Meteor Man

Context

This character is an original creation. We often call these “homemades” or “homebrewed” – think home cooking or craft beer.

Many of these characters were created to take part in tabletop role-playing game sessions. Others were invented as a creative writing exercise, often as part of a community event.

As to this specific character – no, this isn’t the character from the Robert Townsend movie a few years ago. This is yet another member of the Golden Age Columbus Crusaders, created by me.

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Overview

Professor Herman Walters is a specialist on meteorites and extraterrestrial matter at the Ohio State University .

In 1942 he was working with a team of scientists at an impact crater in Wyoming. But he pricked his thumb with a shard of meteorite he was uncovering. After three days of severe fever and delirium Walters recovered and thought the worst was over.

When, two days later while hiking in the mountains alone, he burst into flames and shot into the sky at over a hundred miles an hour, he knew that the sliver had somehow affected him. His best speculation was that some trace radioactive element was introduced into his bloodstream or that the rock carried some strange extraterrestrial virus that turned him into a living meteor.

Walters became active as Meteor Man in 1943. But was never an official member of the All Star Squadron, his frequent depressive fits left him not very desirable company.

He joined the Columbus Crusaders in late 1947 but retired in the late 1950s when his mental illness began getting in the way of his ability to function in public. He was cared for by his family for many years but was institutionalized in the late 1960s, where he remains today.

Description

Herman Walters was in his early 30s when he first became Meteor Man in 1943. He was a tall white man with dark hair and a nervous look. He looks like the scientist from any giant radioactive monster movie you have ever seen.

As Meteor Man Walters wore a simple red body suit with the image of a crashing meteor or comet on his chest. When in action he would be a flaming, speeding form and tough to get a really close look at. His main form of attack was, of course, the flaming charge, which just as often left him unconscious as well as his foe.

By kristoff.