The Keeper of Infinite Earths - Union of Peace
Created by Bob Justice
"Smite" Created by Matt Parmenter
Anvil
Alter Ego: Blake Smythe, originally Tyrone Davies
Occupation: Superhero, formerly Blacksmith
Known Relatives: None living
Group Affiliation: Union of Peace
Base of Operations: New York, NY
Background/History:
Tyrone Davies, born a slave and freed for saving his owner’s children from a
fire, was a free man in the old west and one of the best blacksmiths the Arizona
territory had ever seen. One day, a storm was headed for town, but, as it
neared, something was not right. There was a figure flying in front of the
storm. Tyrone and the menfolk gathered the women and children to the storm
cellars and waited. Suddenly, a voice came from above telling them to seek
shelter. They looked up and saw Crypeace who explained that the Indian shaman
named Manitou, bent and twisted like a misshapen dwarf by the evil in his black
soul, was coming to slay the town for some sort of sacrifice. The men offered to
help, but Crypeace told them they would be more of a hindrance to him. The first
battle was a stalemate, but the town was temporarily spared. Manitou was
powerful and Crypeace tried to find a new approach. Ty told him that his smithy
was at his service and Crypeace thought perhaps iron weapons might help sever
Manitou’s link to the mystical power, so they went to make shields. Manitou,
however, discovered the plan and raced to the smithy, as well. While Ty smelted
ore, the sorcerors battled anew. Manitou was caught off guard by Crypeace’s
new tactics and sought to distract him by attacking Ty. In an instant, the evil
shaman’s blast struck the ore as a desperate protective spell from Crypeace
hit Ty. Possibly the iron disrupting their spells was to blame, but the
blacksmith was covered with molten metal. Enraged by the cowardly attack,
Crypeace unleashed his full fury on the shaman and he fled. Checking on Tyrone,
he was amazed to discover that the metal had seemingly melted into his body. The
unconscious man looked unharmed, but weighed perhaps a thousand pounds and was
immobile. When Tyrone came to, he slowly was able to move and became the weapon
Crypeace needed to defeat Manitou himself. Over the years, Tyrone learned how to
control his density and gained the strength to do far more than just move
normally. His unique metallic form gave him incredible toughness, strength, and
a resistance to magical attacks. He also stopped aging. Whenever Crypeace needed
him, he would answer the call, but he generally kept to himself, away from
anyone who would consider him a freak. When Crypeace formed the Union of Peace,
he sought out his old ally and convinced him, that in a world of superbeings, he
was no longer some sort of a freak and that he could use his abilities without
that fear. He eventually, somewhat reluctantly, accepted and has happily spent
the last few years fighting for good with the Union.
Personality/Motivations:
Anvil was always an easy going, ready to help, hard worker. The event that
created his powers soured him for a few years on people, so he retreated to the
mountains and lived alone. When Crypeace came to him, he was, deep down, ready
to rejoin the world and he shook off the bitterness he felt. Now, he is
dedicated to using his gifts to stop the forces of evil.