Something about the phrase Rocket Fish!

It' no secret that I love the character Torpdeo, our resident rocket powered denizen of the sea.

Here's a little about him.

In DC comics, there are few characters as ridiculed as Aquaman. He swims, and talks to fish. That isn't a devastating power set when compared to the likes of Superman, Flash, or Wonder Woman.

Of course, many people just see that, and haven't read any of the work people like Grant Morrison and Peter David did on the character in the late nineties and the early part of this decade. He talks to fish through telepathy, which he has honed to be able to issue commands, as well as chat. He is super strong, and his body can withstand the ocean's crushing depths. He swims faster than dolphins. He did, for a while, have a hook for a hand.

Now, as many people know, Tails is a love letter of sorts, to comics in general, but to the quirks of super hero comics in specific. Although our characters definitely have their own personalities and foibles, they are meant, at times, to remind you of other characters. Archetypes, if you will. Each pet is a miniature version of their hero, who may or may not share common traits with an established character in another comic. The traits aren't the point, though. It's how they act, and how they differ where the real fun begins.

Torpedo was a normal fish, content to follow his heroic master through the winding currents of his undersea domain. His hero had the mighty power to breath under water, swim incredibly fast, and talk to fish.

So, when he disappeared, and his power was transferred to Torpedo, his pet gained the power to breath under water, swim incredibly fast, and talk to....that's right...fish! If you're following all of this, then you must have figured out by now that Torpedo got screwed on the power transfer side of things.

So, what would any self respecting fish with a serious lack of newfound powers do? You guessed it, he called Dark Nut and Canned Ham, and they created a rocket powered, water/oxygen circulation and filtration rig, and sent him into the wild blue yonder. It even comes complete with a ramming speed nose cone face mask.

By the way, for those of you who dig the gems of useless trivia or behind the scenes commentary, you'll notice that his mask is a merging of the Rocketeer's helmet and Ultraman's mask.

His primary villain is an atomic powered mech suit wearing goldfish we call GOLD FISSION. You'll be seeing him soon. When you see him, try to think of Wallace Shawn's voice. (from Princess Bride) Inconceivable!