Cool Jerk
Context
Homo Gal and Cool Jerk are the Defenders of Detroit’s Cass Corridor . They appeared in mid-1990s underground mini-comics by Sean Bieri.
History
Dr. Rebecca Epstein was a biochemist working on a government-sponsored research project in the 1960s. The goal was to find a way for people to regenerate lost limbs.
When Rebecca’s husband Michael had his hands blown off by a mortar in Việt Nam, she secretly injected him with the prototype regeneration serum. But the formula was flawed, and Michael grew ill from the side-effects.
Rebecca quit her job, and they moved to a remote spot in Michigan. They changed their last name to “Guinness” to avoid attracting the attention of her former employers. Michael soon died, but not before he and Rebecca conceived a child.
Undying son
Michael Jr. was born with amazing regenerative powers. Rebecca was very protective of Mike Jr., and he grew up somewhat shy and bookwormish. When he was awarded a scholarship to Wayne State University in Detroit, he found himself living away from home for the first time.
Having trouble fitting in in the big city, and bored with his part-time “McJob”, he was looking for “something exciting, inspiring, suited to my unique abilities”.
He stumbled across one of those “Bang ! Pow ! Comic Books Aren’t Just For Kids !” articles in the newspaper, and was inspired to become the superhero called… Cool Jerk !
Not long after, he met Lizabeth Stratiosa (aka Homo Gal). The two have been friends and crimefighting partners ever since.
Personality
Cool Jerk is a nerd, a sheltered suburban kid without a lot of practical experience in dealing with the real world. He’s often shocked by the seamier aspects of the inner city, his partner’s alternative lifestyle, and anything else out of the mainstream.
His intentions are good, though. He dives into the superhero role with great gusto, trying to emulate the style of the comics.
He’s not without a sense of humor about himself, though… He enjoys freaking people out by displaying his powers. In high school, he once imitated Steve Martin by literally shoving an arrow through his head !). Think of him as a modern-day Don Quixote.
Quotes
“I am NOT a sidekick, and I do NOT bumble !”
Description
Mike Guinness is short and dumpy, with a bit of a pot belly. He has shaggy black hair that sort of looks like an out-of-control fern sitting on his head. Mike wears thick glasses (in both identities), and dresses in a conservative fashion : button-up shirts, sweaters, etc.
When going into action as Cool Jerk, he dons a sweatshirt with a distinctive “CJ” logo, and a makeshift cape held on with a safety pin.
DC Universe History
Cool Jerk and Homo Gal pretty much stick to their own neighborhood, dealing with local problems. So it’s unlikely that they have had much contact with the larger superhero community. It might be amusing to have them get into a “turf war” with the Justice League during the period when the JLA was based in Detroit.
Cool Jerk would no doubt be awestruck if he ever met one of the more legendary” heroes. But Homo Gal would probably just dismiss them as tools of the Fascist establishment. On the other hand, she might get along fairly well with the more “working class hero” types like Green Arrow (Ollie Queen), The Question, Black Lightning, or Ragman.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Cool Jerk
| Dex: 03 | Str: 02 | Bod: 07 | Motivation: Upholding the good |
| Int: 06 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation: College Student, comic shop employee, adventurer |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 003 |
| Init: 012 | HP: 050 |
Powers:
Anatomical separation: 06, Invulnerability: 10, Regeneration: 10
Bonuses and Limitations:
If Cool Jerk is brought to negative BODY, he will be unable to rejoin himself until he spends 07 APs of time bathing in a special chemical solution invented by his mother. Homo Gal usually gets the unpleasant task of scooping up his parts, dumping them in the washing machine, and pouring in the chemical… yuck.
Skills:
Vehicles (land): 03
Drawbacks:
Innocent, SIA to following comic-book superhero clichés — making dramatic entrances, corny speeches during combat, etc.), Minor Physical Restriction (wears glasses), Secret Identity (Michael Epstein, Jr. aka Michael Guinness).
Helper(s): Sébastien Andrivet.