Nobody’s Hero: Name These Heroes

I previously asked for some help naming some superhero teams. This time, it’s individual heroes wherein either the character’s name is taken, too similar to the name of another character, or I just don’t like it. In some cases I am asking that you vote between a couple of options and in others I am soliciting suggestions. Even if you do give me a suggestion, let me know which of the listed possibilities – that you like the most. Also, if you really like someone else’s suggestion, note that!

#1: Daredevil (Bart Hill)

For example, I can’t use the Golden Age Daredevil‘s name because of Marvel’s trademark of the name. Other people who have used the character have modified the name (Three examples: Reddevil, Doubledare, Death Defying ‘Devil). The character has a couple of origins and I am thinking of going with the first one minutes the “mute” part. I am also likely to go with the first costume rather than the second. In both cases, because most go with the other story. I’m considering three different names. None of them are inspiring, and I’m open to other suggestions, but these are the ones I’ve got:

1) Stuntdevil – Similar to Daredevil, but different.

2) Kildare – This one has no specific meaning except that it sounds better than the other ones and it’s not in use.

3) Devildog – Shares the initials and the spike belt kind of works as a spiked collar on a guard dog.
 

#2: Red Rube (Reuben Reuben)

Red Rube (right-top) will actually be prominent in a particular story, so this one is a bit more important. He shares quite a bit in common with DC’s character, Captain Marvel aka Shazam. Enough so that I feel the need to be careful, which is actually limiting my options. Billy Batson’s naming history is itself kind of odd. Up until recently, he was known as Captain Marvel, except due to a conflict with Marvel Comics (who has their own Captain Marvel) he was identified as Power of Shazam on the cover. Shazam is both the wizard that gave Billy his power and the word he says to turn into Captain Marvel. To turn into Red Rube, Reuben Reuben (yeah, his double-name is also going to change) says “Hey Rube” which I initially thought I could do something with (“Change it to Heirube” and have that be is name, too) but now that Billy Batson goes as Shazam it seems too close a parallel. I had also thought of changing it Whoosh but that seems kind of Shazamesque as well. So I have no ideas on this one. Anyone have a good Brainstorm? Note: I may be using Captain Truth’s costume (right-bottom) or simply filling in his costume a little.

#3: Superpowered Nuclear Character

The character Captain Atom is theoretically in the public domain, but DC would probably fight it anyway. So in this case, I basically decided to create a character using elements from the original Captain Atom, Nukla, Doctor Solar, as well as critical original elements. The characters origin is that he was a CIA agent attempting to sabotage a nuclear reactor in the Soviet Union. He and his team were evaporated. Yet somehow, his consciousness survived. He found the nearest dead Russian who was still more-or-less in tact, took over that body, and discovered along the way that he had really immense power. His powers are theoretically endless, though thankfully for his country his imagination was somewhat limited. He did not become a Dr Manhattan sort of figure and pretty much wouldn’t do anything his government wouldn’t let him do. That’s the rough outline, anyway. For this guy, I’m leaning towards two names. The first is Commander Force, which works on one level though I worry about overlap with Captain Atom, who had an enemy named Major Force. So I’m leaning in the direction of Agent Valor. Another consideration is Bombardier. I may go with Atomic Thunderbolt (mostly referred to as Thunderbolt), as an unrelated successor to this guy, though I’d kind of like him to have a name all his own. I’d prefer, though do not require, a rank or signifier like Commander or Agent. Something that suggests that he falls under the umbrella of the US government. This character is actually one of the more important ones in the series. I haven’t decided on a costume yet, but I expect it to look more like Nulka’s than Captain Atom’s, though I am going to be angling for significant original elements. He represents power defined and is a friend, ally, and rival to the protagonist.

#4: Patriotic Superhero

One of the characters is going to be a guy called Wild Knight. Wild Knight’s origin is that he used to be one of the big patriotic, government-supported heroes. But for political and personal reasons, he was fired, thus he took on the new name and identity. What I don’t have, though, is much of an inkling for his previous identity (and thus his successor and rival’s identity). I have considered making him a successor to (and thus taking the name of) American Eagle, Anthem, or Lt. Shield. Lt Shield is reboot of this guy, though may be a little too close to this guy (who is theoretically public domain, but not so much that I would venture it) to be used prominently (though the costume will be quite different, though still RW&B). Anthem is a rename of Flag. American Eagle is here. With Lt Shield, I should be able to tie the new guy in with the original which is preferable (like, the original Anthem was a part of the committee that designated WK as his successor). I might be able to work it with Anthem, though with American Eagle it would basically be a “using the name and nothing else” sort of relationship. I may go with Commander Force (assuming I don’t use him for the nuclear-based hero). I am completely open to nominations on this one as I am a bit baffled. Wild Knight is an important character, his successor less so. But since it’s a part of WK’s history, it won’t be insignificant.)

#5: Captain 3D

This one is super-hokey, for but for reasons I’m not going to go into I actually kind of need him. (Okay, a brief explanation: I need just about every public domain superhero I can find who got started in 1953, 1954, or 1955 – there aren’t many.) I plan on leaving the origin more-or-less in tact with the exception of the wizbang (Wizbang? I could do worse… beats “Captain 3D”)around 3D technology. I have no ideas with this one, no suggestions with this one. The costume will be mostly preserved with the exception of the 3D on the chest. Army ranks (like “Captain”) are discouraged but noble titles could work (Sir Something? Well, not the word Something… though that would still be a better name than Captain 3D). In their iteration of it, AC Comics went with Commando D for their version, which I obviously can’t use, but exactly the sort of name I would be okay with (whether the “D” stands for anything or not – it really doesn’t even have to make sense). I’m really desperate on this one and am drawing nothing but blanks, to the point that Wizbang isn’t out of the question. This character plays a role by being at a certain place at a certain time and being a big deal in a particular environment. I might come up with something more for him, though.

#6: Atomic Man

Atomic Man is one of the more bland atomic heroes, to the point that I am not only going to rename him but am also going to give him a new look. It so happens I need this guy for his origin, which shares some similarities with the narrator. Otherwise, I’d just use Atoman. I was thinking about using the name Radior for him (Radior is another character, I will also use, but I was thinking of making one a successor to the other), or a slight deviation in Radius (as a nerd/scientist, he might appreciate radius being a variation of radium and being an unrelated term). I’ve more recently been thinking of Uraniuman (there are advantages to the similarity with Atoman) or Plutarch, with a connection to the historical figure but also plutonium. On a sidenote, the character actually turns out to be a right-wing nutbar who would probably have thought that General Ripper wasn’t completely wrong in Dr Strangelove. But the character’s name cannot, in and of itself, reveal this, but if it hinted in this direction that would be okay. I ponder the Plutarch name from a combination of Plutonium, plutocracy, and a fascination with morality.