, wherever Teth may be on Earth. This can be dangerous for anyone in arm's length of him when he does.
Earth's Champion: Teth's powers are inextricably linked to the Rock of Eternity, the focal point of Earth's magical leylines. He was chosen to be the Earth's protector, and as a consequence is weakened the further from the Earth that he travels. Beyond Earth's moon, he is sufficiently weakened as to be unable to use magic or transform into Shazam. This means that he is fully mortal and can experience both aging and death.
Will and the Word: Spellweaving requires two elements; mental concentration and vocal utterance. Anything which interrupts or prevents one or both of those aspects will prevent Teth from being able to use his magic, including to transform himself into his empowered state.
Say My Name: As Shazam is the magic spell that changes him into (or out of) his empowered state, Teth cannot give such as his name without changing or calling down the lightning.
Background Hero Tempest
Appearance
As Teth-Adam, he presents as a young "tweenage" boy whose bronzed complexion marks him as ambiguously Greek, Arab, or Hebrew. Small, by modern standards, his back still bears the scars from his time under the lash of slave taskmasters. He has wavy, black hair and green eyes (a trait once associated with Northern Egyptian people).
As Shazam, he presents as a herculean figure in physical prime, approximately mid-to-late twenties. His color, hair, and eyes are the same, with the figure seemingly the avatar of Teth's future self. A towering 6-foot-5-inches and 240 lbs, the black-and-gold clad figure is imposing even without his demigod-like abilities.
Potential Storylines
The Orb of Ra: When archaeologists in Egypt unearth a relic of the ancient world, they unleash the very evil that Shazam was created to stop... Ahk-Ton.
Of Gods and Men: Seeking a return to the mortal world, the Demon Sabbac manipulates a once small time crook into selling his soul for power, becoming Shazam's equal in a race to stop Hell on Earth.
Powerless: Teth finds himself on an alien world and has to overcome a challenge as a boy without his magic or powers.
Boulevard of Broken Dreams: Someone from the League learns of Shazam living homeless on the street.
BRIEF Bio Teth-Adam was taken into slavery at a young age, the victim of Egyptian raids on the nomadic Canaanite tribes of the region known as the Fertile Crescent, sometime during Egypt's Eighteenth Dynasty. While still a child, he stood up to the task masters, earning himself a death sentence. Meanwhile, the balance of power in the Ancient World was disrupted by the appearance of a demonic artifact which the Egyptians had dubbed the Scepter of Ra, which corrupted the soul of a priest named Ahk-Ton and created what may have been the Earth's first supervillain. One of Earth's earliest heroes, the Wizard Shazam, found that he could not both fight the forces of Hell and stop the threat of their avatar in the mortal plane. Seeking a champion who could stop Ahk-Ton while he dealt with the unseen evil manipulating events from the shadows, the Wizard chose Teth for his demonstrated bravery and courage... though the fact that Teth is the last survivor of the Wizard's tribe may have also factored into that decision.
Rescued from death and given the power of the Rock of Eternity, Teth-Adam not only defeated Ahk-Ton but inspired a slave revolt that led to the creation of one of the wonders of the Ancient World, the founding of Khandaq -- the slave's kingdom. If Ahk-Ton was one of the first supervillains, then Shazam was one of the first superheroes, his exploits and adventures spreading across the globe to inspire many stories that followed, from Heracles to Gilgamesh to Beowulf. And, for a time, Teth was everything that the Wizard expected him to be, but being showered with praise and celebrated as a hero soon turned to worship and Teth spiraled into hubris in buying into the belief that he was a god above men. Chosen to be Earth's champion, his thirst for more power and glory led to his becoming the nemesis of the Ancient World. This led to a confrontation with the Wizard that led to Teth unleashing a spell that sundered his amassed kingdom, destroying its most ancient cities and forming divisions that still exist in the founding and borders of modern day Bialya and Khandaq.
Seeing his kingdom destroyed by his own hand, the gravity of what he had become sank in, and Teth accepted exile in the Rock of Eternity, where his removal from the mortal world would prevent his giving in his thirst for power. He became the Wizard's apprentice and, eventually, his successor. Thousands of years later, he is still working on himself. As such, he had no plans for leaving the Rock of Eternity, afraid of inviting temptation to return, but recent events and the removal of many of Earth's modern defenders have left its ancient champion no alternative but to say the word once more.
In his "alter ego" as 12-year-old Teth Adam, he lives on the street in Fawcett City, using an abandoned section of subway as a hideout and sleeping in an old railcar.
Name: Bernhard "Buddy" Baker Alias: Animal Man Age: 43 Personality: Sanguine, courageous, self-assured, somewhat condescending and "ostentatious" - a word a tabloid critic used to describe Buddy when he was first breaking in to super heroics that has stuck with him for all these years. He would lean into this as a foundational part of his public persona during his early pursuit of fame.
Powers: Buddy is able to copy the capabilities of any creature that has existed on the planet at any point in time. He has publicly stated in interviews that he achieves this by tapping into a cosmic force known as The Red. While he doesn't need to shapeshift in order to have feats of strength, speed or flight, Buddy can most definitely change parts of his body to copy those of any animal.
Aside from his actual superhero abilities, Buddy has cultivated an underdog persona throughout his career. When most think of Animal Man, the image conjured up is that of a local hero (literally) prowling the streets of West Coast cities beating up petty criminals during the night while showing up to animal rights protests for photo ops during the day. Secretly, underneath all the glamour and glitz, is a man who has been through hell and back, battling incomprehensible horrors across dimensions and saving the mortal realms from their grip.
But this all works to his advantage. Let them all think lowly of Animal Man but like the mighty ant, he has more strength than meets the eye, specially when in the realm of The Red.
Weaknesses: While he is definitely wiser and more versatile at this point in his career, Buddy is also more jaded and set in his ways after 20 years of being a solo, journeyman, non-caped crusader. While his reflexes are arguably the same due to the nature of his powers, he has rarely needed to innovate his tactics specially with regards to collaborating with other heroes on the scene.
Buddy has also been through a lot, more than anyone can ever know and he did it all while being on the outer periphery of the Justice League. To that effect, Buddy has a bit of a better-than-thou complex that he needs to keep in check.
Background Hero: Dr. Alec Holland aka The Swamp Thing - a man who has gone through similar trials as Buddy though has turned to a more private personal life than his contemporaries. Little is known of both the doctor's personae aside from the fact the he controls plant matter and lives somewhere in the New Orleans area.
Appearance:
Potential Storylines:
The main overarching theme for Animal Man will be acceptance - not just from his peers but also from himself. Is he satisfied with his lot in life resulting from the decisions he has made so far. To explore this, I propose these storyline ideas:
First Blood Part II : A string of strange abductions and brutal murders have convinced Animal Man that The Cult of Blood, once led by Brother Blood, has re-emerged after years of hiding. Having once sought to usurp control of The Red, Animal Man was able to barely stop them before they succeeded. Can Buddy do it once more?
Possible Worlds : In a different world quite similar to this one, Solomon Grundy was made champion of The Gray - the source of rot and decay, the antithetical nemesis of Animal Man's source of power. With the knowledge of another Solomon Grundy in this world, the consciousness of The Red demands that Animal Man dispose of the problem permanently before it gets worse. Is Buddy willing to cross the line, knowing the possibility of what might happen if he refuses?
Fire Walk With Me : The Red has tasked Animal Man to defend against an invasion launched by The Gray. However, the battleground is not located on the metaphysical plane - it is within the border realms of the Dreaming and he can only access it while asleep. Unfortunately, this leaves him exhausted during the day and is taking a toll on his heroics. Can the rest of the League help Buddy catch a wink of sleep or will this be an unending nightmare?
Which Side Are You On? : Animal Man is actively making the media rounds to promote his admittance to the Justice League. However, the Screen Actor's Guild is on strike and he's getting flak for undermining the spirit of it. Trying to minimize the damage, he attempts to cancel the remaining bookings but one contractual obligation refuses to budge - "What's Up, Jack? with Jack Ryder" on the Luthor News Network. How will Buddy Baker address this controversy and what will he do moving forward?
BRIEF Bio: Around 20 years ago, a man stargazing under the Nevada desert sky sees a shooting star flying by and wished for fame. Being an aspiring actor who just finished a day's work of filming a TV series pilot, such a wish didn't seem that farfetched. Little did he know that the shooting star was actually a spaceship and he had caught their attention. His memories are fuzzy of what happened next but the following morning would be Buddy Baker's first day as Animal Man!..
This origin story is from the official ghostwritten autobiography of Animal Man. Nowadays, some details of his story doesn't hold up to scrutiny but Buddy insists that this was what truly happened. While the highlight of his superhero career has been a few team-ups with the Justice League, Buddy Baker's acting career did see him star as a bit player in a few long running sitcoms, one of which has even reached syndication. What more can someone really want from life?
Notes: This version is based on a post-Lemire run Animal Man, years after the finale of the book.
Sample Post: "And we're back from the break." says the man sitting opposite to Buddy Baker. The superhero finds himself in a somewhat compact recording studio, made only smaller by the fact that both he and the podcast host were north of six feet. Even moreso the host due to the fact that his shock of red hair gave the illusion of him being at least two inches taller. Still, he had been having fun with recollections of his past adventures and a few non-sequiturs but the big story surely was next. "Buddy, I have to ask the question most of the public are wondering about... Were you auditioning for the part of Air Bud in the new reboot? I imagine the savings alone for the CGI would make you a frontrunner."
Buddy couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, actually I've been shooting scenes between Justice League missions for the last few months already. But, um, for legal reasons, this is a joke and, uh, I'm not breaking the strike guidelines... Actually, who even owns the rights to that franchise?" Asked Buddy in an effort to pivot from the topic. While the question was directed at the host, it would be shifted it to his assistant immediately after. "Sonia google that so we can talk about it after the actual big news that you just mentioned: Animal Man in the Justice League!"
"Yeah, the Justice League." Buddy would repeat. "It's a big change, absolutely, and it comes with heavy responsibility. We all know the circumstances that led to this but I do see it as a big opportunity. Y'know, the main reason as to why I decided to specifically come on your podcast is because I see a similarity with what you had done years prior." The host earnestly smiles at the comparison. "Oh? I don't quite recall getting a phone call from Wonder Woman after getting fired from the Tonight Show but I suppose I need to clear my voice mails or check if carrier pigeons from Themyscira got lost on the way to Los Angeles."
Another joke and even more laughter from Buddy. "Well, if you recall, you spent roughly around two decades hosting late night television and a big change put you in circumstances that were quite vexing to say the least. I'm also just about to hit the big two-oh for my career in both acting and heroics and, well, I've also hit a crossroads that has forced me to re-evaluate everything that has led up to this point." Buddy would take a pause, collecting his thoughts.
"You've said it multiple times on the podcast and at least one time while behind a tree stump podium: it is in our perceived failure to become our ideal self that ultimately defines us. Since starting this career, I've suffered a number of injuries, I've faced eviction from my home because I endanger those around me, I've seen the faces of people I have failed be disappointed in me, and I've even gotten divorced from my high school sweetheart a few years ago... Yet, I continue on. The League has suffered a major setback but we'll bounce back."
Silence fills the studio, but only because those present could not help but admire the candidness of Buddy Baker in his declaration. Listeners couldn't see it but the host would be beaming with a smile, knowing that hope will continue in the next era of the Justice League.
Powers: All Natural: Being a genuine, 100%, grade B human means Ted isn’t weighed down by pesky weaknesses like Kryptonite, the colour yellow or a stray match. Sure, his physique doesn’t let him lift cars (closer to a love seat) or outrun a speeding ticket but he’s done enough physical conditioning to keep up with some of the slower villains out there. Where he really gets extra-ordinary (though not extraordinary by any stretch) is his mind, capable of thinking his way out of most situations or knowing when to make tracks.
The Bug: Ted’s first and longest running magnum opus. A converted ‘50s VW beetle equipped with a slew of gadgets, the most striking one being its ability to fly. Like most of his arsenal, it pales in most aspects when compared to other Leaguer’s gear but it get the job done for Ted and it’s versatility makes up for its short comings.
BB Gun: Ted’s suit has plenty of little doohickies and thingamajigs but his main instrument of justice is his Blue Beetle Gun (patent pending). Capable of firing large bursts of air, a grappling hook or even flash banging potential attackers. Ted’s constantly tinkering with it, adding and removing features though the core three are always there.
Weaknesses: Super-Mortal: Ted’s super heroics go in stark contrast to his genetic disposition to a more sedimentary life style. His decent physique doesn’t come naturally to him and all the muscles in the world won’t stop a stray bullet (that’s what the kevlar’s for) or a nasty trip. Poisons, venoms, curses, you name it, it’ll probably be able to kill Ted. To top it off, Ted has a preexisting heart condition that makes just the stress of super heroics a danger to Ted’s health.
Background Hero: Manhattan Guardian Appearance: Ted Kord isn’t especially tall, short, bulky or scrawny. Despite his upbringing, Ted is a quintessential everyman sporting light brown hair, dull blue eyes and bit of a gut hiding away his toned muscles. His suit, true to his name, his varying shades of blue aside from the yellow visor adorning his face. Potential Storylines: 20,000 Years, Under the Sea: After a fair bit of sleuthing, Ted finally gets a lead on his mysterious man in gold. Supposedly the super powered criminal is being held in a hyper-secure prison under the sea. Not knowing what his team would think about his less than legal pursuit, Ted uses his powers (ie money) to fake a distress signal coming from the base. Will Ted find what he’s looking for on the ocean floor? Or will the team sink lower than Ted’s expectations.
Big Trouble in Little Egypt: When a man going by Ted's old moniker, the Scarlet Scarab comes for the Scarab, Ted is powerless to stop him. Unsure of what this new SS is planning but knowing it can’t be good, Ted and the gang need make their way to Egypt, fighting Scarlet Scarab’s cronies, powered up by the scarab. Can the team stop The Scarlet Scarab before his plans come to fruition? What will they think when they run into a just as determined and disappointed Dan Garret, using the residual Scarab energy that had rubbed off on him for one last globe trotting adventure? Will Ted ever catch a break? Tune in and find out!
BRIEF Bio: Before taking up the suit, the gun and the sick set of flying wheels, Ted Kord was just a man (an incredibly wealthy man though). His life consisted mostly of being groomed to succeed his father as the owner of KORD Industries and giving to some charities (mostly to get access to the sweet galas that came with). Ted’s simple life was changed one night when he awoke to find a frantic man, adorned in gold in his room. The man spoke like he and Ted were friends but Ted was all but sure they had never met. The man apologized again and again, for what Ted couldn’t figure out. Eventually the man seemed to calm down and before Ted could call the cops the man was gone in a flash of light. Later that night Ted saw that man on the news in cuffs. His fellow socialite, Maxwell Lord, was dead, murdered by the very villain that nearly got Ted that night.
In the coming weeks, Ted’s thoughts would wander to his brush with death though the more his mind wandered, the less content he became with the info on hand. Going online, Ted couldn’t figure out what had happened to the man in gold and any lead the amateur detective followed lead to a dead end. Ted began to delve into some new hobbies (some martial arts) and take up old ones (tinkering with machinery, he had a degree after all). This self improvement eventually lead Ted to an epiphany; who would know more about supers than other supers? Throwing together a rudimentary costume and grabbing a moniker off of a “What’s your Superhero Name?” generator online, the Scarlet Scarab was born.
Ted’s super heroics didn’t take off, making very few contacts in the community and stopping even less crime. That was until he got caught changing into his duds by his next door neighbour, one retired archeologist Dan Garret. The retired superhero took Ted under his wing, sharing his wisdom from years of crime fighting and eventually passing on his own mantle. A pallet swap, new mentor, and some solid advice saw Ted drop the Scarlet Scarab name and bring the Blue Beetle name back onto the scene. This ‘brand recognition’ gave Ted the foot in the door he needed to hopefully get to the bottom of his own white whale of a mystery and maybe do some good along the way. Notes:
Personality (again, by definition susceptible to change): Unassertive, Self-defacing, Insecure, Pessimistic/Set-upon, Snark/Sarcastic
Powers: Possesses a Miraco developed M-Vest from Meta which was formerly owned by the Justice League Dark hero Shade.
The M-vest (also known as the Miraco-Vest - and colloquially as the "Madness-Vest") is capable of tremendous and amazing powers ranging from the latent and lesser (protective force field, illusion forming, some minor flight) to the vast and literally reality breaking when utilised with purpose by a master.
It is largely intuitive in defense of its wearer, but is heavily affected by the mental state of its wearer as well as the mental state of the viewer.
Weaknesses: Yeah... about that "by a master" bit. He ain't. In fact he's a bit (read: a lot...) of a fuck up.
Background Hero: Zatanna
Appearance: Within the multi-coloured, ever-shifting M-Vest, he generally just wears a black tee and pants.
Potential Storylines: Shane is, much like his powerset, a 'changing' man. Maturing and slowly figuring out the person he should be. His story's going to be a gradual arc in that direction, but with ebbs and flows as his life's often adrift on the currents of one who wears the 'Madness Vest'.
I'm not opposed to friendships or relationships forming within the JLU, albeit organically. But understand he's not exactly a stable presence and the person he is - by his very definition - is changing. So how well those friendships and relationships are kept through the turbulent waters of his life, we'll see.
BRIEF Bio: Shane loves music. If anything has defined him it's been his presence in the indie/underground rock music scene, booze and the drugs which are often found in the festival scene.
His life was stagnant. He did enough to scrounge tickets to the next gig. He lacked drive and ambition.
His parents, frustrated with their inability to get him to focus and get his life on a path. Any path. Have kicked him out of their house.
Things have taken a horrible turn for the worse.
Searching through the racks of a local Second hand clothes store, he stumbled upon a strange and colourful item.
Due to a mix-up in boxes, the M-Vest of the now deceased Rac Shade - a former hero of two worlds, known by few as 'Shade, the Changing Man' - had wound up amongst the belongings for re-sale.
A quick, dirt-cheap purchase, based on the fact he thought it would look cool for an upcoming festival saw him burdened with a terrible responsibility. He was now in possession of one of the most dangerous, and powerful objects on Earth. A fetching item of clothing capable of bending reality itself.
After an informative run-in with members of the Justice League Dark after a, well... let's call it a particularly memorable festival experience, a horrible realization fell upon Shane.
Whilst it was truly worrying what he was now potentially capable of, the alternative - removing the M-vest and leaving it with someone else... someone who would inevitably be more driven if only by virtue of actually WANTING to be in possession of such a thing - would almost certainly be worse.
Through a horrible twist of fate he'd been forced into what his parents have long wanted for him... a situation where he was going to be forced to learn personal responsibility and change and grow as a person to be someone 'worthy' of the terrifying power which he could now potentially wield.
The Justice League Dark - whose members included Ragman and the Enchantress - suggested the best place for him would likely be somewhere that the Justice League could keep him under close watch, and monitor and aid in his growth as well. Zatanna had the best reputation amongst the group and upon her vouching for him Shane has become one of the newest members of the expanding League.
Notes: The M-Vest functions on the mental state of the wearer.
Shane's own brain has been addled by booze and drugs not only in recent years, but in the late developmental phase of his brain's growth.
This will not go without impacting his overall story.
I'm tying together all Shade continuity in a neat little bow... the Ditko stuff, the Milligan stuff. Even the stuff which contradicts and flies in the face of the other stuff. It all happened in a twisted, contorting reality.
...but furthermore, this is Shane's story now.
Sample Post: (No, It's not on it's way) [Two paragraphs minimum with dialogue]
