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| As a result of the New 52 in 2011, the entire line of DC characters was relaunched, incorporating properties belonging to the company's imprints: Wildstorm, Milestone, and Vertigo. As such, elements of this character's history have been altered in some way from the previous incarnation. For a complete list of all versions of this character, see our disambiguation page. |
Rick Tyler is Hourman, a member of the Wonders of the World who uses the drug Miraclo to grant him super-strength.
History
The son of expert chemist Rex Tyler, Rick felt cheated when his father's greatest invention, a super-stimulant called Miraclo, was taken by Thomas Wayne to give the out-of-shape sexagenarian the physical stamina to fight crime as Batman. Whatever Rick's initial feelings on the matter, after Thomas Wayne died fighting to save the world, Rick was recruited into an alliance of anti-establishment Wonders led by Doctor Impossible, dedicated to the goal of a fairer world than the one the World Army and its allies, the Wonders of the World, would "allow" them.
Rick staked out the Wayne Corporation building in New Gotham, eventually breaking through its security to steal Thomas Wayne's utility belt from a display case - along with the Miraclo pills it contained.[1]
Using Doctor Impossible's resources to reverse-engineer the drug, Rick gained superhuman physical prowess, one hour per pill, and took the name "Hourman". He served Doctor Impossible alongside Anarky and Johnny Sorrow, but was ultimately defeated by the Wonders of the World.
Adrift now that his patron and their industrial resources were gone, Hourman was recruited by Kyle Nimbus, the head of the energy corporation Nimbus Solutions, to act as a bodyguard. Nimbus laced the Miraclo he supplied Rick with with a drug that made him more willing to follow Nimbus' orders. Hourman fought Dick Grayson, the third Batman, but Grayson was eventually able to supply Rick with a counter-agent to the will-suppressing impurity in his drug. Pointing out that Rick had valid complaints but a terrible taste in paymasters, Grayson offered to hire Hourman to make the world better. Initailly distrustful, Rick accepted, and subsequently helped the Wonders of the World fight the Ultra-Humanite.
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Miraclo: Hourman derives all his superhuman abilities from the "miracle vitamin" Miraclo. An active ingredient is a special form of phosphorus, which bonds temporarily with the ATP in muscle cells to create an "Adenosine Quad-Phosphate" which energizes the cells.
- Superhuman Strength: The energy released gives the subject increased strength. While under the effect of Miraclo Richard becomes strong enough to make Superman bleed with his blows.[1]
- Superhuman Durability: The energy released gives the subject limited invulnerability. While under the effect of Miraclo he was completely unhurt by the Flash's attack.[1]
- Superhuman Stamina: The energy released gives the subject heightened stamina.
- Superhuman Agility: The energy released gives the subject increased agility.
- Night Vision: The energy released gives the subject the ability to see at night.
- Aquatic Adaptation: The energy released gives the subject the ability to breathe underwater.
Notes
- Rick Tyler was created by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, and Todd McFarlane, first appearing in Infinity Inc. #20. In the Earth 2 continuity, however, Rick Tyler first appeared as part of the New 52 DC Universe in Earth 2: Society #6 by Daniel H. Wilson and Alisson Borges.
Related
- 7 Appearances of Richard Tyler (Earth 2)
- 4 Images featuring Richard Tyler (Earth 2)
- Quotations by or about Richard Tyler (Earth 2)
- Character Gallery: Richard Tyler (Earth 2)
Footnotes
  This character, team or organization is or was primarily an enemy of the Justice Society, in any of its various incarnations. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Justice Society Villains" category. |
 Justice Society of America member |