Keeper of Infinite Earths - The Overseers of the Law
Created by Jon Sams, Matt Parmenter & Barry Mulvihil
Red Beret
Alter Ego: Sam Johns
Occupation: Soldier
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: The Overseers of the Law
Base of Operations: Washington, DC
Status: Deceased
Background/History:
Sam’s whole family had been involved in the military and he grew up immersed
in army men and GI Joes. His only goal was to be a US military man. Focusing all
of his energies into mastering discipline and weaponry, he excelled in military
school and in the Marines. The only question was his sanity, he seemed too
focused, too determined to accomplish tasks regardless of the risk or collateral
damage. Instead of dishonorably discharging him, which no doubt would have led
to a breakdown of some sort, he was placed in a top secret cell of operatives
who had no official ties to the US Government and he successfully handled a
number of covert ops. He felt that he was being misused, that he should be able
to take credit for his deeds in the name of the USA. He was placed with the
Overseers as a tactical weaponry expert and gave an added dimension to their
offensive capability. Unfortunately, his "take no prisoners" attitude
caused a great deal of friction with the team and with public relations. His use
of a LAW (light anti-tank weapon) inside of the Smithsonian Museum was one of
his most famous cases of overkill. When All American 2 was made the field leader
of the team, it was more than he could take. He orchestrated a bizarre plot
involving a team of mercenary super-villains he had secretly hired to steal an
experimental weapon. His plan was to get the Overseers and the Protectors
involved and at each other’s throats while he saved the day by already
securing the weapon. The two teams did not get a long very well, but quite well
enough to stop the villains before they even got close to the weapon. When Red
Beret appeared with it claiming to have stopped the theft, he was found out. His
embarrassment led to an official inquiry, but when he was called to appear,
there was no answer. When the door was opened, Red Beret was face down in a pool
of blood having apparently blown his brains out. Law keeper quickly declared it a
suicide, hushed up the witnesses, and had him cremated. His remains were
interred quietly at Arlington National Cemetery.
Personality/Motivations:
Without his psychotic tendencies and with some common sense, he would have been
the perfect soldier. Physically, he was the peak of human perfection. Mentally,
he was unstable at best. His determination to succeed no matter what made him
his own worst enemy and eventually cost his life.
Quote: "I’m a well oiled machine."