Jack-in-the-Box
From Herocopia
The colorful costume and clever antics of Jack-in-the-Box have been a featured attraction on the rooftops and in the alleyways of Astro City since 1964. He is generally seen patrolling the neighborhoods of Bakerville and Chesler, but his extended watch covers all of the city. Occasionally, he has been known to operate on an international level. While generally a loner, recent rumors suggest that he is in communication with some sort of home base.
Jack-in-the-Box is an exceptional athlete and a skilled practitioner of several martial arts. He possesses a keen intellect, and considerable powers of deduction. Famed for his use of advanced technologies to design and implement his arsenal of weapons in the form of clever, clown-themed 'toys'.
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Vital Statistics
As Jack Johnson:
Status: Deceased
Earliest Known Appearance: August 11, 1964
Died: October 13, 1983
Debuted: Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 1 #3
Birth-year: Uncertain
Height: 6'(estimated)
Weight: 200lbs (estimated)
Eyes:
Hair:
As Zachary Johnson:
Status: retired - currently in mentorship mode
Reappeared: December 28, 1989
Retired: late Fall 1997
Debut: Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 1 #3
Birth-year: Uncertain, but in the range of October 14, 1970 - October 13, 1971.
Height:
Weight:
Eyes:
Hair:
As Roscoe James:
Status Active
Assumed Role: late 1997 Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #12
First Appeared: Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #11 as Roscoe James
Age: early to mid 20s
Normal Height: 5' 11'(estimated)
Foot-apaulted Height: estimates of 120 to 200 feet, but fully extended range could be much greater.
Weight: 200lbs (estimated)
Eyes:
Hair:
Powers
His most well known tools include the "footapults" - used to generate amazing leaps, and the apparent source of some of his amazing athletic feats - "handsprings" - used in close range combat - as well as rubber noses that deliver an electric shock comparable to a police taser, and 'confetti' - apparently a multi-chain thermoplastic resin that hardens on contact - usually used to restrain criminals that Jack has caught or disabled. He has also been known to carry other gadgets in his satchel, and even devise impromptu gadgets at the scene of a conflict or emergency.
Speculations, Observations, and Theories
Famously described on his debut as a "goofy clown," Jack-in-the-Box has become one of the most easily identifiable and popular heroes of Astro City. Almost as famous for his love of wordplay during a battle as for the battles themselves, Jack has attracted considerable attention from the media and the public, not all of it positive. Since the start of his career in 1964, he has been the subject of debates about his background, motivations and alliances. No outstanding warrants remain on the books, but Jack-in-the-Box has previously been suspected of several crimes, most notably the murder of Captain J.Wolfe.
His origin traces back to a dispute with the WhamCo toy company, which attempted to prove his involvement in a number of criminal cases. It should be noted that WhamCo was later found to be party to a considerable number of criminal operations itself. Most of Jack's other brushes with the law have been resolved in this fashion, usually after Jack himself has produced verifiable evidence of his innocence.
Another notable trait of this costumed adventurer is the length of his service. Debuting in 1964 and still going strong in 2005, Jack has only been inactive for a brief, six-year period (1983-1989), seemingly killed in the enormous explosion that destroyed most of Torres Island fighting The Weirdies who were working for the Underlord. Presumed dead, Jack re-emerged, seemingly as fit and capable as ever.
In truth, there have been three Jack-in-the-Boxes. The first was Jack Johnson, who became Jack-in-the-Box when he found out that WhamCo was using his toy inventions as weapons, then continued as a hero after defeating WhamCo. He is presumed dead from the aforementioned explosion. The second Jack-in-the-Box was his son, Zachary Johnson, who became Jack-in-the-Box as a vehicle to avenge his father's death, and then, continued the his father's legacy. He retired when his wife (television news anchor Tamra Dixon) became pregnant, fearing that he would die and leave his child fatherless, as had happened to him. He recruited Roscoe James, the leader of a neighborhood group of teens called the Trouble Boys, to be his protegee.
As Zachary Johnson, he met his sons from alternate dimensions, and after seeing how viciously his "sons" treated criminals, he defeated them in battle. One of his sons, The Jackson, promised to get vengeance upon Zachary.
Foes
Some of Jack-in-the-Box's recurring or most well-known foes.
Cases and Adventures
See Jack-in-the-Box Cases and Adventures
Headlines
- Jack-in-the-Box I
1964: Bizarre Clown Saves Hostages around June 10th
April 8, 1968: Jack-In-The-Box Exposes WhamCo Corruption
September 10, 1976: Mob War Becomes Surprise Party
October 14, 1983: Jack-In-The-Box Trapped In Fiery Explosion
- Jack-in-the-Box II
May 5, 1989: Jack's Back
August 8, 1995: Jack-in-the-Box Captures Brass Monkey
Appearance List
- Jack-in-the-Box I
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 1 #3
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #10, 12, 14
Astro City: Local Heroes #4
Astro City: The Dark Age Book One #1, 3, 4
Astro City: The Dark Age Book Three #2
- Jack-in-the-Box II
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 1 #3, 5
Wizard Presents: Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #1/2
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #1, 4, 6, 8,10, 11, 12
- Jack-in-the-Box III
Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #12
Astro City: Local Heroes #1
