Hardcase
Encyclopedia
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).
, 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.
, 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.
, 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.
As payment, the Alternate tells Choice and Hardcase that Choice's origins lay back at Groom Lake. The Aladdin Assault Squad stop their plans to invade. The pair hire Tech of the Solution to obtain the information they sought. The information reveals that Choice was given her abilities by using the genetic material from the brains of Forsa and Starburst, which greatly distresses Hardcase. Moments later, Choice is teleported away to the Godwheel
.
soon after to stop the subterranean warlord Atalon
's plans for world conquest. Successful, they stayed together to police other ultras.
Hardcase faced his greatest challenge when NM-E returned. Outmatched by the creature, he would have died if not for Prime’s
intervention. Though unable to stop the creature himself, Prime’s attack allowed Hardcase to recover, with help from the Alternate. Renewing his assault, Hardcase savagely attacked NM-E, who was drained from its fight with Prime. Fueled by vengeance, Hardcase reduced the creature to debris.
Around this time, Hardcase appears in the Red Cross charity tie in comic that assists real-world flood victims.
on the 'Godyacht' itself to take control of the keys. Hardcase gains a new uniform and teams up with the heroine Flygirl
to search for the key called the Roc's Egg. They lose the key to Lord Pumpkin
and Flygirl is blasted off the edge of a cliff and falls to her death. This deeply traumatizes Hardcase.
After further adventures, the surviving Ultras banish Argus Hardcase had discovers that Choice was on the Godwheel and is briefly reunited with her. During this short time, he learns she was pregnant.
Returned to Earth, Hardcase sought out the man responsible for his misfortune, Rex Mundi. He meets with ultras formerly employed by Mundi to extract Mundi’s location. To hinder Hardcase, Mundi frames him for murder.
, and using it tried to prevent the Squad’s death. He failed, but his actions created an alternate timeline. The trickster god Loki
then stole the gem from him.
On information from Death Dance and Meathook, Hardcase confronted Mundi in his underground lair. Capturing Hardcase, Mundi revealed that he was, like himself, composed of nanotech. His true nature somewhat explained to him, Hardcase willed himself back in time to undo the damage he had done. He reappeared and witnessed a confrontation between Mundi and the Alternate. Dismissed by the combatants, Hardcase returned to Hollywood where he was reunited with Choice.
Hardcase later learned that the Jumpstart effect that changed him, had effectively converted him into a nanotech being, composed of organic nanotech. As such, Hardcase learned he had many untapped abilities, such as not needing to breathe.
cartoon show as the team's leader. Other members include Contrary, Prime and Ghoul. The team faces various threats such as Rune and Lord Pumpkin
. Hardcase is voiced by Rod Wilson
Hardcase was one of the action figures produced for Galoob's
Ultraforce line.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series written by James Hudnall for Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
’ Ultraverse
Ultraverse
The Ultraverse was the name given to a comic book imprint published by the American company Malibu Comics. The Ultraverse was a shared universe in which a variety of characters — known within the comics as "Ultras" — acquired super-human abilities.-History:...
imprint
Imprint
In the publishing industry, an imprint can mean several different things:* As a piece of bibliographic information about a book, it refers to the name and address of the book's publisher and its date of publication as given at the foot or on the verso of its title page.* It can mean a trade name...
, 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).
Origin
A struggling actor, Tom Hawke's luck drastically changed after being struck by the "Jumpstart Effect", a burst of energy from the EntityThe Entity (comics)
The Entity was a fictional device from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse. It first appeared in The Strangers #1; its origins were detailed in Ultraverse Future Shock, Phoenix: Resurrection, Ultraverse: Year Zero, and Break-Thru.Four billion years ago, an alien spacecraft exploded in our solar system...
, 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
The Squad (comics)
The Squad was a short-lived superhero team from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse.The Squad's team members were:*D.J. BLAST*Forsa* Hardcase*Starburst...
, each taking code names; Starburst, D.J. Blast, Forsa and Hardcase.
Prior to issue #1
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-ENM-E (comics)
NM-E is a comic book villain that appeared in the Malibu Comics' Ultraverse book Hardcase, created by James Hudnall.-Plot:NM-E, short for Nanotech Mechanized Entity, was created by Rex Mundi for one purpose...to destroy all Ultra-humans...
, 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
Rex Mundi (Malibu Comics)
Rex Mundi is a fictional immortal character from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint. He has played important behind-the-scenes roles in most of the Ultraverse's major events, beginning with the downfall of the Fire People...
was responsible for the attack.
Return to activity
During his retirement, Hardcase became an action movie star, portraying himself on the screen. He came out of retirement to battle HeadknockerHeadknocker (comics)
Headknocker is a comic book villain that appeared in the Malibu Comic's Ultraverse book Hardcase.-Fictional character biography:Larry Price was a small time hood, who stole cars when he wasn't collecting unemployment. His world changed the day he was jumpstarted by the Entity, the damaged...
, 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
Choice (comics)
Choice is a fictional character that appeared in Malibu Comics Ultraverse line of comic book series. Her first appearance was in Hardcase #2, and appeared mainly in that title.Amy Tran Kwitny was the young woman who went on to become 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
Aladdin (comics)
Aladdin was a fictional government organization from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint.- Overview :Aladdin was a U.S. government agency apparently founded sometime in the 1960s to deal with the growing number of Ultras in their world. 1n 1970, their scientific division, using a synthesis of...
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
The Entity (comics)
The Entity was a fictional device from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse. It first appeared in The Strangers #1; its origins were detailed in Ultraverse Future Shock, Phoenix: Resurrection, Ultraverse: Year Zero, and Break-Thru.Four billion years ago, an alien spacecraft exploded in our solar system...
, a crashed starship that was causing the Jumpstart Effect, from attack. It is soon allowed to return home.
As payment, the Alternate tells Choice and Hardcase that Choice's origins lay back at Groom Lake. The Aladdin Assault Squad stop their plans to invade. The pair hire Tech of the Solution to obtain the information they sought. The information reveals that Choice was given her abilities by using the genetic material from the brains of Forsa and Starburst, which greatly distresses Hardcase. Moments later, Choice is teleported away to the Godwheel
Godwheel
The Godwheel is one of the main concepts of the Malibu Comics Ultraverse. While it lent its name to a 1994/1995 four-issue series, the Godwheel is actually the place of origin of quite a few Ultraverse concepts, characters and significant items that predate that series...
.
Ultraforce
Hardcase and several heroes formed UltraforceUltraforce (comics)
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel, as well as an animated series produced by DIC. Their purpose was to protect the public and keep other Ultras from getting out of line...
soon after to stop the subterranean warlord Atalon
Atalon
Atalon is a fictional character, a supervillain from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse. He was primarily a foe of Ultraforce. Atalon first appeared in Ultraforce #0 and was created by Gerard Jones and George Pérez....
's plans for world conquest. Successful, they stayed together to police other ultras.
Hardcase faced his greatest challenge when NM-E returned. Outmatched by the creature, he would have died if not for Prime’s
Prime (comics)
Prime is a superhero created by Bob Jacob, Gerard Jones, Len Strazewski, and Norm Breyfogle. He debuted in Prime #1 under Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint, and was one of its flagship characters along with Mantra and Hardcase . The character design was credited to Bret Blevins...
intervention. Though unable to stop the creature himself, Prime’s attack allowed Hardcase to recover, with help from the Alternate. Renewing his assault, Hardcase savagely attacked NM-E, who was drained from its fight with Prime. Fueled by vengeance, Hardcase reduced the creature to debris.
Around this time, Hardcase appears in the Red Cross charity tie in comic that assists real-world flood victims.
Godwheel
Godwheel is a 1995 Ultraverse crossover event. The god Argus then teleports Hardcase and other ultras to another dimension to recover the keys to the Crucible of Life for him. Rebelling, the ultras fight Argus. The kidnapped Ultras split into two factions, those willing to serve Argus and those wishing to oppose him. The escapees travel to the GodwheelGodwheel
The Godwheel is one of the main concepts of the Malibu Comics Ultraverse. While it lent its name to a 1994/1995 four-issue series, the Godwheel is actually the place of origin of quite a few Ultraverse concepts, characters and significant items that predate that series...
on the 'Godyacht' itself to take control of the keys. Hardcase gains a new uniform and teams up with the heroine Flygirl
Flygirl (comics)
Flygirl is a fictional character. She was introduced in Malibu Comics' Freex #10 as a member of the Academy of the New Elite, an organization created by Contrary to teach young Ultras to control their powers.-Character biography:...
to search for the key called the Roc's Egg. They lose the key to Lord Pumpkin
Lord Pumpkin
Lord Pumpkin is a fictional being from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse continuity. He was created and later written by Dan Danko, with additional development by Steve Gerber, Aaron Lopresti, and Gary Martin including his first published appearance, with which Danko was not involved. Lord Pumpkin first...
and Flygirl is blasted off the edge of a cliff and falls to her death. This deeply traumatizes Hardcase.
After further adventures, the surviving Ultras banish Argus Hardcase had discovers that Choice was on the Godwheel and is briefly reunited with her. During this short time, he learns she was pregnant.
Returned to Earth, Hardcase sought out the man responsible for his misfortune, Rex Mundi. He meets with ultras formerly employed by Mundi to extract Mundi’s location. To hinder Hardcase, Mundi frames him for murder.
Time Gem and Loki
Inadvertently, Hardcase discovered the Time Gem, one of the Infinity GemsInfinity Gems
Infinity Gems, sometimes referred to as the Soul Gems, are six immensely powerful gems featured in the fictional Marvel Universe. Whoever holds all six gems in the Infinity Gauntlet gains omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and God-like power, and has absolute dominion over the universe...
, and using it tried to prevent the Squad’s death. He failed, but his actions created an alternate timeline. The trickster god Loki
Loki (comics)
Loki is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. He is the adoptive brother and archenemy of the superhero Thor. He is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology...
then stole the gem from him.
On information from Death Dance and Meathook, Hardcase confronted Mundi in his underground lair. Capturing Hardcase, Mundi revealed that he was, like himself, composed of nanotech. His true nature somewhat explained to him, Hardcase willed himself back in time to undo the damage he had done. He reappeared and witnessed a confrontation between Mundi and the Alternate. Dismissed by the combatants, Hardcase returned to Hollywood where he was reunited with Choice.
Black September
When the Black September Event struck the Ultraverse and rewrote reality, Hardcase was shunted into a limbo dimension, erased from reality. He reappeared only one more time to battle the Demonseed, a being he had created as a companion. In the end, with Prime’s help, he banished himself and Demonseed back to limbo to battle for all eternity.Powers/Abilities
Incredibly strong, Hardcase is able to throw a car over 50 yards with little effort. His leg muscles allow him to leap nearly a mile. Nearly invulnerable to damage and changes in temperature, only extreme temperatures affect him. When he is hurt, Hardcase can heal quickly, though the process is sped up if he drinks seawater. His senses are enhanced, allowing him to hear and see over long distances.Hardcase later learned that the Jumpstart effect that changed him, had effectively converted him into a nanotech being, composed of organic nanotech. As such, Hardcase learned he had many untapped abilities, such as not needing to breathe.
Appearances in other media
Hardcase appeared in the short lived UltraforceUltraforce (comics)
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel, as well as an animated series produced by DIC. Their purpose was to protect the public and keep other Ultras from getting out of line...
cartoon show as the team's leader. Other members include Contrary, Prime and Ghoul. The team faces various threats such as Rune and Lord Pumpkin
Lord Pumpkin
Lord Pumpkin is a fictional being from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse continuity. He was created and later written by Dan Danko, with additional development by Steve Gerber, Aaron Lopresti, and Gary Martin including his first published appearance, with which Danko was not involved. Lord Pumpkin first...
. Hardcase is voiced by Rod Wilson
Rod Wilson
Rodriques Wilson is an American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina...
Hardcase was one of the action figures produced for Galoob's
Galoob
Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. was a toy company headquartered on Forbes Blvd. in South San Francisco, California. Best known for distributing the Game Genie, a videogame cheat device, for Codemasters in the US, Galoob was founded by Barbara Frankel and Lewis Galoob in 1954 as an import business. Before...
Ultraforce line.