#5 “Wonderbolt” Walter Chen

Universe/Storyline: The Band

Universe details: In the isolated city of Crescent where these characters live, superpowers spring from close encounters with death. Only people born in the city can gain these powers, and since this is a relatively new settlement, the first generation of people born there are just starting to show signs of super-fication. This means mostly kids and teens. Of the teens, Camille, Max, Amelia, Walter, and Rin decide to team up and form a band. They take it upon themselves to help other kids who are just getting powers/dealing with death. Eventually, when The Band realizes that everyone deserves to be informed about the city’s unique predicament, they try to reach every kid in the city at once by putting on a live concert.

 

Height: 5’ 10”

Body Type: Average, tall, slightly muscular

Hair: Short, black. Sticks up with static.

Eyes: Dark brown, almost black. Wears large, black rimmed glasses.

Race: Chinese-American

Age: 15

Attire: Like Max, Walter doesn’t have an official costume, and prefers instead to wear T-shirts and shorts most days. Many of his T-shirts have electronic themes: either they are video game merchandise or employee shirts from electronic stores or just a shirt with a toaster on it. Sometimes he wears rubber gloves when he’s not sure if he’s going to shock someone or when he’s dealing with conductive materials, especially water. He designed a belt for himself that he wears under his shirt that has multiple electrical outlets on it, so he can plug things in and offset some of the charge he naturally builds up over time. The belt also has a cord with a plug end, in case he needs an extra boost of power.

Superpowers: Electrokinesis, mostly Subconscious (primary)- Walter generates a small electric charge naturally that builds up over time and can be released by physical contact. If he builds up enough charge over a period of days (or is all of a sudden exposed to it), he can even electrocute someone or something from a distance, like a plasma bolt. These bolts can leave from any point on his open skin, and reach any nearby conductive surface/object. Walter is somewhat handy with gadgets, and eventually designs a gun that lets him focus and aim a bolt more accurately, but it drains him pretty quickly if he’s not plugged in. The negative side-effect of using his power is that it causes him some physical pain. Being touched by water after he’s built up a large charge causes him to short, which hurts him and also drains him of his charge.

Personality: Although Walter is apparently less powerful, experienced, or useful when compared to the rest of the team, this hardly affects his personality. He is a somewhat shy but incredibly kind guy who easily resists becoming pompous over the idea of being a superhero. He is a valuable asset to the team for his expertise with computers and other hardware. He greatly enjoys the company of his teammates as friends, although he and Amelia do eventually become more than friends. He stands out from the rest of the group as the only one with a family he can go home to, and a dedication to school work as much as fighting crime. He is relatively ‘normal’ compared to his teammates, and occasionally garners some envy from them.

 

Powers/Backstory:

a.      Electricity (storage, conduction)- Death of his grandfather in the hospital. Walter’s gramps was on life support when the plug was pulled by Amelia.

 

Theme Song: Wonderman (feat. Ellie Goulding)- Tinie Tempah & Ellie Goulding

Category: 2011, Superhero