Invisible Boy
Context
Mystery Men was a 1999 super-hero comedy, depicting a non-team of lamentable would-be heroes attempting to rise to greater heights. It had it’s-okay-but-a-bit-chaotic movie critics, bombed commercially, and was considered awesome by many who wanted to see a super-hero comedy.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: “Dad” (unnamed father).
- Group Affiliation: Mystery Men.
- Base Of Operations: Champion City.
- Height: 5’ 11” Weight: 155lb. Age: Teens?
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black, dyed blond
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Powers and Abilities
The Invisible Boy developed the power to become invisible after years of being ignored. There’s just one minor glitch: he can only be invisible when absolutely no one is watching him do it… not even himself. If anyone looks at him while he’s invisible, he loses the power.
An apparent side-power that was probably a surprise even to him is that Invisible Boy actually seems to become entirely unreal for a brief instant while fading away. While using his power during the attack on Casanova’s mansion, his clothes did not become invisible, but fell off his body as he faded away.
History
According to his own version of events, years of being ignored allowed the youth known as Invisible Boy to develop the power of invisibility. When the Mystery Men needed to strengthen their line-up, he was one of the first recruits.
Invisible Boy was recruited by Shoveler, Mr Furious, and the Blue Raja to help them take on Casanova Frankenstein. They almost decided not to take him along when he revealed that he could only be invisible when absolutely NO ONE was watching him, but he persuaded them with the strength of his dream.
The Invisible Boy proved his worth and his power when Casanova retreated to the Disco Room, protected by a laser defense system that would fry anyone who approached. Invisible Boy, calling for everyone to turn away, went invisible and simply walked up to the machine and turned it off, allowing the Mystery Men to continue the pursuit, and eventually to bring Casanova to ground.
Casanova was killed when Mr. Furious hurled him into the energy stream of the psychofrakulator.
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Description
Invisible Boy’s costumes (in both incarnations) are fairly haphazard things, with a “thrown-together” feel… But the first one is undoubtedly a lot more improvised than the one he created with the Sphinx’s help.
The Invisible Boy was played by Kel Mitchell.
Personality
The Invisible Boy is a personable kid who has a dream. He wants to be a super-hero, possibly to make up for his years of being ignored by everybody. He is willing to give it his every effort, supporting the team 110%, even if his own power doesn’t suffice to help the situation.
He has a ton of guts, facing up to danger and hostile fire with little or no doubt or fear, even though he’s little more than a normal person.
Quotes
Shoveler: “We’re looking for the one they call the Invisible Boy.”
Invisible Boy: “Oh, wow… All my life I’ve been ignored by people. Finally, after years of being overlooked… I found I had the power to disappear. It’s real ironic how it happened, see…”
Furious: (interrupting) “’Scuse me… sorry, can we come in ?”
Invisible Boy: “Oh. Sure.” (to Dad) “Dad, I’m goin’ to my room with three strange men.”
(Dad says nothing)
Invisible Boy: “I DID it ! I’m really invisible ! Can you see me ?”
Rest of Mystery Men (turning around and seeing he’s naked): “YES.”
Blue Raja: “Two hands, there, lad.”
(Invisible Boy covers himself with his hands)
Bowler: “Maybe you should put some shorts on… or something,… if you want to keep fighting evil today.”
DC Universe History
The Mystery Men (in the movie) are definitely part spoof and part homage to the “mystery men” of early comics history. As such they can be inserted dang near anyplace, but the feel of their movie is slightly skewed… They don’t feel very Golden Age , and don’t fit the humor genre.
But as low-level supers in a street-level campaign they actually might work, as long as they aren’t overpowering their foes. Their main bad guy ought always to be one who is on the surface more than they can handle.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Invisible Boy
A 181 Point Character
| Dex: 03 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Thrill of Adventure |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Student |
| Inf: 02 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 002 |
| Init: 008 | HP: 020 |
Powers:
Invisibility: 08, Dispersal: 03
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Invisibility: Apparently does not affect items carried (-1).
- Dispersal: Contingent to Invisibility (-1), First phase of being Invisible Only (-1).
Skills:
Acrobatics (Dodging): 03, Charisma (Persuasion): 04, Thief (Stealth): 04
Advantages:
Headquarters (Confined, his room), Familiarity (Superheroes).
Connections:
Mystery Men (High), Superhuman Community (Low).
Drawbacks:
Age (Young), SIA toward Superheroes, Loss Vulnerability (No Intrinsic Range – All Powers, If Anybody (i.e., any PERSON) is Watching Him. Apparently Invisible Boy must be Aware that they are looking).
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Invisible Boy — Averaged PL 3.2
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 02 | 02 | 00 | 01 | 01 | 00 | 00 |
Powers
Vanish ● 14 points (Action (Move)) ● Descriptor: Reality Alteration
– Concealment 4 (Visual), Limited 2 (only when no person is watching, including himself), Limited (does not affect carried or worn items)
– Insubstantial 4, Limited (only while invisible), Limited (only first round of invisibility)
Combat Advantages
Evasion, Improved Defense.
Other Advantages
Well-Informed.
Skills
Athletics 2 (+2), Close Combat: Unarmed 1 (+2), Expertise: Superheroes 4 (+4), Insight 2 (+2), Perception 3 (+3), Persuasion 3 (+3), Stealth 4 (+6)
Offense
| Initiative +0 |
| Unarmed +2, Close, Damage 0 |
Defense
| Dodge | 4 | Fortitude | 5 |
| Parry | 4 | Toughness | 2 |
| Will | 3 |
* Without Defensive Roll
Complications
- Thrills Invisible Boy aspires to be a superhero like his idols.
- Obsession Invisible Boy’s interest in, and knowledge of, superheroes borders on the worshipful.
- Youth He’s a teenanger, with little legal or social freedom of his own.
- Invisible Invisible Boy is so nondescript in ordinary life he is regularly ignored by others. In a situation where Invisible Boy tries to gain the notice of others, most characters should be treated as unfriendly. Characters who are generally empathetic are not affected by this Complication.
Power levels
- Trade-off areas Attack/Effect PL 1, Dodge/Toughness PL 3, Parry/Toughness PL 3, Fort/Will PL 5.
- Point total 50. Abilities 12, Defences 11, Skills 10, Powers 14, Devices 0, Advantages 3. Equiv. PL 4.
Notes
The limitation on his Insubstantial is surmised. It’s possible he may be not only invisible but intangible, or that he may able to switch this effect on or off at will, but it’s not established in the movie. Given the Invisible Boy’s lack of opportunity to experiment with his powers, it’s possible even he doesn’t know.
Helper(s): Dr. Peter S. Piispanen, Roy Cowan, internationalhero.co.uk for thumbnail history and Illo, Original Mystery Men script .
Source of Character: Mystery Men (film).