N-Forcer
From Herocopia
It has been 40 or so years, since the debut of the N-Forcer. While the general public does not know the identity of the person or persons inside the suit, we know that there have been at least two individuals have donned the enigmatic and powerful uniform of the N-Forcer.
Contents |
Vital Statistics
Status: Active
Real Name: Not revealed
Debuted: Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 1 # 1
Earliest known appearance: 1959, during a flashback sequence occurring in Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 1 #2. N-Forcer, his teammates(Honor Guard), and others; challenge Shirak's attempt to cross enchanted barriers and enter the dimension, time and space of our earth. Given the circumstances, it is highly likely that the N-Forcer has history prior to this event.
Affiliation: Honor Guard
Base of Operations: Astro City
Powers
The suit transforms its wearer's body into an energy-like substance, called N-Force, that pulsates and dances like electrons glowing inside a old cathode ray tube. The N-Forcer does not breathe in the normal sense while in this form.
The N-Forcer's powers are based on some form of high energy production and/or containment. He can construct force-shields out of the energy, and it also greatly increases body strength and durability. Beyond that, the exact nature of N-Forcer's powers, attack capabilities, its effects on human life forms, the range and nature of its use, the ability to control it, its source, and almost everything related to the hows, whys and whats are still untold mysteries. Perhaps they will be unraveled in future issues of Astro City.
Speculations, Observations and Theories
As an iconic entity, The N-Forcer was one of the original Honor Guard team and remains a member throughout their history, making him/them the longest active and the only original member remaining.
His suit has undergone significant upgrades, overhauls and at least two complete redesigns. Much sleeker today, far more refined, portable and probably more durable. The first somewhat bulky contrivance(circa 1959) seems to be a vessel of sorts to either generate the N-Force energy or contain it. There is also primitive (by today's standards) miniaturization devices for duplicating certain physical body activities.
Over the years, with redesigns and upgrades, most of the clumsiness of the first suit have been reduced or completely eliminated. For example, the Mechanical hands, assumed to have been manipulated using finger harnesses, are now completely gone. But the sense of the suit being used to contain or control the energy remains.
The second or 1960s period costume seems to project the most human like features and the structure of the facial coverings seems to be a bit of a throwback to an earlier technology.
The differences upgrading the suit from version three to four and to the present version were minor. Thigh bands were removed and the upper chest structure is now sculpted more closer to the "body". The current suit is also very compact, with two leg pieces, two arm gauntlets, a chest covering, a modesty belt (of sorts), and a helmet.
He clearly has scientific knowledge to some significant extent. Not only did Samaritan think to ask him about the microspore buildup in the Closet, he was able to manipulate technological sensors so as to disrupt a warp-gate. See Astro City Special: Beautie for more information.
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Headlines
- February 8, 1995: N-Forcer Saves Senate
Appearances (in published order)
- N-Forcer(1)
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 1 # 2
Astro City/Arrowsmith The Flip Book
- N-Forcer(2)
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 # 13, 14, 16, 19,
Astro City: Local Heroes # 4
Astro City Special: Beautie
- N-Forcer(3)
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 # 16
Astro City: Local Heroes # 4
Astro City: The Dark Age Book One # 1, 2, 4
Astro City: The Dark Age Book Two # 1
- N-Forcer(4)
Astro City: The Dark Age Book Three # 3, 4
- N-Forcer(5)
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 1 #1, 6
Wizard Presents: Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 # 1/2
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 19, 20, 22
Astro City: Local Heroes # 1, 3
Astro City Special: Beautie
External Links
N-Forcer Entry An early N-Forcer web page design. One of many sample web pages that influenced and led to the formation of this wiki website dedicated to Astro City.
