Planet Master
(Strike Force Kobra)
Context
This obscure character has but one meaningful appearance.
So it’s not going to be a long writeup. But if you’re looking for a nobody to develop, and/or to add manpower to a villainous team, well he’s there.
Sequence
This profile could be read after the character profile for the original Planet-Master. To get the reference.
You can also decide to first read the Strike Force Kobra team profile, for a bit more context.
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How much for just the hyphen ?
I had originally referenced him as “Planet-Master II”. Since we don’t know his name, a Roman numeral is needed.
But looking at the Who’s Who Update ’87, that’s not correct. He’s Planet Master, *without a hyphen*. Unlike in the story.
So no “II”. Since that’s not technically the same name as Planet-Master.
How… fiddly.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 5’10” (1.78m). Weight: 170 lbs. (77 Kg.).
- Eyes: Unrevealed. Hair: Unrevealed.
Powers & Abilities
Like his colleagues, Planet Master has at least basic field training. He also seemed to have a scientific background.
He *might* have intrinsic thermal powers. Given his predecessor, we’re going to assume that these instead come from his costume. But it’s flimsy.
Beyond the ecliptic
His costume can project conditions resembling those found on planets of the Sol system. What was demonstrated :
- The heat of Mercury. Heat beams and possibly a heat aura.
- The cold of Pluto. Cold beams.
- Combining both beams produced a jet of water. Which I’d imagine stands for Earth.
That’s it. It’s possible it’s just a thermal manipulation costume, and the planets thing is mere theming. It’s all marketing by Big Planet, mate.
If not, he could have other abilities. Off the top of me head :
- Sulfuric acid clouds from Venus.
- Manipulating earth to create a hill, looking like Mars’ Olympus Mons (but much smaller).
- Windstorms like the mega-cyclones on Jupiter.
- Projectiles-intercepting point defence drones, evoking the satellites of Saturn.
- Magnetic powers evoking Neptune’s odd magnetic properties.
Our game stats assume that his costume’s fishbowl helmet provides life support.
History
In 1987, Kobra (Jeffrey Burr) deployed his Strike Force Kobra against Batman and the Outsiders.
The schtick was that they were mostly based on forgotten, sci-fi Batman villains from the early Silver AgeSuper-hero comics from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Planet Master’s costume was thus patterned after the least bad outfit of Planet-Master (Professor Norbet).
(Planet Master (no hyphen) is seen post-Crisis. So that means that Planet-Master (hyphen) did exist on New Earth. Though the story likely didn’t take place in the same way).
Planet Master may have been the field leader when Kobra wasn’t around.
The time to strike
The Strike Force attacked the Stagg laboratories to empower their newest recruit. They easily handled the security.
The Strikeforce had a tougher time handling the Outsiders. But Planet Master in particular didn’t perform badly.
Infinite Crisis
Planet Master was also glimpsed during the 2006 Infinite Crisis. Fifth issue, on the first splash page he’s between the Tally-Man and the Electrocutioner. And in front of Cyborgirl.
His (former ?) colleagues Spectrumonster and Zebra-Man were also nearby.
They may have been Society members. Or, more likely, there were among the random super-villains that the Society freed from prison as cannon fodder.
Adνеrtisеmеnt
Description
I assume that his costume has gloves. But it’s inconsistent in the material.
Personality
A devoted Kobra cultist. He seems resourceful, disciplined and professional.
Quotes
“The area is secure for your arrival, my lord Kobra.”
DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Planet-Master II
| Dex: 04 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 |
| Init: 012 | HP: 025 |
Skills:
Accuracy (COSTUME blasts): 06, Scientist: 03
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Kobra (Low).
Drawbacks:
SIA toward Serving Kobra.
Motivation:
Uphold Kobra.
Occupation:
Cultist.
Wealth:
003
Equipment:
COSTUME [BODY 06, Flame project: 08, Ice production: 07, Sealed systems: 07, Water blast: 06, Limitation: Ice production only for cold attacks].
Design notes
If there are additional Powers, they likely have about 6 APs.
Flame being: 05 or so is also a possibility, given the art.
Captain Planet would totally take him.
Source of Character: Chiefly Outsiders Vol. 1 #21-22.
Writeup completed on the 7th of May, 2020.