Keeper of Infinite Earths - Justice Avengers
Thunderball
Alter Ego: Robert Slaughter
Occupation: Park Ranger
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: New Justice Avengers
Base of Operations: Chicago
Background/History:
Robert’s love for the outdoors led him to pursue a career as a park ranger.
While fighting a huge forest fire in Wyoming, he got cut off from the group he
was with and became trapped on the wrong side of the backfire they had set to
contain the blaze. He circled back toward higher ground as his friends radioed
for a chopper to pick him up. He tried to climb up a hill, but the water drops
had made the ground slick and it was beginning to slide. Without warning, a
crevice split open and he fell in to a cavern. It was an Indian burial chamber,
but not a typical one. He tried to read the paintings on the wall and figured
out that a powerful shaman had been laid to rest here with his tools. He could
tell that the tomb had been disturbed decades earlier and that the items were
long gone. So, he began the task of climbing out when he noticed an oddly shaped
rock in the wall. He pulled on it and it came free, revealing a roughly carved
hole with a small round leather disc with a storm cloud painted on it. He put on
the crude necklace and proceeded to climb out. The wet stones were slick, but he
made good progress. When he was only a few feet from daylight, he slipped. He
felt as though he had shocked himself and his descent slowed, as a matter of
fact, he started to rise. He flew out of the hole and realized the talisman he
had found had given him powers. He could generate thunder and lightning. He led
an expert to the site after the fire was out and found out that the shaman had
been given the duty of protecting the land with the power of the thunderball, a
small storm common in the west. So, he decided to use his powers as the hero
known as Thunderball. After he had made a name for himself in the Midwest, Star
contacted him to join the New Justice Avengers.
Personality/Motivation:
Robert was inspired by his somewhat ominous last name to be very nature
conscious and was always interested in the outdoors. That wonder at the beauty
of life translated to his desire to help people as well. The talisman gave him a
way to help more people than he ever dreamed possible.
Quote: "May not be red skies, but I think a storm is coming!"