Hourman's Hourglass

**Hourman's Hourglass** is a powerful artifact that was designed by master chemist and Justice Society of America member, Rex Tyler. He manufactured it using science to grant him super strength for one hour a day. He wore it until his death. The hourglass remained dormant for nine years until Rex's son, Rick, awakened the hourglass's properties.

Rick broke the hourglass and spent months trying to repair it. He removed the limiter that controlled the hourglass being limited to one hour per day. By doing so, he could access the hourglass's full power 24 hours a day in an unlimited supply of strength , so long as it remained on his person. The addictive element of the scientific powder corrupted Rick's thinking and made him believe he could do anything alone, enhancing his impulsive nature.

## Description

As a wearable item, the hourglass is small enough to be easily held in one hand and appears to be made of bronze alloy that hangs from a gold chain forming a necklace. Two oblong-shaped disks serve as the vessel's top and bottom parts, linking to each other by two columns by either side of the glass container found between the disks. The duration of its powers when activated is dictated and visually represented by the yellow powder inside the glass portion of the relic. The hourglass itself also appears to be quite durable, as it has taken several hits over the years from the various fights its wearers have gotten into, and it hasn’t cracked or broken.

## History

Rex Tyler manufactured the hourglass using science. The hourglass grants him super strength for one hour a day. He paired it with his DNA so the hourglass would only work for him. After his death, the hourglass was placed in the JSA headquarters alongside his suit.

## Series

Ten years after the original Hourman's death, Courtney Whitmore decided to remake the JSA and recruit new members. She mentioned recruiting a new Hourman to her stepfather and superhero expert Pat Dugan, but he rebuffed the idea. That night, Courtney stole several artifacts from the JSA's headquarters, including Hourman's hourglass. Once home, Courtney examined the JSA items she took the next morning, admiring the hourglass as she did. She ultimately placed it back in the duffle bag that she hid in her closet.

During a chance encounter with Rick Tyler, Courtney took note that the hourglass glowed to life as he passed. As Rick walked away, the glow dimmed until it returned to normal. Courtney followed Rick to the tree where his parents died in a car crash eight years earlier. He took a moment then looked down over his shoulder, asking why Courtney followed him. He wasn't interested in talking to her and tried to leave, but she was persistent. She suddenly pulled out the hourglass and showed it to him, but he was confused as it was just an hourglass. Confused, Courtney shoved it against Rick's chest earning an agitated look from Rick as the hourglass still didn't react. She doesn't understand, muttering that something was wrong. He sharply told her that something was wrong and she should stay on her meds. He then walked away.

Beth Chapel later tells Rick that the hourglass was built by his father, who was a brilliant chemist. The hourglass gave Rex super strength for one hour per day, which didn't initially impress Rick, but Beth revealed that the hourglass only worked for Rex as it was tied to his DNA. Rick's interest was piqued but he was confused about how it worked. Beth tells him to turn it over just as he would any other hourglass. He put the chain around his neck and turned it over. Upon doing so, the sand inside glowed gold once more, beginning to drip to the bottom as a gold wave enveloped him. Testing his strength, he easily lifted a keg and crushed it like a soda can. He dropped the keg to the ground smiling. He tried to leave without joining the JSA, but Courtney protested that he couldn't take the hourglass, but Rick reminded her it was his father and now it's his. That night, Rick tested his strength when he punched the side mirror of his uncle's truck clean off, only to find that his hand was unharmed. He then punches a large dent in the side of the pickup, which caused it to skid backward. Once Rick agreed to join the JSA, he was able to keep the hourglass and learned more about its functions.

Rick is then given his father's journal which contains the formula that made the hourglass along with other formulae. Pat Dugan, who gave Rick the journal, scolds Rick on using the hourglass selfishly and carelessly, something Rex never would have done. Pat warns Rick that the power inside can be addicting in tempting, which is why Rex limited the use of it to one hour per day. That night, Rick wears the Hourman suit for the first time and wears the hourglass when he does.

Rick is targeted by the villain Eclipso into seeing his worst fear, Solomon Grundy killing someone after Rick had spared his life, become real. He uses the power of the hourglass to attack what he sees as Grundy, beating the creature and throwing him against a truck in anger. He is stopped by Courtney and the Cosmic Staff, as she urgently reveals that's not Grundy. When Rick stands he is heartbroken to see she's right, and the outlet of his rage was his uncle Matt Harris, now beaten unconscious. Rick emotionally rips the hourglass off his neck and smashes it on the ground. The glass shatters as the sand inside forms a pile on the ground.

A few weeks later, Rick begins working to repair the hourglass. As his teammates fight Eclipso, Rick continues working but fails. When he can't get it to work, he knocks the pieces off the workbench in frustration. Jakeem and Mike are down below, and hear Rick yell in rage. He eventually gives up and decides to fight as Hourman without the hourglass.

As Summer ends and the days pass, Rick manages to get the hourglass working in unpredictable intervals. One night, Rick works on the hourglass in The Pit Stop, pensively looking at the wiring. Beth thought he fixed it. He thought so too, but the timing's off. He sighs that he's supposed to be Hourman. One hour of super strength a day every time he puts that thing on. But lately, it's been completely random intervals. 48 minutes, then 6, and then 17. He sighs that he can't have his powers drop out mid-fight, especially if The Gambler's killer is as strong as they think they are. Beth looks at him sympathetically, understanding his struggle.

Sylvester is leaving for the night when he sees Rick still at The Pit Stop, struggling to figure the hourglass out. He tells Rick not to be so hard on himself, as his dad had a lifetime of education before he invented that thing. Rick sighs, wondering how he can be Hourman if his strength gives out after twenty minutes or two. Sylvester thinks it has to be the limiter, which is news to Rick. Sylvester explains there's this thingy, for lack of a better term, on the hourglass that limits it to working an hour a day. That's gotta be busted. Rick thinks he can remove the limiter and asks if it will work 24 hours a day. Sylvester isn't sure, but whatever he decides, he has to be careful. His dad created the limiter for a reason. If he needs him, just call. They say goodbye and Rick flips through the journal.

Rick removes the limiter from the hourglass and puts the pieces back together. He stands up and puts the hourglass on, turning it over. The dust glows gold and emits a wave of energy that floods over his skin and through his veins. He lets out a breath as he clenches his fists. Hourman wears the hourglass in a fight with Cindy Burman, notably using an enhanced leap to clear the Burman residence. He throws a bus to Cindy in an attempt to hurt her.

Rick keeps his hourglass on his hip, ready for anything. Dr. Mid-Nite and Hourman pair up to remove hidden cameras from around Blue Valley. While removing a camera in BVHS, Hourman rears back and punches a hole in the wall, ripping out the camera as bricks go flying. He throws the camera aside and it smashes into pieces. He glibly remarks that another one bites the dust. His actions surprise her, and she asks if he turned over his hourglass just for that. He doesn't have to anymore - he took off the limiter, so now it works 24-7. He tells her to watch this, punching a huge chunk out of a concrete beam. A loud ringing echoes through the room from the impact, causing her to cover her ears. She demands to know what he's doing, but he chuckles that he was just showing her. That seems kind of extreme to her, and he relents that it might be, but it was kind of fun, too. Being Hourman can finally be fun for him and he never has to worry about time running out on him again. He's amped and ready to move.

They move into a classroom where he rips up a desk and throws it across the room into the chalkboard. Annoyed, she asks him to stop doing that, but he has to flex - it feels good.

Yolanda, Beth, and Rick walk down Main Street. Yolanda muses that when this all started, she thought this would be easy, knowing the good guys from the bad. But she isn't sure anymore. Beth reminds her of what Courtney says about there being good and bad in everyone. Rick scoffs that some have more bad than others, though. He winces in pain, stopping on the sidewalk. Yolanda asks if he's okay, while Beth questions if it's the hourglass. He's fine, insisting it's just a headache, though Beth isn't so sure. When Hourman bursts into the Mahkent residence without waiting for his teammates, Dr. Mid-Nite tries to warn Wildcat the Hourman isn't thinking clearly because of the hourglass, but she dismisses the worry as a problem for later.

The effects of the hourglass cause Rick to enter a frenzy when he attacks the Mahkent residence, signaling out Cameron and brutally fighting him. He becomes so fixated and rageful towards the fight that he blatantly puts Courtney in danger, even throwing her into a wall, which causes her head to bleed. His recklessness allows Cameron to gain the upper-hand and ultimately defeat Hourman, leaving him badly wounded.

After the fight, Dr. Bridget Chapel examines Rick's facial wounds at the Chapel home. He asks what his prognosis is and if he will ever be able to play the violin again. Beth replies that it's not funny, and that Mr. Mahkent almost died. Rick snaps back that he didn't, neither did he. Dr. Chapel tells him while that's true, his blood pressure and heart rate are elevated to unnatural levels. Beth insists it's that hourglass, as he's been wearing it for too long. He chuckles, standing up, as he feels better than ever, and with Cameron Mahkent and his grandparents out there, none of them can let their guard down right now. James tells Rick that from what Beth told them, it sounds like he just rushed in, even hit Courtney. Rick angrily and offensively yells back that it was an accident. Beth looks at her parents in surprise and he looks to Beth, insisting she knows that. She gestures for him to calm down as she takes a step closer. They do know that, but also knows he hasn't been acting like himself. They're all really worried about him him. Rick grabs the hourglass, insistings he's fine, really. Beth tells him to take off the hourglass, then. Take it off for ten minutes and see how he feels. Rick scoffs and approaches Beth, looking down at her. He warns her to don't ever tell him what to do. He leaves the house as she shouts after him, with James telling him to hold on. Rick ignores them as he leaves. The Chapel family stands together in worry.

After days of ignoring the JSA's calls, Rick decides to try and remove the hourglass. He breathes heavily in his bathroom as he clutches the hourglass. He takes it off and immediately starts experiencing side effects. The room around him blurs as waves of pain wash over him. His vision flashes then goes red. He cripples over and groans in pain, clutching his side as he stumbles back to the sink. He can barely breathe as he pulls the hourglass back on. Rick splashes his face with water as he pants, everything going dark until the power of the hourglass restores his strength. He looks up in the mirror, wheezing, letting out an shout. His phone buzzes with a call from Beth.

He goes to the JSA for their help, admitting he has a problem with the effects of the hourglass. Yolanda thinks he should take the hourglass off. Barbara offers to help him manage the pain if it hurts. Beth thinks her mom can help. He asks about Ultra-Humanite and Jordan, as they need him powered up. Courtney assures him they just need him healthy. He shakes his head, asking where Sylvester is, as he might know what to do. He knew about the limiter. He told him how to take it off, which surprises everyone. Beth did some reading. His father went through the same thing once and the JSA helped him through it. Courtney notes that Sylvester would know the dangers of the limiter, with Beth confirming Starman was there. If he was there, he knew what it would do to Rick. They question why he would tell Rick to remove it. Courtney reorients everyone that "Sylvester" told Rick about the hourglass's limiter, but he didn't warn Rick what happened to his father years before.

The JSA doesn't have time to focus on the hourglass, as they're called to Zeek's Junkyard where they take part in the Battle of Blue Valley. Stargirl dodges ice blasts, landing on the roof of a car, just as the explosion from S.T.R.I.P.E. appears behind her. As she tries to appeal to Cameron, Jordan holds out his hand and she gasps for air as her breath turns to ice. She clutches her throat and falls off the car, rolling onto the ground. Cameron shouts out for Courtney, rushing to her aide. Hourman charges forward and punches Icicle into a car. Courtney gasps for air as Icicle's hold on her fades. Hourman turns to Cameron, telling him not to be a tool. He's being played by his own dad, but he's still going to kick his ass. Cameron gets up and Hourman starts to advance when he suffers a disorientation spell from the hourglass. He tries to throw a punch anyway but misses. Cameron blasts him backward, with Icicle adding a secondary blast that propels him even further away.

After the battle, Rick sets the hourglass on the coffee table in front of Beth, Bridget, and James. He's sorry for the way he spoke to all of them. He's not going to blame that on anything other than being a thick-headed jerk. Bridget and James chuckle and she assures him it's alright. James adds they're just glad he's feeling better. He looks to Beth and says thank you, then to the parents, for being there for him.

Ten years later, Rick is still a member of the JSA as Hourman. He wears his hourglass in the banners of himself, with exhibits alluding to the powers of the hourglass, including "Running out of Time".

## Powers and Abilities

The hourglass' powers are activated when Hourman wears the necklace and turns the timepiece over. This allows the scientific formulae, a yellow powder, to trickle downwards. The scientific properties then activate and spread as a translucent gold energy that layers and "creeps" over his body. The wave of energy begins at the hourglass then spreads outwards and fades away on their way to the extremities. The effects are instantaneous and last for exactly one hour. The creator of the formulae ensured that only someone with his genetic makeup, a Tyler descendant, could wield the power contained. The power inside can be tempting and corrupting, something that Rex understood, which is why he deliberately limited the power to one hour per day. It was seen that using the hourglass without its one-hour limiter induces narcotic-like effects upon the beneficiary, and even causes that person to experience severe withdrawals should they attempt to remove the item from their person. This is likely due to the hourglass raising the person’s blood pressure, heart rate, muscle efficiency and other things to way beyond normal levels. And if the hourglass is removed, their body will start to fall apart as the hourglass is the only thing keeping them stable.

* **Enhanced Strength:** Upon turning the hourglass over while wearing it, wearers can manifest enhanced strength for a full sixty minutes only once per day; this is its primary function and purpose. The empowerment is ostensibly metaphysical by nature and, therefore, operates without affecting the wearer's overall musculature. Nor do they receive a noticeable increase in size or overall bodily mass. During this period, the hourglass-user is stronger than most other walks of life on Earth, and can lift tons of weight with minimal effort. It would seem that the more acclimated to this hour-long enhancement the wearer gets, the stronger and more "streamlined" that individual becomes with the item's power. Rick Tyler constrained his vast potential with angst and embittered application of his strength. He failed to know the limits of, or properly control, his own strength. Overtime, he becomes more accustomed to the power, able to fluidly combine his augmented strength with basic hand-to-hand combat moves to overpower adversaries. He even safely catches or launches his teammates with passable finesse. When using the hourglass, Rick lifted and crushed a full keg of beer, formed a large dent in his uncle's pickup truck by punching it, and lifted a car over his head. Though Rick struggled to lift the weight of the car, he easily punched a truck across a lot, showing that his strength is primarily in forceful strikes. He once punched a tree so hard that it split in half and fell over.
* **Enhanced Durability:** While the effects of the hourglass are active, the wearer has an enhanced durability. Although this enhanced physical parameter typically takes a backseat in comparison to the aforementioned preternatural strength, the resilience is not underestimated. It gives its holder protection from the internal, as well as the external, forces at play. Under Rick's employ, he becomes so durable that he remains upright when attacked by the martial artist and peak physical conditioned Sportsmaster. He suffered minor wounds despite being hit by baseballs, struck by Sportsmaster, and took no visible damage from punching a pickup truck, or splitting a tree in one strike. Arguably, his greatest feat is taking a direct hit from Solomon Grundy with relatively minor injuries. Despite the durability, Rick is not immune to physical trauma, pain, or wounds. In fact, he frequently has cuts or blisters on his face from fights against Solomon Grundy or Sportsmaster. A fight against Eclipso left Rick with a cracked rib.
* **Supernatural Leap:** Rick can jump incredible distances and land safely, covering frighteningly tall heights and long distances. This also means he has extremely strong and durable legs as intensified by his father's special hourglass.
* **Accelerated Healing Factor:** Rick's physiology has been altered by his repetitive use of the hourglass, and he can now heal from severe injured much faster than normal people.

## Owners

* Rex Tyler (Until Death)
* Courtney Whitmore (Temporarily: given to Rick)
* Rick Tyler

## Notes and Trivia

* The hourglass only works for Rick and Rex Tyler due to the properties being tied to their DNA.
* Though Beth and Chuck attest to the artifact's abilities as attributable to science, the fact that it reacts to genetics in spite of the hourglass's seemingly rudimentary construct contradicts the statement.
* Interestingly, the rendered graphic representation of the hourglass in Dr. Mid-Nite's Goggles showed it as having three parallel columns despite it only having two.
* Rick recreated the hourglass after its destruction but struggled to replicate the science his father created to allow the hourglass to run for an hour. He only got it working to half an hour before he removed the regulator.

## Comic Comparisons

* In the comics, Rex and Rick Tyler get their super strength by consuming a drug called Miraclo that only lasts for one hour per day.
* This is the second time that their powers come from turning an hourglass, the first was in *Batman: Brave and the Bold*.

## References

1. ↑ "*Icicle*"
2. ↑ "*Wildcat*"
3. ↑ "*Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite*"
4. ↑ "*The Justice Society*"
5. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Eight*"
6. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Twelve*"
7. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Thirteen*"
8. ↑ "*Chapter One: The Murder*"
9. ↑ "*Chapter Two: The Suspects*"
10. ↑ "*Chapter Five: The Thief*"
11. ↑ "*Chapter Six: The Betrayal*"
12. ↑ "*Chapter Seven: Infinity Inc. Part One*"
13. ↑ "*Chapter Nine: The Monsters*"
14. ↑ "*Chapter Ten: The Killer*"
15. ↑ "*Chapter Eleven: The Haunting*"
16. ↑ "*Chapter Twelve: The Last Will and Testament of Sylvester Pemberton*"
17. ↑ "*Chapter Thirteen: The Reckoning*"