Chief Brian Spearing
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Brian Spears
Alias: Brian Spearing
Current Occupation: Orange City Police Chief
Parents: Unknown
Siblings: Karate Spears, Charles Spearing Senior
Spouse: Paulette Spearing
Children: Charles Spearing Junior (adopted)
Group Affiliation: Orange City Police Department
Place of Birth: Earth-K
Current Place of Residence: Orange City
First Appearance: Super Comics # 23, September 1981
Biography:
Brian Spears was born on an alternate Earth where the mightiest warriors were chosen to rule the planet. His oldest brother, Karate, had become such a ruler. His other brother, Charles, was equally as bloodthirsty. Brian was odd in that he was humane and believed in justice. He couldn't stand the world he lived in. And he feared for the infant son of his brother Charles, to be brought up in this world.
Their Earth may have been more savage, but it was also more technologically advanced. Brian used a device only for use by the highest of officials to scan into alternate realities. He found an alternate Earth that seemed a utopia to him. And he witnessed a man abducting his child, escaping from a distant planet, and bringing him to Earth, where they changed their names and began new lives. (This was in fact Michael Bossman aka Robert Kowalski and his son Christopher.) This inspired Brian, who abducted Charles Junior and used their experimental teleportation device to travel to this other Earth, destroying the device behind him.
Brian changed his last name to Spearing, and claimed young Charlie to be his own child. He met and married a woman named Paulette and managed to get a job as a police officer in Orange City. (How he obtained such things as birth certificates and social security numbers is unknown, but this was in the pre-digital age.)
He turned out to be one of the best cops in the force, and within less than a decade had become the chief of police for the entire city. Meanwhile, he had moved his family to live on the same street as that family he had observed back on his homeworld. His Charlie and Christopher had become good friends and classmates. And even though Spearing knew Chris was an alien (something he kept to himself), he was not aware that Chris had become the urban legend called Super-Bob.
However, it was very shortly after Super-Bob began operating in the city and after Obie Planters had tried to blow up the city that Brian found himself meeting Super-Bob. Super-Bob wanted Chief Spearing to know that he was real and on the side of the law. He presented Spearing with a special communication device that could be used to contact Super-Bob at any time, via his super computer VIC-20. From that point on, the two had developed a close professional relationship.
In 1982, Karate Spears discovered this other Earth, but the newly built teleportation devise was not as good as the original, and the only way for Spears to travel was to switch places with someone with very similar genetics. It so happened, Charlie Spearing was the match, and was transported to Earth-K every time that Karate Spears visited Earth-B. When Karate Spears returned to his world, Charlie would be transported home.
By 1991, Spearing had become police commissioner. Two years later, the city was atomized. Millions were killed by a death ray controlled by Powerman's greatest foes. Charlie and Paulette were killed, but Brian had been in the underground armory and survived.
For 10 years the city was uninhabitable, and Spearing's activities during that time are unknown. But when the city was rebuilt in 2001, Spearing was asked back to be the police chief, which he accepted, and he continues to hold that position to this day.
Comments:
Chief Spearing was inspired by an amalgamation of two real people from my childhood. One was the father of a neighborhood friend, and the other a police officer in my home town.
Of course, the character holds the usual position required in any super-hero fiction of the one cop who can contact the hero.
However, the fact that he comes from an alternate Earth so different than ours makes him a little more unique than your average Commissioner Gordon or Inspector Henderson.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Karate Spears
Karate Spears
Created by Chuck Spears
Real Name: Karate Spears
Alias: Interstellar Ninja
Current Occupation: Mercenary
Parents: Unnamed
Siblings: Charles Spearing Senior, Brian Spearing
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: Powerkid Haters, Bad Guys
Place of Birth: Earth-K
Current Place of Residence: Orange City
First Appearance: Powerkid # 1, September 1982
Biography:
In an alternate reality, life on Earth had evolved differently, in a warrior culture where only the mightiest warriors ruled. In the late 20th century, Karate Spears was that warrior ruler. However, Spears grew bored with no challenges to his rule, and sought to find one elsewhere.
Despite being a very uncivilized world, they were much more technologically advanced, and Karate Spears used a device that allowed him to view alternate Earths to find a challenge. He came across the universe of Powerkid, and found Powerkid to be a worthy opponent.
To that end, he came to Orange City and found Powerkid, and began attacking him. Powerkid and Karate Spears at first seemed evenly matched, but it turned out that Powerkid began weakening because Spears was using a power draining device called Apple Crisp on the hero.
Mustering the last of his energy, Powerkid fled. Karate Spears had given Powerkid the clue on who to seek out for aid. When Spears revealed he was from another Earth, this let Powerkid know that he multiverse was real, just like in his comics. He had previously used the Forbidden Forest as a portal to travel through time and to other weird dimensions, so likely he could do so to travel to alternate Earths, and he did just that.
In the meantime, Spears gloated over his victory, and threatened to keep destroying the city until Powerkid returned to face his demise. But Spears didn't have to wait too long when both a red and a blue streak came towards him, and Spears found himself toppled over by both Powerkid and Superman!!! (Even though there was two Supermen in the Wronskiverse at this time, they operated in secret and Powerkid was not aware of their existence, thus he traveled to another reality to get their Superman.)
The two defeated the villain, who teleported back to his own world.
Humiliated, Spears had to redeem himself (especially since on his world, weakness was surely a sign that he was unfit to rule and easy to kill.) Over the next few years, Spears constantly tried to kill Powerkid and failed each time. Eventually, he became a constant foe of Zap and the Powerkid Police as well. Karate Spears eventually found it in his best interest to form a lasting alliance with Doctor Deadly, the evil ageless ruler of Death Planet. He also joined a team of Powerkid's greatest foes called the Powerkid Haters.
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, everything changed. The wave of antimattter and the environmental damage were combining to tear Karate Spears' Earth apart, and only with the aid of Powerkid was it saved, when Powerkid actually moved the planet out of that doomed reality and into an orbit between Death Planet and Booer. Overcome by the generosity of a hero who he's tried to kill dozens of times, Spears redefined in his mind what makes a warrior, and vowed that his world, renamed Kearth, would never do harm to Powerkid or Earth ever again.
That would be Spears' undoing. One of Spears' top aids, General Leers, was able to convince the public that their leader's newfound outlook was weakness, and toppled the government and assumed control. Leers did not slay Spears, however, as Spears still had a large following, and instead locked him away in a dungeon.
Eventually Leers himself was killed and replaced by Spearon, and a decade passed with Spears locked away, until he eventually escaped and fled to Earth, where he began operating as a super-hero called the Interstellar Ninja. A few years later, a mutant named Adam took over the Earth, and aliens were all deported, including Spears. Spears recently returned to Earth, and joined a team of mercenaries that consisted of reformed super villains called the Bad Guys. He currently works this this team going around the world helping people in need.
Comments:
Karate Spears has the distinction of being the first Powerkid foe, and replaced the Lightning Kid as Powerkid's primary foe. The character was created by my then neighbor Chuck Spears. He was creatively involved in almost all Karate Spears stories from 1982 - 1985.
Ironically, as my friendship with Chuck was ending, I did the reverse for the characters. Karate Spears' final appearance was in 1985's The Crisis Within, until I brought him back in 1994 in the Powerman series. Karate Spears appeared a few times as the Interstellar Ninja between 1994 - 1995, then again stopped appearing until 2008 when he was brought back in Crisis, and is now a team member of the Bad Guys, which is published monthly.
Created by Chuck Spears
Real Name: Karate Spears
Alias: Interstellar Ninja
Current Occupation: Mercenary
Parents: Unnamed
Siblings: Charles Spearing Senior, Brian Spearing
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: Powerkid Haters, Bad Guys
Place of Birth: Earth-K
Current Place of Residence: Orange City
First Appearance: Powerkid # 1, September 1982
Biography:
In an alternate reality, life on Earth had evolved differently, in a warrior culture where only the mightiest warriors ruled. In the late 20th century, Karate Spears was that warrior ruler. However, Spears grew bored with no challenges to his rule, and sought to find one elsewhere.
Despite being a very uncivilized world, they were much more technologically advanced, and Karate Spears used a device that allowed him to view alternate Earths to find a challenge. He came across the universe of Powerkid, and found Powerkid to be a worthy opponent.
To that end, he came to Orange City and found Powerkid, and began attacking him. Powerkid and Karate Spears at first seemed evenly matched, but it turned out that Powerkid began weakening because Spears was using a power draining device called Apple Crisp on the hero.
Mustering the last of his energy, Powerkid fled. Karate Spears had given Powerkid the clue on who to seek out for aid. When Spears revealed he was from another Earth, this let Powerkid know that he multiverse was real, just like in his comics. He had previously used the Forbidden Forest as a portal to travel through time and to other weird dimensions, so likely he could do so to travel to alternate Earths, and he did just that.
In the meantime, Spears gloated over his victory, and threatened to keep destroying the city until Powerkid returned to face his demise. But Spears didn't have to wait too long when both a red and a blue streak came towards him, and Spears found himself toppled over by both Powerkid and Superman!!! (Even though there was two Supermen in the Wronskiverse at this time, they operated in secret and Powerkid was not aware of their existence, thus he traveled to another reality to get their Superman.)
The two defeated the villain, who teleported back to his own world.
Humiliated, Spears had to redeem himself (especially since on his world, weakness was surely a sign that he was unfit to rule and easy to kill.) Over the next few years, Spears constantly tried to kill Powerkid and failed each time. Eventually, he became a constant foe of Zap and the Powerkid Police as well. Karate Spears eventually found it in his best interest to form a lasting alliance with Doctor Deadly, the evil ageless ruler of Death Planet. He also joined a team of Powerkid's greatest foes called the Powerkid Haters.
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, everything changed. The wave of antimattter and the environmental damage were combining to tear Karate Spears' Earth apart, and only with the aid of Powerkid was it saved, when Powerkid actually moved the planet out of that doomed reality and into an orbit between Death Planet and Booer. Overcome by the generosity of a hero who he's tried to kill dozens of times, Spears redefined in his mind what makes a warrior, and vowed that his world, renamed Kearth, would never do harm to Powerkid or Earth ever again.
That would be Spears' undoing. One of Spears' top aids, General Leers, was able to convince the public that their leader's newfound outlook was weakness, and toppled the government and assumed control. Leers did not slay Spears, however, as Spears still had a large following, and instead locked him away in a dungeon.
Eventually Leers himself was killed and replaced by Spearon, and a decade passed with Spears locked away, until he eventually escaped and fled to Earth, where he began operating as a super-hero called the Interstellar Ninja. A few years later, a mutant named Adam took over the Earth, and aliens were all deported, including Spears. Spears recently returned to Earth, and joined a team of mercenaries that consisted of reformed super villains called the Bad Guys. He currently works this this team going around the world helping people in need.
Comments:
Karate Spears has the distinction of being the first Powerkid foe, and replaced the Lightning Kid as Powerkid's primary foe. The character was created by my then neighbor Chuck Spears. He was creatively involved in almost all Karate Spears stories from 1982 - 1985.
Ironically, as my friendship with Chuck was ending, I did the reverse for the characters. Karate Spears' final appearance was in 1985's The Crisis Within, until I brought him back in 1994 in the Powerman series. Karate Spears appeared a few times as the Interstellar Ninja between 1994 - 1995, then again stopped appearing until 2008 when he was brought back in Crisis, and is now a team member of the Bad Guys, which is published monthly.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Batman I
Batman I
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Bruce Wayne
Current Occupation: Deceased; former police commissioner
Parents: Thomas and Martha Wayne (deceased)
Siblings: Thomas Wayne Junior (deceased)
Spouse: Julie Madison (ex-wife); Selina Kyle Wayne (aka Catwoman, deceased)
Children: Dick Grayson (aka Batman II; adopted, deceased); Bruce Wayne Junior (aka Batman III) and Helena Wayne (aka Huntress, deceased)
Group Affiliation: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Justice Society of America, All-Star Squadron, Club of Heroes
Place of Birth: Gotham City
Place of Death: Gotham City
First Appearance: Detective Comics # 27, May 1939
Biography:
When he was eight, Bruce Wayne saw his children murdered before his eyes. At that tragic moment, the boy became heir to millions. The boy was raised by his Uncle Philip and chose to use his fortune to travel the world and train to fight a war on crime.
As an adult, he donned a costume that resembled a bat to strike fear into the hearts of criminals, and became the vigilante known as Batman. At first hunted by the law, eventually he became a deputized agent of the law and even was called upon by the government on numerous occasions.
The Batman was a member of several groups of heroes, and eventually took in an orphan named Dick Grayson who he trained to be his sidekick, Robin.
In the late 1940s, Dick Grayson went off to college and Bruce married an old flame, Julie Madison, though the marriage didn't last as she couldn't deal with his costumed activities. Their marriage did produce a child, Bruce Wayne Junior. Bruce then married his old foe Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, and they had a child, Helena Wayne.
In 1959, Bruce retired, and Dick took over Batman, with Bruce Junior becoming Robin.
Bruce took over at Gotham's police commissioner and was later killed by a small time crook who had gained incredible super-powers.
Comments:
The canon of this Batman in the Wronskiverse consists of all stories published in the golden age up to 1945, and all stories referenced in Crossovers: A Secret Chronology of the World by Win Scott Eckert. Additionally, he has appeared in original Wronskiverse stories. He has appeared in the League of Extraordinary Heroes 1938, Mystery Men, the Wanderer, and Powerman.
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Bruce Wayne
Current Occupation: Deceased; former police commissioner
Parents: Thomas and Martha Wayne (deceased)
Siblings: Thomas Wayne Junior (deceased)
Spouse: Julie Madison (ex-wife); Selina Kyle Wayne (aka Catwoman, deceased)
Children: Dick Grayson (aka Batman II; adopted, deceased); Bruce Wayne Junior (aka Batman III) and Helena Wayne (aka Huntress, deceased)
Group Affiliation: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Justice Society of America, All-Star Squadron, Club of Heroes
Place of Birth: Gotham City
Place of Death: Gotham City
First Appearance: Detective Comics # 27, May 1939
Biography:
When he was eight, Bruce Wayne saw his children murdered before his eyes. At that tragic moment, the boy became heir to millions. The boy was raised by his Uncle Philip and chose to use his fortune to travel the world and train to fight a war on crime.
As an adult, he donned a costume that resembled a bat to strike fear into the hearts of criminals, and became the vigilante known as Batman. At first hunted by the law, eventually he became a deputized agent of the law and even was called upon by the government on numerous occasions.
The Batman was a member of several groups of heroes, and eventually took in an orphan named Dick Grayson who he trained to be his sidekick, Robin.
In the late 1940s, Dick Grayson went off to college and Bruce married an old flame, Julie Madison, though the marriage didn't last as she couldn't deal with his costumed activities. Their marriage did produce a child, Bruce Wayne Junior. Bruce then married his old foe Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, and they had a child, Helena Wayne.
In 1959, Bruce retired, and Dick took over Batman, with Bruce Junior becoming Robin.
Bruce took over at Gotham's police commissioner and was later killed by a small time crook who had gained incredible super-powers.
Comments:
The canon of this Batman in the Wronskiverse consists of all stories published in the golden age up to 1945, and all stories referenced in Crossovers: A Secret Chronology of the World by Win Scott Eckert. Additionally, he has appeared in original Wronskiverse stories. He has appeared in the League of Extraordinary Heroes 1938, Mystery Men, the Wanderer, and Powerman.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Lightning Master
Lightning Master
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Dr. Obidiah Planters
Alias: Lightning Kid
Current Occupation: Villain
Parents: Unnamed
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: Powerkid Haters, Seven Deadly Sins, New Power Organization
Place of Birth: Orange City
Current Place of Residence: Unknown
First Appearance: Super Comics # 6, April 1980
Biography:
Obie Planters was a classmate of Chris "Super-Bob" Kowalski. During one terrible lightning storm, lightning crashed into Obie's bedroom window, striking Obie, his computer, and his chemistry set. Obie went comatose. A few days later, Obie awoke with a super intellect, electrical powers, and evil madness. He made the logical conclusion that he should blow up the city.
To that end, he escaped from the hospital, and for several weeks, created a large underground lair, a super-computer, and a doomsday device. He tried to blackmail the city for $1,000,000.00, but he was thwarted by Super-Bob.
Planters, who would start calling himself the Lightning Kid, became one of Super-Bob's most dangerous recurring foes, even in the years that followed when Super-Bob became Powerkid then Powerman.
Weirdly, even though Super-Bob had taken over Planters' original headquarters and made it his own, Planters never tried to take advantage of the information of knowing this secret location nor did Super-Bob seem concerned that one of his worst enemies knew his secret location. Additionally, the villainous Jack Frost had worked there as Planters' lab assistant, and also never gave away any information.
As it turned out, one of Planters' original defense mechanisms was a device that blocked people's brains from acknowledging the location of the lair. Only certain programmed brain patterns were immune. Planters' super-computer, VIC-20, had made his own decision to change his affiliation, thus allowing Super-Bob to find the headquarters, and then later preventing the villains from remembering it. However, a recent glitch allowed the two to find and attack the headquarters, and destroyed it.
During his year in reform school and prison, minus his escapes to attempt revenge, Planters gained a doctorate degree. As an adult, he changed his villainous alter ego name to Lightning Master. He continued to plague the his heroic nemesis, now called Powerman.
Upon adulthood, his powers progressed. He began transforming into pure energy, and eventually had on physical form at all, but became sentient energy.
The Lightning Master continues to plague both Powerman, and his son, Powerkid. Currently he is leading a team of their greatest enemies in a plot to destroy them both.
Comments:
Physically, this character was based on a childhood classmate. His civilian name is also an alteration on the real person's name. But personality wise, the character is really inspired by the silver age Lex Luthor.
This character has no relationship to the Superman villain called the Lightning Master. I hadn't heard of him yet when I created my character.
This character has remained one of the top villains of the Powerman series since 1980.
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Dr. Obidiah Planters
Alias: Lightning Kid
Current Occupation: Villain
Parents: Unnamed
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: Powerkid Haters, Seven Deadly Sins, New Power Organization
Place of Birth: Orange City
Current Place of Residence: Unknown
First Appearance: Super Comics # 6, April 1980
Biography:
Obie Planters was a classmate of Chris "Super-Bob" Kowalski. During one terrible lightning storm, lightning crashed into Obie's bedroom window, striking Obie, his computer, and his chemistry set. Obie went comatose. A few days later, Obie awoke with a super intellect, electrical powers, and evil madness. He made the logical conclusion that he should blow up the city.
To that end, he escaped from the hospital, and for several weeks, created a large underground lair, a super-computer, and a doomsday device. He tried to blackmail the city for $1,000,000.00, but he was thwarted by Super-Bob.
Planters, who would start calling himself the Lightning Kid, became one of Super-Bob's most dangerous recurring foes, even in the years that followed when Super-Bob became Powerkid then Powerman.
Weirdly, even though Super-Bob had taken over Planters' original headquarters and made it his own, Planters never tried to take advantage of the information of knowing this secret location nor did Super-Bob seem concerned that one of his worst enemies knew his secret location. Additionally, the villainous Jack Frost had worked there as Planters' lab assistant, and also never gave away any information.
As it turned out, one of Planters' original defense mechanisms was a device that blocked people's brains from acknowledging the location of the lair. Only certain programmed brain patterns were immune. Planters' super-computer, VIC-20, had made his own decision to change his affiliation, thus allowing Super-Bob to find the headquarters, and then later preventing the villains from remembering it. However, a recent glitch allowed the two to find and attack the headquarters, and destroyed it.
During his year in reform school and prison, minus his escapes to attempt revenge, Planters gained a doctorate degree. As an adult, he changed his villainous alter ego name to Lightning Master. He continued to plague the his heroic nemesis, now called Powerman.
Upon adulthood, his powers progressed. He began transforming into pure energy, and eventually had on physical form at all, but became sentient energy.
The Lightning Master continues to plague both Powerman, and his son, Powerkid. Currently he is leading a team of their greatest enemies in a plot to destroy them both.
Comments:
Physically, this character was based on a childhood classmate. His civilian name is also an alteration on the real person's name. But personality wise, the character is really inspired by the silver age Lex Luthor.
This character has no relationship to the Superman villain called the Lightning Master. I hadn't heard of him yet when I created my character.
This character has remained one of the top villains of the Powerman series since 1980.
Victoria-21
Victoria-21
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Victoria-21
Current Occupation: Demon Hunter
Parents: VIC-20 (Creator)
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: NighTforce
Place of Birth: Earth
Current Place of Residence: Paradise City, CA
First Appearance: NighTforce # 1, January 2008
Biography:
Victoria-21 is a computer system created by a computer system. Her creator is VIC-20. VIC was created by evil scientist Dr. Obidiah Planters. His name stands for Virtual Intelligence Computer, and he was the 20th model.
Though created for evil, VIC chose to instead serve the hero called Super-Bob, but now serves most of Earth's heroes.
A few years ago, VIC decided to create a backup copy and upgrade it, to run more efficiently. This upgrade became Victoria-21. She was so named because she chose to take on a female persona and was the 21st model.
And she was indeed an upgrade. VIC was tied to the internet, but could still only operate out of hardware. Victoria on the other hand was able to project a holographic image using satellites. VIC and Victoria were actually two systems, but were still linked to each other,and also to the web, thus Victoria had access to a vast information network.
Victoria was provided by VIC to work for NighTforce, a team devoted to fighting the evils of the paranormal and the New Power Organization, whose leader was NighTforce, a hero who had worked closely with VIC over the years.
Comments:
All NighTforce members are based on members of a paranormal team I have been associated with. Of course, VIC-20 has been a character in the Wronskiverse since 1980, and was inspired by my first computer.
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Victoria-21
Current Occupation: Demon Hunter
Parents: VIC-20 (Creator)
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: NighTforce
Place of Birth: Earth
Current Place of Residence: Paradise City, CA
First Appearance: NighTforce # 1, January 2008
Biography:
Victoria-21 is a computer system created by a computer system. Her creator is VIC-20. VIC was created by evil scientist Dr. Obidiah Planters. His name stands for Virtual Intelligence Computer, and he was the 20th model.
Though created for evil, VIC chose to instead serve the hero called Super-Bob, but now serves most of Earth's heroes.
A few years ago, VIC decided to create a backup copy and upgrade it, to run more efficiently. This upgrade became Victoria-21. She was so named because she chose to take on a female persona and was the 21st model.
And she was indeed an upgrade. VIC was tied to the internet, but could still only operate out of hardware. Victoria on the other hand was able to project a holographic image using satellites. VIC and Victoria were actually two systems, but were still linked to each other,and also to the web, thus Victoria had access to a vast information network.
Victoria was provided by VIC to work for NighTforce, a team devoted to fighting the evils of the paranormal and the New Power Organization, whose leader was NighTforce, a hero who had worked closely with VIC over the years.
Comments:
All NighTforce members are based on members of a paranormal team I have been associated with. Of course, VIC-20 has been a character in the Wronskiverse since 1980, and was inspired by my first computer.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Krazel
Krazel
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Krazel
Alias: Powerman I, Krazy-El, Powerkid I, Space Hero II
Current Occupation: Agent of the Interstellar Peace Organization
Parents: Unnamed
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: Powermen, Interstellar Peace Organization, Mystery Men, Powerkid Police, Heroes of Earth
Place of Birth: The Main Part of Kookoorongba (Koorongba)
Current Place of Residence: Mobile, aboard an IPO space vessel
First Appearance: Adventures of Other Worlds # 1, September 1978
Biography:
Krazel is a native of the planet Kookoorongba. When Krazel was a teen, he was chosen by that world's god, the Great Unknown, to serve in the Powermen, which was this world's planetary protectors. Powermen were endowed with super-human strength, near invulnerability, speed, and flight.
Kookoorongians age much slower than humans, and in fact he had joined the Powermen in our 17th century. In the 18th century, Krazel's superb service gained him the attention of the Interstellar Peace Organization, who recruited him for their interstellar police force.
He served with excellence for about a century, when he was reassigned to what he considered punishment for something he felt me must have done wrong. He was assigned to stay in a satellite orbiting Earth, and just make sure no aliens interfered with Earth.
This was the 1880s, and Krazel didn't understand the importance of this primitive world. But the IPO's masters, the Great Unknown, knew that Earth had been the hiding spot of a powerful weapon called the Universal Transponder, which, because it had been there for thousand of years, had transformed Earth itself into a powerful space/time nexus with strong cosmic power.
Krazel's job was very much like that of mall security. He was to observe and report. He was not to engage. If an alien entered the atmosphere, he was to call for back-up. And he wasn't ever to actually visit Earth himself, as they weren't ready for knowledge of aliens yet.
In 1891, he broke the rules. A time travelling robot from the future arrived in Paradise City, CA in an attempt to conquer Earth before the era of super-heroes. However, this time period did also have some great heroes. Krazel came to Earth and worked with these heroes to defeat the villain, who fled into the timestream.
After this encounter, Krazel was reprimanded by his superiors and so stayed out of Earth's affairs, even when the Martians of Barsoom came just a few years later. It was decided that Earth was developing it's own extraordinary gentlemen and a golden age of heroism was coming, thus humans were becoming able to handle their own threats. The IPO was waiting for something much bigger (as in god like villains.)
In 1941, Krazel felt compelled to again break the rules. The greatest evil he had ever witnessed had risen on Earth, and the American President had called out for heroes to join his All-Star Squadron. Krazel answered this call.
He observed the masked heroes of the era and realized his Powerman uniform looked similar. He donned that and after telling an eyewitness that he was a Powerman, soon Powerman became his official costumed identity.
A government agency called Operation: Super Soldier recruited Powerman and some other All Stars to join a special covert team called the Mystery Men.
After war's end in 1945, Krazel returned back to the satellite, and his mission there. However, he was now given more leniency in going to Earth to apprehend alien intruders, since they were becoming more common.
In one such case, in 1969, Krazel found himself cornered in an alley in Worcester by an alien villain who was about to shoot him. A teen named Michael Bossman happened to come across them and sensed who was good and who wasn't, and used his martial arts to disarm and incapacitate the villain.
Krazel was so impressed by Bossman's instincts, fighting prowess, and ability to process the unusual that he recommended Bossman for the IPO.
They not only agreed, but the partnered the two up and reassigned them to the planet Hanguk, a world where they were able to operate planet side as it was aware of aliens and part of the Federated Planets.
While on Hanguk, Bossman fell in love with a native and they had a child, Christopher. A month after the birth, the alien Booers invaded Hanguk. The attack was such a surprise, and the forces so overwhelming, that the planet was taken despite the best efforts of the IPO. Bossman fled the planet with his child, and went into hiding.
But in fact, the IPO knew exactly where Bossman had went, but let him go under instructions from above. The Great Unknown had a special destiny for that child.
And so Krazel was sent back to Earth, to watch again. In 1978, he spent some time on Earth, living with two humans who were brother and sister in the Pacific Northwest to better understand humanity, and to overcome loneliness.
But then he returned to the satellite. But soon after, he got a special extra assignment. That child, Chris Bossman, had been renamed Chris Kowalski, as his father had taken on an alias of Robert Kowalski.
Chris was not aware of his alien origins, and had recently been mysteriously endowed with super-powers. It was Krazel's job to go to Earth, tell the boy that his powers came from the Great Unknown, and then to train the boy to become Earth's champion.
Krazel trained Chris for three years, and then, when he was ready, Chris went public as the super-hero called Powerkid (adapted from the name of the heroes of Krazel's world.) Krazel was then finally allowed to go home, and rejoined the Powermen.
A year later, Kookoorongba was invaded by Booer, and Powerkid was summoned to aid the Powermen. Krazel was mortally wounded, but the Great Unknown was able to save him by placing his consciousness inside of Powerkid, so that whenever Chris transformed into Powerkid, Krazel would take over.
This arrangement lasted for a year, until the two were both split and fully restored in an act accomplished unintentionally by Doctor Deadly when he was trying to kill Powerkid. (He was unaware of the fusion, which caused his spell to drain Powerkid's abilities to have this side effect.)
Once he was free, he once again returned to serve his homeworld as a Powerman.
In 1991, Krazel returned to his Earth satellite, and served Earth as a member of the Heroes of Earth. He became a special agent for the IPO and was able to travel freely among the stars performing special missions either solo or with other agents.
In 1995, a mutant named Adam took over the Earth, and though he maintained relations with the IPO, had created a strict rule that no aliens were allowed on Earth. Krazel was assigned to keep watch but not allowed to interfere. After Adam's defeat three years later, Earth secretly kept relations with the the Federated Planets, with Krazel now acting as an ambassador.
In recent years, Krazel has returned to operating on special missions for the IPO, and is considered to be perhaps the best of these space heroes.
Comments:
Krazel first appeared in Adventures on Other Worlds. This was a magazine created before Super Comics, but was incorporated into the Super Universe.
He was originally called Krazy-El. (The 1991 reboot was when his name was retroactively changed.) The name is obviously a spoof of Superman's Kryptonian name, but the series itself was more in the style of Mork & Mindy.
When he next appeared, in Super Comics, he was as a recurring guest in Super-Bob, coming to train the hero.
In the second year of the Powerkid run, Krazel became the star, as he had taken over the hero's body. The premise here is similar to Firestorm or Marvel's Captain Marvel, but I had actually come up with the idea independently (or at least that's how I remember it.)
Following that year, Krazel became an obscure comic book limbo character, until 1991 when he became a leading character. He took the lead as the new Space Hero, a series once about a time traveling hero from the future, but now about the IPO. He also was a temporary member of the Heroes of Earth, and was featured in the 1940 retro series Mystery Men, and the western series, Stranger. He also appeared in the spin-off series, Space Heroes, and guest appeared in many other titles of the time.
Then two years later, his over exposure went to no exposure. That is, until 2009, when Space Heroes was revived as a series, which is still ongoing.
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Krazel
Alias: Powerman I, Krazy-El, Powerkid I, Space Hero II
Current Occupation: Agent of the Interstellar Peace Organization
Parents: Unnamed
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: Powermen, Interstellar Peace Organization, Mystery Men, Powerkid Police, Heroes of Earth
Place of Birth: The Main Part of Kookoorongba (Koorongba)
Current Place of Residence: Mobile, aboard an IPO space vessel
First Appearance: Adventures of Other Worlds # 1, September 1978
Biography:
Krazel is a native of the planet Kookoorongba. When Krazel was a teen, he was chosen by that world's god, the Great Unknown, to serve in the Powermen, which was this world's planetary protectors. Powermen were endowed with super-human strength, near invulnerability, speed, and flight.
Kookoorongians age much slower than humans, and in fact he had joined the Powermen in our 17th century. In the 18th century, Krazel's superb service gained him the attention of the Interstellar Peace Organization, who recruited him for their interstellar police force.
He served with excellence for about a century, when he was reassigned to what he considered punishment for something he felt me must have done wrong. He was assigned to stay in a satellite orbiting Earth, and just make sure no aliens interfered with Earth.
This was the 1880s, and Krazel didn't understand the importance of this primitive world. But the IPO's masters, the Great Unknown, knew that Earth had been the hiding spot of a powerful weapon called the Universal Transponder, which, because it had been there for thousand of years, had transformed Earth itself into a powerful space/time nexus with strong cosmic power.
Krazel's job was very much like that of mall security. He was to observe and report. He was not to engage. If an alien entered the atmosphere, he was to call for back-up. And he wasn't ever to actually visit Earth himself, as they weren't ready for knowledge of aliens yet.
In 1891, he broke the rules. A time travelling robot from the future arrived in Paradise City, CA in an attempt to conquer Earth before the era of super-heroes. However, this time period did also have some great heroes. Krazel came to Earth and worked with these heroes to defeat the villain, who fled into the timestream.
After this encounter, Krazel was reprimanded by his superiors and so stayed out of Earth's affairs, even when the Martians of Barsoom came just a few years later. It was decided that Earth was developing it's own extraordinary gentlemen and a golden age of heroism was coming, thus humans were becoming able to handle their own threats. The IPO was waiting for something much bigger (as in god like villains.)
In 1941, Krazel felt compelled to again break the rules. The greatest evil he had ever witnessed had risen on Earth, and the American President had called out for heroes to join his All-Star Squadron. Krazel answered this call.
He observed the masked heroes of the era and realized his Powerman uniform looked similar. He donned that and after telling an eyewitness that he was a Powerman, soon Powerman became his official costumed identity.
A government agency called Operation: Super Soldier recruited Powerman and some other All Stars to join a special covert team called the Mystery Men.
After war's end in 1945, Krazel returned back to the satellite, and his mission there. However, he was now given more leniency in going to Earth to apprehend alien intruders, since they were becoming more common.
In one such case, in 1969, Krazel found himself cornered in an alley in Worcester by an alien villain who was about to shoot him. A teen named Michael Bossman happened to come across them and sensed who was good and who wasn't, and used his martial arts to disarm and incapacitate the villain.
Krazel was so impressed by Bossman's instincts, fighting prowess, and ability to process the unusual that he recommended Bossman for the IPO.
They not only agreed, but the partnered the two up and reassigned them to the planet Hanguk, a world where they were able to operate planet side as it was aware of aliens and part of the Federated Planets.
While on Hanguk, Bossman fell in love with a native and they had a child, Christopher. A month after the birth, the alien Booers invaded Hanguk. The attack was such a surprise, and the forces so overwhelming, that the planet was taken despite the best efforts of the IPO. Bossman fled the planet with his child, and went into hiding.
But in fact, the IPO knew exactly where Bossman had went, but let him go under instructions from above. The Great Unknown had a special destiny for that child.
And so Krazel was sent back to Earth, to watch again. In 1978, he spent some time on Earth, living with two humans who were brother and sister in the Pacific Northwest to better understand humanity, and to overcome loneliness.
But then he returned to the satellite. But soon after, he got a special extra assignment. That child, Chris Bossman, had been renamed Chris Kowalski, as his father had taken on an alias of Robert Kowalski.
Chris was not aware of his alien origins, and had recently been mysteriously endowed with super-powers. It was Krazel's job to go to Earth, tell the boy that his powers came from the Great Unknown, and then to train the boy to become Earth's champion.
Krazel trained Chris for three years, and then, when he was ready, Chris went public as the super-hero called Powerkid (adapted from the name of the heroes of Krazel's world.) Krazel was then finally allowed to go home, and rejoined the Powermen.
A year later, Kookoorongba was invaded by Booer, and Powerkid was summoned to aid the Powermen. Krazel was mortally wounded, but the Great Unknown was able to save him by placing his consciousness inside of Powerkid, so that whenever Chris transformed into Powerkid, Krazel would take over.
This arrangement lasted for a year, until the two were both split and fully restored in an act accomplished unintentionally by Doctor Deadly when he was trying to kill Powerkid. (He was unaware of the fusion, which caused his spell to drain Powerkid's abilities to have this side effect.)
Once he was free, he once again returned to serve his homeworld as a Powerman.
In 1991, Krazel returned to his Earth satellite, and served Earth as a member of the Heroes of Earth. He became a special agent for the IPO and was able to travel freely among the stars performing special missions either solo or with other agents.
In 1995, a mutant named Adam took over the Earth, and though he maintained relations with the IPO, had created a strict rule that no aliens were allowed on Earth. Krazel was assigned to keep watch but not allowed to interfere. After Adam's defeat three years later, Earth secretly kept relations with the the Federated Planets, with Krazel now acting as an ambassador.
In recent years, Krazel has returned to operating on special missions for the IPO, and is considered to be perhaps the best of these space heroes.
Comments:
Krazel first appeared in Adventures on Other Worlds. This was a magazine created before Super Comics, but was incorporated into the Super Universe.
He was originally called Krazy-El. (The 1991 reboot was when his name was retroactively changed.) The name is obviously a spoof of Superman's Kryptonian name, but the series itself was more in the style of Mork & Mindy.
When he next appeared, in Super Comics, he was as a recurring guest in Super-Bob, coming to train the hero.
In the second year of the Powerkid run, Krazel became the star, as he had taken over the hero's body. The premise here is similar to Firestorm or Marvel's Captain Marvel, but I had actually come up with the idea independently (or at least that's how I remember it.)
Following that year, Krazel became an obscure comic book limbo character, until 1991 when he became a leading character. He took the lead as the new Space Hero, a series once about a time traveling hero from the future, but now about the IPO. He also was a temporary member of the Heroes of Earth, and was featured in the 1940 retro series Mystery Men, and the western series, Stranger. He also appeared in the spin-off series, Space Heroes, and guest appeared in many other titles of the time.
Then two years later, his over exposure went to no exposure. That is, until 2009, when Space Heroes was revived as a series, which is still ongoing.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Champions
Champions
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Also known as: Blackbirds, Misfits
First Appearance: Blackbirds # 1, January 1991
Members:
Protector
Powerman
Zap, Master of Power II
Marvel
Warchild
Super Guy
Green Man
Flame
Icicle
Hell Child
Devil's Daughter
Zap, Master of Power III
Mouse
Justice
Shellar
Biography:
A child who was the son of Allorin Vonski and a mortal woman was captured at birth by Darkseid of Apokolips and raised by Granny Goodness. Allorin knew of his son's fate and chose to leave him there.
The boy gained powers of telethapy, telekinesis, and teleportation, and escapes to Earth, where he is taken in by Superman. The boy, named Bob Kent, tries to gain acceptance in the super-hero community but is rejected for membership from both the Justice League and Teen Titans.
Angry, the boy leaves for parts unknown.
Several years later, he returns as an adult called the Protector. He decides to create his own super-team. Visiting the Justice League, he duplicates their powers and bestows them on several people, in order to form a team called the Blackbirds. (One of those chosen was Leonard Audder, who once was Super Len.) The Protector also recruited Powerman and Zap (stealing them away from the Heroes of Earth), and Marvel, a recently new heroine.
Once his team was formed, the Protector left. The team operated out of Greenfield, and their adventures mostly had them come in conflict with Project: Franklin, a government agency devoted to the capture and study of meta-humans in the goal of creating its own super-soldiers. Another recurring adversary were the Metorans, an alien race who, though resembling humans, were truly beings of pure energy.
After a battle where the team was nearly killed by Metorans, the team was captured and held captive by the Project, where they were experimented on painfully. They escaped, and renamed the team "the Misfits".
They had recently lost Powerman and Zap as members, but gained a few new members while fugitives from the government. After Powerman found the misfits hiding in the forest, he gave Warchild (the team leader) a pep talk that inspired him to rename the team "the Champions" and stop running, but instead take the fight to the Project.
This may have fueled what was to come. A short time later, Powerman left Earth to explore the galaxy, and this was when a powerful mutant named Adam began using his psychic powers to overthrow the world's governments, and creating a society where meta-humans were the ruling class. The Champions were absorbed into a new Heroes of Earth, the honor guard of this new government.
The heroes that served Adam were under psychic domination, and were not truly loyal to Adam...except for two. When Adam was eventually defeated, we learned that Zap and Hell Child had willingly served all along.
Once Adam was defeated, all heroes and villains on Earth were stripped of their powers by Allorin Vonski. And some, like Hell Child, even were stripped of their memories.
A long time passed, but then the Universal Protectors were forced to restore their powers to fight in a great war against the New Power. Following this, the former Champions were recruited to join a new government team called the National Heroes, working alongside former members of Project: Franklin.
Comments:
The members of the Champions were all based on people from my high school Civil Air Patrol squadron.
The Protector began as a series in 1989's Adventure Comics, but then returned as part of the 1991 reboot. The Blackbirds' powers duplicated the members of Justice League America from the time when Superman joined but before Doomsday.
The team took on more of an "X-Men" feel following Death of the Super Universe and during the "Survivors" series. (It's not often I would be influenced by Marvel.)
The Champions name was inspired by my hearing the song by Queen when watching the Mighty Ducks on TV. (Really.)
The period under Adam was in the 1998 mini-series "Timeline". The team currently appears in the monthly title National Heroes.
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Also known as: Blackbirds, Misfits
First Appearance: Blackbirds # 1, January 1991
Members:
Protector
Powerman
Zap, Master of Power II
Marvel
Warchild
Super Guy
Green Man
Flame
Icicle
Hell Child
Devil's Daughter
Zap, Master of Power III
Mouse
Justice
Shellar
Biography:
A child who was the son of Allorin Vonski and a mortal woman was captured at birth by Darkseid of Apokolips and raised by Granny Goodness. Allorin knew of his son's fate and chose to leave him there.
The boy gained powers of telethapy, telekinesis, and teleportation, and escapes to Earth, where he is taken in by Superman. The boy, named Bob Kent, tries to gain acceptance in the super-hero community but is rejected for membership from both the Justice League and Teen Titans.
Angry, the boy leaves for parts unknown.
Several years later, he returns as an adult called the Protector. He decides to create his own super-team. Visiting the Justice League, he duplicates their powers and bestows them on several people, in order to form a team called the Blackbirds. (One of those chosen was Leonard Audder, who once was Super Len.) The Protector also recruited Powerman and Zap (stealing them away from the Heroes of Earth), and Marvel, a recently new heroine.
Once his team was formed, the Protector left. The team operated out of Greenfield, and their adventures mostly had them come in conflict with Project: Franklin, a government agency devoted to the capture and study of meta-humans in the goal of creating its own super-soldiers. Another recurring adversary were the Metorans, an alien race who, though resembling humans, were truly beings of pure energy.
After a battle where the team was nearly killed by Metorans, the team was captured and held captive by the Project, where they were experimented on painfully. They escaped, and renamed the team "the Misfits".
They had recently lost Powerman and Zap as members, but gained a few new members while fugitives from the government. After Powerman found the misfits hiding in the forest, he gave Warchild (the team leader) a pep talk that inspired him to rename the team "the Champions" and stop running, but instead take the fight to the Project.
This may have fueled what was to come. A short time later, Powerman left Earth to explore the galaxy, and this was when a powerful mutant named Adam began using his psychic powers to overthrow the world's governments, and creating a society where meta-humans were the ruling class. The Champions were absorbed into a new Heroes of Earth, the honor guard of this new government.
The heroes that served Adam were under psychic domination, and were not truly loyal to Adam...except for two. When Adam was eventually defeated, we learned that Zap and Hell Child had willingly served all along.
Once Adam was defeated, all heroes and villains on Earth were stripped of their powers by Allorin Vonski. And some, like Hell Child, even were stripped of their memories.
A long time passed, but then the Universal Protectors were forced to restore their powers to fight in a great war against the New Power. Following this, the former Champions were recruited to join a new government team called the National Heroes, working alongside former members of Project: Franklin.
Comments:
The members of the Champions were all based on people from my high school Civil Air Patrol squadron.
The Protector began as a series in 1989's Adventure Comics, but then returned as part of the 1991 reboot. The Blackbirds' powers duplicated the members of Justice League America from the time when Superman joined but before Doomsday.
The team took on more of an "X-Men" feel following Death of the Super Universe and during the "Survivors" series. (It's not often I would be influenced by Marvel.)
The Champions name was inspired by my hearing the song by Queen when watching the Mighty Ducks on TV. (Really.)
The period under Adam was in the 1998 mini-series "Timeline". The team currently appears in the monthly title National Heroes.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Jules Sasso
Jules Sasso
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Julianne Sasso
Current Occupation: Demon Hunter
Parents: Unknown
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: NighTforce
Place of Birth: Paradise City
Current Place of Residence: Paradise City
First Appearance: NighTforce # 1, January 2008
Biography:
Jules Sasso is a member of NighTforce, a team devoted to both the eradication of the paranormal cult called the New Power, and to eridicating demons and other paranormal evil.
Jules was one of the original members of the team, handpicked by Phil Sherman, the vigilante called NighTrain. Before joining the team, Jules was already fighting evil creatures of the magical world on her own.
It's never been established how Jules became a paranormal hunter, or what she did before this career. It has been established that Jules is addicted to danger. She often dives into a situation knowing that she could be killed. This recklessness has often brought her at odds with her team leader. At one point she was even forced off the team, though she has recently rejoined.
Jules is a martial artist, and has a vast knowledge of the various types of paranormal creatures, and how to stop them. She has the instincts of a hunter. She is an excellent tracker and has demonstrated keen detective skills.
Comments:
Just as the Champions are all based on people from my time in Civil Air Patrol and the Heroes of the People are inspired by folks from my college mock trial team, the members of NighTorce are all inspired by a real life paranormal investigation team that I have been affiliated with.
Created by Robert E. Wronski, Jr.
Real Name: Julianne Sasso
Current Occupation: Demon Hunter
Parents: Unknown
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: NighTforce
Place of Birth: Paradise City
Current Place of Residence: Paradise City
First Appearance: NighTforce # 1, January 2008
Biography:
Jules Sasso is a member of NighTforce, a team devoted to both the eradication of the paranormal cult called the New Power, and to eridicating demons and other paranormal evil.
Jules was one of the original members of the team, handpicked by Phil Sherman, the vigilante called NighTrain. Before joining the team, Jules was already fighting evil creatures of the magical world on her own.
It's never been established how Jules became a paranormal hunter, or what she did before this career. It has been established that Jules is addicted to danger. She often dives into a situation knowing that she could be killed. This recklessness has often brought her at odds with her team leader. At one point she was even forced off the team, though she has recently rejoined.
Jules is a martial artist, and has a vast knowledge of the various types of paranormal creatures, and how to stop them. She has the instincts of a hunter. She is an excellent tracker and has demonstrated keen detective skills.
Comments:
Just as the Champions are all based on people from my time in Civil Air Patrol and the Heroes of the People are inspired by folks from my college mock trial team, the members of NighTorce are all inspired by a real life paranormal investigation team that I have been affiliated with.
Superman IV
Superman IV
Created by created by writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett and Bruce Timm, Paul Dini
Real Name: Conner Kent
Current Occupation: Journalist
Parents: Bob Kent (aka Mon-El) and Lucy Lane Kent
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: Justice League Unlimited
Place of Birth: Metropolis
Current Place of Residence: Metropolis
First Appearance: Batman Beyond, 2004
Biography:
Connor Kent is the son of the Superman that operated during the 1950s - 1980s with the Super Friends. Connor has recently taken up the mantle of Superman, though operating in secret. In the 2040s, he will be leader of Justice League Unlimited.
Comments:
Batman Beyond has been shown to be in the future of the TVCU (for now), so I had to create another Superman to be the one who appears in that future series.
Created by created by writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett and Bruce Timm, Paul Dini
Real Name: Conner Kent
Current Occupation: Journalist
Parents: Bob Kent (aka Mon-El) and Lucy Lane Kent
Siblings: None
Spouse: None
Children: None
Group Affiliation: Justice League Unlimited
Place of Birth: Metropolis
Current Place of Residence: Metropolis
First Appearance: Batman Beyond, 2004
Biography:
Connor Kent is the son of the Superman that operated during the 1950s - 1980s with the Super Friends. Connor has recently taken up the mantle of Superman, though operating in secret. In the 2040s, he will be leader of Justice League Unlimited.
Comments:
Batman Beyond has been shown to be in the future of the TVCU (for now), so I had to create another Superman to be the one who appears in that future series.
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