H.E.R.O. (comics)
H.E.R.O. is an American comic book series published by DC Comics that started in 2003 and ran for 22 issues. The series was written by Will Pfeifer. Artists included Kano, Leonard Kirk and Dale Eaglesham. The series' focus was the "H-Dial" that DC had first introduced in "Dial H for Hero" in "House of Mystery" in the 1960s. For this series the Dial was depicted as an object with buttons instead of a dial and was referred to as the H-Device. Story arcs and characters. Unlike earlier stories, "H.E.R.O." did not have one or two protagonists  being turned into a new hero every issue, but showed the H-Device passing from bearer to bearer, examining how different people react to the sudden gift of supernatural powers. There was a subplot involving Robby Reed (the main character from the original "Dial H for Hero") that ran through most issues and led to the series' final storyline as he tries to find the H-Device. Final story arc. Issues #15–22 bring together all the elements presented in the previous issues. Robby Reed is the featured character as he attempts to stop a serial killer who has obtained the  H-Device and gained the power to use any power he can think of. Most of the other characters from the previous storyarcs are either recruited by Reed or killed by the serial killer. Robby starts by telling Jerry Feldon his past which causes his superpowers to kick in. Robby and Jerry travel to find the serial killer while avoiding the police. Robby and Jerry encounter the serial killer and were able to fight him until the serial killer gets away upon killing Jerry. Tony Finch agrees to work for the serial killer upon being sprung from Arkham Asylum. Wayne  of Captain Chaos sides with Robby Reed after the serial killer killed Mark, Jay, Galen, and Craig and after Wayne's superpowers. After his powers kick in, Matt Allen agrees to help Robby Reed after Andrea is captured by the serial killer. Robby and Matt were successful at rescuing Andrea at the cost of Wayne's life. Tony does turn against the serial killer by buying Robby Reed, Matt Allen, and Andrea Allen time to defeat him by sacrificing his life. It was also shown that the H-Device's powers had been carried into Jerry Feldon's son. The  series ends with the H-Device being sent back in time by Robby Reed where it is found by the Neanderthal from issue #11. Collected editions. Part of the series has been collected as a trade paperback: