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Hero |
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| Alias: 'Hero' Cruz |
Titans L.A. Member
Joined: Titans Secret Files #2 [2000] |
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| 'Hero' Cruz Quick Bio: On an adventure with Superboy and the Ravers, teenager 'Hero' Cruz stole the mystical H-dial from the villainous Scavenger. By dialing H-E-R-O, Hero becomes a different super-powered guise on each mission. The openly gay teenage hero joined the short-lived Titans L.A. Branch before its rapid dissolution. |
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HERO CRUZ |
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Hero Cruz reveals how he acquired the Achilles Vest in SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS #5 [1997] |
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Hero and the Achilles Vest
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| Hero Cruz finds the H-Dial in Scavenger's cache in SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS #5 [1997] |
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'Hero' Cruz was raised by a middle class family in Metropolis. His childhood was ordinary, until he ran into some trouble, and found a treasure trove of weapons that had been secured by the villainous Scavenger. Scavenger ‘secured' weapons and artifacts for his own ends. Hero acquired the Achilles Vest from Scavenger's stash and departed.
The Achilles Vest granted the wearer with invulnerability. Now armed with his own ‘superpower,' Hero joined the Event Horizon – an intergalactic rave. Just like a typical Earth rave, it's got kicking music, people in awesome clothes, its location is never in the same place twice, and it's got a discretionary door. The differences are: the people in awesome clothing are all aliens from other worlds and dimensions; those locations include places like the asteroid belt, Atlantis, and Daxam; and the discretionary policy is that you have to have super powers to get in the door! When Hero first joined the Rave, he was quick to befriend others.
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| Hero reveals he's gay in SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS #13 [1997] |
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As part of the Event Horizon, Hero banded together with some fellow Ravers, including Superboy, Sparx, Kaliber, Half-Life and Aura. The young heroes found themselves traveling to exotic adventures from different locales.
Hero and the H-Dial
At Christmastime, Hero invited his fellow Ravers to his house for the holidays. The Scavenger, discovering his treasure was missing, teleported into Hero's home and mistakenly blamed Sparx for its theft. Kidnapping her, the Scavenger took her and the Vest back to his cache.
When Aura, Superboy, and a now-powerless Hero attempted to free her, the Scavenger fought back, capturing both Aura and Superboy. Just when matters seemed hopeless, Hero spotted a dial with his name on it. Dialing it, Hero transformed into several different heroes, one at a time. One guise, Human Justice, awed the Scavenger so that he was tricked into freeing Superboy and Aura. Scavenger departed, and Hero Cruz kept the H-dial for himself.
Abandoning his vest, Hero now used the H-Dial exclusively for his meta-human abilities. Hero could transform into different heroes, each with different powers and distinct personalities.
Fellow Raver Sparx developed a crush on Hero, and perused a relationship with him. Hero responded to her affections under one of his H-dial transformations. When he changed back into his normal form of Hero Cruz, he became increasingly uncomfortable around Sparx. After rebuffing her, Hero finally confessed the truth: The reason he didn't respond to Sparx's flirtations was because he was gay. Sparx had a hard time accepting this. Hero has also surmised that the transformations are something of a psychological manifestation of the dialer. Thus, his friendly platonic affection for Sparx manifested as romantic feelings in one of his guises.
Meanwhile, after her high-school graduation, Vicki Grant (who possessed the H-dial before Hero Cruz) moved to San Francisco and fell in with a bad crowd. She was eventually recruited and corrupted by the evil Children of the Sun. After that time, Vicki Grant encountered Hero Cruz. She first savagely attacked Hero Cruz, but was then reunited with her dial. She dialed and was able to change back into normal Vicki Grant. Shaken from her experience, Vicki stayed with the family of Sparx (of the Ravers) to recuperate.
Hero remained with the Ravers until Kindred Marx (the leader of the Event Horizon) put an end to the festivities. He left the mother box with Aura, who considered continuing the Event Horizon on her own.
Hero and the Titans
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| Titans L.A. Together! [from left to right]; Matt Logan, Bumblebee, Flamebird, Captain Marvel Jr., Beast Boy, Hero Cruz, Terra and Herald [Bushido not pictured]. |
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Since that time, Hero Cruz traveled to the West Coast, where he found fellow H-dialer, Chris King. After some practice, Hero is able to concentrate on a specific power and dial it up.
LAter, Gar's obnoxious cousin Matt took it upon himself to hold a membership drive party for an all-new Titans West. Although the party was crashed by a jealous Duela Dent and vengeful Fear & Loathing, a few potential members remained. Gar finally agreed to have the team re-form, and Titans West was re-dubbed Titans L.A. - with members that included Beast Boy, Flamebird, Herald, Bumblebee, Terra, Hero Cruz, Captain Marvel Jr. and Bushido.
But Titans LA was short-lived; When visiting New York, Gar Logan mentioned that no one had any real devotion to the team. Beast Boy and Flamebird attempted to recruit the DEO orphans as the new version of Titans West, but they declined. Eventually, the new West Coast group of Titans dissolved before it even truly began.
By dialing H-E-R-O on the mythical H-dial, Hero Cruz can transform into a different super-powered hero. Hero Cruz has learned to concentrate on a specific power when dialing, and manifesting that power in his new superhuman guise.
Hero has also surmised that the transformations are something of a psychological manifestation of the dialer. Thus, his friendly platonic affection for Sparx manifested as romantic feelings in one of his guises. Likewise, Vicki Grant's horrific transformations were linked to her poor self image at the time.
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Superboy and the Ravers #1-2 [1994]: The Event Horizon – just like a typical Earth rave, it's got kicking music, people in awesome clothes, its location is never in the same place twice, and it's got a discretionary door. The differences are: the people in awesome clothing are all aliens from other worlds and dimensions; those locations include places like the asteroid belt, Atlantis, and Daxam; and the discretionary policy is that you have to have super powers to get in the door! As part of the Event Horizon, Superboy banded together with some fellow Ravers, including Hero, Sparx, Kaliber, Half-life and Aura. The young heroes found themselves traveling to exotic adventures from different locales. The Rave was organized by the mysterious Kindred Marx. When Hero originally joined the Rave, he owned the Achilles Vest, which generated an impenetrable force field that he could use to protect himself and/or others. First appearance of Hero Cruz in issue #1.
Superboy and the Ravers #5: put the spotlight on 'Hero' Cruz. At Christmastime, Hero invited his fellow Ravers to his house for the holidays. The Ravers meet Hero's nice middle-class parents and younger brother. It was also in that issue that the Scavenger tried to get back his Achilles Vest, which we learn that Hero had taken from his stash. It is also in this issue that Hero acquires the H-dial and keeps it.
Superboy and the Ravers #13: Ex-Dial-H-Hero Vicki Grant encountered Hero Cruz. She first savagely attacked Hero Cruz, but was then reunited with her dial. She dialed and was able to change back into normal Vicki Grant. After the battle, Hero finally confessed the truth to Sparx: The reason he didn't respond to her flirtations was that he was gay.
The Titans Secret Files #2 [2000]: It's the debut of Titans LA in an astonishing all-new Special. Whether he wants it or not, Beast Boy finds himself saddled with a new West Coast branch of the Titans. But it may be the new team's final appearance as well if Fear and Loathing and the madcap Harlequin have their say. First Titans L.A. Titans LA members include Beast Boy, Flamebird, Herald, Bumblebee, Terra, Hero Cruz, and Captain Marvel Jr.
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Hero in Superboy & the Ravers
The Series
Superboy & the Ravers #1 [September 1994] to Superboy & the Ravers #19 [March 1996]
The Event Horizon – just like a typical Earth rave, it's got kicking music, people in awesome clothes, its location is never in the same place twice, and it's got a discretionary door. The differences are: the people in awesome clothing are all aliens from other worlds and dimensions; those locations include places like the asteroid belt, Atlantis, and Daxam; and the discretionary policy is that you have to have super powers to get in the door!
As part of the Event Horizon, Superboy banded together with some fellow Ravers, including Hero, Sparx, Kaliber, Half-life and Aura. The young heroes found themselves traveling to exotic adventures from different locales. The Rave was organized by the mysterious Kindred Marx, who plotted and planned throughout the series.
It was eventually revealed that Kindred Marx was searching to be reunited with his lost love, Kindred Sol. He fulfilled this mission using the rave as a cover. The ravers eventually came into conflict with Kindred Marx's brother, Kindred Grim and defeated him. Now reunited with his love, Marx abandoned the Rave, and left the space-hopping device mother box in the hands of Aura, if she wanted to continue the rave herself.
Hero as a Raver
From the onset of Superboy & the Ravers #1, Hero appeared to be an easygoing, amiable young hero. When Hero originally joined the Rave, he owned the Achilles Vest. Stumbling upon the Scavengers weapons cache in Metropolis, he took the Achilles Vest, which generated an impenetrable force field that he could use to protect himself and/or others. Hero was generally a supporting character in issues #1-4.
Superboy & the Ravers #5 put the spotlight on 'Hero' Cruz. At Christmastime, Hero invited his fellow Ravers to his house for the holidays. The Ravers meet Hero's nice middle-class parents and younger brother. It was also in that issue that the Scavenger tried to get back his Achilles Vest, which we learn that Hero had taken from his stash. It is also in this issue that Hero acquires the H-dial and keeps it.
Superboy & the Ravers #6-9 featured the team on a Road Trip where they met Impulse and stopped by Guy Gardner's bar, Warriors. In Superboy & the Ravers #8, Fellow Raver Sparx had developed a crush on Hero, and perused a relationship with him. Hero responded to her affections under one of his H-dial transformations and kissed her. When he changed back into his normal form of Hero Cruz, he became increasingly uncomfortable around Sparx. This continued until Superboy & the Ravers #13.
In Superboy & the Ravers #13, ex-Dial-H-Hero Vicki Grant encountered Hero Cruz. She first savagely attacked Hero Cruz, but was then reunited with her dial. She dialed and was able to change back into normal Vicki Grant. After the battle, Hero finally confessed the truth to Sparx: The reason he didn't respond to her flirtations was that he was gay.
Sparx had a hard time accepting this in Superboy & the Ravers #14. Hero has also surmised that the transformations are something of a psychological manifestation of the dialer. Thus, his friendly, platonic affection for Sparx manifested as romantic feelings in one of his guises. Sparx was shaken by the whole event and remained uncomfortable around Hero until the end of the series [Superboy & the Ravers #19].
Superboy & the Ravers #15 featured the first appearance of a green alien named Leander, and it appeared as if he and Hero were attracted to each other and started some sort of relationship. The other Ravers were accepting of Hero's homosexuality, except Sparx, who still felt confused and betrayed.
Hero remained with the Ravers until Kindred Marx (the leader of the Event Horizon) put an end to the festivities. He left the mother box with Aura, who considered continuing the Event Horizon on her own [Superboy and the Ravers #19].
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Superboy & The Ravers
Q & A with Karl Kesel and Steve Mattson
Q: What makes SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS different from any other super-team book?
KK: Well, who would buy it if we said it was just like every other team? But seriously, I think it's pretty much unique in that they don't have a HQ or set mission - they're just a bunch of friends hanging and having a good time. And sometimes saving all life in the cosmos as we know it. You know, the usual stuff, Also, more than any other book I can think of, "anything goes" is the rule here. For example, Steve and I have thrown around the name "Ultraa the Multi-Alien" in a few plot sessions. Nothing definite, mind you, but that's just an example of how just about anything and anyone might show up in the book!
Q: What makes SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS different from SUPERBOY?
SM: SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS is going to be much bigger in scale. It's going to expand Superboy's rep far beyond Hawaii and Metropolis. We're going around the world, to other galaxies, and even other dimensions with this one!
Q: What characters did you try to get into the series but rejected?
KK: The thing about the Event Horizon is that anything goes! I honestly cannot think of one character that I would like to do who couldn't show up at the rave at one time or another,
Q: Which Raver are you most like?
SM: Probably Half-life He's kind of a loner; kind of different.
KK: Unfortunately, I'm not hip enough to be like any of the Ravers!
Q: What's the biggest pain about working in comics?
KK: It's more fun than human beings should be allowed to have and I fear that someday I will have to pay the ultimate price.
Q: Who would you like to get into the Ravers?
KK: Well, we have a pretty good cast already, if you ask me. I wouldn't mind seeing Impulse guest at some point... and the Forever People boom-tubing through would be groovy, man!
SM: We hope we can meet EVERYBODY in this series. There'll be a lot of old favorites showing up.
Q: Which Raver is your favorite?
SM: We all got our favorites. Mine's Aura.
KK: Hmmm... probably Kaliber. Although I also have a great fondness for Sparx.
SM: It's funny. I said, "The fans are really going to dig Aural" Which is what Karl said about Kaliber. And Paul Pelletier said the same thing about Half-life!
Q: Which is your least favorite Raver?
SM: Superboy, but only because he's the toughest to write. He gets the most exposure with his own title, so we have to work harder to keep him fresh.
KK: I don't understand the question. How can anyone have a least favorite Raver?
Q: Any childhood creations make it into the Ravers?
KK: Actually... no. But now that you mention it, this would be the perfect place for some of my childhood creations to debut! Like: Captain Kid! Thorzzak! The All-Feminine Squad! Hey - I got a million of ‘em!
Q: What are the pros about working in a collaboration like this?
KK: One of you has a good idea, and the other makes it better!
SM: Ditto.
Q: OK, then, what are the cons?
SM: With two writers, each one should have to do only half of a normal work schedule. Sometimes it seems like FOUR times the work!
KK: One of you has a good idea and the other doesn't want to do it!
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FROM THE SECRET FILES OF KINDRED MARX
NAME: Hero
ALTER EGO: Hero Cruz
GROUP AFFILIATION: Ravers (Earth Clique)
The voice of reason of the Earth Clique, Hero is known throughout the Event Horizon for his calm and thoughtful manner. When Hero first joined the Rave, he was quick to befriend others. Out of the Earth Clique (Sparx, Superboy, Aura, Half-life, and Kaliber), he was the only one not to pick a fight or otherwise engage in battle with other Ravers.
When Hero originally joined my Rave, he owned the Achilles Vest. Stumbling upon the Scavengers weapons cache in Metropolis, he took the Achilles Vest, which generated an impenetrable force field that he could use to protect himself and/or others. The Scavenger, discovering his treasure was missing, teleported into Hero's home and mistakenly blamed Sparx for its theft. Kidnapping her, the Scavenger took her and the Vest back to his cache.
When Aura, Superboy, and a now-powerless Hero attempted to free her, the Scavenger fought back, capturing both Aura and Superboy. Just when matters seemed hopeless, Hero spotted a dial with his name on it. Dialing it, Hero transformed into several different heroes, one at a time. One guise, Human Justice, awed the Scavenger so that he was tricked into freeing Superboy and Aura.
Abandoning his vest, Hero now uses the H-Dial exclusively for his meta-human abilities. Hero can transform into different heroes, each with different powers and distinct personalities. Hero's personality seems to submerge beneath that of whatever hero he becomes. I am still uncertain whether he is merely acting, is unable to influence whatever heroic guise he's dialed up, or is simply getting into character.
Hero seems able to change at will into another meta-human, as opposed to having to wait at least an hour, like previous H-Dial owners did. One such holder of the dial, Vicki Grant, was constantly transforming into different villains but was unable to transform back into her original human self. She attacked Hero recently, and the two wrestled in a dizzying array of super guises. Vicki managed to snatch the disk away, and with it, transformed herself back to normal.
Hero is unable to control which guise he takes. I am unsure if he is somehow unconsciously influencing the dial with respect to which powers would be best suited at that moment. Perhaps the dial somehow "decides." On at least one occasion, however, Hero has noted that his ‘others" wait to be summoned, which suggests that each character has a separate consciousness.
In the short time that Hero has held the dial, he has already "dialed" up a huge catalog of characters, including one female character. None of the other H-Dial bearers have exhibited the ability to become the opposite sex before Hero. In order of their appearance, Hero has transformed into Badaxe, Human Justice, Stormfront, Titanic, the Feathered Serpent, Hothead, Death's-Head Moth, Ferronaut, Captain Elastic, Diamond Lord, Isis, the Radio Ranger, and Faust. Although he has no powers as Hero, in his various guises he has exhibited super-strength, invulnerability, transmutation, flight, and heat projection, among other powers.
BENEFITS
Honorable to a fault, Hero has a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty. In many ways, he is the linchpin of the Earth Clique, as he has earned the rest of the team's respect. When most of the other Ravers deserted me, his core team were among the few that voluntarily stayed by my side when Kindred Grim attacked me. Although he, like Superboy, seems more ready to challenge my authority, he can still be manipulated to benefit my cause.
In terms of sheer power, Hero may be third only to myself and Superboy. With the wide range of abilities at his disposal, it would be foolish of me not to use him for as long as possible. Kindred Sol, my beloved, must still be found, and Hero may still be quite useful in finding her.
NOTES
Since discovering the H-Dial, Hero has become engrossed in discovering the extent of his abilities. It is unknown how much he actually knows about its properties and how much he is keeping from the others, including myself. After meeting Vicki Grant, he practically interrogated her on its uses, despite the fact that she was not quite recovered from her mental trauma of being trapped in the various H-guises. If I could somehow get more information on the H-Dial operation, perhaps I could use the knowledge to bind him closer to me.
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