Skrullian Skymaster aka Skymax
Context
Marvel’s Squadron Supreme is a “reflection” of DC’s Justice League (of) America. Sometimes they’re used for little tongue-in-cheek allusions, sometimes they’re used for a big landmark saga about what super-heroes would mean for mankind.
And thus, the Skrullian Skymaster is simply the Martian Manhunter expy . He’s not as central and powerful as his DCU inspiration, though.
Background
- Real Name: Sk’ym’x aka Skymax.
- Other Aliases: The Skrull, The Skrullian Skymaster, James Doe.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: The Squadron Supreme.
- Base Of Operations: Jonesville, Sylvania, Earth-S.
- Height: 5’11” Weight: 210 lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Black
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Powers & Abilities
Originally, Skymax only exhibited the powers of shape-changing, as are innate to all members of his alien race.
After the revelation that he was a member of the Skrull’s “super-Skrull” program, Skymax demonstrated the ability to:
- Elongate any part of his body.
- Emit and control flames.
- Use his control over flame to fly.
- Become invisible.
- Form invisible force fields.
- Deploy superhuman strength.
- Transform his skin into a rocky hide/body armor.
History
The alien Skymax is a native of the Earth-S dimension . Therein, the organization of the superhuman champions known as the Squadron Supreme arose.
Skymax was a member of this dimension’s race of Skrulls. For millennia, his people fought a seemingly endless war with the Kree of Earth-S. Equally matched, neither could achieve victory over the other.
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In a desperate attempt to end the centuries of conflict, the Skrulls conceived the means to imbue their solders with extraordinary powers. They created a race of “super-Skrulls” to at last vanquish the Kree.
Skymax was chosen to be the program’s first test. But soon after, the Skrull homeworld was destroyed by their dimension’s version of Galactus. Most were annihilated, and the rest were scattered amongst the stars.
Survivor
Skymax traveled in a starship to search the universe for survivors of his race. As he neared Earth, his craft became disabled. Joe Ledger, a NASA astronaut, encountered the Skrull vessel and rescued Skymax, bringing him back to Earth. Skymax told Ledger his story, and presented Ledger with a crystal (the “Power Prism”) out of gratitude.
Using the power prism, which granted him great powers, Ledger became the masked champion known as Doctor Spectrum. Both Skymax (calling himself “The Skrull”) and Doctor Spectrum became highly successful crimefighters. Eventually, the two became founding members of the Squadron Supreme.
During his time on Earth, Skymax developed the alternate identity of James Doe and found work as a librarian.
Skymax participated in only a few of the Squadron’s early activities. Still consumed with finding others of his race, he continued searching. When the Squadron recruited the hero Tom Thumb, Tom helped Skymax repair his spacecraft. Skymax attempted to return to outer space, taking leave of the Squadron.
In reality, Skymax remained marooned on Earth. Resigning himself to being the last of his kind, Skymax resumed his James Doe identity unknown to the Squadron. He remained undercover during the Squadron’s Utopia program.
Utopia lost
After the failure of the Utopia Program, the Squadron battled the mysterious Nth Man. This resulted in an exile to another reality. The team returned home years later to find their world completely different than they had left it.
The people of Earth-S had grown weary of the constant natural, political, and social upheavals that had plagued the world in recent years. Many of these crises had been a result of the Squadron’s actions. Instead, they elected leaders into a Global Directorate with far-reaching and invasive political powers.
The enigmatic Mysterium implored the Squadron to fix what had begun by their Utopia efforts, charging them with re-forming the founding members of their team.
Doctor Spectrum discovered Skymax and convinced him to take a more active role in protecting his adopted home. The new Squadron believed Master Menace to be behind the tyrannical regime, but found him to be a pawn of the Global Directorate.
The Squadron rescued Menace and returned him to their new headquarters on Utopia Isle, which had been abandoned by the Power Princess’ people. The team dedicated themselves to their new role: freedom fighters and champions of the oppressed.
Description
Skymax is a muscular Skrull of average height.
He wears a purple costume, high-collared cape, gloves, skull-cap, and, of course, them floppy boots. All hail them floppy boots.
Personality
Cool and detached, Skymax observes human interaction, but rarely lets himself get too emotionally involved.
He does, however, have a temper that can run hot when it gets out of control. But this happens rarely.
DC Universe History
See other Squadron Supreme profiles for ideas regarding including the entire team in the DC Universe. As he is the Squadron’s version of the Martian Manhunter, simply replace J’Onn with Skymax, although this is a bit redundant.
From John Colagioia: “Actually, with J’Onn’s continuity such as it is, these days, he could just as easily be another Martian. Or change his color and make him a Saturnian. Mars is the Post-Crisis Krypton, apparently—there were only about five or six guys who *actually* died…”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
The Skrullian Skymaster
| Dex: 06 | Str: 08 | Bod: 10 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 07 | Wil: 06 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Former Space Explorer, Adventurer, Librarian |
| Inf: 06 | Aur: 06 | Spi: 06 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
| Init: 021 | HP: 060 |
Powers:
Chameleon: 09, Flame Being: 07, Flame Control: 10, Flame Project: 12, Flight: 07, Force Field: 10, Hypnotism: 07, Invisibility: 08, Invulnerability: 06, Omni-Arm: 06, Power Reserve: 05, Sealed Systems: 20, Self-Manipulation: 08, Shape Change: 12, Skin Armor: 02, Stretching: 08
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Partial Flame Being is possible.
- Self-Manipulation can only be used to turn into non-functional gadgets or inanimate objects.
- Power Reserve is only usable with Flame Control, Flame Project, Flight, STR and Stretching.
- Usage of any powers gives Skymax features similar to those of any Fantastic Four member whose power he is using, for example: thick rocky hide upon using the Thing’s STR. Flame Being and Flame project are blue, and use of the “Thing-like” STR causes the affected limbs to appear to be made of rock.
Skills:
Artist (Actor): 06, Martial Arts: 06, Military Science: 06, Thief: 06, Vehicles (Space): 06, Weaponry: 05
Advantages:
Iron Nerves, Lightning Reflexes (only while Power Reserve is in use), Scholar (Astronavigation), Slowed Aging.
Connections:
Squadron Supreme (Low) ; Dr. Spectrum (High).
Drawbacks:
Creepy Appearance.
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Skymax — Averaged PL 16.4
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 | 10 | 02 | 04 | 06 | 03 | 03 | 02 |
Powers
Shapechanger ● 29 points ● Descriptor: Physiological
Morph 4, Elongation 9.
Hypnotism ● 28 points ● Descriptor: Mental
Mind Control 7.
Super-Skrull program enhancements ● 128 points ● Descriptor: Mutate
– Enhanced Advantage (Improved Initiative).
– Impervious Toughness 10; Protection 2, Impervious 1, Limited (physical impacts).
– Immunity 8 (need to breathe, hunger and thirst, all environments).
– Flight 5.
– Force Fields — Create 18, Limited (simple geometric shapes), Stationary, Subtle 2.
– Invisibility — Concealment 4 (Visual).
– Flame Being — Damage 6, Reaction, Precise; Impervious Protection 6, Limited 2 to heat/flame, Sustained; Enhanced Fortitude 6, Limited 2 to heat/flame, Sustained.
– Power Reserve — Array
- Flame Project — Ranged Damage 15 ● Dynamic.
- Flame Control — Ranged Damage 14, Indirect 4, Limited (requires source of flame) ● Dynamic.
- Extinguish Flames — Nullify Fire 14 ● Dynamic.
- Afterburner — Enhanced Flight 5 ● Dynamic.
- Rocky Limbs — Enhanced Strength 5; Enhanced Strength 2, Limited to lifting ● Dynamic.
- Stretching — Enhanced Elongation 5; Insubstantial 1 ● Dynamic.
Combat Advantages
Close Attack 4, Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Ranged Attack 4, Uncanny Dodge.
Other Advantages
Fearless.
Skills
Deception 7 (+9), Expertise (Astronavigation) 10 (+13), Expertise (Military) 9 (+12), Insight 5, Perception 6, Persuasion 4 (+6), Ranged Attack (Fire powers) 12 (+20), Sleight of Hand +7 (+11), Stealth 9 (+11), Technology 8 (+11) (Limited to demolition and security only), Vehicles 7 (+11) (Limited 2 to space vehicles).
Offense
| Initiative +6 |
| Unarmed +10, Close, Damage 13 |
| Flame Project +20, Ranged, Damage 12 |
Defense
| Dodge | 10 | Fortitude | 12 |
| Parry | 10 | Toughness | 13*/11 |
| Will | 10 |
* Against physical impacts
Complications
- Responsibility of Power The Skrullian Skymaster has adopted Earth as his new planet and seeks to defend and improve it.
- Creepy Appearance His natural form is clearly inhuman. Strangers may react with indifference or hostility to his overtures.
Power levels
- Trade-off areas Attack/Effect PL 16, Dodge/Toughness PL 11, Parry/Toughness PL 11, Fort/Will PL 11.
- Point total 331. Abilities 76, Defences 21, Skills 38, Powers 185, Devices 00, Advantages 11. Equiv. PL 23.
Source of Character: Squadron Supreme Limited Series, Squadron Supreme: New World Order.
Helper(s): The Angel, Roy Cowan, Vinnie, Morgan Champion, Jackson, John Colagioia, Dave Johnston, Dale Glaser, The Unofficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe (history, and Powers & Abilities sections), Dan. DCA stats by Pawsplay.