Comanche
Context
Do you think it’s fun to be at the YMCA ? Then read on, my mellow !
Comanche is a goofy character who appeared in 1972, in the first issue of Luke Cage’s own comic. He works as a duo with Shades, so you should first read Shades’ character profile and hear their story from the grapevine.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Other Aliases: Commanche.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Partner of Shades. Former employee of Ward Meachum, and of John Bushmaster. Member of the Rivals.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 5’9’ Weight: 185 lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
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Powers and Abilities
Comanche is a veteran street hoodlum, able to conduct successful crime sprees – especially if he’s working with Shades. He’s adept with a shiv or a pistol, and he ain’t afraid to use ’em. Comanche is the brawn of the duo.
After being equipped with special gear, he also became a competent archer, firing multiple arrows at the same time and the like. Comanche only started using his bow when he received special arrowheads. Before that, a gun was simply a better choice.
His special arrows may have been built by Nightshade. But by comic books standards they’re simple enough to have been built by Meachum’s technicians.
Comanche also carries knives and ordinary arrows. But though they’ve been given game stats just in case, he never actually used those during his appearances.
History
See the entry for Shades.
The Harlem Rivals.
Unlike Shades, Comanche never returned to the straight and narrow. He remained a costumed criminal. He’s currently a member of a new version of the Rivals mob, which includes a number of… flamboyant criminals from the heydays of Harlem, such as the current Mister Fish, Spear, Cheschire, the current Chemistro, “Cockroach” Hamilton and perhaps others.
The Rivals answer to the criminal genius Nightshade, though they call her DNS (short for Deadly Nightshade, an old variant over her codename, and presumably a joke about Internet architecture).
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Description
Comanche always wears a headband with a vaguely American Indian tribal pattern. This is presumably why he was nicknamed “Comanche”.
Personality
Comanche is more of a follower – it’s Shades who usually takes the lead. See Shades’s entry for more about the duo’s modus operandi. Comanche seemed bitter about his buddy Shades’s death, and irrationally blamed his decision to forego their criminal lifestyle for it.
Quotes
“Shades… I ain’t felt this good, with this much stash in my slide, since I busted outta Q back in ’60”
“We look like a couple ’a cats outta the Village in these vines !”
“Right on Shades ! We’re gonna be the kings of Harlem !”
(Hitting Cage in the shoulder with an acid arrow) “Yeah ! An’ I’d tell you to stick it, Lucas — but that’s what I just did to you ! Ha !”
“You goin’ down, boy !”
“Shades ! Whatta we do now ?!”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Comanche
| Dex: 04 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 02 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Criminal |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 020 |
Skills:
Vehicles (Land): 04, Weaponry (Missile, knives, firearms): 05
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
MIH of Rackham.
Equipment:
- Big knife (x2) [BODY 05, Enhance (EV): 01 (Cap is 06), Descriptor: Piercing, Slashing].
- Medium-powered bow [BODY 03, Enhance (EV): 01 (cap is 04), Enhance (Range): 03 (cap is 06), Ammo: 01, Recommended STR: 03, R#02, Limitation: Low Penetration, Descriptor: Piercing].
- Quiver [BODY 02, Enhance (EV): 01 (cap is 04), Ammo: 20, Limitation: Ammunition load for the bow] though he normally uses the following trick arrows :
- Acid arrows [BODY 02, Acid (No Range): 06, Ammo: 02, Limitation: Ammunition load for the bow].
- Explosive arrows ([BODY 02, EV 07, Ammo: 02, Limitation: Ammunition load for the bow].
- Electric arrows ([BODY 02, Lightning (No Range): 08, Ammo: 02, Limitation: Ammunition load for the bow].
- Adhesive arrow [BODY 02, EV 09, Glue: 06, Ammo: 02, Limitation: EV can only be used as a Planned Knockback Attack and can never score more than 4 RAPs, Limitation: Ammunition load for the bow, Bonus: EV and Glue can be Combined].
The stats above are for the trick arrows Comanche used in his vintage appearances. He now uses more powerful trick arrows (perhaps 4 or 5 more APs) and is skilled enough that his arrows have the Dart Bonus.
Source of Character: Old Power Man and Iron Fist stuff.
Helper(s): Jay Myers, Roy Cowan.