Sunday, September 25, 2011

The Hyperclan: ARMEK



Alter Ego: Unknown
Occupation: Alien Invader
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: The Hyperclan, White Martians
Base of Operations: Still Zone, formerly Gobi Desert
First Appearance: JLA #1 (January, 1997)
Height: Variable; appeared approx. 11'0"
Build: Variable; appeared in extremely bulky armor
Weight: Variable; appeared very heavy
Eyes: Variable; appeared red
Hair: None
Skin: Variable; appeared as green/brown camouflage

History:
Armek was part of a White Martian advance team masquerading as extraterrestrial super-heroes in a bid to conquer Earth. While stationed at the Hyperclan's Gobi Desert base, Armek joined Zenturion in attacking Green Lantern Kyle Rayner. Armek attempted to exploit the common Green Lantern Corp power ring's vulnerability to the color yellow by shifting the appearance of his armor. Unaware that Rayner was the last standing Green Lantern at the time, with an exceptional power ring immune to the once "necessary impurity," the hero beat Armek unconscious in short order. Afterward, Armek's identity was assumed by the Martian Manhunter and used to infiltrate the ancient White Martian base of Z'Onn Z'Orr. Both of these actions offended Armek greatly once he recovered. Armek partnered with Züm in storming toward Z'Onn Z'Orr to engage the JLA. He was again swiftly humiliated, this time by the Flash, who surrounded Armek with candles while Green Lantern dropped a "16 TON" anvil on him. Armek has not been seen since.

Powers & Weapons:
While presumably possessed of the innate abilities seen in most Martians of all colors, the White Martians held for millenia in the otherdimensional "Still Zone" displayed a tendency toward heavily favoring only certain of these abilities. For example, Armek would burrow under the earth with his great strength to emerge for an ambush, rather than becoming immaterial. Armek could change his armor's color at will, but at no point ever freely shape-shifted, and even fixated on the effort expended designing his form. Armek could fly at great speed, but demonstrated no telepathy. Finally, Armek could generate pulsed electrical charges, a power unseen in other Martians.

Weaknesses:
Armek has a catastrophic vulnerability to fire, causing immediate loss of his abilities, and eventually death.

Quote: "This is what happens when you deal with a Green Martian! They're all the same! What makes him think he can just steal a form I designed? ...I'll kill him!"

Created by: Grant Morrison & Howard Porter

2 comments:

Anj said...

One of my favorite all time runs is Morrison on JLA.

And I thought Morrison did a good job with J'onn.

Diabolu Frank said...

Morrison is on my short list of writers with the understanding, imagination and versatility to handle a Martian Manhunter series.