
Shrike
(Boone)
Context
Shrike (Boone) is an enemy of DC Comics’ Nightwing. He appeared in 2001 (though he had a preview sourcebook entry in 1999).
Shrike is a martial artist/ninja type. He operates above the level of most of Nightwing’s rogue gallery, and can challenge our hero to an extent.
This old profile was done before Blockbuster’s death, and needs a revision.
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Background
- Real Name: Boone (it might be his first or last name).
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Former student of Shrike II.
- Base Of Operations: Blüdhaven.
- Height: 5’11” Weight: 181 lbs.
- Eyes: Dark brown. Hair: Blond
Powers and Abilities
Boone is an excellent martial artist and weapons master. He has proven to be noticeably better than Lady Vic (although she remains a dangerous opponent for him). But although he can threaten Nightwing he’s not on his level.
Shrike carries a small arsenal on his person. He has a pair of special tonfa (with pop-out blades), three swords in scabbards slung across his back, and some smaller weapons.
He’s also a surprisingly good acrobat. He once did a somersault while both his feet and hands were bound, in such a way as to have the manacles around his ankles shattered by an incoming shot. In DC Heroes terms, this one likely required Hero Points .
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History
Boone first met Dick Grayson when Grayson was using the alias “Freddy”. Grayson was back then completing his training as Robin. As such he infiltrated a clandestine dojo where a criminal martial arts master, Shrike II, was training youths to become assassins and ninja.
As trainees, “Freddy” and Boone became friends. But this friendship was based on deception and collapsed when Robin took down the Shrike and his dojo.
The young Boone fled. He travelled alone throughout the Pacific rim, learning from various teachers – often disreputable ones. He came to master a wide array of martial arts, and was even tutored by several former members of the League of Assassins.
Back in the US of A
He eventually became well-known in various areas of the Asian and ex-Soviet underworlds. He was the contract killer who never failed a hit. Boone took up the name and costume of his former mentor, becoming the new Shrike.
His rep established, the Shrike came back to America. Thus he came to work for Blockbuster in Blüdhaven.
Blockbuster was quite wary about mercenaries, due to bad experiences with some of his hired retainers. So he pitted Shrike against his previous mercs. Shrike easily and nearly simultaneously defeated Stallion, Thrill Devil, Brutale and the Electrocutioner – although he was then nearly defeated by Lady Vic.
Blüdhaven
Having proved his worth, Shrike learned the name of his target – Nightwing, the former Robin. Quite happy at the idea of at last avenging Shrike II, Shrike IV managed to capture Nightwing. However, his opponent escaped and defeated him.
For a time, Shrike thought that he had discovered Nightwing’s secret identity – but it was actually a red herring arranged by Oracle.
Shrike was sent in prison. There he spent most of his time in solitary with both wrists and ankles cuffed, as he was too dangerous. However, when Torque and Nite-Wing triggered a prison riot and a fire to escape, the agile Boone managed to flee.
He came back when Blockbuster started destroying Dick Grayson’s life. Boone thus could simply wait for Grayson to show up at Blockbuster’s house. Shrike craved a final duel where he would kill Grayson.
Nightwing, however, was enraged and basically unstoppable. He pretty much ignored Shrike’s attempts at hitting him while looking for Blockbuster. Nightwing then brutally overpowered Boone when it became obvious Blockbuster wasn’t around.
Description
See illustration.
Personality
Boone is a mean, confident (even cocksure) killer and martial artist. Years of success as a badass fighter and scary assassin have given him the impression he’s a super master of blades and death as well as a great sensei. And that would be true if uber-martial artists like Nightwing (or worse) didn’t exist.
He comes across as something of a bully or street gang leader.
Quotes
“Is that the best you can do ?”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Shrike
Dex: 07 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Mercenary |
Int: 05 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Mercenary |
Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
Init: 020 | HP: 030 |
Skills:
Acrobatics (Athletics, climbing): 08, Martial artist*: 07, Thief (Stealth)*: 07, Weaponry (Melee, thrown): 08
Advantages:
Lightning reflexes, Schtick (Paired tonfa, Disarmer (Weaponry (Melee)).
Connections:
Underworld (Low).
Drawbacks:
MIH of Nightwing.
Equipment:
- Switchblade tonfa (x2) [BODY 06, EV 03 (05 w/STR, 08 w/Martial artist), /STR/ 05, Limitation : /STR/ only in Grappling combat, Note : when Blocking melee weapons with a tonfa, the weapon is considered to have the size of a shield (-1 AP to OV/RV for the Block). Those are ordinary-looking tonfa that can pop out large blades at the short end].
- Daijitte [BODY 07, EV 04 (05 w/STR, 08 w/Martial artist), Note : when Blocking melee and thrown weapons with the daijitte, the weapon is considered to have the size of a shield (-1 AP to OV/RV for the Block). This presumably fictional weapon looks like a katana-sized jitte].
- Katana [BODY 12, EV 05 (08 w/Martial artist), Sharpness (EV): 01, Note : A Muramosa-forged blade].
- Chinese broadsword [BODY 08, EV 04 (05 w/STR, 08 w/Martial Artist)].
- Shuriken (x9) [BODY 04, EV 02, Thrown, Dart Bonus].
Shrike’s ninja goons
Like Shrike II before him, Shrike IV teaches a group of youth in ninjutsu. Those guys are just somewhat dim (but trained in the martial arts) street toughs in a costume and sporting ninja weapons, though.
Generally speaking, Shrike prefers to operate alone, and only occasionally requires the services of his trainees.
Dex: 03 | Str: 03 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Mercenary |
Int: 02 | Wil: 02 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Ninja |
Inf: 02 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 02 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
Init: 009 | HP: 010 |
Skills:
Martial artist: 04, Weaponry (ninja stuff): 04
Equipment:
- Random melee weapon [BODY 04, EV 04 (05 w/Martial artist)]…
- … or a chain weapon [BODY 05, Extra limb: 04].
- The occasional shuriken (x3) [BODY 02, EV 02, Thrown].
Source of Character: Nightwing (DCU).