Astra Furst
From Herocopia
The third generation member of the legendary First Family, Astra is the adventurous daughter of the size-changing Natalie Furst and the monstrous Rex Zorus. Capable of transforming her entire body into energy, Astra has lived her entire life as a high profile superhero. Yet, she too can feel the pains of growing up, and struggle to find her path in life.
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Vital Statistics
Status: Active. Currently in her early twenties and close to graduating from college.
Real Name: Astra Nadia Furst-Zorus
Debut: Volume 1 Issue 4 (“Safeguards”)
Origin Revealed: Volume 2 Issue 2 (“Everyday Life”)
Birthdate: July 8th, 1986.
Place of Birth: Presumably Astro City
Group Affiliation: First Family
Base of Operations: First Family's Headquarters on Mount Kirby
Range of Operations: Astro City (solo); Intergalactic and inter-dimensional (with First Family)
Known Relatives: Natalia “Natalie” Furst (mother), Rex Zorus (father), Nadia Furst (maternal grandmother), Kaspian (maternal grandfather), Madame Majestrix (paternal grandmother), Dr. Augustus Furst (adopted grandfather), Julius Furst (adopted great-uncle), Nikolai “Nick” Furst (uncle), Darcy Conroy (aunt-to-be), Uranium (pet “fish”)
Personal Data
Aliases: Astrid Ljinders
Nicknames: Punkin’, New Girl
Occupation: Adventurer, Student
Dual Identity: Public
Marital Status: Single
Characteristics
Height [at ten]: 4’8”
Weight [at ten]: 85 lbs
Eyes: Green
Hair: Blonde
Unusual Features: None
History
Born in 1986, Astra Furst's astonishing powers emerged while she was a toddler. It is unknown when Astra began adventuring with the First Family. Her earliest published adventure occurred circa late 1995, as depicted in the story "Safeguards." As the newest member of the First Family, she was always a media delight and childhood celebrity. As such, Astra’s adolescence was far from normal, cocooned to a private environment that centered almost exclusively on family related projects and activities. She was home-schooled by Mister Smartie, a holographic construct built by her grandfather, Dr. Augustus Furst, and programmed to cover nearly every known subject. She also trained in the use of her powers and as a young child, regularly joined the First Family on their many adventures. As a member of the First Family, Astra has confronted a number of superhuman threats, including The Unholy Alliance, the nigh-omnipotent Thunderhead, and Silver Brain.
In 1996, Astra was recognized as possibly “the most famous, most powerful ten-year-old girl in the world.” However, while she excelled at being a superhero, she had difficulty relating to other children. She did not watch television, had never been to a slumber party, and had no friends her own age. Following a television interview and ffter watching a group of schoolchildren playing hopscotch, Astra became obsessed with both the game and what it meant to be a “normal” kid. Thus, she “went on an adventure” of her own. An adventures that starts with her enrolling in nearby Bolling Elementary School as “Astrid Ljinders.” Astra made friends and eventually became the school’s hopscotch champion before being located by her parents, who arranged to have her attend Bolling regularly so that she could continue to interact with her peers and “get to know what normal life is like.” Astra remains an active member of the First Family.
Powers
Although Astra is the youngest member of the First Family, she may also be its most powerful. All of her powers originate from her ability to generate and control an unidentified energy source (the same energy that both her mother and uncle can also manipulate). She seems to be able to tap into that energy in a stronger, perhaps purer fashion, providing her with the following capabilities:
- Energy Form: Astra can instantly convert her entire body into energy while retaining her consciousness and rough physical form. She has also been observed transforming specific parts of her body, such as her hands and forearms. While in her full energy form, Astra can fly and appears immune to physical attacks.
- Flight: Although her top speed has not been measured, Astra is incredibly agile in flight, able to dodge multiple lasers, weave complex patterns, and fly through small openings.
- Energy Blasts: Like her uncle Nick, Astra can project damaging streams of energy from her hands.
- Energy Manipulation: Astra has some fine control over her energy projection, allowing her to: encircle enemies in coils of energy; emit particle streams that can she can use to manipulate and levitate small objects; create “energy campfires”; and even “draw” simple symbols or shapes (such as a hopscotch board) in the air or a suitable surface.
- Disruption:: Astra’s energies can seemingly disrupt various types of transmissions, including psychic communication.
- Energy Empathy: As an energy being herself, Astra has an innate understanding of other forms of energy. During one battle with the Silver Brain, she was able to partially dissolve into the villain’s power core and shut it down.
Abilities: Tutored by her genius grandfather and the A.I. construct Mister Smartie, Astra is bright and well-educated, with knowledge of everything from molecular biology to the documented weaknesses of known villains. At ten, she was so well-versed in computers that she was able to falsify school records and enroll herself in Bolling Elementary School. However, her writing skills are only normal, at a level one would expect from an average person of her age. She is also a skilled hopscotch player.
Strength level: Presumably normal human strength for a girl of her age who engages in intensive regular exercise.
Equipment and Miscellaneous
Equipment: As a member of the First Family, Astra has access to a wide range of equipment. She has been observed using:
- First Family Uniform: Astra’s First Family uniforms can be reprogrammed to transform from her familiar orange-and-black jumpsuit into other types of clothing, including an insulated hooded parka and even pajamas. The uniform also includes a locator chip.
- Cerebra-Circuit: A device that attaches to the forehead and protects against mental domination powers, such as those possessed by the Silver Brain.
Weapons: None known.
Vehicles: Although she can fly on her own, Astra also has access to the First Family’s stable of vehicles, including Family-1, the First Family’s transforming transport.
Weaknesses
While Astra is seemingly intangible in her energy form, she can be injured by other energy attacks or beings composed of pure energy (such as the Silver Brain’s Anti-Bodies). When she is not transformed, Astra is essentially a normal human, susceptible to injury, hunger, and cold.
Psychological Profile
At ten, Astra was intelligent, resourceful, and brave. Prior to attending Bolling Elementary School, she could become flustered when trying to relate to other children. Once she went on her own adventure, she demonstrated a single-minded determination to best Bolling Elementary’s reigning hopscotch champion.
Trivia
- Astra’s favorite color is green.
Speculations, Observations and Theories
- The energy source, seemingly shared by Natalie, Nick, and Astra Furst, has not been identified, although it strongly resembles the energy seen encircling Nadia (Natalie and Nick’s birth mother) in 2:2. Augustus Furst has also harnessed it for various weapons, and as a smoking substance for his pipe.
- Astra has a very dynamic DNA body chemistry. Derived from an compositional blending of her father's reptilian species, and her mother's already “cross-breed” mixture (between a possible superhuman and Kaspian, the Prince of the Beast-Men), it’s quite possible that Astra could yet develop or exhibit other powers. Based on her parentage, such powers could include super-strength, increased durability, enhanced senses, and superhuman agility.
Headlines
- 1986: Rex and Natalie: It's A Girl! (either July 10 or 11)
Appearances
1:4: As part of First Family, battles and defeats the Unholy Alliance.
1:6: Instrumental in banishing an unnamed axe-wielding giant in Chicago.
2:1: Joins other heroes in defending Astro City Thunderhead.
2:2: Featured “day-in-the-life” story culminating in decision to go on her own adventure.
2:3: Becomes Bolling Elementary School’s new hopscotch champion.
2:6: Cameo returning from Mirror Galaxy.
2:8: Pictured on cover only.
2:9: Joins worldwide battle against Enelsian Attack
"A Visitor's Guide": Short Bio on First Family with group illustration.
