Stark

Background

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Powers and Abilities

Stark is a criminal legend. He’s a master thief and stone cold killer with great intelligence, superb professionalism and nerves of steel.

History

Stark was raised by the state. He doesn’t know his real name, and never gave his official one. After a hard childhood, he joined the Army. At first he was in the Signal Corps, but with his capabilities he quickly graduated to the Special Forces. There he learned two things to perfection – how to plan under pressure, and how to kill.

Returning to civilian life, Stark became a professional and heister in Gotham. He quickly achieved the status of local legend during the pre-Batman years. Nevertheless, local criminal Tony “the Toucan” Tudeska tried to double-cross him. Stark located him while he was with a prostitute, and gunned him down.

As he chatted with the prostitute, one Selina Kyle, they discovered a strong, mutual attraction. They became lovers, and Selina became his partner. He trained her, and taught her what he knew about thievery, a clear head, planning and killing.

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However, after a particularly spectacular diamond heist, Selina double-crossed him. She wasn’t there with the getaway car, but Catwoman grabbed the bag out of Stark’s hands with her whip and ran.

It is not clear if Stark recognised Selina. But it’s probable, since he just stared at her and didn’t shoot. The reasons for Selina’s betrayal weren’t given.

Stark managed to flee, but Gotham became too hot for him. He started moving and working around, achieving a national reputation. Eventually he came to Miami – he was getting old after all, and the place was good for fixing deals. as he lived there, he avoided working in Miami.

The cat came back

Years later, Selina contacted Stark for a daring, impossible-seeming $24M heist. For old times’ sake and for his own reasons, Stark chose to go along. He did most of the groundwork and assembled the tools and the team, letting Selina come up with the plan.

The plan worked almost perfectly. But as they were recovering the money, they were ambushed by one Laperier, who had second-guessed them. He killed everyone but Selina and Stark. The pair outmanoeuvred Laperier, but at the critical moment Stark’s gun jammed. Laperier fatally shot him, point-blank. The dying Stark grabbed Laperier’s gun and shot him dead.

Despite all of her tough, manipulative attitude Selina was devastated by Stark’s death. As she held him as he passed away, Stark had a flashback of his mother calling him Jimmy. He told Selina that his real name was James, then died.

Description

See illo.

Personality

Stark is the coldest, strongest man Selina met before Batman. She compared him to living granite, and admired that he was totally amoral. He has a strong Lee Marvin  vibe. As Selina makes an Angie Dickinson  joke at one point, Stark may be based on Lee Marvin in the original Point Blank movie (1967).

Stark is all about planning and being highly prepared. He has an astounding network of contacts who will pass him info, hardware, services, etc.. He never slips, and never forget, and always know what is going on, and always do his homework. Stark is a cold, hard, unfeasible master from heist movies, miles above common crooks.

He has a virile way to act and speak – an old school he-man who naturally commands respect, although he’s classy about it. Ms. Kyle tends to go for this kind of bloke.

He is no longer after money – he already lives a lavish lifestyle. However, the only time when he feels at peace is when he’s on a job. Hence his Thrill DC Heroes motivation.

Since he’s so old school (and in his 50s), Stark is not much of a new technologies person. He’ll leave tech and computer stuff to his associates.

Quotes

Selina : “I’m staying at the Fontainebleau. But you probably knew that.”
Stark : “Yes. I just wanted to see if you still were a lying tramp.”

By Sébastien Andrivet.

Source of Character: Selina’s Big Score (DCU).