SuperPatriot (John Quincy Armstrong) is an Image Comics superhero created by Erik Larsen in 1992. He regularly appears in Erik Larsen's titles, whether in his own mini-series or as a supporting character and is currently a member of the Liberty League.
Fictional character biography
SuperPatriot was once Johnny Armstrong, a soldier in World War II. Captured by the Germans, Armstrong was used as a guinea pig for scientific experiments and gained superhuman powers. He destroyed the base at which he was being kept so the Nazis could not replicate the process on their troops and donned an American flag-styled costume to become SuperPatriot. SuperPatriot later joined the superhero group called the Allies, working with such figures as Supreme and Mighty Man, and protected the innocent for many decades. He also worked with the World War II version of Die-Hard and Glory as the group 'Allies'. His World War II career also included a stint in Africa in 1943, chasing Rommel's 'Afrika Corps'.
However, in the 1990s, SuperPatriot was faced with more brutal and intense supervillains than ever before and began to have difficulty dealing with them. Eventually, he was overpowered by members of the Vicious Circle, a group of supervillains organized by Chicago crime-boss Overlord. SuperPatriot was savagely attacked by his foes, with the shark-man Mako biting off his limbs and much of his face. Left for dead, SuperPatriot's body was taken by Cyberdata, a corporation of subversive scientists, and transformed into a powerful cyborg.
Initially his transformation made him highly unstable and he embarked upon a violent spree of vigilante murders, clashing with the Savage Dragon. Superpatriot was easily controlled while in this addled state and was made into a puppet killing machine by terrorist groups like the Covenant of the Sword. Also, he was temporarily controlled by the entity known as the Horde. Fortunately, the SuperPatriot later regained his own mind and became a superhero again, joining the newly formed Chicago group called Freak Force.
During his time with the team he learns that his long-term friend Mighty Man had actually perished some time ago and the powers were now being wielded by his former nurse.
Two children
Sometime after being freed from Cyberdata and the Covenant of the Sword's control John learned that he had fathered two children. The twins (a boy and a girl) grew up to become Liberty & Justice. His ex-wife, who the twins and John thought dead, was revealed to be alive and was a member of the Covenant of the Sword prior to marrying John. His daughter also thinks the Covenant is not as bad as it is made out to seem.
SuperPatriot is well respected in the superhero community, becoming one of the main resistance leaders during the Mars Attacks The Image Universe crossover. He and the other leaders operate out of what seems to be a small suburban tract house, as most other military installations have been destroyed or are potential targets. During these events, his daughter is raped by Martians. She chooses to keep the child, which has far-reaching effects.
SuperPatriot cameos as part of the hero-only murder trial of Knightsabre. SuperPatriot's history in the Allied Supermen of America is explored in the Alan Moore run of Supreme.<ref>Supreme: The New Adventures" #43-48 (1996-1997)</ref>
Savage World
In the "Savage World", the alternate Earth depicted in Larsen's Savage Dragon series, SuperPatriot is controlled by Cyberface until his eventual downfall. Afterwards he rejoins the newly reestablished Liberty League. He has had various adventures, including meeting Claire Bono, and eventually marrying her.
Invincible, a newer Image character created by Robert Kirkman, has been depicted as a fan of SuperPatriot. Claire Bono, the executor of Invincible's father's will, is a friend and confidante to Invincible's mom, Debbie Grayson. They have bonded over their shared experiences of being married to superheroes. SuperPatriot is seen climbing up the side of Claire's building in order to talk with her about lunch, he states he has trouble going through security.
Superpatriot and the Savage Dragon are two of many heroes who later appear in the Invincible series. They are targeted by 'Doc Seismic' who control monsters who prefer to live underground. Superpatriot and the other heroes were saved by a backup team led by the mysterious vigilante 'Darkwing'. He again deals with Invincible's fallout when murderous evil doubles of the hero threaten the world. Superpatriot works with several Chicago based heroes to try and defeat one of the doubles.