| Chainsaw Vigilante | |
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The Chainsaw Vigilante's debut, on the cover of The Tick #9. Art by Ben Edlund |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | New England Comics |
| First appearance | The Tick #9 |
| Created by | Ben Edlund |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Henry Hearst |
| Abilities | None |
The Chainsaw Vigilante is a fictional character and foe of Ben Edlund's The Tick. He first appeared in The Tick #9.
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After his debut in The Tick #9, the Chainsaw Vigilante returned in issue #10. Issue #9 was later reprinted in color as part of the Chroma-Tick series. The Chainsaw Vigilante later appeared in his own self-titled three issue spin-off series, written and illustrated by Zander Cannon.
The Chainsaw Vigilante is a chainsaw wielding vigilante based in the Deertown-Hobleville area. He is angered by costumed superheroes taking over the role of policemen, and sets out to show them they're nothing special. In his first appearance, he attacks and defeats the Civic-Minded Five. His attempt to defeat the Tick in issue #10 meets with failure.
In Zander Cannon's spin-off series, it is strongly implied that Henry is the son of Steven Hearst, an actor who became famous in the role of television superhero The Man with Seven Hearts. Steven was a socialist who used the show to promote his agenda, and was eventually exposed as a "Communist brainwasher" by The Sultan, the first and most famous superhero in The Tick's world. Hearst fled America, occasionally returning to foment socialist uprisings (the Seven Hearts Revolutions) throughout the 1960s. It is likely that Henry Hearst's hatred of superheroism stems from his father's persecution and exile at The Sultan's hands.
Chainsaw Vigilante has no superpowers but appears to have advanced martial arts training. His only weapon is a Sears and Roebuck brand chainsaw, which he wields with precise skill. He has never killed anyone with it; shallow cuts are typically sufficient to drive away any would-be heroes.
Despite there being a great many bigger threats in The City, the Chainsaw Vigilante spreads fear with his very presence. At one stage he frightened away a massive flock of heroes, who together could have easily defeated him, before he even realised where he was. He has been bitter towards The Tick who was completely immune to his chainsaw, and thus he has no fear of him (or he is too stupid to realise he should be scared).
His trademark costume is biker boots and leather trousers with a leather jacket that has the legend "Kick yourself" emblazoned on the back and an upside-down smiley badge on the left lapel(a parody of The Comedian from The Watchmen), topped off with an obviously-homemade square smiley mask.
Chainsaw Vigilante has a female counterpart known as Lumber Jane. Her clothing is mostly similar, expect for pigtails and lipstick on her mask. The back of her jacket reads "Kick yourself Twice."
Despite her status as an actual supervillain rather than a vigilante, she fails to spread the fear that Chainsaw Vigilante does. Her weapon of choice is a "borrowed" electric chainsaw, however her only extension cord is 100 feet in length.
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