Franklin Rock

**Franklin Rock**, also known as **Sgt. Rock**, is a fictional character and hero in comic books published by the American company DC Comics. He first appeared in *Our Army at War* #81 (April 1959), but his first appearance in *Swamp Thing* comics was in *Swamp Thing* Vol. 2, #82 (January 1989). He was created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert.

## History

Franklin Rock was the authority figure within his unit, Easy Company, during World War II. The unit was made up of a disparate collection of individuals who managed to participate in every major action in the European Theatre. Throughout the gruelling conflict, Rock developed a loathing for warfare but also creating a strong bond and deep sense of loyalty with the men of Easy Company.

### Childhood

In his childhood, Rock had sworn, that he would salute to his brother Larry, if he would graduate from the R.O.T.C.. He never got the chance to do this, because Larry was still fighting against the Japanese empire in the Phillipine jungles, when Rock became soldier.

He learned the ABCs of how to be a combat infantryman by Sgt. Stryker, who also saved his life, after Rock accidently felt in the water. Years later, Stryker saved Rock's life a second time, which he paid with his life.

### Adventures in the Army

He got the full lead of the Easy Company, after his former C.O. passed out during a mission in a desert.

During a mission, Rock and the men of the Easy Company worked together with Bruce Wayne, who posed as a British Service Spy and stopped a Nazi faction from using nerve gas against the allied forces. This was achieved thanks to Batman's intervention, and years later, Rock returned the favor when he saved Wayne from a certain death.

Among other events during his term of service, Rock led Easy Company in the final western invasion of Germany in 1945 and accepted the peaceful surrender of Hans von Hammer (a.k.a. "The Enemy Ace").

### After the War

Rock was one of the early field commanders of Task Force X, serving with them as early as 1952.

General Rock played a vital role in the administration of President Lex Luthor and was also active during the "Our Worlds at War" debacle. Following which, General Rock was put in charge of a new Suicide Squad.

Following the Squad's dissolution, however, Rock vanished leaving behind only a lifelike face mask while the individual believed to have been his aide, Bulldozer, stood up from the wheelchair to which he had apparently been confined and walked away in front of bewildered witnesses. Task Force X head Amanda Waller commented that both Frank Rock and Bulldozer had died in 1945. So far, no explanation for these events has been given, though the implication is clearly that these individuals were not the real Rock and Bulldozer.

## Powers and Abilities

### Abilities

* **Firearms:** Rock is a crack shot, able to shoot down several German fighter planes with a single submachine gun, and able to throw hand grenades with amazing accuracy.
* **Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced):** Rock is a highly effective close combat fighter, mostly shown using a style of street fighting mixed with boxing.
* **Leadership**

## Paraphernalia

### Equipment

* **M-1 Garand Cartridge Belt**
* **30 Caliber Ammunition Belts**

### Weapons

* **.45 Caliber Thompson Submachine Gun**
* **.45 Caliber Colt M1911A1 Automatic Pistol**