Antihero for Hire

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Antihero for Hire
Author(s)	Mark Shallow
Website	http://www.antiheroforhire.com/
Current status	Mondays and Fridays
Launch date	2003 June 1 [1]

Antihero for Hire is a webcomic authored by Mark Shallow and hosted by Keenspot. The comic is set in 2114, and stars a professional hero named Dechs Rashart, otherwise known as "Shadehawk." It shows his nightly adventures as he fights against criminals who are usually quite incompetent. Shadehawk's sidekick is Laria Moondale, also known as "Wrench", who is the self-proclaimed greatest hacker in the business. Mark Shallow is also the creator of Adventurers!, another Keenspot comic.

[edit] Backstory

In the year 2075, the United States faced an unexpected attack from Canada, who sent waves of genetically modified dinosaurs to conquer the northern states. The war was quite successful as the U.S. was concerned about Weapons of Mass Destruction and never considered the threat of dinosaur attacks.

Those in the northern states who did not wish to live under Canadian rule founded a city in the South ironically named Triumph City. It is now the year 2144, and the city has grown to a population of ten million.

[edit] Characters

• Shadehawk: The titular anti-hero for hire, a card-carrying vigilante super-hero. His real name is Dechs Rashart. Officially, Dechs Rashart is deceased, falsely believed to have died in a fire in his home, which is believed by Shadehawk to be the responsiblilty of Tera-Corp. He uses a custom made gun called the Silver Arrow, which can use a wide variety of ammo. His 'sunglasses' are actually a light amplification device, giving him better than average night-vision. They are also equipped with radar mode to help counteract stealth technology, though this has not been perfected and it is not very effective (As he asks Wrench, "Are you familiar with a gaming device from about 100 years ago called the Virtual Boy?").
• Wrench: Shadehawk's partner. Her real name is Laria Moondale, and presumably, she is the world's best hacker, and an excellent engineer. She designs gear for Shadehawk, and designed everything he uses, except for the Silver Arrow.
• Baron Diamond: A recurring villain. His real name is Orange Earthsmantle von Potatoflight, and he was a wealthy, eccentric diamond mine operator. After an accident rendering his arms useless and losing one eye, he disappeared, and reappeared as Baron Diamond, rising to 8th place in Triumph City's street fighting circles and remaining there steadily. His arms have been replaced with diamond-studded prostheses, which he can use defensively as diamonds are nearly indestructible, or to focus a coherent beam of energy.
• Wizard: A mysterious character who seems to know more than he tells. His powersuit, which was the first prototype made by Tera Corp, appears to give him supernatural abilities (primarily a very strong form of telekinesis). He apparently isn't quite sane, and it has been suggested that feedback from the powersuit drove him mad.
• Crossroad: A very melodramatic superhero. She is quite skilled in melee combat, as well as being rich. She is also the daughter of crime lord Domerelli, though Domerelli is unaware that his daughter is Crossroad.
• Dr. Nefarious: His real name Doctor Albert Charious Airious Nefarious-Smith. He is a genius in anything technological, but completely incompetent in all other regards. Shadehawk has foiled his plans and sent him to jail numerous times, but he always gets out early on good behavior.
• The Vengeful Sisters: A group of ex-orphans who try their best to help other orphans, as well as wreaking vengeance on those who commit injustices against orphans. They are well-meaning, but tend to go about their tasks without thinking of the consequences, and are being manipulated by Tera-Corp as a further test of the power-suit technology. They are led by Dragon, a redhead who uses sai. They all use elemental powers and include Waterfall (water), Sparks (electricity), Aftershock (force), and Angel (Snow).
• Neon: A skilled hacker, who wanted to be the world's best, but ended up overwhelmed by Wrench's skills.
• MANTIS: A group of mercenaries that live only for the success of their mission and nothing else. They are quite dangerous as they have no regard for their own health and will take steps that would otherwise be suicidal.
• Jack: A bounty hunter, who tried to kill Shadehawk, but left when his victory became uncertain. He said that it was not retreat, as the only result of leaving is not getting paid. He seems to carry every known weapon with him, but prefers an extending flail.
• Tera Daemon: Ex-CEO and Ex-President of Tera Corp. A largely unexplored character, she seems to have higher morals than some of her subordinates. It has been revealed though that she was involved in Tera Corp's more corrupt opperations
• Crimson Boomerang: A minor character who was an incompetent villain. Was released by Shadehawk, as all he stole was some worthless prop money. Used exploding Boomerangs, which only furthered his uselessness, as they would not come back.

[edit] External links

• Antihero for Hire