Secret Origin File 001: BEDBUG Real Name: Buddy Sprang
Growing up, young Buddy Sprang dreamt of being a superhero: a dream that was shattered along with his spine in a tragic accident. Confined to leg braces and crutches, seemingly to never walk again, he turned to the newly emerging Internet and made a fortune creating and selling one of the first search engines. Having to never work again, Buddy got a second chance at life when he and his physiatrist brother, Terry, created the Jumpin' Boots that allowed him to not only walk but jump up to a quarter of a mile! Realizing his childhood dream was within his grasp, Bud became a super-hero! As all the other "good" superhero names were taken, Buddy became the Mighty Bedbug and armed with an arsenal of gadgets, the Bedbug fights crime no matter where it hides! “Sleep Tight or the Bedbug will bite!”
Background:
Bedbug has two loves: his young daughter, Elvira, and being a superhero. He protects his home town of Silicon City from crime and a variety of costumed villains including Grave Robber, Player One, Scrapper, Jellyface, Meerkat and the Network.
Trained by the Vampire Bat; the costumed hero of the 60’s, Bedbug occasionally assists the Justice Battalion and while he has participated in several of their adventures, he has never been in outer space and has no desire to do so. Bedbug possesses greater than normal athletic skill, and is a moderate hand-to-hand combatant. He is an inventor and high proficient computer programmer. He often uses his smart mouth to quips his way through battles. He will always ask the villain to surrender before fighting and never gives up despite the odds against him.
Weapons and Abilities:
His search engine, Fetchit, was purchased by the Cassandra Corporation. Now independently wealthy, Buddy used his fortune to fund the creation of his Jumpin' Boots. The boots run a current up through his legs to a metal plate in his back - hyper-stimulating his leg muscles and nerves, allowing him to walk, run and jump as long as the boots are worn. The boots cannot work with any one else due to it being plugged into and attuned to Buddy’s nervous system. The Jumpin' Boots kick with the force of a hydraulic jack, shattering stone and denting steel. In his civilian ID, Buddy walks with the help of Loftstrand crutches. Due to his years on crutches, Buddy has excellent upper-body strength
In addition to his boots, Bedbug carries several gadgets on his person:
Headgear - His antennea shaped headgear holds a GPS, police scanner and mobile phone. His goggles have infra-red capability.
Bug-Bite Blaster - mounted in his gauntlet that fires a powerful electrical bursts that can stun an opponent.
Flexi-Steel Cable - mounted in his gauntlet. A gas powered cartridge fires the swingline and grapnel.
Utility Belt - This belt houses the following items: exploding pellets, "Nighty Night" sleeping gas pellets, a "bug-light" flashlight, and snacks.
(Illustration by Scott Rogers)
Not only is Bedbug one of the many independently created superheroes appearing in Dave Ryan's War of the Independents from Arcana Press, but he also appears on the promotional art! (top left hand corner) Stay tuned for more on Bedbug's involvement in the War of the Independents. Meanwhile, here's the official press release!
