Uri-On

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Uri-on
Promotional art for Uri-on #1 (1987)
Publication information
Publisher	Private publication
Created by	Michael Netzer
In story information
Alter ego	Uri Ben David
Abilities	Superhuman strength, speed and the ability to fly

Uri-On is a fictional comic book superhero created by Israeli-American artist Michael Netzer, in partnership with Jonathan Duitch and Yossi Halpern in 1987.^[1]

Contents 1 The comic book 2 The character 2.1 Background 2.2 Powers and abilities 3 Notes

[edit] The comic book

The adventures of Uri-On were initially published in Israel in 1987, in four-color comic books, and continued later in the children's magazine Kulanu (Hebrew: כֻּלָּנוּ‎), for several years.

The publication elicited criticism and controversy for its serious and patriotic Israeli superhero, whose author was considered to harbor right-wing political sentiment as a West Bank resident, at a time when Israeli culture was seen to have grown past such idealism.^[2][3] In the letter columns of the comic book, Netzer rebutted these claims by stressing the support for a peaceful solution to the plot conflict in the series storyline, and the cultural abundance of patriotism seen in American superheroes, on which Uri-On was based.^[4]

Many mistakenly consider "Uri-On" to be the first Israeli superhero. "Uri-On" is the first Israeli superhero to be published in color, but the first Israeli superhero was actually "Sabraman" which was created by Uri Fink and published in black and white in the late 1970s.^[5]

Uri-On was named after the Israeli news commentator Uri Orbach, Netzer's friend and roommate at the time he created the character.^[6]

[edit] The character

[edit] Background

After a secret technological institute in the Negev called "The Israeli Institute of Advancement in Special Technologies" discovers that aliens from the star Alianos plan an invasion to earth, they enlist the Israeli soldier Uri Ben-David and transform him into "Uri-On" – a super hero with extraordinary powers in a blue suit with a logo of a Menorah on his chest. Uri-On uses his powers to defend the state of Israel from the invaders targeting the Israel Negev desert, where they had buried large supplies or ores needed for their planet's survival, some 5,000 years before. During the battle over the Negev desert, Uri-On discovers that amongst the invaders is an Earth man, Eidan, taken by them during their first visit to Earth, and who became nearly immortal on Alianos. Together, they effect an overthrow of the militant leadership of the invading army, and succeed in bringing a peaceful resolution to the invasion effort. In the series continuation, Uri-On also attempts to help an Israeli pilot, transformed into a monstrous Scorpion-Man, during the battle with the invaders.

[edit] Powers and abilities

Uri-On's arsenal of powers includes:

• Super-strength, enabling him to lift hundreds of tons effortlessly.
• Ability to fly
• Super-Speed - Uri-On is capable of moving at tremendous speeds, faster than the speed of sound.

In addition, Uri-On is equipped with two "bracelets of truth" on his arms, which enable him to read the minds of his enemies. He also uses his costume belt and bracelet pellets as a sling, evoking the weapon used by King David against Goliath, with which he is able to control forces of nature.

[edit] Notes