Stingray
(Walter Newell)
Context
Stingray is a C-list Marvel character, who first appeared in 1969. As one of Marvel’s maritime characters he chiefly appeared in Namor’s adventures, but from there he developed significant ties with the Avengers.
These are older technical notes, not a full character profiles. In fact I’m almost positive that these were originally an exercise in game stats conversion from the old TSR Marvel Super-Heroes RPG . So these presumably date back to the 1990s.
Background
- Real Name: Walter Newell.
- Marital Status: Married.
- Known Relatives: Diane Arliss Newell (wife), Todd Arliss (Tiger Shark, brother-in-law).
- Group Affiliation: Honorary member of the Avengers.
- Base Of Operations: New York City.
- Height: 6’3” Weight: 200lbs.
- Eyes: Hazel Hair: Brown
Advertisement
Powers and Abilities
Newell is :
- A fair hand-to-hand combatant.
- A highly experienced oceanographer.
- A skilled inventor of experimental oceanographic equipment.
His main piece of equipment is the Stingray suit. This is an armoured exoskeleton made of super hard artificial cartilage. It is designed mainly for underwater use, and is thus equipped with oxygen-diffusing systems providing breathable air almost indefinitely). This unusual power armour :
- Greatly enhances strength (“Class 25” or so).
- Can flight/glide for short distances.
- Can shoot bolts of electricity from the hands (underwater. Oh, well).
History
Marine biologist Walter Newell was drawn in the world of super-heroes by various chance encounters with Prince Namor. However, he was originally just a scientist.
Advertisement
Newell became Stingray when the US government requested his aid in investigating strange disturbances in the ocean. They suspected Namor was the cause, and Newell’s skills in oceanography and his friendship with Namor were invaluable.
Needing to move fast, and fearing he would have to apprehend Namor, Newell built a suit based on the physiology of the manta ray . It gave him amazing strength and manoeuvrability underwater. The case was solved, and Newell found that the suit was invaluable for deep-water exploration, and the occasional alliance with Namor.
Hydro-Base
Later, Newell took over Hydro-Base, a floating island in the Atlantic Ocean, after the insane Doctor Hydro was captured. He married Diane Arliss (sister of the villainous Tiger Shark) during this time. The Newells paid for upkeep by leasing Hydro-base to the Avengers as a mobile hangar for their Quinjets.
This neat arrangement ended when a group of robots under the control of Dr. Doom sank the island during one of Loki’s Acts of Vengeance .
Description
Newell is just an ordinary, albeit tall, guy.
The Stingray diving suit is red and silver, with great red “wings”. It covers him from head to toe and is completely opaque.
Personality
Walter Newell is an expert oceanographer and biologist. His life’s work is to adapt human beings to undersea life. He’s no superhero, but his work for the government and his respect for the like of Namor and the Avengers make him willing to strike blows against injustice.
Still, despite these occasional aspirations, he’s a calm, reasonable researcher. He much prefers to study oceanography to fighting otherworldly invasion forces.
DC Universe History
Stingray adventures’ would have simply happened alongside Aquaman and the JLA instead of Namor and the Avengers.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Stingray
| Dex: 03 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Scientist |
| Int: 07 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Oceanographer |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 007 |
| Init: 013 | HP: 040 |
Skills:
Gadgetry (undersea): 06, Scientist: 06, Vehicles (air, water): 04
Advantages:
Scholar (oceanography, marine biology), Stroke of Genius (Stingray suit).
Connections:
Namor (Low), Avengers (Low).
Drawbacks:
Married, Public ID.
Equipment:
STINGRAY SUIT [/STR/ 10, /BODY/ 08, Cold immunity: 05, Energy absorption (electricity): 05, Flame immunity: 04, Gliding: 02, Invulnerability: 04, Lightning: 10, Sealed systems: 10, Swimming: 04, Water freedom: 07, Note: with Water Freedom, his DEX raises to 07 underwater, and his Initiative to 17 ; Sealed system is not used for underwater purposes (Water Freedom covers that) but may be used against other types of hazardous conditions].
Helper(s): Marvel SAGA Avengers Roster Book, Richard Lyon.
Source of Character: Avengers and Submariner comics (Marvel Universe).