General (DC Comics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The General | |
 The General, as depicted in Robin #178. Art by Freddie Williams II |
|
| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #654, December 1992 |
| Created by | Chuck Dixon |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong |
| Notable aliases | Anarky |
| Abilities | Military historian and genius tactician; Skilled hand to hand combatant; Skilled in the creation and use of bombs and other explosive materials. |
The General (Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong) is a fictional character, one of Batman's rogues in DC Comics, that first appeared in Detective Comics #654.
Contents |
[edit] Publication history
[edit] Creation
Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong is a psychotic child with the mind of a military genius. Bored with his life at a military school, he reads books about military history. Ulysses later scares the bullies that pick on him into helping him to escape the school, and work as his henchmen. He goes to Gotham City to recruit gang members into his "army", uses his military skill to grow his gang, and has taken on Black Mask's gang. His reputation gains him the nickname "The General". He dresses himself and his henchmen, primarily gangs he has conquered, in historical attire.
[edit] Mid 90s appearances in Robin
The General has been expanded beyond Batman into the larger DC Universe and has also taken on Robin separately.
The General has teamed up with other costumed criminals, including Maxie Zeus and the Toyman, but these partnerships always end in mutual betrayal.
The character appeared in the 2003 intercompany crossover Avengers/JLA.
[edit] 2008 revamp as "Anarky"
The General appeared at the end of 2008 in Robin #177, "Search for a Hero" storyline that deals with the Batman R.I.P. aftermath, Battle for the Cowl, where he is revealed to be the new Red Robin.
After a very long absence, the General has returned to Gotham City, having aged several years, grown several feet and has become a more formidable hand-to-hand combatant. He physically appears closer in age to Robin and Spoiler. He has for reasons yet unknown been hired by Spoiler to gather information about the Gang Wars, and find a possible solution to them. He continues to hold a grudge against Robin and betrays Spoiler. Spoiler survives a gunshot to the shoulder, and then distracts him long enough to get the drop on him and escape.
He comes into possession of the Red Robin costume worn by Jason Todd, and uses it as part of a campaign of psychological warfare against Tim Drake. More formidable than ever, he's revealed to be holding Lonnie Machin, an anarchist vigilante, hostage and to have commandeered the latter's identity as "Anarky". Where Machin's approach as Anarky had been to cause social change, Armstrong's approach bordered more on psychotic and meaningless acts of chaos and destruction.
Armstrong manages to catch Robin in his warehouse, yet Robin escapes through unknown means, but not without sustaining serious burns to his head. Soon after, a final confrontation ensues, where Anarky attempts to kill all of Gotham City's Gangs, so as to create more violence. The combined efforts of Robin, Spoiler, Commissioner Gordon, Officer Harper and the Gotham Gangs results in Armstrong's defeat. However, not without a price. In order to take the edge off of Armstrong, Robin asked Officer Harper to bring the Armstrong Family to confront Ulysses. While the action worked, Armstrong caused a bomb to explode, killing his brother and sister in the blast. Armstrong blames Robin for their deaths.
[edit] Alternate versions
- Legends of the Dark Knight #55-57, set in the near-future, features an adult Ulysses Armstrong as one of a number of crime bosses contacted by Vigil, Inc., a corrupt private police force which is actually a protection racket for criminals. This adult version of the General wears modern military gear, rather than the historic costumes of his younger self, and surrounds himself with women who have general's stars tattooed on their foreheads.
[edit] Skills and abilities
The General is a military and strategic genius. He has vast knowledge of military history, and his careful planning are what earned him the respect of his henchmen.
Growing up, he gains a muscular build and a lesser degree of martial arts knowledge, not nearly enough to best seasoned fighters like Robin, but quite formidable nevertheless.
He retains his penchant for historical weapons, and in his brief stint as the Red Robin he's shown using a Mauser as his sidearm of preference.
[edit] Bibliography
[edit] List of significant stories
- "God of Battle" Detective Comics (654) (Dec, 1992), New York City, NY: DC Comics
- The General begins a campaign to unite inner city gangs under his leadership and seize control of Gotham City. First appearance and origin story of the General.
- "Search for a Hero" Robin 1 (177 – 182) (Aug 20, 2008 – Jan 21, 2009), New York City, NY: DC Comics
- The General resurfaces in the aftermath of "Batman R.I.P.", hi-jacking the identity of Anarky, besieging Gotham City, and attacking Tim Drake. The story revamps The General with a new skill set, costume, behavior.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- The General (Ulysses Armstrong) at the Comic Book DB
- Red Robin (Ulysses Armstrong) at the Comic Book DB
- The General on the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe website.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
