Jumping Jack and Gasser

DC Universe

Power Level: Street-level

Game System: DC Heroes/BoH

Role: Character (Villainous)

Crime has MANY faces !! But there’s little doubt that THIS one is a winner in the “FRIGHT-STAKES” ! Beneath that ugly mask is a kidnapper and killer — in short, he’s the type who puts the “Danger” in Danger Street !

Context

These obscure villains were seen but once, in 1975 – First Issue Special #6.

First Issue Special comics were about throwing concepts at the wall to see if they stuck. Though this was work from Jack “The King” Kirby, it didn’t stick.

Bummer.

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Powers & Abilities

Jumping Jack is a trained acrobat. He can run the rooftop expressMoving across a dense city using comic book acrobatics (and usually a swingline). with low-cinematicThe level of power and (un)realism found in a spectacular action movie. proficiency, and make impressive leaps.

He also carries a pistol, and seems trained in kickboxing.

The Gasser is mean as a rattlesnake. He carries a .38 revolver, and cans of special gas he apparently brews himself. Demonstrated gases :

Tear gas spray.
Spray of gas that immediately ignites. The effect isn’t much smaller than that of an infantry flamethrower. But the temperature is lower and it doesn’t stick like napalm does.
A spray that leaves people frozen, though they’ll “thaw” if exposed to warm temperatures.

Both criminals wear costumes that seem to have minor protective capabilities. Gasser’s also include a gas mask.

Jumping Jack and Gasser (DC Comics First Issue Special kirby) - in action

History

The duo was apparently trained by a third party to have super-villain-style skills, then issued costumes. This seems to have been an experiment by a mob, about developing a new sort of operative.

Intergang, another Kirby creation, readily comes to mind. But Intergang is too well-equipped for such an experiment to make sense.

On the other hand, the rival “The 100” Metropolis crime syndicate seems about right.

Doing crimes

Jumping Jack and Gasser kidnapped a business executive on the street. They stole a film strip he was carrying, with records of a highly valuable new industrial process.

However, they run afoul of elite cop Lt. Mullins, and the Dingbats of Danger Street youth gang. The pair was arrested and their victim rescued.

Just another day on Danger Street !

Jumping Jack.

Description

The comic-book-style costumes (described this way in-story) are meant to be disconcerting and threatening. This is particularly visible with Gasser’s mask.

Jumping Jack’s red costume, evoking a Devil costume, might be a reference to the Spring-Heeled Jack mythos in XIX^th Century Britain.

If so, perhaps Gasser is a reference to the odd “Mad Gasser of Matoon” cases .

Adνеrtisеmеnt

DC Heroes RPG

Tell me more about the game stats

Jumping Jack

Dex: 04	Str: 03	Bod: 04
Int: 03	Wil: 02	Min: 03
Inf: 03	Aur: 02	Spi: 03
Init: 014		HP: 010

Skills:

Acrobatics: 06, Martial artist: 04, Vehicles (Land): 03, Weaponry (Firearms): 03

Advantages:

Lightning Reflexes, Misc.: Jumping Jack has a moustache.

Connections:

Underworld (Low).

Drawbacks:

Misc.: It’s a large moustache.

Motivation:

Mercenary.

Occupation:

Criminal.

Wealth:

004

Equipment:

COSTUME [BODY 04, Blunting: 02].
Funky-looking pistol [BODY 03, Projectile weapons: 04, Ammo: 10, R#02].

Gasser.

Gasser

Dex: 04	Str: 03	Bod: 04
Int: 03	Wil: 03	Min: 03
Inf: 03	Aur: 03	Spi: 04
Init: 012		HP: 010

Skills:

Charisma (Intimidation): 03, Gadgetry: 05, Martial artist: 04, Vehicles (Land): 03, Weaponry (Firearms): 03

Bonuses and Limitations:

Gadgetry is limited to brewing gases.