Cannon
(Henry Cannon)
Context
Cannon and Saber are two mercenary combat experts. This redoubtable and well-armed pair appeared in 1984, and clashed several times with the Vigilante (Adrian Chase).
I *think* that they are the first clear depiction of a couple of gay men in super-hero comics. Well, by 1984 standards, but still much more forward than the previous system of coded allusions.
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Background
- Real Name: Henry Cannon.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Partner of Saber.
- Base Of Operations: USA.
- Height: 6’1” Weight: 193 lbs.
- Eyes: Dark blue. Hair: Dark red.
Powers and Abilities
Cannon is a formidable martial artist and knife fighter. He’s capable of slaughtering a half-dozen of armed men with but a pair of weaponised sai.
He can also throw seemingly innocuous objects with deadly force, like Bullseye or Ultimate Hawkeye. Cannon once seriously wounded a man using a plastic knife (the airline/hospital/prison kind).
History
Cannon and Saber were mob killers, each employed by a different New York crime family. Each man felt that his skills was a major factor in the power and success of his boss. Few dared to oppose the men who controlled two of the most skilled assassins in the business.
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Saber, the most ambitious of the two, concocted an elaborate plan where they killed each other’s boss. This would leave both mobs open for a take-over. This plot brought them to the attention of the Vigilante, who foiled their plan. The killers still iced their respective targets, though.
So we meet again
In the fight that followed, Vigilante, Cannon and Saber were all badly wounded (the Vigilante very nearly fatally so). The Vigilante escaped thanks to an accomplice, but the two assassins were captured by the police. They were placed in an hospital ward under the strictest security.
Cannon and Saber fled to Southern California. Once there they decided to go in the freelance assassination business together. They operated out of a house overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
When last seen, the murderous duo had accepted a contract on the Vigilante, returning to New York to fulfill it. They failed, and the Vigilante left them for capture by the police. They were sent to maximum security cells in Attica.
Description
Cannon has a page boy/Guy Gardner style haircut. Alas.
Personality
Cannon is very confident, even cocky. Due to his extraordinary skill, he’s seldom fighting people who can match him.
He is a professional, competent killer.
His main weakness is his love for Saber. For instance he’s liable to panic and rush his boyfriend to the hospital if he’s badly wounded, instead of acting like the professional he otherwise is.
Quotes
“Too late, boys. Once I get started, I can’t be stopped. Shame too – some of you look like you’d be fun.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Cannon
| Dex: 07 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Free-lance assassin |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 006 |
| Init: 017 | HP: 020 |
Powers:
Projectile weapons: 03
Bonuses and Limitations:
Projectile weapon requires an object of opportunity (-1).
Skills:
Acrobatics (Athletics, climbing, dodging): 05, Martial artist*: 07, Thief (Camouflage, stealth): 05, Weaponry (Sai, knives, shuriken): 08
Advantages:
Schticks (Fists of Fury, Paired Sai, Speed-Shooting).
Connections:
Underworld (Low).
Drawbacks:
MIA toward Saber.
Equipment:
- Bladed sai (x2) [BODY 04, Enhance (EV): 01 (cap is 05), Enhance (Disarm Manoeuvre EV): 01 (cap is 06) ; Descriptors: Piercing, Blunt ; Note : OV/RV when using the Block Manoeuvre is 1 AP, Note: the OV bonus for the Shield Cover Manoeuvre is 1 AP, Limitation: Blocking bonuses can only be used against melee attacks, and the GM may rule that some weapons are too large for the sai].
- Two throwing knives [BODY 04, EV 03 (05 w/STR), Grenade drawback].
- Shuriken (x12) [BODY 02, EV 02 (03 w/STR), Dart Bonus, Grenade drawback].
Source of Character: Vigilante comics (DCU).
Helper(s): History from DC’s Who’s Who.