Absorbing Man
("Crusher" Creel)
Context
The Absorbing Man is a classic Marvel Comics character. He appeared in 1965 and was initially a Thor villain, but he’s since fought everyone and been everywhere. He’s an archetypal, traditional ne’er do well with a great super-power.
These notes are extremely old. The main goal was to experiment with how his power might look in the DC Heroes RPG, with but the tiniest bit of background added.
It was also done very early since he happens to be at the beginning of the alphabet, you see.
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Background
- Real Name: Carl Creel.
- Marital Status: Married.
- Known Relatives: Mary “Titania” McPherran (wife), unnamed mother (deceased), unnamed father, Betsy (aunt).
- Group Affiliation: None ; former member of the Masters of Evil IV.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 6’4” Weight: 365lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: None
Powers and Abilities
Creel has solid boxing experience, superior intimidation skills, and knows about car mechanics.
Crusher Creel can magically duplicate in his body at will the physical properties of anything he touches or that touches him. This power extends to both animate and inanimate objects and to various forms of energy. He retains his human sapience , mobility and power of speech in these forms.
He can also absorb specific properties relating to the form of an object. Hence, he can assume the height of a skyscraper (in DC Heroes RPG terms that’s 20+ APS of simulated Growth) or the spikes of a medieval mace (Claw being: 03). He can also absorb mystical properties such as those of Thor’s hammer.
If his body is broken or dispersed somehow while being in a non-human state, the Absorbing Man can reassemble himself over a period of time and return to human form (Invulnerability). He’s even able to reattach limbs that have been severed, provided he’s in a non-organic form, holds the limb in place and turns back to flesh (Anatomical separation).
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History (part 1)
(This history section is based on the 2017 Black Bolt mini-series by Saladin Ahmed. I sure can’t revise this ancient profile right now, but adding this can be done quickly so here we go.)
Carl Creel grew up in a working class home in the Bronx. He adored his mother, who always encouraged him to strive for success and achievement. However, she died when Carl was about six.
His father was a jerk, and he became mean and hit his son. Carl wanted to go live with his aunt Betsy, a kindergarten teacher, but his father opposed that. When he was 16, the robust Carl found it in himself to hit his father back. No longer being able to boss his son around, Carl’s father expelled him.
Carl mostly lived in the street and in the gym. He made money from odd jobs and petty crimes, and trained to become a professional boxer as “Crusher” Creel. By this point, the retired Aunt Betsy’s pension had been destroyed in a S&L crisis, preventing her from helping.
Enforcers of the Owl (Leland Owlsley) noticed his strength and intimidating presence. Needing money, Crusher took the job as a leg-breaker. That didn’t last too long, as he was soon in prison.
Being large and strong, Creel did get the hang of living in prison. He worked out a lot, and found a good niche in the ecosystem.
History (part 2)
While in prison, Carl “Crusher” Creel was selected by Loki to become his master weapon against Thor. However, while he proved to be a highly formidable threat even against the Thunder God himself, he was defeated. The Absorbing Man has since fought such lightweights as Thor, the Hulk or the Avengers.
During the unstoppable assault of the Masters of Evil IV, Crusher met the super-villainess Titania, and they fell in love. While they were apparently convinced by Thor (Eric Masterson) to go straight, the couple sometimes has relapses into criminality, especially if the profits are tempting enough.
Description
Creel is big, really big, and heavily muscular.
He generally only wears prison pants and shoes, and goes bare chested, bald and unshaven, with a big prisoner’s ball and chain in his hand.
Personality
Creel has never been particularly subtle. He delights in smashing anything that gets in his way, and obviously enjoys destruction. In combat he will seek out the strongest opponent (the more powerful, the better) and seek to use that opponent’s strongest assets against him.
He’s married to Titania, and takes pains to protect her.
DC Universe History
Well, there’s already Amazo… But still, he might have been an experimental subject for a bizarre treatment from Doctor Bedlam, in order to crush Orion. Having failed to do so, the Absorbing Man has since fought Orion, Lightray, Superman or the JLA on several instances.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Absorbing Man
| Dex: 04 | Str: 05 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation : Criminal |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth} : 04 |
| Init: 013 | HP: 060 |
Powers:
Anatomical separation (ML): 00, Invulnerability (ML): 18, Mimic (ML): 25, Molecular Chameleon (ML): 25, Sealed systems (ML): 18, Self-Manipulation (ML): 25
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Use of Mimic is an Automatic Action (+3).
- Self-manipulation allows for emulating Self Link powers (such as Self Link (Fog), Self Link (Lightning), and so on) (+1).
- Anatomical separation only works in a non-organic state (-1).
- Invulnerability only works in a non-organic state (-1).
- Absorbing Man does not have “complete control over his body” while using Molecular Chameleon, and is liable to disperse in some conditions if he assumes liquid or gaseous forms (-1).
- Mimic has No Range (-1).
- Sealed systems only works in a non-organic state (-1).
- Self Manipulation can only be used when in physical contact with items possessing the needed physical properties (-2) and is limited to the APs possessed by the objects (-1).
- If he tries to Adapt or use Molecular Chameleon on something with 50+ APs in the desired attributes, he explodes (-1 to both).
Skills:
Charisma (Intimidation): 05, Martial artist: 06, Weaponry (ball and chain): 08
Advantages:
Familiarity (Car mechanics).
Connections:
Masters of Evil IV (Low).
Drawbacks:
Married (Titania, 5pts), Public ID.
Equipment:
Ball-and-chain [BODY 09, Adv.: Transforms as he does if he’s holding it (10 pts) and is considered Mystic-linked (+1)].
Helper(s): Dr MacDonald, Angel, Z, Matt Ignash’s Champions writeup, Darci.
Source of Character: Marvel Universe.