BIOTROG

Capitalizing on the popularity of arcade fighting games, Infinty Publishing Inc. came out with Kick Fighter Komiks, which had quite a successful run during the mid-1990's. Launched on February 8, 1993, the weekly magazine played host to a number of video game-inspired heroes. The most popular and enduring of them all was Biotrog, created by writer Jojo Ende Jr. and artist Gilbert Monsanto.

ORIGIN

Roger was the son of Remy Summers, a dedicated cop who ran afoul of a powerful criminal syndicate. As a young boy, Roger and his parents were on vacation when they were ambushed by the syndicate's assassins. The Summers' car was set ablaze and the family was left for dead. However, young Roger just barely survived, though the ordeal had left him severely injured, badly disfigured, and suffering from memory loss.

The ambush was witnessed by a Chinese scientist named Dr. Wang, who takes the mortally-wounded Roger to his laboratory for treatment. To save Roger's life, Dr. Wang had to amputate one of the boy's arms (always written to be his right, though drawn in the early stories as his left) and both his legs, replacing them with artificial cybernetic limbs. Unfortunately, the doctor could do nothing for Roger's heavily deformed face ("Dammit, man, I'm a scientist, not a plastic surgeon!")

Dr. Wang takes in the amnesiac Roger as his adopted son. The only clue to the boy's identity was a postcard that bore his name. He is given the nickname Biotrog, which variously means Bio-Electronic Roger or Bio-Technological Roger (this is what you get when nerds name their kids). Trained in the martial arts by Dr. Wang, Biotrog grows up to use his fighting skills and bionic abilities as a masked vigilante, battling crime in the streets of Manhattan.

Apparently, they spoke a lot of Tagalog in New York.

Read a more detailed account of Biotrog's history in his Wikipedia page.

POWERS AND ABILITIES

As mentioned, Biotrog is a highly-skilled martial artist, having been trained by Dr. Wang since he was a boy. His cybernetic body parts give him the strength of six men. Initially, he only had one bionic arm, but he later had his other arm replaced after losing it in a struggle with his arch foe Biolante. Both of his cybernetic arms come equipped with retractable razor-sharp claws, while his cybernetic legs enable him to run faster than the average human.

A couple of early stories had also shown Biotrog to be capable of telekinesis and telepathy, but he has rarely ever used these abilities since then.

Yukk ain't got nothing on him.

Biotrog was later given retractable cybernetic wings that enabled him to fly, but like his telekinetic powers, he very rarely used this ability as well.

FACES AND PHASES

Biotrog's disfigured features would eventually be repaired, thanks to the efforts of his scientist girlfriend/crimefighting partner Dianne "Angel" Mendoza.

Although Biotrog and his fellow Kick Fighter mainstays were inspired by popular video game characters, it is to their creators' credit that they moved beyond being mere knock-offs. Rather than simply ripping-off from those that influenced them, they were given completely new backstories, and their look would gradually be modified (as is the case with Biotrog's later costume below) to make them original characters in their own right.

ALLIES

DR. WANG

Biotrog's mentor and adopted father, a former Chinese monk turned scientist. A master of both science and the martial arts, this mysterious genius is also hinted to be over 100 years old!

Looking good for an old geezer.

ANGEL

The daughter of a murdered scientist, Dianne Mendoza became the female vigilante Angel to avenge her parents' deaths and recover her father's stolen formula from the terrorist organization known as the War Claws. She crosses paths with the silver-masked hero Biotrog, and the two crimefighters would eventually fall in love.

Angel is an expert martial artist and swordswoman, as well as a brilliant scientist. She was also responsible for fixing Biotrog's deformed face.

--and busting this woman's.

RED NINJA

The original Red Ninja was an android created by Dr. Wang to test Biotrog and, later, to assist him in his missions.

On one occasion, Dr. Wang disguised himself as the Red Ninja to defeat the ninja terrorist Mr. Grey. Ironically, the Red Ninja identity would eventually be taken over by Grey's own brother.

RED NINJA (BERNARD GREY)

The twin brother of Biotrog's former enemy Mr. Grey, Bernard Grey became the hero's ally, later assuming the mantle of the Red Ninja.

Trained in the art of Ninjitsu, the cunning Bernard is a master of trickery. He also posed as Biotrog for a time while Roger was recuperating from his facial surgery.

Next: Bring on the Bad Guys!