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Franklin Rock (New Earth)

Revision as of 23:11, 24 October 2011 by Knightreaver (Message Wall | contribs) (Adding categories)
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During World War II, Sgt. Rock fought in the infantry branch of the U.S. Army in the European Theatre and eventually rose to authority within his unit, Easy Company. The unit was made up of a disparate collection of individuals who managed to participate in every major action in the European war. Rock's dogtag number was 409966, which had been, it was claimed, Robert Kanigher's own military serial number.

Robert Kanigher mused in letters columns in the 1970s and 1980s that Rock probably belonged to "The Big Red One" (First US Infantry Division) given his appearance on battlefields in North Africa, Italy and Northwest Europe. The backstory for Rock was fleshed out in different comics over the years; generally he is considered to have come from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he worked in a steel mill. Enlisting after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he went to North Africa as a private but promotion came quickly as his superiors were killed, to assistant squad leader, squad leader, and then platoon sergeant. During the main series, his unit is only ever given as "Easy Company", but no regiment or division is named nor is unit insignia ever shown. In the 2009 six-issue mini-series, "Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion", Rock's unit is still referred to as "Easy Company", but is of the 141st Infantry Regiment.

Rock also usually wears the chevrons and rockers of a Master Sergeant on his uniform and also applied, oversize, to the front of his helmet.

It is likely Rock's official position in Easy Company was of senior platoon sergeant though dialogue and scripts are usually vague on his actual responsibilities and duties. He usually leads patrols and appears to have powers of command over the men of the company. Several officer characters also appeared in the comic, as both platoon and company commanders, all of whom were regarded by Rock as superiors. Easy's commander was usually referred to as "the skipper" by Rock. Rock in turn was referred to by others as the "topkick", or senior non-commissioned officer in the company. Most infantry companies did not have Master Sergeants; significantly, Rock does not have the diamond of a First Sergeant on his rank insignia.

Powers

Rock is a crack shot, able to shoot down several German fighter planes with a single submachine gun, and able to throw hand grenades with amazing accuracy.

Abilities

  • Rock is a highly effective close combat fighter, mostly shown using a style of streetfighting mixed with boxing.
  • Rock seems to have close to superhuman endurance and strength, surviving large number of gunshot wounds, fragments from hand grenades, exposure to freezing water and other hazards. In Bob Kanighers stories Rock's powers seem to be more realistic than in Joe Kuberts.

Weaknesses

Rock has the same weaknesses as any normal adult male.

Equipment

M-1 Garand cartridge belt, 30 calibre ammunition belts (slung over shoulder)

Weapons

.45 calibre Thompson submachine gun, .45 calibre Colt M1911A1 automatic pistol

  • The character of Frank Rock was created by writer/editor Robert Kanigher. According to Kanigher, neither Rock, nor any of the other soldiers of Easy Company survived World War II. Kanigher's legendary character was allegedly felled by the last bullet fired in the final battle of World War II. Later writers would establish that Rock not only survived World War II, but was still active in the affairs of the United States government. Booster Gold (Volume 2) #20 indicates that Rock was one of the early field commanders of Task Force X, serving with them as early as 1952. In the modern era, Rock was shown to still be alive, having at last been promoted to the rank of General. General Rock played a vital role in the administration of President Lex Luthor and was also active during the "Our Worlds at War" debacle. Following which, General Rock was put in charge of a new Suicide Squad. [2] Following the Squad's dissolution, however, Rock vanished leaving behind only a lifelike face mask while the individual believed to have been his aide, Bulldozer, stood up from the wheelchair to which he had apparently been confined and walked away in front of bewildered witnesses. Task Force X head Amanda Waller commented that both Frank Rock and Bulldozer had died in 1945. So far, no explanation for these events has been given, though the implication is clearly that these individuals were not the real Rock and Bulldozer.
  • Sgt. Rock and Easy Company's adventures took place simultaneously on both Earth-One and Earth-Two, with little to no differentiation between them. As such, Rock's continuity is preserved in the Post-Crisis environment.
  • Sgt. Rock is somewhat analogous to the Marvel Comics character, Nick Fury.
  • Sgt. Rock's dogtag number during World War II was 409966. This was also the serial number of Air Force Major Nick Hunter. Allegedly, the number 409966 was writer Robert Kanigher's own dogtag number during the time he spent in the service.[3]
  • Frank Rock graduated from Hill Side High School in Pennsylvania.
  • Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 141st Infantry.
  • Sgt. Rock was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross at Normandy.[4]

Related

External Links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Booster Gold (Volume 2) #20
  2. ↑ Suicide Squad (Volume 2) #1
  3. ↑ Sgt. Rock article at Wikipedia
  4. ↑ Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion #1


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