CyberFrog

Origin

Trikk Rhan comes from a planet named Azlon. Females reproduce by generating a shapeless mass of energy, which takes shape only upon contact with two living organisms. Generally, these two organisms are the child's parents, and it meshes the couple's characteristics prefectly.

In an attempt to spead peace and knowledge throughout the universe, a plan was formed to send out unseeded energy masses to distant planets inside high technology living sentient robots, known as the Sinn. The Sinn was to be the 'first parent'. On Earth, a human was to be the 'second parent'.Aboard the vessel named Kjell Sinn was the energy mass named Trikk Rhan, the son of Sicha Rhan and his mate Kjell Rhan.

A crash landing on Earth in a swamp caused the energy mass to release early. As it leaked out, the Sinn was the first contact as planned. But the energy mass of Trikk Rhan came into contact with a bullfrog. The result was a surly hero who enjoys fried chicken, caffeine and violence.

Creation

CyberFrog's origins as a comic began when the creator, Ethan Van Sciver, was still a teenager. His love of frogs and of comic books prompted him to create a comic about an amphibian superhero that was meant only to amuse himself, his family and his girlfriend. It was only years later that CyberFrog became an established character in the independent comic scene.

Conceived as a mix between the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spawn, Spider-Man and The Savage Dragon, CyberFrog began to come into his own identity as a character by the time that the first issue was being created. The cybernetic part of his character was added, because (according to Van Sciver), everything in the 90's was 'cyber.'

The first real foray that CyberFrog had in comics was at an independent publisher called 'Hall of Heroes.' There, the first black and white issues were published, unleashing the frog upon the world with his irreverent humor and dry wit. Most of all, CyberFrog was created to be fun, and that was what it delivered perfectly.

Harris Comics was the next home for CyberFrog. In these issues, we were reintroduced to the characters in color. It would also mark the first meeting between CyberFrog and his best friend, Heather Swain. Other recurring villains in CyberFrog's rogues gallery would begin to make appearances at this point in the comic's history as well.

By the year 2001, life had begun to change for CyberFrog's creator, who began a new life working at DC Comics. This left no time to work on his own creation, and CyberFrog was gone from the comic scene. But he was never forgotten. By 2018, the character had been given a new life as a wholly creator-owned, wholly-independent character in a series of revival comics. These comics featured a slightly darker, more bleak tone, but retained the same amount of fun and entertainment that had been expected by the original audience, and even newcomers who had just learned about the character.

Currently, there are new CyberFrog comics in production.

Character Evolution

Personality

He is crass. He is arrogant. He is grouchy. He is surly. He is selfish. He is lazy. And he won't apologize for any of that. All CyberFrog wants from his life is to sit down, watch TV and snack on his favorite fried chicken all the day long. Keeping people safe from superpowered threats comes second to any of that. Whatever he's doing, he becomes preoccupied with it to the point of obsession. Even when his life is directly threatened, he would rather read a phone book than fight. If he's trying to get a corpse unstuck from his body, he won't even notice when his brother is going on a killing spree.

In the earliest comics, the only reason that CyberFrog would even go out to prevent crime was to stop the incessant buzzing of his 'homing sense.' One day when he followed it to a crime scene where humans were in danger, he was greeted with the same scorn as the enemies he defeated. Ever since, he became bitter, cynical, and even a little bit lonely. Still, there was that small part of him that felt responsible for the humans' safety which kept him going on his crusade.

After learning that there was at least one human who appreciated his efforts, and who accepted him the way that he was, his views on crime fighting began to change. He only slightly reluctantly began to heed his homing sense, and became a more responsible protector.

When it comes to his enemies, CyberFrog shows nothing but contempt and disrespect. He openly taunts and belittles them by pointing out their flaws and mocking their beliefs. He is not above killing any of them, and often ruthlessly slaughters people who willfully do harm to others. But it is surviving repeat offenders who get under his skin the most, since they take him away from his TV and fried chicken.

Appearance

Once upon a time, he looked like any other bullfrog. Currently, he's a five foot, bipedal humanoid with mechanized implants. His torso and his head appear to be the most organic parts of his body. They are covered with green flesh on his back, while the flesh on his stomach, chest and throat are all yellow. This is an interesting touch, since real life male bullfrogs (which he is mutated from) have yellow undersides. Parts of his throat, however, have visible mechanical parts.

His arms and his legs are wholly mechanized. Each is made up of a reflective, silvery metal, and end in bulbous digits that are green in color. Sometimes, these parts of his body change their shapes, depending on how his body had adapting while he is using his rapid evolution power.

It is his eyes and his mouth that draw most of the attention. Both features are absurdly large, and often change shape and size to reflect his mood. Most of all, his eyes are solid orange with bubbling yellow plasm within them. This brightness of this plasm changes intensity depending on his mood as well. When thoughtful and contemplative, his eyes are dim. When excited or angry, they grow brighter.

Hall of Heroes

In his earliest appearances, CyberFrog was little more than a character that simply existed within the comic book universe. While he was certainly a hero, there wasn't much for him to do besides indulge in his bad habits and give criminals a good, sound thrashing. It was during this era, however, that established much of what CyberFrog's personality, was like.

Besides his personality, the tone of the comics in general were established. While the Hall of Heroes era didn't offer much in the way of character or plot development, it was the first step to making the character and the comic what they would become in the future.

Harris Comics

It was during the time of being published at Harris Comics that a lot of current day CyberFrog was established. He met many of his future recurring enemies, as well as his friends and allies who would fight beside him, and new powers that he could use. Most of all, it showed that there were other sides to CyberFrog's personality, allowing for more well-rounded character development.

Just as it was before in the Hall of Heroes era, CyberFrog was as grumpy and irresponsible by the beginning of the Harris era. However, the character was faced with certain threats and truths that humbled him and changed the way that he thought about his role as an outsider on Earth.

As for the story, the plot and tone began to take shape where CyberFrog and his team were more like a group of investigators who were trying to piece together parts of an overarching mystery with each encounter they had with their enemies. This would ultimately end with Amphibionix, and the long dormancy of CyberFrog comics.

ALL CAPS COMICS

The current era of CyberFrog. After almost twenty years of hiatus, CyberFrog returned to comics. But things had changed greatly. Just as he learned about his true purpose on Earth, everything changed for the characters. Now the comics are presented as an overarching, continuous story, as opposed to small, self-contained chapters.

What changed most of all was CyberFrog's role. As of Blood Honey, CyberFrog wholly takes on his responsibilities as a protector of humanity and actively defends the planet from threats. However, his grouchy disposition didn't change a bit.

Major Story Arcs

Deathfly and Heather Swain

As far as he knew, CyberFrog just appeared on planet Earth one day. According to the character himself, he spent about ten years pointlessly meandering about, until one day he began to feel his 'homing sense' guide him toward a crime scene. He was not warmly met by the public, and he wasn't too fond of them either. Even after he rescued them from the villains, Spite and Device, the civilians still treated him like he was a monster too.

It was after his first meeting with Heather Swain that made CyberFrog's views on being a protector change ever so slightly. After rescuing her from a superpowered stalker, the two quickly became friends. How far CyberFrog has grown as a protector is tested when Heather is abducted and taken to Hell's neighboring plane of existence by Deathfly.

Reservoir Frog

After a fight with Rumblebee, Dementipede, Earwig, and other members of The Hive, CyberFrog discovers what he believes to be a clue to the next place that they'll attack. One phone call to Heather later, and the two of them meet up to discuss the paper that CyberFrog had found. Behind the scenes, other criminal enterprises are gaining traction. Traffik is growing bolder and The Hive is beginning to grow more organized.

Over a bucket of fried chicken Heather discovers that the paper that CyberFrog found may indeed be a map. To her horror, it appears to be a map of the neighborhood of CyberFrog's hideout. No sooner does she discover this than does the hideout get attacked by The Hive. It is during this time that CyberFrog discovers that he has several untapped powers that may be the key to his and Heather's survival.

Origin Revealed

A chance meeting with a previously unknown group of supervillains has CyberFrog meet with somebody who he never would have expected. Somebody who claims to be his mother. During this meeting, CyberFrog learns the truth about his origin and what his purpose on Earth is. After CyberFrog leaves to clear his head, Heather is informed that he has a twin brother that he never knew about.

CyberFrog vs Creed

Somehow out of the blue, a horde of oversized lobsters attacks the downtown area, and CyberFrog heeds the call to go and turn them into a luxury dinner. Unknown to him, there is a boy named, Mark Farley. Mark is better known to some as Creed, and his close companion, C. J., assists CyberFrog in his battle. Once the lobsters are dealt with, CyberFrog goes to hang out with his best friend, and Mark is knocked unconscious and sent to the Dream World.

In the Dream World, Mark meets with Disorder, who has made an acquaintance with Deathfly. Deathfly entices Mark to accept an amulet that he says will give him power in the real world. Unknown to Mark, it is a means to corrupt him so that Disorder may rule the Dream World and Deathfly may make Heather Swain his bride.

Amphibionix

When he follows his 'homing sense' to a fight between Grizzly and the Sisters of Mayhem, CyberFrog discovers a mark similar to the one that Deathfly bears. Unknown to him, he has his first encounter with his long lost twin, but he is too annoyed with a dead body to even notice him.

During a trip to the woods with Heather, the two friends discover a dead body drained of all its blood. Shortly after, they discover the answer to the mystery: giant, cybernetic mosquitos. More shocking than that is the discovery of a spaceship encased in dried clay. One that bears the same symbol that so many other enemies have worn. Whatever the connection was, we would never find out since CyberFrog was abruptly ended before the mystery could be solved.

Vyzpzz Invasion

In a soft reboot of the series, most of the previous events are treated as if they hadn't happened, with only a few of the more important ones being treated as true canon. It all starts when CyberFrog is enjoying some fried chicken and TV with Heather and Salamandroid, when all hell suddenly breaks loose.

Unknown to the inhabitants of Earth, the entire planet has been accidently sending signals into outer space. These signals had been a beacon for a swarm of alien hornets known as the Vyzpzz. And Earth is prime to support their species. Especially with humans as their prey. CyberFrog isn't sure how it happens, but his power weakens drastically during the invasion, and he is forced into hibernation.

Twenty years later, CyberFrog reawakens in a world that is not the one he knew. Vyzpzz are everywhere. Humans are scarce. His friends are nowhere to be found. And he believes he has failed his purpose as a defender of the planet. He will need to persevere, marshal all of his resources and inspire courage in every remaining human if they hope to be able to defeat this alien menace.

Powers & Abilities

Homing Sense

Cyberfrog possesses a 'homing sense', an unstoppable force which directs him to crime scenes. Described by the character as a buzzing sound, similar to the band, Poison, setting up in his ear canal and playing 'Skinny Bop' at a billion decibels.

Super Strength

CyberFrog is able to lift approximately 1.5 tons. And that's only when he's feeling tired. He boasts about other feats of strength, even claiming that he can juggle your entire family. Due to his nature as a frog, his legs are much stronger than his upper body. With his legs, he is able to press five times as much weight as with his arms.

Superhuman Durability

Blows from normal opponents don't faze him all. Four mile drops leave him with just a headache. And only the strongest attacks are able to do significant damage to him.

Explosive Tongue

His tongue can stretch for almost a mile, and is wired with circuitry that implants explosives on whatever it wraps around. These explosives have a fifteen second delay, before they detonate.

High Jump

As a frog, his naturally springy legs allow him to jump hundreds of times higher and farther than a human.

Flight

CyberFrog's legs have built-in thrusters, allowing him to fly.

Thunder Croak

A seldom-used attack, which involves croaking at a volume that is meant to incapacitate, if not outright kill. The reason that it is not used often is that nearby humans wouldn't be able to withstand the force of it.

Rapid Evolution

As long as he is connected to his mother, Kjell Sinn, CyberFrog is able to adapt new gadgets into his body, depending on the situation at hand. He may develop new weapons in battle, or emit light in the darkness, or even other things yet unknown.

Rapid Healing

When he is connected to Kjell Sinn, most wounds inflicted on CyberFrog heal within a matter of seconds.