Music Master
(John Wallace)
Context
The Eastern Color Printing company once printed large comics runs. From the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s they also published their own fare, in a variety of genres.
Their Golden Age super-heroes fare is a good example of lesser-known, less influential 1940s material. Here are notes about a character who’s C-list event among that roster.
Background
- Real Name: John Wallace.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base Of Operations: Unrevealed.
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Powers and Abilities
When using his Flight power, his lower body turns into music.
When using his Force Manipulation power, he may only materialize solid musical notes or solid sheets with musical notes written on the sheets. These sheets may be used as (for example) a sword or a ladder (with the notes as rungs). One may also be used to lift and throw an object, for example, or to wind around a building or group of enemies.
Apparently, only the music of musical instruments counts. He seems unable to solidify music from a singing voice (or at least he never thinks to try to do so).
History
Created by Ben Thompson, The Music Master has a power which could only work in comics… Having acquired the “musical pipes of death,” John Wallace, a violinist, learned the ancient secrets which gave him the ability to fly through the air on musical notes. He was also able to pluck notes out of the air and use them as weapons and tools.
The Music Master was later given a “hep” sidekick named “Downbeat.” Yes, you will root for his death (a well-deserved fate which, sadly, never materializes).
The Music Master appeared in Heroic Comics 12-26, with his origin presented in his first tale. Downbeat was introduced in a special second story in Heroic Comics no.15.
Description
Music Master dresses like a concert violinist – in a tuxedo.
Downbeat, on the other hand, looks stupid. Downbeat wears a white tuxedo shirt, a red tuxedo jacket, red shorts, a green bow-tie, green socks, and blue shoes, not to mention his large, thick, round glasses.
Music Master has stylish black hair, while Downbeat has weird pale blue hair with poofs out in the front.
Personality
I could determine no unique personality traits. He’s a bland, generic hero.
Quotes
“You’ll be flat if you don’t keep quiet !”
DC Universe History
He could easily fit in DC’s overcrowded Golden Age. I could easily see him teaming up with “Swing” Sisson, a Quality Comics backup character who was an adventuring clarinet-player in the one issue of Feature Comics (featuring Doll Man !) that I own.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
The Music Master
| Dex: 06 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Upholding the Good |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 05 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Violinist |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 006 |
| Init: 018 | HP: 035 |
Powers:
Flight: 07, Force Manipulation: 12
Bonuses and Limitations:
Flight and Force Manipulation can only be used in the presence of musical notes.
Skills:
Artist (musician): 06, Martial Artist*: 06, Weaponry*: 06
Advantages:
Sidekick (Downbeat).
Downbeat
“I just skipped a beat, but now I’m back in the groove !”
| Dex: 05 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 |
| Inf: 02 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 04 |
| Init: 013 | HP: 005 |
Skills:
Martial Artist*: 05, Weaponry*: 05
Drawbacks:
CIA: Being annoyingly “hep”, MPR: glasses, Age (young).
Source of Character: Golden Age comics published by the Eastern Color Printing Company.
Helper(s): Prescription For Excitement at http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/hartford/103/6intro2.html.