| Rampage | |
|---|---|
 Rampage as depicted inSupergirl vol. 4 #6 (February 1997). Art byGary Frank. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Superman (vol. 2) #7 (July 1987) |
| Created by | John Byrne |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Karen Lou "Kitty" Faulkner |
| Species | Metahuman |
| Team affiliations | S.T.A.R. Labs |
| Abilities |
|
Rampage (Karen Lou "Kitty"Faulkner) is a fictional character in theDC Comics. The character first appeared inSupermancomic books, and was later utilized inStarman. Rampage has a distinct appearance, with orange skin, a towering, muscular build, and a fiery redmohawk. Rampage's personality is (like her namesake) hot-tempered, aggressive and uninhibited, the complete opposite of heralter ego Kitty Faulkner.
Rampage first appeared inSuperman (vol. 2) #7 and was created byJohn Byrne.
Dr. Kitty Faulkner was working on a pollution-free energy source for a competition sponsored by theDaily Planet. Faulkner is exhibiting her installation when Dr. Thomas Moyers, a colleague arguing the potential dangers of the project to reporterLois Lane, shuts off the machine's safety systems. The resulting explosion transforms Faulkner into ametahuman with the ability to absorb solar energy and continuously grow in size and strength.[1] Disoriented and confused, she runs amok through the streets ofMetropolis. TheDaily Planet, not knowing she is actually Kitty Faulkner, quickly dubs her "Rampage".Superman drains Faulkner's excess solar energy and returns her to normal.[2]
Months later, Faulkner falls ill and learns that she will die without exposure to a certain amount of solar and cosmic energy. Moyers gives her a technological device in the form of a collar that will maintain the proper amount of exposure to keep her alive. Moyers also has a sinister motive - he transforms Faulkner into Rampage and has her sabotage the presidential campaign of Herbert Forrest. Forrest and Moyers were former friends, but Moyers had come to resent the candidate's corrupt morality. After several attacks, Superman helps free Rampage from Moyers' control and sends him to jail. After modifying the collar, Faulkner places her powers under control and accepts a job atS.T.A.R. Labs.[3]
At S.T.A.R. Labs, Faulkner befriends the young superheroStarman (Will Payton). She helps him on several occasions as Rampage, and the two formed a relationship. Faulkner is later forced to return to Metropolis to take part in the major re-organization of S.T.A.R. Labs necessitated by the destruction of the corporation's main laboratory. She supervises S.T.A.R. Labs' efforts to reignite the sun inThe Final Night event.[4]
When Faulkner's colleague Christine Bruckner frames her for embezzlement, Superman tries to speak in her defense, but is forced to pursue Rampage as she tears through the town of Leesburg trying to kill Bruckner for her betrayal. When Superman allows Rampage to attack Bruckner to end the pursuit, Rampage accepts that she is not willing to commit murder, returning to her human form whileSupergirl forces Bruckner to confess what she had done.[5]
Faulkner supervises the enhancement of the abilities of the hero Antaeus. In return, S.T.A.R. Labs gained valuable knowledge about the nature of genetically enhanced super-beings.[6] Faulkner later becomes the director of S.T.A.R. Labs in Metropolis.[7]
Rampage can absorb and store solar energy as sustenance to empower herself. She can also leap great distances, simulating the effects of flight.[8]
An alternate universe variant of Rampage appears inThe New 52: Futures End. This version is aLexCorp geneticist.[9][10][11]
An alternate universe variant of Rampage appears inTangent Comics: Doom Patrol #1 as a member of theeponymous group.
Rampage appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[13]
Rampage appears in theSupergirl tie-in digital comicAdventures of Supergirl.[14] This version is an alien namedCaren Falqnerr who can assume a human form.
