Thanks, Green Arrow, for those encouraging words! I knew you'd realize I was far superior to Speedy! 
- — The Bolt src
The Bolt was a brief ally of Green Arrow for a promotional stunt.
History
Larry Shafter was the owner, president, and main developer of a gadget company. His latest product being the Surefly, a self-propelled arrow guaranteed to always hit its target. As a publicity stunt concocted with his public relations agent Farrell, the underheight Shafter created the identity of "The Bolt", a masked boy archer who would work alongside the Green Arrow for a time before revealing the truth, thus ensuring sales for the Surefly. Of course, this required replacing Speedy, so Shafter sent the duo a challenge to an archery contest at a park statue commemorating the story of William Tell and his son. Using more of his gadgets to fix the game, the Bolt easily won while Speedy's shots missed badly.
Coincidentally, the Green Arrow had become concerned that Speedy was taking a lax attitude toward their civic duties, and so played along, offering to take the Bolt on patrol along with them. Feeling he was being sidelined, Speedy simply walked away. The next night, this happened again, Green Arrow having to meet up with the Bolt while Speedy stayed behind. Fortunately, Speedy followed his mentor and the would-be sidekick in secret, thus saving Shafter's life. As it turned out, Farrell was colluding with gangsters to sabotage Green Arrow. The Bolt's arrows were all defective, nearly resulting in the Green Arrow falling to his death from a faulty arrowline. Speedy also saved the Bolt, who admitted what he'd done.
Correctly guessing the Green Arrow had taken the Bolt in to teach him a lesson, Speedy decided to do one himself, pretending to walk away from their partnership as he'd been so easily replaced. In reality, he switched out costumes with Shafter, continuing to assist Green Arrow as the Bolt. They captured Farrell and his criminal friends. Afterwards, Green Arrow told Shafter in secret how he'd realized that the Bolt was really Speedy the entire time, recognizing the bow he'd used as Speedy's own and not the same one Shafter had used.
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Surefly arrows: "guaranteed never to miss" trick arrows designed by Shafter, these arrows were installed with miniature compressed air capsules in the shaft for propulsion, hinged barbs that served as rudders, and had a hollow plastic arrowhead with a light sensitive "electric eye" to track targets.
Notes
- This version of Larry Shafter, including all history and corresponding appearances, was erased from existence following the collapse of the original Multiverse in the 1985–86 Crisis on Infinite Earths event and later restored following the rebirth of the infinite Multiverse during the Dark Crisis of 2022–2023. Even though other versions of the character may have appeared, this information does not apply to those versions.
Related
- 1 Appearances of Larry Shafter (Earth-Two)
- 1 Images featuring Larry Shafter (Earth-Two)
- 1 Quotations by or about Larry Shafter (Earth-Two)
- Character Gallery: Larry Shafter (Earth-Two)
Footnotes
  This character is or was a member of the Green Arrow family of vigilante super-heroes, who fight crime using archery and martial arts. They are a loose connection brought together through family bonds and shared experiences. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Team Arrow members." |