Backspin

Joe Tobin is the son of US Senator (Dem, MA) Edward Tobin. The Tobins are an old

Boston political family. They're distantly related to the Kennedys, and nearly

as powerful in politics.

Because of that Joe grew up with politics and high society as a constant

background. He absorbed an understanding of high society, psychology, politics,

and how people manipulated each other at a very young age listening to his

parents and their friends. He learned things literally over the dinner table

that many people don't learn until well into their adult lives.

One event occurred in his early childhood which would bear unexpected

fruit later. Captain Freedom, who had been recently elected to the senate,

attended a reception at the family home. Joe was deeply impressed by

meeting him, and wrote him a letter afterward expressing his admiration.

He was deeply touched to receive a personal letter in response. It's still

in his collection of treasured momentos.

As a child he attended Milton Academy, a prestigious private school. He

excelled at academic subjects, and was a bit better than average

at sports. He also understood very well how to work a crowd, and make people

like him, so he was always popular. He didn't make a lot of very close friends

though. After getting burned once or twice, he was very suspicious of people

trying to get close because they wanted something from him (his family's

influence, money, etc).

He's had ambitions to enter politics someday since he was a small child.

As the son of a Senator, it came quite naturally.

Being the son of a wealthy and influential senator also meant that he got

used very early to being a target for reporters and the curious. He knows

he's always potentially on camera, and values he truly private moments

accordingly.

His talents developed when he was 12, just as he hit adolescence. His TK was the

first talent to manifest. It showed up during a close pool match. As he

lined up on a ball, a green light surrounded it, and it zipped neatly into

the pocket. It was obvious to everyone that the effect came from him, and he

immediately conceded the game. After discussion with his father, they decided

it would be appropriate for him to transfer to Ravenswood Academy for his

remaining pre-college schooling. That way he could get training in dealing

with this new talent.

Once this decision was made, he gathered his courage and wrote to [Captain

Freedom] again, telling him about this new event in his life, and his hope

that he might follow in his footsteps. He was overjoyed when Captain Freedom

responded to him. They began a regular correspondence. Joe kept this secret,

realizing that it might make things awkward at school. He also was able to

visit Captain Freedom in person several times over the years on school

holidays, when everyone at school assumed he went home to Massachusetts.

Over the years he's kept Capt. Freedom well informed about things at the

school.

He had great hopes of being part of an official, government sponsored

super team. He was a bit disappointed at first when he was not selected

as part of the Next-Gen team that became the Watch, he was largely philosophical about it. He

did recognize the need to finish his education first, and he also hoped

that he would be able to join a team focused in Boston, or as a second

choice, New York. He's made his interest clear to Capt. Freedom.

Once he completed his high school education, he applied to Harvard. He's

currently a sophomore, working on a BA with a dual major in Political Science

and Economics. He stays in touch with various friends from Ravenswood,

but he doesn't have close emotional attachments with any of them.

His long term ambition is to use his career as a super hero as a stepping

stone into politics, just as Captain Freedom did. He hasn't said this

publically of course, but Capt. Freedom certainly knows. He's talked it

over at length with his family, and has their support (and frequent

admonitions to be careful). Publicly he talks a good line including

good American moral values and patriotism as motives.