SuperPatriot

Infobox comics character
character_name=SuperPatriot


imagesize=
caption=
real_name=John Quincy Armstrong
publisher=Image Comics
debut="Savage Dragon" (vol. 1) #1
creators=Erik Larsen
status=Active
alliances= Liberty League
previous_alliances=The Allies
Freak Force
aliases=
relatives=Justice Farrell (son); Liberty Farrell (daughter); Damien (a.k.a. Darklord, grandson)
powers=Originally had superhuman strength, regenerative powers, telescopic, microscopic vision, decreased aging. Could fly with aid of unpleasant drug. His cyborg limbs can stretch, grow many types of guns and weaponry
cat=super
subcat=Image Comics
hero=y
sort=SuperPatriot

SuperPatriot is an Image Comics superhero created by Erik Larsen in 1992. SuperPatriot has had regular appearances 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.

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.

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.

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. Also, his daughter was raped by a martian and had a half-martian baby.

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 track house, as most other military installations have been destroyed or are potential targets.

In the "Savage World", the alternate Earth depicted in Larsen's Savage Dragon series, SuperPatriot is controlled by Cyberface until his eventual downfall. Afterwards he rejoins the newly reestablished Liberty League, and 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. They have bonded over their shared experiences of being married to superheros. 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.

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.

Different Possibillities

*Erik Larsen had the prototype design for the Superpatriot long before the character was introduced in his Savage Dragon series. While working at Marvel Comics in the early 90's, Larsen and Fabian Nicieza made a pitch for the new X-Factor series, which ultimately was given to Peter David instead. Their team would have included the SuperPatriot.

*Larsen later used his designs for a highly similar character called "Cyborg X" that appeared during Larsen's run on Spider-Man, with numerous hints that this was the Crimson Commando, a patriotic member of Freedom Force.

ee also

*Savage Dragon
*Freak Force

External links

* [http://www.savagedragon.com/funnybooks/superpframe.htm Official list of Superpatriot appearances]
* [http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/s/superpat.htm Unofficial Superpatriot profile]
* [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/cyborgxs.htm Unofficial profile for the Superpatriot prototype "Cyborg X"]