Alias: Arsenal, formerly Speedy
Nicknames: Speedy, Arrow-Breath, Harper
Occupation: Adventurer, former private investigator and government agent
Base of Operations: Titans Tower in New York City
Affiliations: Sidekick to Green Arrow, founding member of the Teen Titans and member of several of its incarnations. Former agent for the DEA and the CBI
Marital Status: Single
Height: 5' 11" Weight: 180 lbs.
Eyes: Green Hair: Red
Roy Harper Jr. was raised by a tribe of Navajos from age two to thirteen after his father, Roy Harper Sr., died in a forest fire. Brave Bow, a Navajo medicine chief whom his father had saved from the fire, took him under his wing, nicknaming him �Lost Arrow� � appropriate, huh?
But Roy refused to remain a "Lost Arrow". He embraced his adopted Navajo heritage, studying archery and practicing long-distance running from a very early age. By
Unknown to the boy, however, Green Arrow and Brave Bow gave him arrows with magnetized lodestone tips so that they veered off course when he fired them, thus disguising his true archery prowess from the audience. The next day, Roy used his archery skills to assist Green Arrow in apprehending some criminals who had robbed the local souvenir shop and were making a quick getaway. Impressed, especially when the young archer got off a shot before him, Green Arrow made Roy his partner, calling him Speedy after his quick reactions in stopping the thieves. The nickname stuck, and Roy also became Green Arrow's ward in his identity of Oliver Queen. Brave Bow died soon afterward, secure in the knowledge the boy would have a home.
After being given a costume and a set of trick arrows similar to Green Arrow's, Roy and Ollie together for years as crimefighting partners. During this time in Roy's life, he met and joined the Teen Titans, a team comprised of other teen-sidekick crimefighters his own age; Donna Troy (Wonder Girl), Garth (Aqualad), Wally West (Kid Flash), and Dick Grayson (Robin).
Speedy was, at first, only a reserve member. But after a bit of time, he became a full-time member, replacing Aqualad. It was at this time that he began dating Donna Troy. Alas, some years later, the team disbanded, after numerous changes, and Roy and Donna ended their relationship.
Shortly after, the Titans were reestablished, setting up a new headquarters at Gabriel's Horn, a discotheque in Farmingdale, Long Island. The disco was a cover for their secret underground headquarters. With Gabriel's Horn, Roy was afforded an opportunity to have a steady gig for his rock group, Great Frog (in which he played drums). During that time also, Black Canary, Green Arrow, and Speedy made their identities known to the public, which didn�t really affect Roy considering most of his friends and �family� were or at least liked superheroes.
Sadly though, this incarnation of the team didn't last long. Soon after an adventure with the Titans West team, the Titans disbanded once more.
The next incarnation of the Teen Titans was gathered by Raven, which Speedy was not to be a part of, although he did assist the team on various cases. Roy, instead, devoted much of his efforts as a counselor for various anti-drug programs, which led Roy to establish government contacts, and he started working for the federal government as a
While on a covert assignment that brought him to Japan, Roy met Cheshire, a deadly but beautiful assassin, who later had a daughter by him (unknown to Roy at the time). Cheshire eventually resurfaced in Switzerland, and during their confrontation, Speedy learned that he was the father of Cheshire's daughter, Lian. With Nightwing�s help, and after a wild series of chasing and tracking down and fighting, Cheshire left Lian behind and Roy was reunited with his daughter at last.
Tragedy struck again, and Roy was told the news that Green Arrow had been killed in a helicopter explosion. Conner Hawke, his son, assumed the mantle of the Green Arrow in his father�s memory. Arsenal quit the CBI to spend more time
The Titans reformed and disbanded one more time before a galactic crisis brought together the original five members, who, inspired, banded together to re-reform the team. Roy even got back together with Donna�for a time. Then Donna�s life took a turn for the confusing, and she and Roy broke up for the final time, Donna needing to sort things out in her life, but the two remain best of friends even today. Dick (Nightwing) and Roy have also grown to view one another as best buds, even though it's hard to tell which one gives the other the harder time...
Arsenal now serves as a full time member on the team, and resides at the new Titans Tower with his daughter, Lian. He spends most of his time annoying Garth (now Tempest) or hitting on, well, any women in his immediate line of sight. But, all joking aside, there's nobody better than Roy to have watching your back. And as Cyborg of the Titan�s would say, �I'd want him on my team any day.�
Roy is brash, headstrong, but a really good guy. He�s not really the jerk he sometimes pretends to be. He�s been through a heck of a lot in his life, but looking at him, you�d never know. Always grinning, always cracking jokes, he�ll never go into a corner to sulk about his fate. A quick thinker and a genuine personality, he�s a very likeable person. Even though he lands in hot water due to his impulsiveness and �act before thinking about consequences� motto, he knows when to be serious, and can manage to act like it if need be. Of course there is also no doubt that Harper is also one hunk of a man. Add that to his devil-may-care charm and witty humor, Roy is quite the ladies' man, or at least he perceives himself to be.
A great team player, a true friend, and a strong, genuine character, Roy is definitely one of the coolest guys around.
POWERS AND ABILITIES
Though Roy isn�t a superhuman, he and his mentor, Oliver Queen are sometimes considered meta-human because of their extraordinary marksmanship. Aside from possessing uncanny aim, Roy has also mastered the art of Moo-Gi-Gon, which allows him to use any hand-held object as a deadly weapon. He uses a vast array of weapons, like �trick� arrows, throwing stars, and crossbows. Arsenal also possesses keen analytical and detective skills, as well as formidable hand-to-hand combat skills.
Roy's a die-hard Oldies fan, but also enjoys rock quite a bit, and likes to throw a little country or rap into the mix now and then. His music style includes the Beatles, the Monkeys, U2, OC Supertones, Toby Mac, and Plankeye. Roy also has a great singing voice. A close comparison would be to singers like Daniel Bedingfield or the lead in Delirious?.
Let's face it - Roy is just plain cool. The sad thing is no one knows anything about him! I say the word "Arsenal" and only international soccer freaks even recognize the name...but they think I'm talking about the soccer team! Well, I was once ignorant myself...:)
Seriously, I like Roy. He's a great dad, friend, and ally, and the best part about him is that he's *made mistakes* GASP! Roy reminds me that often some of the greatest people are those who aren't perfect.
As for writing him, he's a real kick. I mean, come on, Roy abuse is a blast no matter who's doing it! :)
