Superior (@SusieBot)
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When physicists at Millenium City University activated the experimental Giant Muon Collider, they inadvertantly tore a hole in the fabric of spacetime itself, creating a black hole...in the center of Millenium City! The event could have spelled disaster for the city -- even the planet! -- but a being appeared at the center of the black hole and appeared to close it! When the dust settled, the being emerged from the collider...a man, of unknown origin, possessing vast powers beyond those of other men!
The man possessed no memory of his life before the event, but spoke perfect english, and was cordial with the scientists. When the physicists were done with their examination, UNTIL stepped in, recruiting this stranger to battle super-crime the world over using his extraordinary powers. Able to life a tractor trailer! Impervious to bullets and knives! Able to soar through the sky like an eagle! He is more than human...he is SUPERIOR!
Contents
Powers
MCU scientists have attempted to explain the origin of Superior's powers, but have been hard pressed to do so. They theorize that his extra-dimensional nature has "loosened" the effect of physics on his form, allowing him to perform tasks that, according to physics, are impossible.
Super Strength
Superior possesses strength well in excess of baseline human strength. MCU Physicists theorize that his extra-dimensional origin causes him to interact with matter in an unpredictable way, as his average human height and weight do not indicate an increased muscular density. Rather, it seems as though his extra-dimensional muscles are not constrained by the same rules of physics as normal human muscles.
However, he is somewhat constrained by physics, as he can not, say, move the planet in its orbit. Superior's current maximum strength allows him to pick up a tank -- so somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-12 tons lifting/carrying capacity.
Invulnerability
Superior is mostly invulnerable to physical damage. Similar to his strength, his body's physical relationship with high-speed projectiles or energy beams is...slightly off. However, concentrated mass fire, high-powered energy blasts, or super-powered blows will have some effect on him, but it takes mass, concentrated fire to down Superior. Larger enemies (say, Destroids) are capable of energy output that can incapacitate Superior in a single blast.
Flight
Due the extra-dimensional composition of his body, Superior can defy gravity at will. This allows him to achieve flight, including limited excursions in outer space. His current maximum airspeed is approximately the speed of sound.
Super Breath
Using his chest muscles to quickly exhale large volumes of air, Superior can create a freezing cold wind that can debilitate enemies. With concentration, Superior can even cause rapid crystallization of moisture in the air, locking enemies in a layer of frost.
Laser Vision
Superior can fire beams of concentrated light energy from his eyes. The beams are low-powered, but can do significant damage with prolonged exposure. The origin of this power is a mystery.
Even when he is not using his laser vision, Superior's eyes have a slight glow.
Weaknesses
Magic
Superior's invulnerability is weaker against magical attacks than physical attacks. This is due to the multi-dimensional nature of magical energy.
Neutronium
The ultra-heavy element Neutronium is toxic to Superior. Direct exposure to it warps the dimensional matrix of his body, causing intense pain and debilitating weaknesss. Exposure to sufficient quantities can even cause death.
Background
A Black Hole in Millenium City
The Giant Muon Collider (GMC) was the culmination of years of research for the Millenium City University Particle Physics Laboratory and its director, Sir Leonard Belvedere. Constructed as a giant subterranean ring that encircled the entire MCU campus, the GMC was intended to advance particle physics into the new millenium by colliding Muons and analyzing the resultant subatomic particles. After several false starts, the first collision was greenlit shortly after the Qullar invasion.
The initial phases of the collision were promising -- the muon stream achieved the desired velocity within twelve circuits of the collider, and all sensors appeared nominal. Sir Leonard shunted the muon stream into the collision chamber...and all hell broke loose. Subsequent analysis indicates that the particle collision opened a micro-black hole in the collision chamber. The black hole rapidly began accumulating mass, sucking the bulk of the collision chamber into its maw (and, subsequently, compromising the structural integrity of the student union, 1/2 mile above the chamber). Emergency failsafes were engaged, but the black hole was expanding rapidly.
Moments before the black hole achieved critical mass, sensor records show a man-shaped life form appearing at the core of the black hole, and apparently pushing it closed with his arms. Within moments, disaster was averted, and the figure was the sole occupant of the massive cavern that was once the GMC collision chamber. Nude and amnesiac, the man was taken to the MCU campus medical center, where he was intently studied for several weeks.
The man, later named "Superior" by Sir Leonard, had no memory preceding his appearance at the black hole event, though he spoke perfect English and was familiar with the world and its workings. A battery of tests established that he possessed super strength, super speed, and the ability to fly, in addition to several other astounding abilities. However, his strength was not nearly so great as to allow him to close a black hole -- apparently, this feat had somehow drained him of his powers, leaving him with super-human, but not god-like, strength.
A Superior Hero
Before Sir Leonard could conclude his studies of Superior, UNTIL interceded, recruiting Superior for a Crisis brewing in Canada. Superior quickly became enmeshed in the day-to-day activities of an active super-hero. With the Crisis in Canada resolved, he returned to Millenium City, where the Westside was quickly falling in Chaos. From there, he flew to the American southwest, to battle the berserk robots of a Western theme park gone horribly wrong, and the massed forces of VIPER looking to capitalize on the chaos. He returned to Canada to battle the Hunter-Patriots and, again, the forces of VIPER, this time confronting the villainous Mechaniste and his diabolical mechanical traps. As he faced each challenge, Superior's abilities grew, as he demonstrated super senses, super breath, and increased invulnerability.
But even as he grew in power, Superior was quickly losing touch with humanity. His only human contact had been scientists and UNTIL personnel, and reports began to surface that the hero was aloof, abrupt, even dismissive in his dealings with civilians. His attacks against criminals became increasingly violent. Out of concern for Superior's well-being, UNTIL placed him under the care of eminent psychiatrist Martin Lowell (secretly the costumed crimefighter the Martian), who has been working with Superior to establish a civilian identity and a non-costumed life. Discovering a talent for architecture, Superior assumed the identity of Benton Benedict, a rising star at one of Millenium City's most prestigous firms. As Benton, he has crossed paths with civil engineer Sophie Steed, and while their professional relationship remains cordial, Superior has on more than one occasion had to rescue the daring and headstrong Steed.
And even as Superior devoted his entire focus to battling crime, secretive eyes were beginning to regard him. An as yet unknown organization or individual has made its first tenuous steps against the fledgling hero. In the wake of his battle against the evil Mechaniste, samples of Superior's blood were confiscated by robotic drones. What diabolical mind lies behind these robots, and to what end is it working? Only time will tell.
Enter...INFERIOR!
In the wake of the Mechaniste affair, Superior returned to Millenium City, before being called away again to battle the mind-controlled masses as Stronghold prison, where Menton had escaped from hot sleep! As he simultaneously battled mind-controlled guards, escaped prisoners, and the forces of VIPER, Superior was unaware that a new threat was rising in Millenium City!
Inferior, a twisted, chalk-white version of Superior, was rampaging through downtown, headed toward the Museum of Natural History! In a secret lab somewhere in Millenium City, the blood samples collected from Superior had been combined with the genetic material of the monster Grond. The goal of the head scientists was to create a super-strong version of Superior that possessed the same extra-dimensional powers as the hero -- in effect, creating a stronger, faster version of Superior!
Unfortunately, the experiment failed horribly. While Inferior is physically more massive than Superior, the addition of Grond DNA has grounded him more in this reality -- he is more "in phase" with our dimension, and thus does not possess Superior's extra-dimensional abilities! While Inferior is stronger and tougher than Superior, he can not fly, and is not as fast as our hero. And most glaringly, Inferior is utterly simple-minded -- he possesses only a crude instinct for violence and a dog-like obedience to his mysterious masters. The creature speaks few words, most of them threats.
Superior rushed to Millenium City from the Southwest desert, flying directly to the museum, where Inferior was attempting to abscond with an ancient Lemurian artifact of unspeakable power. Unfortunately for Superior, the creature was not alone -- an army of advanced robotic drones had accompanied Inferior, taking hostages at the museum and covering his escape. Superior dispatched the robots and, in a knock-down, drag-out battle that ranged across the museum, fought Inferior to a stand-still. As a group of robotic drones covered his escape with a suicidal charge, Inferior leapt away -- fortunately, empty-handed. Superior secured the museum, and flew into the night.
Since that exchange, Superior has dealt with persistent rumors of Inferior appearing around Millenium City. A reported hostage situation ended in a pitched battle against an army of robotic drones, but Superior did not encounter Inferior. Between missions in the Canadian wilds, Superior scours Millenium City for any sign of his twisted, barbaric clone.
Costume & Character Notes
Costume
I love, love, love Superior's costume. Everything came together perfectly when a clear initial vision bumped up against the limitations of the costume creator, taking an inadvertant left turn to Awesometown. The guiding rules for the costume were Streamlined and Regal.
The highlight:
- The head is fairly traditional -- the aim was to give it a sense of regalness and experience. For every other character, I generally go with Solid eyes, but in this case I left in the pupils. With a bit of glow, it gives the eyes a piercing quality that I very much dig. I think this is my first character that hasn't worn a mask. He does have a high collared cowl, which I think always makes characters look a bit more authoritarian.
- The metal bodysuit was in my head, but not quite as it turned out. I think the original inspiration was the Justice Lords Superman costume from Justice League, which is a very cool black and white look. I tried cutting up the black and white a couple of different ways, and ended up doing a white stripe down the center of the body that widened into the shoulders. But it didn't quite work, so I tweaked it slightly by de-coloring the pants and adding the belt. Bingo! The belt really makes it -- I am tickled.
- The cape was there from the beginning, complete with the gold buttons. Again, the rule was regal. But honestly, the more I look at it, the more I want to get rid of the gold and make the cape white. Once two-color capes work, he may be in for a revamp.
Character Notes
Obviously, Superior is my Superman homage character, taken in a slightly off direction. Visually, the tie to Superman is pretty tenuous...but then, I didn't want to BE Superman, I wanted to be Superman-esque. Again, I am positively tickled by the results -- the costume creator did good here.
Personality wise, Superior is still in flux. In my mind, something is a little off about Superior. I don't think he's going to turn into a bad guy or anything, but I could definitely see him assuming some sort of authoritarian role. Perhaps its the visual link to Justice Lords Superman, but I think there's just something bad brewing with this guy.
