Handi Man
Context
In Living Colors was a humour TV show in the early 1990s. Unlike other shows, it was produced and told from a mostly African-American perspective – which proved quite successful.
“Handi-Man” was one of the show’s signature characters, though he generated a lot of controversy.
(I would see it less as “controversial” and more as [string of expletives deleted] – disabled ed.).
This profile is based on the few of the skits I could find on Youtube. Episodes: The adventures of Handi-boy: how he was made, Loses his powers (Season 4, episode 8); Handi-Man and the Tiny Avenger the Handi-man sequel Part 1 – Handi Man: The Justice Legion of America, Handi man’s evil twin.
Background
- Real Name: Clark Bent.
- Other Aliases: Handi.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Unrevealed Alien parents, Adoptive Father (Played by Jim Carrey), Martha (Adoptive Mother).
- Group Affiliation: Handi Man has taken membership in the Justice Legion of America.
- Base Of Operations: New York (most likely).
- Height: 6’2” Weight: 195 lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: black
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Powers & Abilities
As a close copy of Superman, Handi Man has super strength, super speed, invulnerability, flight, heat vision, and X-ray vision.
Handi man also has a similar weakness, Superman has Kryptonite so Handi-Man has “Kripple-nite”.
He also has a Handi Belt (Utility Belt). It holds a grappling hook and line and a time-reversing device that actually de-ages Handi Man for a short time.
Handi Man is called to action by a huge Handicap Signal in the sky much like the Bat Signal.
In Handi-Man’s case his disability doesn’t really affect him much – not like it normally would. Handi Man is uncoordinated and constantly drools but other than that can act like most able-bodied persons.
Fourth wall
Handi Man also possesses a transcendent awareness of his own identity as a television character. He knows that he’s living in a television universe, watched by TV viewers.
Others around him don’t seem to take notice at all of this odd behavior. Winking, or saluting those watching but sometimes looking directly in the camera and making statements obviously for an audience to hear.
Video
Handi-Man’s first appearance. Collector’s issue, boarded, polybagged.
History
Clark Bent was born on the planet Palsy. Just before the planet exploded he was sent to the Earth in a wheel chair.
Raised by an average white middle-class American family, Clark demonstrated super strength even as a baby. He was made fun of by his peers because of his disability and slurred speech.
Clark’s real parents made his Earth parents promise to give Clark a gift from them – but only after his 8th birthday. The gift was a message from his real father and a vial of blue liquid that once drank transformed him into Handi-Boy.
He would grow to be the hero Handi Man and put his powers to use protecting the handicapped. He took a low level job at the Daily Glove.
Description
Handi-man wears an open faced full blue and white costume complete with cape. There is a white wheelchair sign on his chest and he wears no gloves.
Handi-man’s posture causes him to stand with toes pointed inward and his hands bent close to his body. His mouth droops on one side causing him to drool and constantly wipe it away.
Personality
Handi-man is going to tell you who he is and what his purpose is upon arrival. ”I’m Handi-man, I protect the handicapped.”
He’s a little shy, especially around pretty women, and somewhat naïve.
In his personal life he would love to find the girl of his dreams. But he would never let that dream get in the way of his super-heroics.
Handi-man has teamed up with the Tiny Avenger on a few occasions. He even attempted to join the Justice Legion of America. Handi-man declined their invitation to join, concluding that a team like the Justice Legion would only take time away from his real calling of aiding the physically challenged.
Quotes
“Never underestimate the powers of the handicapped.”
“Up, up, and away!” (Falls forward out a window)
Clark: “You mean you’re not my real mommy and daddy ?”
Adoptive Father: (Laughing) “Not by a long shot !”
“Uh-oh ! Looks like somebody’s about ready to join the ranks of the disabled !”
“I’m Handi Man. I protect and defend the physically challenged.”
“Let’s get busy !”
DC Universe History
There is certainly no one like Handi-man in the DC Universe.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Handi Man
A 545 points Character
| Dex: 01 | Str: 12 | Bod: 11 | Motivation: Upholding the Good |
| Int: 02 | Wil: 04 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Mail courier at the Daily Glove newspaper |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 003 |
| Init: 013 | HP: 015 |
Powers:
Awareness: 05, Flight: 06, Heat Vision: 01, Superspeed: 04, X-Ray Vision: 02
Bonuses and Limitations:
- X-Ray Vision may only be used in conjunction with Heatvision (-1 to each).
- X-Ray vision likely can’t be used to see through lead since Handi-man is a Superman copy.
Skills:
Gadgetry (Identify Gadget)*: 02, Martial Artist: 05 (no techniques)
Advantages
Popularity.
Connections:
Tiny Avenger (High), Justice Legion of America (High), Police (High).
Drawbacks:
Enemy (Dr. Naughty), Minor Physical Restriction (Cerebral Palsy), Power Loss: Kripple-nite (Range: Touch, 0APs. STR is reduced to 02 APs while Body is reduced to 04 APs. All powers and skills are reduced to 00APs. (68 HPs)).
Genre:
Action.
Equipment:
- Handi-Belt [BODY 03, Cost: 6].
- Portable Time-Reversing machine [Body 02, Spiritual Drain: 06, Spiritual Drain has the Age Reducing bonus (+2); Spiritual Drain may only be used to reduce the age of the target, (-1), Spiritual Drain may also be cancelled at any time simply by switching the device off R#0, cost: 27].
- Grappling Hook and line [BODY 06. Line is 4 APs long, Cost: 9].
Source of Character: 1990 – 1994 T.V. Series In Living Color comedy skit The Adventures of Handi Man, played by Damon Wayans.
Helper(s): She-Hulk writeup on Worg for Awareness.
Writeup completed on the 28th of August, 2014.