Meteor Man
(Jefferson Reed)
Context
The Meteor Man was a 1993 film. It never was going to be a classic (29% on Rotten Tomatoes), but I quite liked it. And of course, we were not exactly drowning in this kind of movie back during the 1990s.
However, I couldn’t do stats before it had to be returned to the video club.
Here are notes based on a recent television showing. Some things I liked more than the previous time, some I liked less (the expanding climax, per example).
Advertisement
Background
- Real Name: Jefferson Reed.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Ted Reed (father), Mrs. Reed (mother).
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base Of Operations: Washington D.C..
- Height: ? Weight: ? Age: 36
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
Powers and Abilities
Meteor Man has many powers, apparently not having any point in common. To name a few:
- Supertoughness.
- Superstrength.
- Plant growth.
- X-ray vision.
- Flight.
- The strange “knowledge-absorption” power. That allows him to know everything inside any written medium he touches for the next 30 seconds.
Advertisement
History
Mild-mannered school-teacher Jeff Reed was struck by a green meteorite. He rapidly recovered at the hospital. By the time the sutures were taken out, he had received super-powers. His neighbourhood was having problems with drug-dealing, gangbanging and child delinquency.
The main cause for this was the Golden Lords clan. But Reed’s powers were nicely suited to ending their reign.
The problem is that Reed, despite his parents’ involvement in the neighbourhood movement, didn’t want to use his powers. However, his father and later his house-keeper were attacked by the Golden Lords. As a consequence, Reed began training to develop his powers. He also took the name of Meteor Man.
Gang warfare
The Golden Lords were partially defeated. However, that meant that other crimelords came after Meteor Man’s head. Furthermore, the Golden Lords’ chief noticed that Meteor Man’s powers where fading. When he was sure that Jeff was depowered, he launched a full-scale attack of his neighbourhood.
When everything seemed lost, a vagabond appeared. Marvin had a small chunk of the green meteorite that gave Jeff his powers. He had been using it for cantrips , rubbing it whenever he needed it.
In the middle of the struggle, Jeff and the Golden Lords chief grabbed the chunk of meteorite. Both absorbed half its power. After the following fight (remembering Superman II), Meteor Man absorbed the remains of energy in the Golden Lords’ leader. With a little help of his neighbours, he thus saved the day.
Description
Jeff Reed is an African-American teacher in his mid-30’s, with a thin moustache. He dresses in dark grey suits when working, or when playing with his jazz band. He’ll have casual/sport clothes when at home.
As Meteor Man he wears a light violet suit, with some spandex, and a green Saturn-like logo with two “M”s.
Personality
Mild-mannered teacher Jeff Reed was a pacifist. He didn’t want to get in any conflict with anybody. He didn’t want to use his powers until he was forced to do it by events, and later by the Golden Lords’ daring.
Reed grew to become more self confident. He changed to believe that anybody must do all they can to defend their home.
DC Universe History
If there were other chunks of meteorite, Meteor Man could be an interesting character to play in a low to mid powered game. It would be specially interesting if played in a gritty to real environment, where his powers were really special.
If into the DC Universe, one can rule that after some resting, Jeff recovered his powers. So he has to ponder whether he’ll keep using them, and if he’ll become just another hero or a special, neighbourhood one (in the style of Iron Fist and Power Man).
Meetings with The Ray, Steel, Ragman, Sinbad or Kyle Rayner are also likely to happen. And so would one with Superman, if the meteorite turns out to be Kryptonite.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Meteor Man
A 784 Points Character
| Dex: 02 | Str: 08 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Upholding The Good, former Unwanted Power |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 05 | Min: 03 | Occupation: School Teacher |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 05 | Wealth: 002 |
| Init: 019 | HP: 050 |
Powers:
Density Increase: 03, Extended Hearing: 02, Flight: 08, Heat Vision: 01, Invulnerability: 06, Plant Growth: 08, Recall: 10, Skin Armor: 05, Speak With Animals: 04, Super Breath: 10, Superspeed: 10, Telekinesis: 02, X-Ray Vision: 07
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Density Increase: Always On (-1).
- Recall: Range of Touch (+1), lasts for 3 APs of time (30 seconds) (-1), only on the content of any written/printed info (-1), skills/scholars on written info can be acquired (+2).
- Superspeed: Doesn’t allow travel at APs Speed (-2) nor EV substitution (-1).
- Telekinesis: +1 Range (+1).
Skills:
Acrobatics (Gymnastics): 03, Artist (Musician): 04
Advantages:
Area Knowledge: Neighborhood, Pet (dog).
Drawbacks:
Secret Identity, Loss Vulnerability (Powers wear off when the green meteorite exhausts its power, at GM’s discrection, Gradual Loss; Physical Attributes and All Powers).
Pet dog
| Dex: 03 | Str: 00 | Bod: 02 |
| Int: 01 | Wil: 01 | Min: 02 |
| Inf: 00 | Aur: 00 | Spi: 01 |
| Init: 004 |
Powers:
Analytical Smell/Tracking Scent: 06, Extended Hearing: 03, Running: 03, Shrinking: 03, Super Hearing: 03
Bonuses and Limitations:
Shrinking: Always On, STR and Weight Reduced, APs already figured.
Previous Statistics
The Meteor Man of the previous stats is at his prime. Before it, on the other side, he had a much lower degree of power, as they developed. This is Meteor Man… before really becoming Meteor Man.
| Dex: 02 | Str: 07 | Bod: 02 | Motivation: Unwanted Power |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: School Teacher |
| Inf: 02 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 02 | Wealth: 002 |
| Init: 007 | HP: 020 |
Powers:
Density Increase: 03, Extended Hearing: 02, Flight: 02, Invulnerability: 06, Recall: 10, Skin Armor: 03, Speak With Animals: 04, X-Ray Vision: 07
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Density Increase: Always On (-1).
- Recall: Range of Touch (+1), lasts for 3 APs of time (30 seconds) (-1), only on the content of any written/printed info (-1), skills/scholars on written info can be acquired (+2).
- X-Ray Vision: Power Restriction: limited to the first layer of something (clothing but not lingerie, etc.) (-1).
Skills:
Artist (Musician): 04
Advantages:
Area Knowledge: Neighborhood, Pet (dog).
Drawbacks:
Public Identity, SIF (heights), Loss Vulnerability (Powers wear off when the green meteorite exhausts its power, at GM’s discretion, Gradual Loss; Physical Attributes and All Powers).
Design Notes
Does Meteor Man need “Energy Absorption” for his final trick ?
Source of Character: The Meteor Man film.