SuperPatriot

Last updated
SuperPatriot
SuperPatriot 01 cover.jpg
SuperPatriot #1
Publication information
Publisher Image Comics
First appearance Savage Dragon #1 (July 1992)
Created by Erik Larsen
In-story information
Alter egoJohn Quincy Armstrong
Species Cyborg
Team affiliations Allied Supermen of America
Liberty League
The Allies
Freak Force
Abilities

SuperPatriot (John Quincy Armstrong) is an Image Comics superhero created by Erik Larsen in 1992. He regularly appears in Erik Larsen's titles, whether in his own mini-series or as a supporting character and is currently a member of the Liberty League. [1] [2]

Contents

Fictional character biography

SuperPatriot was once Johnny Armstrong, a soldier in World War II. Captured by the Germans, Armstrong was used as a guinea pig for scientific experiments and gained superhuman powers. He destroyed the base at which he was being kept so the Nazis could not replicate the process on their troops and donned an American flag-styled costume to become SuperPatriot. SuperPatriot later joined the superhero group called the Allies, working with such figures as Supreme and Mighty Man, and protected the innocent for many decades. He also worked with the World War II version of Die-Hard and Glory as the group 'Allies'. [3] His World War II career also included a stint in Africa in 1943, chasing Rommel's 'Afrika Corps'. [4]

However, in the 1990s, SuperPatriot was faced with more brutal and intense supervillains than ever before and began to have difficulty dealing with them. Eventually, he was overpowered by members of the Vicious Circle, a group of supervillains organized by Chicago crime-boss Overlord. SuperPatriot was savagely attacked by his foes, with the shark-man Mako biting off his limbs and much of his face. Left for dead, SuperPatriot's body was taken by Cyberdata, a corporation of subversive scientists, and transformed into a powerful cyborg.

Initially his transformation made him highly unstable and he embarked upon a violent spree of vigilante murders, clashing with the Savage Dragon. Superpatriot was easily controlled while in this addled state and was made into a puppet killing machine by terrorist groups like the Covenant of the Sword. Also, he was temporarily controlled by the entity known as the Horde. Fortunately, the SuperPatriot later regained his own mind and became a superhero again, joining the newly formed Chicago group called Freak Force.

During his time with the team he learns that his long-term friend Mighty Man had actually perished some time ago and the powers were now being wielded by his former nurse. [5]

Two children

Sometime after being freed from Cyberdata and the Covenant of the Sword's control John learned that he had fathered two children. The twins (a boy and a girl) grew up to become Liberty & Justice. His ex-wife, who the twins and John thought dead, was revealed to be alive and was a member of the Covenant of the Sword prior to marrying John. His daughter also thinks the Covenant is not as bad as it is made out to seem.

SuperPatriot is well respected in the superhero community, becoming one of the main resistance leaders during the Mars Attacks The Image Universe crossover. He and the other leaders operate out of what seems to be a small suburban tract house, as most other military installations have been destroyed or are potential targets. During these events, his daughter is raped by Martians. She chooses to keep the child, which has far-reaching effects. [6]

SuperPatriot cameos as part of the hero-only murder trial of Knightsabre. [7] SuperPatriot's history in the Allied Supermen of America is explored in the Alan Moore run of Supreme. [8]

Savage World

In the "Savage World", the alternate Earth depicted in Larsen's Savage Dragon series, SuperPatriot is controlled by Cyberface [9] until his eventual downfall. Afterwards he rejoins the newly reestablished Liberty League. [10] He has had various adventures, including meeting Claire Bono, and eventually marrying her.

Invincible, a newer Image character created by Robert Kirkman, has been depicted as a fan of SuperPatriot. Claire Bono, the executor of Invincible's father's will, is a friend and confidante to Invincible's mom, Debbie Grayson. They have bonded over their shared experiences of being married to superheroes. SuperPatriot is seen climbing up the side of Claire's building in order to talk with her about lunch, he states he has trouble going through security.

Superpatriot and the Savage Dragon are two of many heroes who later appear in the Invincible series. They are targeted by 'Doc Seismic' who control monsters who prefer to live underground. Superpatriot and the other heroes were saved by a backup team led by the mysterious vigilante 'Darkwing'. [11] He again deals with Invincible's fallout when murderous evil doubles of the hero threaten the world. Superpatriot works with several Chicago based heroes to try and defeat one of the doubles. [12]

In SuperPatriot: War on Terror [13] John and Claire are currently trying to start their own family. John is living with survivors guilt as prior to the events of this series it is revealed that Liberty and Justice have been killed. The couple are successful and Claire gives birth to twins, a boy and girl. She wants to name them Libby and Justice in honor of their older half-siblings.

John later establishes himself as a Chicago crime fighter again. Other Chicago crime fighters include the reformed Neutron Bob, Daredevil, Kill-Cat, Kid Avenger and the teenaged children of Dragon. Dragon himself has gone mad, taking on the personality of a murderous alien conqueror. [14]

Much later Superpatriot is seen again, working simple crime fighting. With the reluctant aid of Kid Avenger and the interference of Kill-Cat, the careless, dangerous Lightning Bug is defeated. [15]

Powers and abilities

Prior to becoming a cyborg SuperPatriot's body had the stamina, endurance, strength, and agility of ten peak human athletic men as well as slowed aging process. During World War II SuperPatriot took a drug that allowed him to fly for a limited range, he discontinued the use of this drug due to its dangerous hallucinogenic side effects.

SuperPatriot's artificial eyes give him enhanced sight such as night vision, microscopic vision, and telescopic vision.

SuperPatriot's arms and legs have been replaced with nanite-powered cybernetic limbs, which obey his every mental command on a molecular level. When put to their most common use, his arms can assume the shape and function of any weapon he can think of so long as they retain its original mass. The ammunition for these weapons is, in most cases, stored elsewhere in his body and he can use actual components of his self-regenerating nanite-powered body. He can also reload with conventional ammo.

SuperPatriot's human form has an accelerated healing ability and as a cyborg, he is capable of lifting and pressing approximately 10 tons.

Other versions

See also

Related Research Articles

Image Comics is an American comic book publisher and is the third largest direct market comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry by market share.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erik Larsen</span> Comic creator

Erik J. Larsen is an American comic book artist, writer, and publisher. He currently acts as the chief financial officer of Image Comics. He gained attention in the early 1990s with his art on Spider-Man series for Marvel Comics. In 1992 he was one of several artists who stopped working for Marvel to found Image Comics, where he launched his superhero series Savage Dragon – one of the longest running creator-owned superhero comics series – and served for several years as the company's publisher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savage Dragon</span> Comic book superhero

The Savage Dragon is a superhero created by Erik Larsen, published by Image Comics and taking place in the Image Universe. The comic features the adventures of a superheroic police officer named the Dragon. The character first appeared as the Dragon in Graphic Fantasy #1 and first appeared as the "Savage Dragon" in Megaton #3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Invincible (character)</span> Comic book superhero

Invincible is a superhero created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Cory Walker, currently drawn by Ryan Ottley. Invincible first appeared in a preview as part of Savage Dragon #102, before graduating to his own self-titled regular series in 2003, as the premier title in Image Comics' then-new superhero line, a relaunch of the Image Universe. Invincible appears in Invincible, Bomb Queen, Noble Causes, The Pact, Savage Dragon, The Astounding Wolf-Man, Dynamo 5, I Hate Fairyland – I Hate Image, and Battle Beast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Kirkman</span> American comic book writer

Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for co-creating The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Invincible, Tech Jacket, Outcast, Oblivion Song, and Fire Power for Image Comics, in addition to writing Ultimate X-Men, Irredeemable Ant-Man and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omni-Man</span> Fictional character from Image Comics

Omni-Man is a fictional character in the Image Universe, created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Cory Walker as an expansion of a character concept created by Alan Moore and Chris Sprouse. Omni-Man is the father of Invincible and Oliver Grayson, and a member of the alien Viltrumite race, working as a superhero on Earth. Omni-Man appears in Supreme, Invincible, Noble Causes, and Dynamo 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vicious Circle (comics)</span> Comics character

The Vicious Circle is a criminal organization of mutants, cyborgs, monsters, assassins, and magicians that serves as the primary opponents for the superheroes in Erik Larsen's comic-book titles, primarily the Dragon.

Mighty Man is a superhero created by comics creator Erik Larsen. He has been a major character in Larsen's series The Savage Dragon and its spin-off Freak Force, as well as in Gary Carlson's Big Bang Comics series. His first appearance was Megaton #2, which was also the first appearance of the Savage Dragon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freak Force</span>

Freak Force is the name of a fictional team of superhuman bounty hunters operating out of Chicago, Illinois. They originated in the Image Comics comic book series Savage Dragon, but subsequently went on to star in their own series. All the characters were created by Erik Larsen, many during his adolescence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard (character)</span> Comics character

Vanguard is an alien superhero created by Gary Carlson and Erik Larsen for Carlson's self-published comics anthology Megaton. Vanguard is a white alien with small antennae who has been given the unenviable job of guarding Earth, which is viewed by the aliens as boring with little chance of anything happening. His sole companion is a sarcastic, hovering cycloptic robot and their morphing androids, though he quickly developed a relationship with a reporter Roxanne Wells.

Horridus, born Sarah Hill, is a superheroine created by Erik Larsen for his Image Comics series, The Savage Dragon, as a member of the Freak Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Gordon</span> Writer

Alan Gordon is an American comic book creator primarily known as an inker and writer. He is best known for his 1990s work on DC Comics' Legion of Super Heroes and the Justice League of America, Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, and Image Comics' creator-owned WildStar. He is not to be confused with another Al Gordon who illustrated comics in the 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dart (character)</span> Comics character

Dart is an Image Comics superhero created by Erik Larsen. She first appeared in The Savage Dragon #2. There were three people who taken up the mantle The first was Jill August, the second was her niece Alison Summers, using the mantle to become a supervillain, and then the third and current Dart is Jane August, Jill's sister.

Jennifer Dragon, originally Jennifer Wilson and sometimes using the codename Smasher, is a recurring comic book character in Erik Larsen's Savage Dragon and Robert Kirkman's Invincible. The wife of the Savage Dragon and mother of Angel and Malcolm Dragon, she debuted in the first issue of The Savage Dragon: Sex & Violence mini-series, though she had a one-panel cameo prior to that in Savage Dragon issue 40.

Joe Keatinge is an American comic book writer and editor, best known for his writing work with Marvel Comics and Image Comics, and as the co-editor of Popgun with Mark Andrew Smith.

<i>Image United</i>

Image United is an incomplete comic book limited series published by Image Comics. The intent of the series was to re-unite the founders of Image Comics on a joint project, serving as a crossover between various Image Universe titles. However, there were delays in production, and only three of the planned six issues were published in November 2009, with artist Rob Liefeld eventually confirming that no further issues would be forthcoming.

The Image Universe (IU) is a fictional universe in which some of the stories published by Image Comics take place. It was introduced in the early years of the publisher, shared by the various creators who formed the Image partnership. The independent, creator-owned nature of their work led to limited interaction between their characters, and little coordination of the Image Universe as a shared setting, with the primary versions populated by a number of superheroes/villains, including Supreme, Invincible, Omni-Man, Spawn, Angela, Atom Eve, the Dragon, Gert, Bomb Queen, and Witchblade, as well as incarnations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Covenant of the Sword is a fictional, covert organization bent on global domination appearing in comic books published by Image Universe. It was created by Erik Larsen, Keith Giffen and Dave Johnson, and first appeared in SuperPatriot #1. Although mainly appearing in Larsen's flagship title The Savage Dragon and the related title SuperPatriot, the Covenant also appeared in a number of Extreme Studios comics by Rob Liefeld, most notably Bloodstrike and Badrock. Damien Darklord is one of the members who is also a major villain in the Savage Dragon series.

<i>Invincible</i> (TV series) Animated superhero television series

Invincible is an adult animated superhero television series created by Robert Kirkman for the streaming service Amazon Prime Video, based on the Image Comics comic book series of the same name he co-created with Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley. It is produced by Skybound Entertainment, Wind Sun Sky Entertainment, Point Grey Pictures, and Amazon MGM Studios. The series follows teenager Mark Grayson and his transformation into a superhero under the guidance of his father, Nolan Grayson / Omni-Man, the most powerful superhero on the planet. During his transformation, Mark finds himself struggling between his personal life and superhero duties, and is forced to prove that he can be the hero that his father is. Steven Yeun stars in the series as Mark Grayson / Invincible alongside Sandra Oh and J. K. Simmons as Mark's mother and father, respectively, while the remaining cast members have recurring roles.

<i>Invincible</i> (comics) Comic book series

Invincible is an American comic book series written by Robert Kirkman, illustrated by Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley, and published by Image Comics. Set in the Image Universe, Invincible follows the coming of age of superhero Mark Grayson / Invincible, a Viltrumite and first-born son of Omni-Man, the most powerful superhero on Earth. The series began publication on January 22, 2003, concluding on February 14, 2018, with 144 issues. An animated television adaptation began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on March 25, 2021.

References

  1. "SUPERPATRIOT Re-Released, Robert Kirkman Reminisces". Newsarama.com. 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
  2. "SuperPatriot makes his return to Image Comics in July". Comic Book Resources. 2002-03-22. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
  3. Youngblood: Strikefile #1 (April 1993)
  4. Judgement Day Alpha June 1997
  5. Freak Force #5-6 (June–July 1994)
  6. Mars Attacks The Image Universe #1-4 (1996)
  7. Judgement Day #1-3 (June 1997 - October 1997)
  8. Supreme: The New Adventures" #43-48 (1996-1997)
  9. Savage Dragon #79 (September 2000)
  10. "Savage Dragon" #133 (November 2007)
  11. Invincible #48-49 (2008)
  12. Invincible #60 (March 2009)
  13. "SuperPatriot: War On Terror (Volume)". Comic Vine. Retrieved 2015-02-28.
  14. "Savage Dragon" #162 (July 2010)
  15. Savage Dragon #250 (2020)