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Real Name: Kirt Niedrigh
First Appearance: Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #218 [July 1976]
Character created by Cary Bates and Mike Grell
ABILITIES
Prowess 4 {Fair}
Coordination 4 {Fair}
Strength 4 {Fair}
Intellect 5 {Good}
Awareness 4 {Fair}
Willpower 4 {Fair}
Stamina: 8
Determination: 3
SPECIALTIES
Athletics
History
Martial Arts
Politics
POWERS
Power Mimicry [Limits: close range, temporary, natural powers] 8 {Amazing}
Residual Absorption
Specialty Duplication
QUALITIES
. Reputation: xenophobic.
. Temper: especially when things don't go his way.
Points: 53
ORIGIN STORY
Kirt Niedrigh of Earth has the power to absorb any residual energy left behind by a super-powered being and then replicate that energy within himself. The origin of this power is unknown; presumably he is a mutant.
In about 2981, when about 17 years of age, Niedrigh applied for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes as Absorbancy Boy. Because of the inherent limitations of his power, especially his dependence on the presence of other super-powered beings, he was rejected in favor of Tyroc.
Niedrigh was incensed by his rejection, feeling himself far more potentially powerful and useful than Tyroc, even though Tyroc was, himself, more formidable than the average Legionnaire. Absorbancy Boy may have had a point; it is doubtful that the Legion gave him opportunity to demonstrate the full extent of his powers, likely not having the patience to wait long enough for him to slowly duplicate the Legionnaires’ abilities. If they had, he might well have been accepted; after all, whatever his limitations, he had the power to equal or exceed Krypton-class. The dependence on the presence of other heroes might argue that the Legion was the perfect place for him; on his own, he would be able to do little, but with them, his contributions could be breathtaking. Teamwork is, after all, the secret of the Legion.
Sealed Legion archives, however, suggest that Niedrigh’s scores on the psychological tests given to Legion applicants gave cause for concern that, under stress, he might not behave with the sterling character required of Legionnaires. This, combined with the limitations of his power, was enough to cause the Legion to bypass Absorbancy Boy and give the nod to Tyroc.
Niedrigh quickly proved that concerns about his character were well-founded when he decided to break into Legion HQ, impersonate a villain, and seek revenge on Tyroc in battle. He did so by wearing a disguise that earlier had been used by both Sun Boy and Superboy, thus gaining both their powers. He easily defeated Superboy and challenged Tyroc to single combat. His inexperience with his borrowed super-hearing left him easy prey to Tyroc’s deafening ultrasonic scream, and he was defeated.
Outwardly, he gives a great impression of arrogance and confident superiority. Inwardly, he’s a mass of insecurity—the Legion’s rejection of him was only confirmation of his own doubts about the worth of his power and his character. He couldn’t handle it, and retreated from reality into a petty revenge fantasy to help him deal with the fact of rejection. He desires to grind down those who rejected him into submission, and would likely be devoted to anyone who showed him respect, making him easy prey to manipulation by other villains. It is rumoured that he was offered membership in the Legion of Super-Villains.
In about 2981, when about 17 years of age, Niedrigh applied for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes as Absorbancy Boy. Because of the inherent limitations of his power, especially his dependence on the presence of other super-powered beings, he was rejected in favor of Tyroc.
Niedrigh was incensed by his rejection, feeling himself far more potentially powerful and useful than Tyroc, even though Tyroc was, himself, more formidable than the average Legionnaire. Absorbancy Boy may have had a point; it is doubtful that the Legion gave him opportunity to demonstrate the full extent of his powers, likely not having the patience to wait long enough for him to slowly duplicate the Legionnaires’ abilities. If they had, he might well have been accepted; after all, whatever his limitations, he had the power to equal or exceed Krypton-class. The dependence on the presence of other heroes might argue that the Legion was the perfect place for him; on his own, he would be able to do little, but with them, his contributions could be breathtaking. Teamwork is, after all, the secret of the Legion.
Sealed Legion archives, however, suggest that Niedrigh’s scores on the psychological tests given to Legion applicants gave cause for concern that, under stress, he might not behave with the sterling character required of Legionnaires. This, combined with the limitations of his power, was enough to cause the Legion to bypass Absorbancy Boy and give the nod to Tyroc.
Niedrigh quickly proved that concerns about his character were well-founded when he decided to break into Legion HQ, impersonate a villain, and seek revenge on Tyroc in battle. He did so by wearing a disguise that earlier had been used by both Sun Boy and Superboy, thus gaining both their powers. He easily defeated Superboy and challenged Tyroc to single combat. His inexperience with his borrowed super-hearing left him easy prey to Tyroc’s deafening ultrasonic scream, and he was defeated.
Outwardly, he gives a great impression of arrogance and confident superiority. Inwardly, he’s a mass of insecurity—the Legion’s rejection of him was only confirmation of his own doubts about the worth of his power and his character. He couldn’t handle it, and retreated from reality into a petty revenge fantasy to help him deal with the fact of rejection. He desires to grind down those who rejected him into submission, and would likely be devoted to anyone who showed him respect, making him easy prey to manipulation by other villains. It is rumoured that he was offered membership in the Legion of Super-Villains.
Although he was brought back semi-reformed under Geoff Johns's writing, Kirt was, created to be a villain, and I've decided to keep him this way. Converted characters, most of the times, unavoidably exceeds the 45-point limitation that the ICONS Superpowered Roleplaying Game core book recommends. Character revised according to rules presented in ICONS Great Power book. Streamlined, once again, according to ICONS Superpowered Roleplaying: The Assembled Edition.
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