Hardcase
| Hardcase | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Malibu Comics |
| First appearance | Hardcase #1 (June, 1993) |
| Created by | James Hudnall |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Tom Hawke |
| Team affiliations |
Ultraforce The Squad |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength Invulnerability Power jumping Enhanced vision and hearing Accelerated healing factor |
Hardcase is a comic book series written by James Hudnall for Malibu Comics’ Ultraverse imprint, which lasted 26 issues. The series was about Tom Hawke, who became one of the first publicly known Ultras (the blanket term for superhumans in the Ultraverse).
A struggling actor, Tom Hawke's luck drastically changed after being struck by the "Jumpstart Effect", a burst of energy from the Entity, the ancient alien spaceship responsible for most of the world's super-beings. Gaining superhuman strength and durability, Tom realized that he wanted more than short term success. He met with Linda Warren, Jamal Blass and Carlos Jimenez, who had also gained abilities, and proposed that they become an Ultrahero team, helping people while bolstering their careers. The other agreed and formed the Squad, each taking code names; Starburst, D.J. Blast, Forsa and Hardcase.
For six months the Squad achieved great success, fighting crime, aiding the police and performing acts of charity. They became celebrities and media darlings. Their good fortune was not to last though. Attacked by the creature NM-E, the heroes were overcome. In a last-ditch effort, D.J. Blast focussed all his power on NM-E, causing a massive explosion. Only Hardcase and Starburst escaped, but not without cost; Starburst was comatose. Grief-stricken by the tragedy, Hardcase retired from heroics. He would later learn that Rex Mundi was responsible for the attack.
During his retirement, Hardcase became an action movie star, portraying himself on the screen. He came out of retirement to battle Headknocker, an Ultrahuman with incredible strength, who outmatched the police. Defeating the villain, Hardcase announces his return.
Soon afterwards, he was visited by the ultraheroine Choice, who asks for his help as she is being pursued by various super-powered forces. Hardcase agrees and allowed her to stay with him. The two soon began a relationship, though Hardcase was reluctant at first. The two have several adventures together, including rescuing tsunami victims. Once, teamed with The Strangers, they invaded Aladdin's Groom Lake facility, where Hardcase discovers that the government agency was using the Squad's genetic material. Later, the heroes go to work for a person known only as the Alternate. They travel to the moon to discover the source of the "Jumpstart Effect" which has been granting people powers all across Earth. Alongside other ultraheroes, they protect the Entity, a crashed starship that was causing the Jumpstart Effect, from attack. It is soon allowed to return home.
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