The Keeper of Infinite Earths - Heroes of The S&S Universe
Created by Matt Parmenter
Night Shade
Alter Ego: Ethan Kligh
Occupation: Super Hero/Lawyer
Known Relatives: Jared and Hannah Kligh-parents, Steven A. Kligh
"Red Avenger"-brother
Group Affiliation: none
Base of Operations: Haven City, NJ
Background/History:
Jared Kligh was a rich industrialist who met a beautiful woman at a party and
fell for her hard. Hannah was an agent for the CIA in an undercover role, but
the attraction was undeniable. They married and she continued her career, even
after having two sons. Assigned to discover the link between an international
criminal ring and the mysterious American crime boss known as the Rose, Hannah’s
luck finally ran out. Betrayed by a mole in her own agency, she was murdered by
the Rose himself as an example to those who would try to interfere with his
plans. Jared threw all of his clout and wealth into seeking vengeance for his
wife’s death. His brother, Steven, two years Ethan’s elder, devoted his life
to avenging her death and secretly became the Red Avenger. Ethan internalized
his grief and focused on hobbies like botany and martial arts to occupy his time
and goes to law school. While home from law school, Ethan catches his brother in
costume and discovers his secret. After hearing Steven’s explanation, he
offers to help him, but is refused. When he graduated, he went to work as an
assistant District Attorney in Haven City. He saw the dark seemy underbelly of
his home and hated it. Worse yet, he saw the criminals manipulate the system and
walk free. Then, he was involved in the case of the murderer only known as the
Blind Demon, a blind serial killer. During the trial, since he was going to be
convicted, the so-called Demon uttered some strange incantations and vanished in
a cloud of brimstone. This was the final straw. He went to his brother and
informed him that he was going to help him on the streets whether the Red
Avenger liked it or not. Given little choice, Steven reluctantly agreed under
the condition that he trained him first. Taking his code name from his youthful
hobby, he became Night Shade and apprenticed with his brother for a time, but
Steven was not a team player, so he went off on his own.
Personality/Motivations:
Driven to succeed at his goals, but not as driven as his brother, Night Shade
seeks to balance the scales of justice because it’s the right thing to do,
rather than as an act of vengeance.
Quote: "Now you’ll feel how deadly Night Shade
is."