Kempo
Context
Kempo was one of the characters in Steve Ditko’s Shade the Changing Man series for DC Comics.
If you’re not well familiar with it, we suggest that you first read our Shade the Changing Man (Ditko take) character profile.
Background
- Real Name: Emp.
- Other Aliases: Mr. Tanen.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Formerly Metan Security Services, and agent of Crime Chiefs.
- Base Of Operations: New York; formerly Meta.
- Height: 5’8” Weight: 145 lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Black
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Powers & Abilities
Kempo wears a pair of gloves containing electro pads. These can burn through steel and emit a blinding glare.
History
A corrupt security officer on Meta, Lt. Emp infiltrated the Earth-zone underworld under the alias Kempo. His goal was to gather information on them.
When he learned fellow officer Rac Shade had stumbled on his employers operation he arranged to have him framed for treason and slated for execution.
Kempo had formed a small gang around him on Earth. His intention was to move into a position of power in the underworld. However, the fugitive Shade came after him. They fought, and Shade beat him, threatening to dump him in the Area of Madness unless Emp revealed what he knew bout the conspiracy.
He did, and managed to escape before Shade could take him in.
A resourceful man
By this point he’s apparently gone rogue himself, although this isn’t clear. Phoning in a tip to the ORC that let them believe a Metan criminal was at large, he waited in disguise as a helpless old man until a Metan N-Agent (Negation Agent) arrived to investigate.
Killing the N-Agent, he looted the body, acquiring a negation unit among other items. Kempo intended to use them to take power in the city.
Personality
Greedy and scheming, Kempo is an opportunist. He’ll think nothing of killing anyone who gets in his way. He’s loyal only to himself.
Quotes
“Soon, I’ll be takin’ over all the rackets in town ! — First we move in on Jake Gole’s mob ! We’ll turn his setup into a base for our own operation and every top hood in the state’ll soon be joining us ! And those that don’t wanna join — my electro device’ll eliminate ’em !”
“I’m going to burn a hole through your force field, Shade. Or else heat it up so high that you’ll fry inside it like a scrambled egg !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Kempo
| Dex: 05 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Power Lust |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Criminal/former Security Officer |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 006 |
| Init: 016 | HP: 020 |
Skills:
Martial Artist: 04, Weaponry (Firearms): 05
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Earth Underworld (Low), Meta Underworld (Low).
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
ELECTRO PADS [BODY 05, Flash: 05, Lightning (Range of Touch): 10].
Source of Character: DC Comics (Shade the Changing Man Vol. 1).
Helper(s): Frank G. Murdock.
Writeup completed on the 5th of June, 2012.