Archibald Masters (Earth-ABC)

From DC Database

American Crusader

Gallery

Real Name

Archibald "Archie" Masters

Current Alias

American Crusader

Aliases

The Crusader

Identity

Secret

Alignment

Good

Affiliation

SMASH

Universe

Earth-ABC

Base Of Operations

Grand University; SMASH HQ, Antarctica,Earth

Characteristics

Gender

Male

Status

Citizenship

American

Occupation

Science Hero, Astronomer

Education

Ph.D. Astronomy

First appearance

Tom Strong #12 ^[1]

History

Origin

Archie Masters gets his powers

In 1941, believing he had discovered a new planet near Uranus, Grand University Astronomy professor Archie Masters rushed to inform physicist Professor Scott. Scott was about to split an atom, when Masters was caught in the energy release. After leaving the hospital, he was accosted by a mugger. Manifesting invulnerability and great stregth, he defeated the criminal.

Theorizing that, as the energetic power of the atom is practically unlimited, when the atom smasher went off, it rearranged his atomic structure, giving him "virtually limitless power". He swore an oath to protect his country from evil as The Crusader.

In his first adventure, he uncovered a plot to seize power by simultaneously exploding multiple bombs across the country. Tracking the saboteurs to their headquarters, he destroyed them with one of their own bombs.^[2]

Modern Age

He is an alcoholic, and currently operates with the modern incarnation of SMASH.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Described by Tom Strong as "probably the first nuclear science-hero", he is "possibly even more powerful than Tom Strange".

• Invulnerability such that he can easily survive in the vacuum of space unaided.
• Energy Projection: Can project beams of electromagnetic energy from his hands.
• Flight: Capable of flight.
  

Abilities

None known.

Strength level

• Superhuman Strength: Exact limits unknown.
  

Weaknesses

None known, required no time to recover from thirty years of suspended animation while others members of SMASH did.^[3]

Paraphernalia

Equipment: None known.
Transportation: None known.
Weapons: None known.

Notes

• No special notes.
  

Trivia

• No trivia.

See Also

• Discuss Archibald Masters (Earth-ABC) on the forums
• Appearances of Archibald Masters (Earth-ABC) (Chronological)
• Appearances of Archibald Masters (Earth-ABC) (Alphabetical)
• Character Gallery: Archibald Masters (Earth-ABC)
• Fan-Art Gallery: Archibald Masters (Earth-ABC)
• Quotations by Archibald Masters (Earth-ABC)

Links and References

• American Crusader at Wikipedia.org
  
• International Superheroes Entry on American Crusader
• Golden Age Superheroes
• Thrilling Comics #25 (February 1942) Online Reprint
  

Footnotes

ABC Character(s) This character, team, organization or group of characters exists under the continuity of the America's Best Comics company/imprint, and its respectively owned titles. America's Best Comics was originally an independent publisher, started by notable creator Alan Moore, but was bought by WildStorm Productions, a subsidiary of DC Comics, making all its material DC property. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "ABC Characters category."