Nu-Perspective, home of the revamps
of underutilized Nubian (black) characters is back!!
And we got
a lot of catching up to do so let’s go! This entry is a late one that was
supposed to drop back in May as part of our unofficially themed “Cartoon/Pop-culture”
month, but it’s finally here. From the hit 80's cartoon C.O.P.S we give you: BULLETPROOF!!!
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| Bulletproof artwork by ShinMusashi44.deviantart used for reference |
And now, our Nu-Perspective twist....
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| Nu-Perspective re-design Artwork by Shawn Alleyne |
Real Name:
Baldwin P Vess
Current Alias: Bulletproof
Identity: Public
Occupation: Chief of C.O.P.S.
Place of Birth: New Chicago
Base of Operations: Empire City
Affiliations: C.O.P.S.
First Appearance: circa 1988
Original Creators: John Fertig, Andy Heyward & Richard Raynis
Voiced By: Ken Ryan
Current Alias: Bulletproof
Identity: Public
Occupation: Chief of C.O.P.S.
Place of Birth: New Chicago
Base of Operations: Empire City
Affiliations: C.O.P.S.
First Appearance: circa 1988
Original Creators: John Fertig, Andy Heyward & Richard Raynis
Voiced By: Ken Ryan
Story: With
typical law-enforcement incapable of denting the insidious “CROOKS” crime
syndicate plaguing the futuristic Empire City, a new breed of police was needed
to combat the enhanced and specialized thugs and enforcers controlling the
city. Enter FBI Agent Baldwin Vess, an old-fashion, straight-laced, trench coat
and fedora wearing gum-shoe. A paragon federal agent and detective, who gained
the reverence and admiration of all in the force who know him, Vess was tasked
with forming a special elite crime-fighting unit. On his first day however,
notorious criminal mastermind and crime lord, Brandon “Big Boss” Babel, put a
hit on Vess.
Hospitalized with 75% of his body severely damaged, Vess was outfitted with a cybernetic torso to save his life. While recuperating, Vess was able to survive a second attempt on his life as he was literally bulletproof – this fact would become his nickname/codename from then on.
Founding the “Central Organization of Police Specialists” (aka C.O.P.S.), “Bulletproof” Vess enlisted hand-picked officers with expertise and skills above and beyond their peers. They were also chosen based on personality traits of being honest, hardworking, and trustworthy and who were determined to bring justice and peace to the citizens of Empire City. As Chief of C.O.P.S., Bulletproof and his fellow special officers chipped away at Big Boss’ criminal empire over the years until there was nothing left. But no one could have expected what would come next.
Without warning, a new crime boss entered the fray, bringing an epidemic of crime and drugs that swept throughout Empire City in the vacuum left by the incarceration of Big Boss and his equally devious underlings. Before C.O.P.S. could get their bearings, they were undermined by corrupt politicians and crooked lawyers who limited and ultimately defanged the effectiveness of the ECPD and C.O.P.S. To really secure control of Empire City, this mysterious enemy framed Vess and his team for corruption, stripping them of their enforcement privileges. Vess and company are pushed to the extreme to bring their city back from the brink, and now operate as an underground vigilante force working in the shade of the law. C.O.P.S. still functions to uncover the new nefarious criminal kingpin calling himself the Big Bad Boss, and bring him to justice whilst clearing their names. But will this mean forming alliances with former adversaries to get the job done; and is that be a line Vess is willing to cross?
Hospitalized with 75% of his body severely damaged, Vess was outfitted with a cybernetic torso to save his life. While recuperating, Vess was able to survive a second attempt on his life as he was literally bulletproof – this fact would become his nickname/codename from then on.
Founding the “Central Organization of Police Specialists” (aka C.O.P.S.), “Bulletproof” Vess enlisted hand-picked officers with expertise and skills above and beyond their peers. They were also chosen based on personality traits of being honest, hardworking, and trustworthy and who were determined to bring justice and peace to the citizens of Empire City. As Chief of C.O.P.S., Bulletproof and his fellow special officers chipped away at Big Boss’ criminal empire over the years until there was nothing left. But no one could have expected what would come next.
Without warning, a new crime boss entered the fray, bringing an epidemic of crime and drugs that swept throughout Empire City in the vacuum left by the incarceration of Big Boss and his equally devious underlings. Before C.O.P.S. could get their bearings, they were undermined by corrupt politicians and crooked lawyers who limited and ultimately defanged the effectiveness of the ECPD and C.O.P.S. To really secure control of Empire City, this mysterious enemy framed Vess and his team for corruption, stripping them of their enforcement privileges. Vess and company are pushed to the extreme to bring their city back from the brink, and now operate as an underground vigilante force working in the shade of the law. C.O.P.S. still functions to uncover the new nefarious criminal kingpin calling himself the Big Bad Boss, and bring him to justice whilst clearing their names. But will this mean forming alliances with former adversaries to get the job done; and is that be a line Vess is willing to cross?
Power/Abilities: Baldwin
Vess is an accomplished detective, tactician, strategist and skilled
hand-to-hand combatant and marksman, given his extensive and exemplary training
in the FBI. Due to the severe, life-threatening injury he suffered on his first
day in Empire City, Vess’ upper and lower torso were outfitted with
cutting-edge cybernetic parts to protect and replace damaged organs and tissue.
As a consequence, the highly-expensive industrial metals used rendered those
areas bulletproof. As a result of a nano-tech upgrade, the remainder of Vess’ body
is now also bulletproof; however higher caliber rounds or explosives can still
penetrate or dent his cybernetics. It is however insulated from electrical
overloads and remote hacking. His chest comes with a built-in omni-purpose
bluetooth that allows him to hack and access any mainframe or database hub he
is near. It is believed that his cybernetic parts need periodic maintenance;
however the process and frequency are highly classified.
Paraphernalia:
Standard issue police sidearm. His cybernetic torso also houses EMP discs which
can be used to short-circuit any electronic devices or machines. He has since
upgraded his chassis with other compartments and components with non-lethal
law-enforcement equipment and gadgets.
*****
And there you have it. Let us know
if you like what we did with him. Scroll down a bit for some a little
Q&A with me and Fabian, then see ya sooner than later for another
Nu-Perspective entree. Nu-Perspective is a bi-weekly column I started with my writing partner Fabian Wood with the purpose of spotlighting, revamping and updating various underdeveloped, underutilized and all-but-forgotten Nubian comic book and pop culture characters. Our goal is to showcase them in fresh, contemporary and exciting ways both visually and story-wise.
Fine Print: All characters are copyrights and trademarks of the respective publishers and creators. This column is used solely for artistic enjoyment. We aim to showcase Nubian characters in fresh, contemporary and exciting ways both visually and story-wise.
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