INTENSIFIERINTENSIFIER
Classification: Alternate Reality (Earth-148611 / "New Universe") technology
Creator: Steve Magniconte
Possessors/Users: Dallas "Dasher" Corbin, Giovanni "John"/"Jack" Magniconte (Mr. Magnificent (and later All-American)), Darlene Magniconte, Steve Magniconte, Thomas "Suicide" Smythe, Buford "Brick Wall" WohlFirst Appearance: Kickers, Inc. #1 (November, 1986)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: It was intended to artificially stimulate an
increase in muscle mass -- as one might see with anabolic steroids but
without the negative side effects -- as well as potentially decreasing
the recipient's reaction time. Steve believed that with weekly
treatments, a subject's strength and speed might be increased by
10-15%.
However, there is not evidence
that the Intensifier actually did anything, as Jack was actually
empowered by the White Event.
The Intensifier appeared to somehow catalyze the effects from the White Event within Jack.
History:
(Kickers,
Inc. #1 (fb) - BTS) - Destroying his knee while playing college
<foot?>ball, Steve stayed active in sports by gambling, and he
developed something of a gambling problem.
(Kickers,
Inc. #1 (fb) - BTS) - Borrowing money from Jack, who was now
quarterback of the successful New York Smashers, Steve established and
built up his business, Sports Power Plus, selling nutritional programs
to sports franchises and training camps.
(Kickers, Inc. #1 (fb) - BTS) - Using all of his money as well as money borrowed from loan shark Mr. Sloan, Steve developed a machine he called the Intensifier, which he believed would artificially stimulate an increase in muscle mass -- as one might see with anabolic steroids but without the negative side effects -- as well as potentially decreasing the recipient's reaction time. Steve believed that with weekly treatments, a subject's strength and speed might be increased by 10-15%.
Steve at least claimed to have tested the process on himself for weeks with no negative effects.
Steve contacted Jack and asked him to come to his facility.
(Kickers,
Inc. #1) <July 22, 1986> - Steve greeted Jack and Darlene
and showed them his machine, noting that he called it the Intensifier,
but that the marketing guys could come up with a real name, if it
worked. Jack was interested, although Darlene questioned its safety,
even after Steve told her he had been testing it on himself for weeks.
Steve further noted that he wanted to make the treatment available to
Jack to give him an extra edge before the league learned of it and he
had to submit his machine for FDA testing.
(Kickers,
Inc. #1 - BTS) - Hours later, Jack discussed with Darlene that while he did not expect the treatment
to work, he figured that the slightest increase in strength and speed
could make a difference in his career.
The White Event then happened, blanketing the entire planet with Star Brand energy. Jack was left dizzy and light-headed.
(Kickers, Inc. #1) <July 23, 1986> - The
next morning, Steve prepared Jack for the treatment, noting that Jack would only experience a mild tingle
during the treatment and that it would be months before he first
noticed any changes.
However, as Steve turned on the Intensifier, there was a sudden burst of energy, and Jack felt dizzy and then pained. Steve swiftly turned off the Intensifier, not understanding what had happened, and Jack was left much more powerfully built with his hair now turned white. Noting that the effects would likely be temporary, Steve resolved to run a few tests.
(Kickers, Inc. #1 (fb) - BTS) - For three hours, Steve examined Jack, but found nothing wrong with him.
(Kickers, Inc. #1 - BTS) <July 24, 1986> - Early the next morning, Jack discovered that he was now superhumanly strong and fast. That afternoon, he returned to Sports Power Plus and told Steve what happened.
(Kickers,
Inc. #1) - Evaluating Jack, Steve resolved that his machine had
inexplicably transformed him overnight; Jack considered that it also
may have been related to the nutrition program Steve had had him on for
years. Noting that the machine worked regardless, Jack told Steve he
would be rich soon. Steve asked Jack to hold off on any sort of
announcement until he'd had a chance to study the effects more closely.
Still perplexed by Jack's transformation, Steve wondered if he had
overlooked some special factor in his body chemistry.
(Kickers, Inc. #1 - BTS) - In the following weeks, Jack led the New York Smashers in a series of decisive victories.
(Kickers, Inc. #1 (fb) - BTS) - Steve used the Intensifier on 11-12 other men to no effect.
(Kickers,
Inc. #1) - After his fifth exposure to the Intensifier to no
effect, a patient/client named Phil asked Steve when he would notice a
difference, but Steve said he did not know.
(Kickers, Inc. #1 - BTS) -
Mr. Sloan promised to forgive Steve's debts if he made sure the
Smashers did not beat the point spread in the Super Bowl (and
threatened Steve's life if the the Smashers did beat the spread), but
Steve did inform Jack of this.
Feeling that his powers gave him an unfair
advantage, Jack asked Steve if the effects of the Intensifier could be reversed.
Noting this to be theoretically possible, Steve silently considered
that he still had no idea why the Intensifier had affected him thusly.
That evening, Jack told Darlene that Steve's machine had ruined football for him as it was no longer fair or a challenge.
After the Smashers won 65-17,
beating the spread, Steve was fatally shot while trying to defend
himself from Sloan's men.
(Kickers,
Inc. #1) - Jack knocked out Sloan and his men, but Steve died in his arms.
Arriving to check on his brother, Jack heard the gunshot and rushed into the room. Easily subduing Sloan and his men, Jack prepared to take Steve to a hospital, but Steve told him it was too late. Noting that he had never intended for any of this to happen but that things had just gotten out of hand, Steve collapsed and died in Jack's arms.
(Kickers,
Inc. #1) <Three weeks later> - After Jack revealed his full powers to Darlene and teammates Dallas "Dasher" Corbin,
Thomas "Suicide" Smythe, and Buford "Brick Wall" Wohl, all four agreed to have him subject
them to the Intensifier. The others went through the process with minimal, if any results.
Comments: Created by Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema.
See the New Universe primer.
This profile was completed 09/28/2024, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the New Universe's 40th anniversary 's celebratory event.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Intensifier should be distinguished from:
images: (without ads):
Kickers,
Inc. #1, pg. 8, panel 1 (Jack hooked up; pre-transformation);
panel 4 (Jack's transformation apparently catalyzed);
pg. 22, panel 3-6 (Smythe, Corbin, Darlene, Wohl subjected)
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
First posted: 10/01/2026
Last updated: 09/28/2024
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