Bubonicus
Context
Bubonicus appeared in Marvel’s 1990s volume of Guardians of the Galaxy. Which was its own thing, quite different from the original stories or from the 2000s, post-Annihilation Guardians. Or from the iteration after the movies.
For more context, you can check our relevant Guardians of the Galaxy team profile.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 6’2” Weight: 400 lbs.
- Eyes: Unrevealed Hair: Unrevealed
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Powers and Abilities
Bubonicus has superhuman levels of strength and durability. He also can survive in a vacuum (although this may be due to his armour).
The Pulse Wand is its main tool of infection. It is able to disperse a variety of viruses over large areas, or to target individuals.
When attacking individuals, he analyzes the target’s cellular structure, and creates an infection specifically targeted to his victim. This method of attack can be fooled, such as when the shapeshifting Replica pretended to be of a different species. The resulting virus thus had no effect on her.
The virus may also be modified to target computer systems.
Bubonicus’ infection of Eternity was due to the centuries of damage it had done to life in the universe. It’s unknown whether or not Eternity has taken steps to prevent this happening again.
History
Created by Era and set loose on the universe, one of Bubonicus’ early achievements was the almost complete extinction of the Martians. It continued to travel the universe, wiping out entire civilizations. Yet he remained unknown to the general population of the universe, except maybe as a myth.
In its centuries of spreading plagues, it eventually had a cumulative effect on the life in the galaxy. This caused Eternity itself to be infected, creating a breach in the universe. When this breach was investigated by the Galactic Guardians, they discovered and fought Bubonicus.
It quickly dispatched the team’s toughest members, disabling Hollywood and Firelord, even temporarily effecting Phoenix, and infecting their computer link to Mainframe.
It was slowed when it targeted Martinex’s Plutonian biology. Bubonicus was unaware that it was attacking Replica disguised as Martinex. Its virus had no effect on her, and they managed to separate it from its staff, taking it captive.
When the Phoenix healed the breach in the universe, and cleansed the Guardians’ ship of all infection, Bubonicus disappeared.
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The Ripper
Bubonicus had not succeeded in totally wiping out the Martians. Their last survivor was a scientist who sealed himself in a sustaining suit of armour which made him immune to Bubonicus. He renamed himself Ripjak. He tracked Bubonicus for centuries, always too late to find him. But he gained notoriety as a serial killer responsible of Bubonicus’ actions.
Ripjak teamed with the Guardians of the Galaxy – specifically Vance Astro, who was also protected against Bubonicus’ powers. They and the High Evolutionary finally caught up to Bubonicus, on the planet Sanctuary. They attacked it, and managed to temporarily subdue it. But an argument between Vance and Ripjak over what to do with it provided it an opportunity.
Bubonicus managed to escape, and the alliance split up, Ripjak resuming the search for Bubonicus.
Personality
Bubonicus believes that living beings are all plague-carriers, for whom death is the only cure, and sees it as its mission to hasten this cure. He sees himself as doing them a favour, and is angered by anyone who tries to stop his work.
Quotes
“You are the disease ! But I shall prevent the plague from spreading ! You’ve been infected ! Feel the virus spread throughout your body — the fever is upon you ! It is the will of Bubonicus !”
“Bubonicus releases you all from the burden of life !”
DC Universe History
Created by a rogue Controller, its only real failure was when it tried to infect the residents of the planet Somahtur. But it altered their innate resistance to viruses to also allow them to infect others.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Bubonicus
| Dex: 06 | Str: 08 | Bod: 08 | Motivation: Nihilist |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 05 | Min: 08 | Occupation: Infection |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 08 | Resources {or Wealth}: 000 |
| Init: 016 | HP: 100 |
Skills:
Weaponry (Melee): 08
Advantages:
Life Support (Full), Slowed Aging.
Connections:
None.
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
- PULSE WAND [BODY 20, EV 08, Poison Touch (May also target computers, may effect an Area equal to its APs, and if Sharpness used Poison Touch can only effect targeted life form type): 16, Sharpness (Poison Touch, only against individual targets): 05].
- Also has some means of travelling between planets, so presumably a space-craft, possibly with teleportational capabilities.
Design Notes
It’s unclear what powers Bubonicus gains from his armour. Or even whether it is armour, or his actual body. So I have ignored the armour for the moment, and attributed all abilities not identified as being part of his Pulse Wand as being natural.
Source of Character: Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Comics.