Menthor
Context
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents is a superhero series whose seminal run was 1965-1969. It was notable as :
- An indie series back when that wasn’t common.
- A comic with designs and art by Wally Wood, an admired artist of these days.
- Featuring professional super-heroes, working as part of an organisation.
From there the Agents have frequently returned, with the rights being held in succession by a broad variety of parties.
Background
- Real Name: John Janus.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, spy for S.P.I.D.E.R..
- Base Of Operations: NYC.
- Height: 5’11” Weight: 165 lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Blond
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Powers and Abilities
When Janus dons the cybernetic helmet it amplifies his mental potential. He acquired the abilities :
- To read minds.
- To perform computer-fast calculations.
- To feed on the strength of others. This gives him their cumulative might.
- To both harness and radiate “mental energy”.
- To manipulate solid objects.
- And even extreme powers such as Teleportation and Matter Manipulation.
Even without the helmet, Janus was a powerful figure, and expert in karate and wrestling.
History
28-year-old Janus was originally a double agent. As a new T.H.U.N.D.E.R. recruit, he is actually in the service of the dread Warlord, assigned to destroy T.H.U.N.D.E.R. headquarters. Looking to win the confidence of the agency hierarchy, he agrees to try a helmet designed by the late Dr. Jennings.
No one at T.H.U.N.D.E.R. knows what it will do, and when Janus slips it on he is granted vast mental abilities. What he doesn’t realize is that the helmet also works on the subconscious, forcing the wearer to do good.
He died when shot over a half a dozen times in the back by one of the Warlord’s minions. Menthor was trying to warn his fellow agents about an ambush.
(In a later comic it was revealed that John’s consciousness lived on in the Helmet. The costume was passed on to a young woman named Connie, the helmet endowed her with all the powers of Menthor as well as the disembodied voice of Janus “advising” her. This development however is not currently considered canon due to copyright litigation.)
Description
Blue bodysuit; red trunks, belly, gloves and boots.
Personality
“John Janus” — an apparent physical and mental marvel, and all-around cleft-chinned, card-carrying Good Guy is reality as two-faced as his mythological namesake. The helmet subverted his scheming ways however and subliminally made him do good deeds. Talk about a reluctant hero.
Quotes
“They trust me… but why did I help them ? I can’t remember a thing.”
“I told you before !! It is *not* a bullseye !!”
DC Universe History
See Dynamo for T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agent history. Perhaps “Dr. Jennings” helped work on the Mento helmet or Thinker’s “Cap”.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Menthor
| Dex: 06 | Str: 04 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 04 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Double Agent |
| Inf: 06 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 007 |
| Init: 19/23 | HP: 040 |
Skills:
Artist (actor)*: 06, Charisma*: 06, Martial Artist*: 06, Military Science*: 05, Thief: 05, Weaponry*: 06
Advantages:
Credentials (T.H.U.N.D.E.R., Low), Gift of Gab, Intensive Training.
Connections:
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. (Low, from Credentials), Warlord (Low).
Drawbacks:
Dark Secret (Double Agent).
Equipment:
MENTHOR HELMET [BODY 04 /INT/ 09 /WIL/ 10 /MIN/ 10, Control: 05, Hypnotism: 10, Matter Manipulation: 05, Mental Blast: 07, Mental Illusion: 07, Mind Blast: 07, Mind Probe: 10, Recall: 09, Power Drain (STR) 07, Telekinesis: 07, Telepathy: 10, Teleportation: 05, Misc. Drawback; User of the Helmet automatically develops a CIA to Upholding the Good while wearing the helm and would eventually develop it permanently].
Helper(s): T.A.O., Jeff Rovin.
Source of Character: Wally Wood Universe.