Skyrocket (comics)

Skyrocket
Skyrocket from Power Company #3 Art by Tom Grummett
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	JLA #61 (February 2002)
Created by	Kurt Busiek (writer) Tom Grummett (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Celia Forrestal
Team affiliations	Power Company United States Navy Argo Technologies
Abilities	Wears a high-tech harness that can absorb, convert and redirect any form of energy. Also lets her fly.

Skyrocket is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. She first appeared in JLA #61 (February 2002), and was created by Kurt Busiek and Tom Grummett.

Lt. Celia Forrestal was getting nowhere fast in the U.S. Navy. It wasn't because she wasn't qualified. As a Navy Aviator, 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. Mr. 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.

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 killed the Forrestals.

Celia survived the explosion that killed her parents because she was wearing the Argo Harness, and she later used it 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.

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 was where Josiah Power found and recruited her.

After mulling over some serious reservations on her part, Celia decided to join the Power Company, a corporate hero team, as a business partner. Josiah provided her with a full technical support crew under Charlie Lau to maintain the harness. Lau improves the machinery inside and out; for example, eliminating its weakness to water. Josiah promises her that she could do as much pro bono work as she wanted on the firm's dollar, as it would be good publicity for the fledgling business. Her old nemesis Doctor Cyber was seen watching her as she exited Power Company headquarters after her first group mission. Skyrocket works with the team through the series sixteen-issue run, coming into repeated conflict with an interdimensional army that wishes to conquer earth through corporate takeover and mystical means.