The pantheon of DC heroes is filled with well-known names, but it also houses figures like Bushmaster (Bernie Reed). Created by E. Nelson Bridwell and illustrated by Ramona Fradon, this character first appeared in 1975 in Freedom Fighters. His story is short and his legacy, nearly invisible. Today, we rescue him from oblivion.
The technical design of a hero with metal whips 🛠️
Bushmaster did not possess superpowers, but rather a pair of retractable metal whips integrated into his gloves. These devices worked through a system of internal pulleys and springs, allowing a reach of up to ten meters. His suit, colored green and blue, included a harness to prevent tearing when swinging. Although rudimentary compared to modern technology, Ramona Fradon's design showed a practical solution for an urban hero without extraordinary resources.
The hero who got lost in the drawer of memories 📦
Bernie Reed had such a brief career that he didn't even get to have an existential crisis. His greatest achievement was appearing in a handful of issues before being laid off due to poor sales. Today, if you ask about Bushmaster at a convention, you'll most likely be mistaken for the Marvel villain. At least his suit didn't need ironing, because it never came out of the closet.