Austin cop a finalist on Sci Fi's 'Superhero'

**Buttercup** · 08-31-07, 09:03 AM

From Austin360.com

When the second season of the Sci Fi Channel’s “Who Wants To Be a Superhero?” debuted on July 26, look for Austin police detective Jarrett Crippen to be featured in the reality show’s competition.

Crippen, 38, will present himself as The Defuser in the latest installment of the Stan Lee-produced series.

Contestants aren’t allowed to discuss their time on the show until the competition is over, but we do know that Crippen-The-Defuser taped the show in Hollywood earlier this year. Besides his APD duties, Crippen is a father and a comic book collector.

The Defuser is described as an elite combat-trained athlete who is an expert at gadgetry and creating “non-lethal weaponry.” (This superhero refuses to use firearms!) His powers include super speed, strength, agility, hearing and eyesight — including night vision.

“Superhero” challenges 10 finalists to create their own super-powered characters, from concept to costume. Among The Defuser’s competitors are Hyper Strike, a martial arts virtuoso; Whip Snap, whose powers spring from (you guessed it) her whip; and Mr. Mitzvah, a hero with special powers whose main weapon is a Star of David paddle.

Lee personally picked the finalists, who lived together during the competition and had to perform certain super-hero tasks to test their courage, integrity and resourcefulness. The winner gets to have his or her original super-hero immortalized in a Stan Lee comic book.

Here are his superhero stats:

Jarrett Crippen
Police Detective
Age: 38

Super Powers: A loner and expert at gadgetry and invention, his specialty is non-lethal weaponry. His powers include enhanced speed, strength, agility, reflexes, hearing and eyesight. He also has night vision to a range of 60 feet.

Vulnerability: Sensitivity to bright light — he must wear protective eyewear in intense sunlight. Without them, he risks being blinded. He refuses to use firearms.

Nemesis: Drug dealers

Catch phrase: "When the Defuser's around, bad guys are going down!"

http://www.scifi.com/superhero/heroes/defuser/

**Jenna** · 08-31-07, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Buttercup

The Defuser is described as an elite combat-trained athlete who is an expert at gadgetry and creating “non-lethal weaponry.” (This superhero refuses to use firearms!)

Sounds like a British constable!

**Willowdared** · 08-31-07, 04:12 PM

I watched it last year - it was very creative!!!!

One of my favorite challenges last year, was they had to change into their alter-ego wherever they could find a secluded area. Then, race across a public square.

They had a little girl planted by the fountain who was crying.

The winners of the challenge were those that stopped to help the girl, because that's the whole point of being a hero!!!!