JP Gibbs

**John Patrick “JP” Gibbs** is a major character in the Power Universe, serving as a mentioned character in Power Book II: Ghost and the deuteragonist in Power Book IV: Force. He is the half-brother of the protagonist Tommy Egan and his world is thrown off its axis when he crosses paths with Tommy.

As rich as JP’s life is, he still carries the pain of never having had a mother in his life and having a son he has no relationship with.

He appears as one of the deuteragonists of season 1-2.

He was mentioned in Power Book II: Ghost season 3.

## History

He was born to Kate Egan and Herman Gibbs. He was raised solely by his father while his mother returned New York. JP was very close to his father who he describes as always being there, but the latter lied to him on the status of his mother. JP had a good relationship with his maternal grandmother who lived in a retirement home. At one point, he had a relationship with a woman who gave birth to his son, which gave him happiness. It was at this time, he realized he was gay and came out. This caused his girlfriend to become upset and leave him, while taking their child away, disappointing him and he tried multiple times to be a part of his son's life.

He later moved on and married a man, but that relationship broke apart and they are on rocky terms.

### Force

#### Season 1

In *A Short Fuse and a Long Memory*, JP spotted an unknown man visiting his grandmother and confused on who he was, he followed him. When the man neared his car, he made his move only to be threatened at gunpoint. Unfazed, he questioned him on why he was visiting Miriam while stating he was the only person that does that. The man questioned him on who he was, and JP told him that he was Miriam's grandson but was shocked when the man revealed that Miriam was his grandmother too, having a picture to prove it with a phrase written on it. JP then revealed he had the phrase tattooed on his arm. Afterward, the two get acquainted and JP learns the man is his younger half-brother Tommy Egan, who was raised by their shared mother in New York. It was from him that he learns his mother is alive Tommy soon told a curious JP that their mother was not worth his time or consideration. The two exchange numbers and promised to have more to talk on.

During *King of the Goddamn Hill*, his club is shot up and he calls his brother, telling him he needs to see him. While cleaning, Tommy shows up and JP tells him it was not the first time. He is briefly questioned by Tommy on his activities, before he starts explaining his situation and reveals besides his father he sees Tommy as family while the latter tells him not to rush that. Nevertheless, Tommy supplies him with some money that might cut corners for a while after some reluctance he accepts it. That night, he invites Tommy to their grandmother's home and shows him a video of him as a child with their mother. He also voices his anger at Kate for leaving him before revealing how his son was taken from him by his ex-girlfriend and how he wants to see him again.

In *Firestarter*, JP and Tommy meet again and the two share a pizza dinner where he reveals Miriam's house is under maintenance. The two were confused on how Miriam's care is being funded and Tommy refuses to contact their mother.

During Storm Clouds, he introduces Tommy to his father who is initially wary to have the pair interact but soon gives details of JP's childhood. That night, he was at his club when he spotted two boys standing outside. Arming himself with a bat, JP confronts them and demands answers. While one boy wants to run, the other stays behind and JP watches when he shoots a pole light and runs off. Unknown to him, the young man was actually his estranged son.

During *This is Who We Are*, JP confronts Tommy on what he does and is not surprised by his revealing of being a gangster. JP tells Tommy that he wants to get involved in his business as he needs to make money to pay for his father's medical bills among other things but Tommy refuses to let him near the drug game. The two later talk again and reconcile. Tommy asks JP what happened to Miriam to make her health decline and he tells him it was due to a stroke or aneurysm. JP insists that Tommy should call Kate but he says that he cannot forgive Kate. Tommy and Liliana need someone new to start cooking Dahlia as the demand for the drug increases in Chicago. Tommy allows JP to start being involved but insists that he is only a cook. JP is later seen at the hospital with Miriam. He leaves the room for a minute and Miriam sadly dies. JP informs Tommy of this and says that he should call Kate as she deserves to know about Miriam's death, but Tommy again refuses to. Soon after, JP calls Kate himself. He tries to call Kate a second time but discovers that she disconnected his phone number.

In *He Ain't Heavy*, JP visits his grandmother and after leaving, she crashes and the staff try to save her but she dies. JP let Tommy know and wanted to contact Kate to let her know about her mother but Tommy refused still resentful to her. At the end of the episode, JP contacts Kate while letting her know it is her son, leaving her shocked.

During *Trust*, JP tells Tommy that he called Kate and told her about Miriam, causing Tommy to become upset about his act. After D-Mac is shot, Tommy calls JP and asks him if he knows the kid with the dreads who has been shooting up his club, to which JP says Yes. Tommy tells him that he has been shot, though he says that's what happens on the path. However, Tommy reveals that the boy D-Mac is really his son. JP is surprised and Tommy shows him a photo of him and D-Mac from years ago which he recognizes. He goes into the hospital to see his son, while telling Tommy to find who did this, as he goes to check on his son.

In *Family Business*, he remains by his son's bedside and talks to him when he regains consciousness. JP apologizes to him for not recognizing him but D-Mac shrugs him off, before going back to sleep. Tommy enters and asks about him, which JP gives that he is in and out of consciousness. Initially angry, JP firmly tells Tommy what his son's name but concedes when Tommy offers to pay for the medical expenses because he is the Uncle. JP then tells Tommy to retrieve his son's medical records from their grandmother's home and Tommy does so. When Tommy returns, he shows JP a surprising sight: their mother Kate who he shares a hug with before introducing her to her grandson Darnell "D-Mac" McDowell. As Tommy couldn't get the records, JP goes to the house himself while leaving Kate to connect with Darnell. At the house, he is attacked and held hostage by the Flynn's and Jenard Sampson during the war against Tommy. JP tells the curious Jenard that he is Tommy's brother while angrily telling him that he shot his son while trying to kill Tommy. This causes Jenard to realizes D-Mac is JP's son, which means Tommy is his uncle. Walter holds a knife to JP's throat and threatens to kill him as Tommy has a gun to Vic's head but both JP and Vic survive, at the cost of Liliana. Much later, JP is seen connecting with his whole family at the hospital. At the end, he is seen with Tommy and Diamond planning to rule Chicago.

#### Season 2

During *Tommy's Back*, he has been taking care of his son with help from his mother and brother.

In *Great Consequence*, Tommy gives JP a new club for him to start his career. JP is surprised but thanks his brother.

## Notes

* It is revealed JP is a gifted jazz musician who toured several continents, developing a rich worldliness that comes through in his swagger and collage of diverse tattoos.
* JP owns and operates a blues club with his ailing father that has been the target of several attacks by local gang members.
* He is biracial.
* As mentioned by him, weed messes with his voice.
* Liliana mistakenly thought that JP plays the Trumpet when he actually plays the Sax. This may be a reference to Anthony Fleming's character in Prison Break who is named Trumpets.
* He is revealed to be divorced from his ex-husband.
* JP and Tommy have many similarities and differences.
	+ Both were raised by a single parent.
	+ However, JP was raised by his father while Tommy raised by his mother with no knowledge of his father.
	+ Both had a child at one point.
		- However, Tommy killed his while unaware of its existence.
	+ Both their single parents lied to them about the status of their other parent.
	+ Both have made their way in life with their respective path, JP being legit while Tommy through the criminal lifestyle.