The Harbinger of Justice

Background/History

Leader of the Punishers, the vigilante who calls himself the Harbinger of Justice is perhaps better known as the "Ink Blot Killer." He first appeared in 1994, and since that time is suspected to have murdered several hundred persons, mainly in New York City; a handful of these victims were super-powered or technology-wielding villains. The Ink Blot Killer has clashed with law enforcement several times, but has always managed to escape. His methods and cautious nature have allowed him to remain nearly as mysterious today as the day he first appeared. His nickname is taken from the "calling cards" he leaves on his victims, white cards with black inkblots, the forms of which are reminiscent of those used in the Rorschach inkblot test. The symbolism of these cards has never been explained.

Harbinger will stop at nothing to kill ("execute," as he puts it) those he feels deserve death. He has never made entirely clear just who qualifies for "execution." Murderers, rapists, robbers, and other violent criminals clearly meet his standards, as do drug dealers and members of organized crime groups. Harbinger's crimefighting philosophy seems to be based on the concept that everyone is free-willed and has the capacity not to commit crimes, even if they cannot be genuinely "good." At a minimum, people must leave one another in peace and not harm one another. Those commit minor infractions of this "rule" deserve one change to correct their behavior and act as they should. If they fail to act properly thereafter, they will be "executed" as threats to society. Certain persons, such as murders, are so evil that they could never redeem themselves, so they are "executed" immediately.

Powers/Tactics

Harbinger costume, or perhaps his weapons themselves, contain teleportation technology that allows him to teleport weapons to him from some unknown location, and then teleport them back and summon new ones as needed. His most-used gun is an enormous handgun. Harbinger prefers to render his opponents unconscious, so that he can interrogate them and learn more about the underworld; then, he executes them.

In combat, Harbinger is only concerned with winning. He will "cheat," breaks his word or fight "dishonorably" in order to achieve this aim.

Criminal Record

Harbinger is wanted by local, national, and international law enforcement agencies for hundreds of murders and uncounted acts of assault and kidnapping. Needless to say, several organized criminal organizations have set high bounties for Harbinger's head.