Hardcase (Earth-47098)

**Tom Hawke** was a struggling actor working in Hollywood, California whose life was changed after being struck by the "Jumpstart Effect", a burst of energy from the Entity, the ancient alien spaceship responsible for most of the world's super-beings called Ultras. Having gained superhuman strength & durability, **Hardcase** realized that he wanted more than short-term success. He met with Starburst, DJ Blast, & Forsa, who had also gained powers. The team decided to help people while bolstering their careers, & together they formed the Squad.

## Powers & Abilities

### Powers

* **Nubotech Enhanced Physiology**: Hardcase, who was made into an Ultra by the "Jumpstart effect" that changed him, had effectively been converted into an organic nanotech being. With each cell as an independent thinking machine & as such, Tom learned he had many untapped abilities. Such as not needing to sleep &/or breathe for starters.
	+ ***Superhuman Strength***: Incredibly strong, Hardcase is able to throw a car over 50 yards with little effort. His leg muscles allow him to leap nearly a mile.
	+ ***Superhuman Speed***: Hardcase is capable of running & moving at speeds much greater than even the finest human athlete.
	+ ***Superhuman Stamina***: Hardcase's musculature generates less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of a human being. Hardcase can physically exert himself at peak capacity for several hours before fatigue begins to impair her.
	+ ***Superhuman Agility***: Hardcase's agility, balance, & bodily coordination are enhanced to levels that are beyond the natural physical limits of even the finest human athlete.
	+ ***Superhuman Reflexes***: Hardcase's reaction time is similarly enhanced, enabling him to react at a level that is beyond the natural physical limits of the finest human athlete.
	+ ***Self-Sustenance***: Hardcase would soon come to learn he was, for all intents & purposes, a self-perpetuating nourishment device. Essentially, Tom doesn't require food nor rest or even really needs a breathable atmosphere to actuate his own survival. Eliminating the need to direct biophysical intake to keep himself in peak physical condition or health.
	+ ***Nigh-Invulnerability***: Hawke's bodily tissues are much harder & more resistant to injury than those of a human. He is capable of withstanding tremendous impact forces, falls from great heights, exposure to temperature & pressure extremes, the vacuum of space, & powerful energy blasts without sustaining injury. His body is also specially adapted to withstand the physiologically debilitating effects of moving and running at high rates of speed without sustaining injury.
	+ ***Regenerative Healing Factor:*** Hardcase possesses a regenerative healing factor, allowing him to regenerate from what would normally be considered life-threatening wounds in a matter of moments. The process is sped up if he drinks seawater.
	+ ***Diverse Nubotech Manipulation:*** As he developed his powers, Hardcase discovered his abilities were virtually unlimited. He demonstrated the ability to control other sources of organic nanotech, generate intense cold, emit energy blasts, mentally merge with technology, create life, time travel, etc.

## Equipment

### Vehicles

A heavily armored RV originally built for a post-apocalyptic movie he was going to star in.

## Relationships

### Allies

* Squad - Former Teammates
	+ Carlos Jimenez/Forsa †
	+ Jamal Blaas/DJ Blast †
	+ Linda Warren/Starburst - Former Love Interest
* Entity
* UltraForce - Teammates
	+ Kevin Green/Prime
	+ James Ruiz/Prototype
	+ Jonathan Martin/Ghoul
	+ Topaz
	+ Mary Stewart/Contrary
	+ Penny Burka/Pixx

### Enemies

* Rex Mundi
* Justin Kuttner/Kutt - Former Ally & Rival
* Larry Price/Headknocker
* NM-E †

## Appearances

* *Hardcase*
* *UltraForce*