History
Ruiz was hired by a company called Ultra-Tech as a corporate spokesman/mascot named Prototype. He had devices surgically implanted in his body that enabled him to cybernetically control a suit of powered armor which enabled him to fly, fire blasts of concussive energy, and which greatly amplified his strength. Ultra-Tech had discovered that Jimmy was an Ultra that could supply his own energy, reducing the size of the powered suit. This is the reason Ultra-Tech replaced Bob Campbell, whom they had arranged an "accident" for, to legitimize the replacement.
Bob Campbell went on to get another armored suit and become the hero Ranger.
As Prototype, Jimmy Ruiz became a member of Ultraforce, helping defeat Atalon.
Malibu Comics Entertainment, Inc. was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. Notable titles under the Malibu label included The Men in Black, Ultraforce, Night Man and Exiles.
Night Man is a fictional superhero character created by Steve Englehart and Darick Robertson, who appears in Malibu Comics' Ultraverse line.
Prime is a superhero created by Bob Jacob, Gerard Jones, Len Strazewski, and Norm Breyfogle. He debuted in Prime #1 under Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint, and was one of its flagship characters along with Mantra and Hardcase. The character design was credited to Bret Blevins. The character also appeared in the superhero group Ultraforce.
The Ultraverse was a comic book imprint published by the American company Malibu Comics which is owned by Marvel Comics. The Ultraverse was a shared universe in which a variety of characters—known within the comics as "Ultras"—acquired super-human abilities.
Dane Whitman is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The third character to bear the Black Knight name, he was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema, and first appeared in The Avengers #47. The original Black Knight's descendant and the supervillain Black Knight's nephew, he inherited a mystical sword that carried a curse and took the Black Knight name to help restore honor, and has been a long time member of the Avengers' various incarnations as well as the Defenders, Ultraforce, Heroes for Hire, and MI: 13.
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel, as well as an animated series produced by DIC. Their purpose was to protect the public and keep other Ultras from getting out of line. The membership consisted of various "ultras" (superheroes) in Malibu's Ultraverse, including the super-strong Prime; Topaz, warrior queen of Gwendor; Prototype, Ultra-Tech's armored spokesperson; the undead Ghoul, the last surviving member of the Exiles; Hardcase, one of the first public Ultras; and the mysterious Contrary, who organized the team and provided their technology.
Batsuit is the costume of the fictional superhero Batman, who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The suit has been depicted in various ways, and the stories themselves have described Batman as modifying the details of his costume from time to time. However, it usually consists of a grey body suit, the chest emblazoned with a stylized black bat, and blue-black accessories: a wide scalloped cape, gloves with a series of fin-like projections, boots, and a close-fitting cowl with ear-like projections to suggest a bat's head; and a utility belt containing a variety of gadgets.
Firearm is a comic book series created by writer James Robinson and artists Howard Chaykin and Cully Hamner for Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint, which lasted 18 issues, with an additional 0 issue. The 0 issue included a 35-minute Firearm short film, on VHS. The series was about Alec Swan, a private investigator who, against his own wishes, becomes embroiled in cases involving the strange and the ultra-human.
Hardcase is a comic book series written by James Hudnall for Malibu Comics’ Ultraverse imprint, which lasted 26 issues. The series was about Tom Hawke, who became one of the first publicly known Ultras.
Headknocker is a comic book villain that appeared in the Malibu Comic's Ultraverse book Hardcase.
Primevil is a comic book villain that first appeared in the Malibu Comics Ultraverse book The Godwheel.
Steel is a fictional superhero who appeares in comic books published by DC Comics. He is a genius engineer who built a mechanized suit of armor that replicates Superman's powers and bears Superman's logo. Initially, he sought to replace Superman after Superman was killed by Doomsday. After Superman was resurrected, Superman accepted Steel as a comrade. His real name is John Henry Irons and he wields a sledgehammer—this is a reference to the mythical railroad worker John Henry. He has a niece named Natasha Irons who is also a superhero in a similar mechanized suit of armor.
Gremlin is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Exiles is the name of two American comic book series, both of which were published by Malibu Comics.
Freex is a short-lived comic book series from Malibu Comics. Created By Gerard Jones and Ben Herrera, it concerned a team of teenage superheroes in the Ultraverse.
The Strangers is the title of a comic book series created and written by Steve Englehart. It was originally drawn by Rick Hoberg, for Malibu Comics’ Ultraverse imprint which wre soon bought up by Marvel Comics during the 90's.
Pixx is a fictional character from Malibu Comics, created by Gerard Jones and Jeff Parker. She first appeared in Giant-Size Freex #1.
Rex Mundi is a fictional immortal character from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint. He has played important behind-the-scenes roles in most of the Ultraverse's major events, beginning with the downfall of the Fire People. Rex Mundi was revealed in Phoenix Resurrection: Revelations to contain part of the Entity, a vastly powerful alien device that was scattered across Earth, the Moon, and the Sun four billion years ago, and were ultimately responsible for the existence of not only Mundi, but most of the other Ultras in that universe. His fate after which had been unrevealed, mainly due to the subsequent folding of the Ultraverse line, but it was revealed that he has a daughter, Glorianna Mundi.
NM-E is a comic book villain that appeared in the Malibu Comics' Ultraverse book Hardcase, created by James Hudnall.
