Skyrocket (comics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Skyrocket | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Skyrocket is a superhero in the DC Comics universe. Created by Kurt Busiek and Tom Grummett, she first appeared in Justice League #61/2.
Contents |
[edit] Fictional character biography
Lt. Celia Forrestal was getting nowhere fast in the U.S. Navy. It wasn't because she wasn't qualified. As a pilot, she could outmaneuver anybody. But because of her gender and her race, her career remained stalled as a training instructor. Looking for some perspective while she considered leaving the service, she visited her parents, scientists and owners of Argo Technologies. Mister and Mrs. Forrestal had developed a personal harness that could absorb, convert and redirect energy. The Forrestals conceived the harness as a tool for peace, but it also had great potential as a weapon of mass destruction.
[edit] Scorpio
This invention called an Argo Harness' drew unwanted attention from a mercenary group of terrorists-for-hire called Scorpio. Scorpio was a well-equipped organization always on the look out for advanced technology that could easily be weaponized. They attempted to steal the Argo Harness, but during their attack, an untimely explosion kills the Forrestals.
[edit] Argo Harness
Celia survived the explosion that killed her parents because she was wearing the Argo Harness, and she later used the Argo Harness to capture some of the Scorpio operatives who had caused their deaths. Acting on a suggestion from Green Lantern Hal Jordan, who identified with her because of her background as a pilot, she decided to continue crimefighting as the superhero Skyrocket.[1]
[edit] Spinning her Wheels
Celia worked at a fast food joint in her hometown of St. Louis during the day in order to pay for the equipment she need to maintain and repair the Argo Harness. This is where Josiah Power finds and propositions her.
[edit] Power Company
After mulling some serious reservations on her part, Celia decides to join the firm as a full Partner. Celia chose to join the Power Company, the corporate hero team, as a business partner; Josiah also provides her with a full technical support crew under Charlie Lau to maintain the harness, and promises her that she can do as much Pro bono work as she wants on the firm's dollar as it will be good publicity for the fledgling business. Her old nemesis Doctor Cyber is seen watching her as she exits Power Company headquarters after her first group mission.
[edit] Ralph Jackson
It has recently been revealed that Sgt. Ralph Jackson is the grandfather of Celia Forrestal. Ralph led a battalion of African-American soldiers in a furious attack on Nazi troops while serving in France during World War II. Jackson was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for his service but was appalled to be find that prejudicial attitudes in the United States had changed little in his absence. Ralph first appeared in World’s Finest Comics #17 (Spring 1945).
[edit] One Year Later
In Action Comics #842, Skyrocket describes herself as somebody who "used to be with the Power Company." In Birds of Prey # 100, she is shown reading an invitation from Oracle to become one of her operatives, having apparently returned to St. Louis. What she is currently doing is unknown.
[edit] Equipment
Celia's armored suit is known as the Argo Harness and it was invented by her parents the elder Forrestals for their company Argo Technologies.
The Argo Harness is an energy-transforming device that can absorb many kinds of energy, including heat, electromagnetism, and radioactivity, and either convert it into other forms of energy or store it for later use. Skyrocket normally utilizes this stored energy as bolts of heat, kinetic energy, or directed electromagnetic fields. She can use the harness to fly by repelling the planet's own electromagnetic field. The Harness can recharge itself from virtually any kind of energy. Any attack carried out against Celia with fire, radioactivity, electricity or any other form of exited particle will just make her more powerful.[2]
[edit] Trivia
- Nathanial Adam (Captain Atom), Hal Jordan (Green Lantern), and Celia Forrestal (Skyrocket) are all pilots from different branches of the U.S. armed forces. Adam and Jordan were or are affiliated with the United States Air Force, whilst Forrestal served in the U.S. Navy.
- There are three other armor wearing African-American heroes in the DC Universe: John Henry Irons (Steel III), Natasha Irons (Steel IV), and Geoffrey Baron (Technocrat).
