A.R.G.U.S. Threat Report
- CodeName: Rocky
- Place of Origin: Emerald City, Oregon, United States
- Real/Birth Name: Rocky Jones
- Real Identity Status: Public
- Age/Apparent Age: Mid-30s
- Height: 5'8"
- Gender: Male
- Category/Occupation: Hero / Former Actor
- Superhero Affiliations: The Sentinels
- Real Identity Affiliations: None
- Power Set: Mutated Powerhouse
- Power Origin: Mutant
- Player/Type: NPC
Appearance
Rocky is often compared (and often mistakenly assumed to be related) to The Thing from the Fantastic 4, which Rocky finds extremely aggravating as he was born this way, and thus has been rock-skinned for far longer than Ben Grimm who became that way by accident just a few years ago - but such is the way of fame. Regardless, they are very similar in appearance, except that Rocky looks like he’s made of slate-gray stone and has white eyes. Rocky tends to dress in black and red gym shorts (they stretch well) when being a hero, and similar flexible and harder-to-tear clothing. He doesn't wear shoes, as his extreme weight tends to make short work of them.
Background
Rocky was born with his powers and quickly given up for adoption. He spent his childhood as a ward of the state and spent a lot of his time in government labs where he was poked and prodded so scientists could learn more about mutations—he was even featured on the cover of TIME Magazine because of his role in helping science (and the world) understand more about mutants.
Shortly after all this publicity he was approached by a television producer who wanted him to star in a new show. It was supposed to be about a mutant orphan who came to live with a wealthy industrialist and his family. Rocky was told it would open doors for him and show everyone what it was like for people like him to live in the world. Rocky was young, but he liked that idea.
Freakin’ Out! was an absolute hit! Rocky played the precocious mutant perfectly and it didn’t hurt that he was actually a pretty cute kid, even if he was made of stone. His catchphrase, “I’m gonna knock your block off!” (with lower lip extended comically) is still quoted by people, even those with only a passing familiarity with the show. From the time he was eight until he was almost 15 he played the eponymous Rocky Jones. Until the accident.
When he hit his teens, his strength grew exponentially, seemingly overnight. He broke things constantly and one day he accidentally turned to point at something and knocked his female co-star, Diana Williams, across the stage and broke her jaw, neck, arm, and a few ribs. The media sharks when into a feeding frenzy and Rocky was quickly labelled dangerous, out of control, and even accused of punching Diana in a fit of rage. Rumours flew about an illicit affair, about drugs and involvement in mutant supremacist causes. The show was quickly shut down and Rocky was on his own.
He tried for years to get back into the business and spent a fair amount of time in his 20s in Japan, guest-starring on talk shows and participating in crazy game-show stunts that not only paid him a living wage, but also taught him the extent of his full strength. He is still quite popular in Japan.
For most of the last few years, Rocky’s spent most his time alone in his basement apartment (built to withstand his strength and weight), sometimes venturing out for a coffee or burger at nearby eateries. He is known and well-liked by the locals, but whenever he goes out, some non-local always cracks a joke, so he doesn’t go out much.
Recently, while fighting off another bout of the blues, Rocky decided he was done with his past. He called his agent, fired him, got up, and started taking nightly walks around the city. He ignored the honking cars and the people yelling, “I’m gonna knock your block off!” and looked for ways to help. Since he’s started going out he’s helped the fire department with some fires, stopped an out-of-control car, and broken up a number of drunken, late-night fights. Some people have started to take note, but many believe he’s trying to jumpstart his dead career. Rocky doesn’t care what they say. He’ll be out there every night.
Personality
Rocky has many reasons to be bitter: he’s a has-been and he knows it, he’s never had a real girlfriend, he looks like a freak, he can’t have a regular job, and his mere presence is a danger to everyone around him due to his sheer physical power. And for years he was bitter. Recently, however, he realized none of that matters. He’s decided he’s going to make a difference in the world; fame doesn’t matter, the fact that he’s a joke to so many people doesn’t matter, the only thing that matters is helping people and making things better—and he’s going to do it, even if everyone makes fun of him the whole time.
Motivation: Responsibility:
After years of listening to the people around him, Rocky has decided to take his destiny into his own hands and use the powers he’s been given to help people.
Secret Identity
Rocky has no secret identity - everyone knows who he is and there is little he can do to hide it (or reason to).
Other Notes
Using similar scientific methods to what geologists use to determine the age of rocks, Sophie Anderson uncovered recently that Rocky's body stopped "ageing" a few years ago - meaning that it appears that Rocky is functionally immortal.
Combat Style
Rocky, as might be expected, relies on his impervious rocky exterior to ignore damage that would kill others, and hit for full effect with his incredible strength. Although his weight is usually a disadvantage to him, it also allows him to apply more momentum to his incredible strength, allowing him to perform strength-based effects that even the Sentinel's other Powerhouse, Princess, is unable to do; such as creating shockwaves when he claps his hand, or causing localised mini-earthquakes when he stomps the ground. Despite his appearance, Rocky cares about his team-mates and in a hard-call spot will always choose protecting others over catching the villain.
Social Style
Though at times his frustration at being different gets to him, making him a little frustrated or lonely, for the whole part Rocky is a friendly guy who is surprisingly humble - having learnt what truly matters in life, and how fleeting fame can be. He is readily available to provide support (physical or emotional) to his team-mates like a big brother, especially those who are "different" and may receive prejudice (as he did) as a result. He has been surrounded by false people before, and those willing to take advantage and as such, whilst pleasant, is slow to let people in and trust them - but those that take the time to do so, and see the man underneath the rocky exterior, find him to be a very loyal and caring friend. Those who rib him about his acting past quickly earn his ire - he may have gotten good at holding his temper, but it still builds up, especially if the insults come from his supposed team-mates.
Signature Powers & Special Abilities
- Powerful legs: Rocky can run approximately 16mph and leap 120 feet in a single bound
- Stone exterior: invulnerability to damage (and people hitting him are likely to hurt themselves)
- Strongman tricks: Rocky can create a variety of strength-related tricks such as sonic claps, mini-earthquakes and climbing surfaces by digging his hands into the surface using his super-strength.
- Immunity to many things that would kill a normal person, e.g. cold and hot environments, pressure, disease, poison and radiation)
Signature Equipment & Gear
- Red and black gym shorts
Signature Quotes
- "I'm gonna knock your block off."
Gallery
Rocky
Rocky fighting Junkpile