Radiator

> "Who gives you the right to try and stop me?"
>
> "No one. All I am is a man trying to make a difference. Maybe right some of my wrongs along the way. Make the world a safer place for the little guy. By taking dirtbags like you down a notch. Without guys like me, there's no hope for them. So I guess, in a way, it's kinda your fault. For being such a prick."
>
> **Radiator** to Soldier Zero

## Info

### Affiliation

Icebergs
Stormstrike

## Origins

### Creator

Thomas

**Tom Wilbur**, known globally as **Radiator** was an American superhero, founder of Icebergs and co-founder of Stormstrike and the first official superhero. Before he became a superhero, he operated as a health and safety inspector for massive, industrial companies using controversial and dangerous power sources such as radiation. He stumbled onto a conspiracy at Nutro Industries where dozens of workers were smuggling radioactive components and weapons offsite to sell on the black market and create illegal nuclear weapons. With insufficient evidence to prove his discovery, Wilbur decided to investigate the operation by himself. Lacking any sense of direction or training when it came to investigation, Wilbur's plan was quickly foiled and he was rapidly caught by the criminal workers. Although he swore not to tell a soul about his discovery, the workers tortured him nonetheless. They tested a variety of different experimental chemical compounds on him and exposed him to a level of radiation which should have killed him. For some reason, however, the combination of steroids, sedatives and radioactive energy within his system made him stronger and gave him superpowers. He broke free from confinement and used his newfound abilities to take revenge. Due to not fully knowing the limitations of his powers, however, his outburst blew up the building he was held in, accidentally killing all of his captors and one unlucky civilian who had been walking by at the time. Burdened with immense guilt, Wilbur quit his job and vowed to never use his abilities again.

This pact did not last long, however, as several years later, he found himself in trouble and needed to use his powers again. He, along with several other passengers, were taken hostage during a normal train commute. The hostage takers, members of Dinvar Saaj's cartel, threatened to start executing passengers without rhyme or reason. Faced with no other option, Wilbur subdued the terrorists and saved the lives of dozens. From that point on, he decided to dedicate his life to protecting others. Following the official EHB declaration in 1977, Wilbur decided to take a stance for the right of enhanced individuals by becoming the first public superhero - under the moniker of Radiator. In 1990, during a mission on behalf of the CIA, Radiator encountered the agent Blanc Hathaway. The two became rapidly became friends and decided to join forces by starting their own official superhero team - the Icebergs. During this period, he met and became acquainted with a young Hawkray. After Icebergs shut down after 5 years of operation, Radiator continued to be a vigilante but more so from the shadows.

Several years later, in 2000, Radiator was approached by Hawkray about starting a new superhero organization, bigger and more capable than ever before. The two approached Future and the trio officially started Stormstrike. Over the next 7 years, Radiator's role as leader gradually subsided and he took more of a backseat role within the group. Also during this period, the lasting impacts of the various experiments done on Radiator began catching up on him and he became sick. Following The Fall of Stormbringer 1, Radiator went off the grid to take care of his health. In the years that followed, Radiator's sickness became terminal.

In 2014, he met with a discouraged Shapeshifter and inspired him to give Stormstrike yet another chance - setting him up with Blanc Hathaway in the process. With Radiator's wise words as a motivator, Shapeshifter went public with the current iteration of Stormstrike which still carries on today. A number of weeks later, Radiator's illness became too much to handle and he passed away.

## Trivia

- Turns out the first official Stormstrike superhero was not even made by me - rather he was made by Thomas while Stormstrike was still technically apart of the Marvel Universe. After we rebranded, Radiator and the unnamed secret agent (later dubbed Blanc Hathaway) were carried over.