Prometheus
(Curt Calhoun)
Context
This is the Prometheus who appeared in Blue Beetle in 1986 (soon after the Crisis) and promptly joined the Hybrid.
Yes, it’s reasonable to consider him a Colossus expy .
Since Pteradon is reportedly the sole survivor of the Hybrid, his character profile is the one with all the background data. So you probably should read it first.
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Background
- Real Name: Curt Calhoun.
- Other Aliases: “Cowboy” (nickname from Kord), “the ultimate Hybrid”.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Hybrid.
- Base Of Operations: Dayton Industries properties throughout the world ; later Mobile.
- Height: 6’4” Weight: (originally) 230 lbs.
- Eyes: Glowing red (originally brown) Hair: Metallic black plate (originally blond).
Powers and Abilities
Prometheus is covered in promethium. That grants him greatly enhanced strength and durability.
He can mentally augment his skin temperature to enormous levels at will. If he cannot keep his metallic skin hot enough, though, he may become unable to move.
History
See the Pteradon character profile.
Before his transformation, Curt Calhoun was an employee of Kord Industries. This is the company run by the Blue Beetle (Ted Kord) in his civilian identity. The Texan was the foreman of the metallurgy lab, and according to Kord was highly competent at applied metallurgy – and reputed for that.
In 1986, Calhoun and a friend and employee of Kord, Murray Takamoto, were working on a contracted-out job from Dayton industries.
The research in question was an unspecified bonding operation involving Promethium. This process had so far stymied the scientists at Dayton and STAR. It is likely, ironically enough, that Dayton had this bonding process researched to advance his Hybrid operations.
The metallurgy lab was attacked by Doctor Alchemy. But he was defeated by the Blue Beetle after stealing just a small bit of the mysterious metal, leaving enough for Takamoto and Calhoun to continue their experiments.
Those never panned out. During the big final attempt, the cauldron ruptured and Calhoun sacrificed himself to save Kord from the molten metal.
It is possible than what saved Calhoun was that he was successful in beating the difficulties involved by the bonding process. In any case, *something* allowed the promethium to bond to his body rather than just crush and burn him to death.
Description
See illustration.
Personality
Calhoun has a *thick* Texas accent, and stereotypical Texas mannerisms and diction. That makes it hard to imagine that a man with his physique didn’t play football in college :-). He insisted on calling Ted Kord “sir” (more specifically “Mister Kord sir”).
Calhoun was unusually unassuming about his expertise and deeds. He generally came across as a good, high-spirited, simple guy – and seemed very loyal and dedicated.
Quotes
“Shucks, ah wouldn’t go thet far, mister Kord sir. Ah jest try ta make do with whut little ah have.”
“That’s jest it, mistuh Beetle sir. Ah ain’t Curt Calhoun no more ! Ah’m the creature called Prometheus now — forced tuh obey Mento’s every command !”
“Tarnation ! Ah don’t wanna fight a gal—!”
“But ah never asked t‘be changed —! Ah’ve got friends — a life back in Chicago !”
“Lady, ah shore don’t wanna hurt you none, but I gotta.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Prometheus
| Dex: 06 | Str: 11 | Bod: 12 | Motivation: Unwanted Power |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Agent |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 014 | HP: 030 |
Powers:
Flame being: 10
Bonuses and Limitations:
Flame Being can be Combined with Wrestling (but not Grappling).
Skills:
Scientist: 03
Advantages:
Expertise (Metallurgy). Possibly a Familiarity with Gridiron Football.
Connections:
Hybrid (Low).
Drawbacks:
Attack Vulnerability (Cold-based attacks -2CS RV ; exposure to cold also counts as a Snare attack with an AV/EV equal to the APs of cold), Distinct Appearance.
Source of Character: DC Universe.