Rainbow Boy
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 some notes about a character who’s C-list event among that roster.
Background
- Real Name: Jack Walton.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base Of Operations: Unrevealed.
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Powers and Abilities
All of Rainbow Boy’s powers are based on his ability to summon and control rainbows.
These rainbows, however, are curiously colored. Instead of being ROYGBIV, they have bands of the following colors : pink, purple, light blue, yellow and orange OR pink, purple, light blue, green, and yellow. Every rainbow he summons seems to be “attached” to his back.
History
Rainbow Boy was actually Jack Walton. He was a member of a group of “Whiz Kids” who worked at a radio station. Rainbow Boy fights crime and espionage by creating and controlling rainbows.
In Heroic Comics #19, he teams-up with Hydroman to defend the planet against an alien invasion. He foils the invasion by showing the alien ruler just how savage the Allies’ own enemies are. The alien ruler decides that he doesn’t want to fight anyone whose enemies are so cruel.
In fact, he offers to put his armies at Rainbow Boy’s disposal ! But Rainbow Boy refuses, stating that, “The United Nations are certain to be victorious !”
Rainbow Boy appeared in issues 14-20 of Heroic Comics. He returned for one special story in issue no.25 — another team-up with Hydroman !
Description
He wears a shiny white long-sleeved leotard with “rainbow” bands around his wrists. On his chest is a “rainbow” symbol. He wears shiny white tights, red briefs, and red boots. His belt is black, with a round buckle on which is the letter R.
He wears a red mask that covers his face much in the same way as the finned Golden Atom costume. In fact, this mask also has a “rainbow” for a fin. The actual coloring of these “rainbows” is as described above.
Personality
He seems to be a fairly bland superhero.
Quotes
“It might interest you to know that I can travel with the speed of light !”
DC Universe History
He could easily fit in the overcrowded DC Golden Age.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Rainbow Boy
| Dex: 05 | Str: 02 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Upholding the Good |
| Int: 06 | Wil: 05 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Whiz Kid |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 003 |
| Init: 016 | HP: 035 |
Powers:
Flight: 29, Two-Dimensional: 02, Force Manipulation: 11, Flash: 08, Thermal Vision: 10, Air Control: 11
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Flight always leaves a rainbow trail behind.
- Flight requires the presence of light in order to be used.
- Force Manipulation may only be used to create solid rainbows (which can only have BODY and/or STR).
- Two-Dimensional represents his ability to ride on a rainbow and travel anywhere that the rainbow can go. For example, he flew through the barred window of Hydro-Man’s cell.
- Flash, of course, represents his ability to blind people with a rainbow.
- Air Control represents his ability to fly around in circles and produce various wind-related effects, such as creating a waterspout over the ocean.
Skills:
Charisma (Persuasion): 08, Gadgetry: 05
Drawbacks:
Age (Young), Secret Identity.
Equipment:
Solar Reservoir [BODY 04, Flash: 01, Energy Absorption: 12, Limit: Energy Absorption only works on solar energy].
This device’s only purpose is to store up solar light during the day, which Rainbow Boy can then use to power his flight power. It looks like a metal disc strapped to his chest.
Source of Character: Golden Age comics published by the Eastern Color Printing Company.