Dimitri Pushkin

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character_name=Rocket Red
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Justice League"#3 (July 1987)
creators=Steve Englehart (writer)
Joe Staton (artist)
real_name=Dimitri Pushkin
species =
homeworld =
alliances=Justice League Rocket Red Brigade
aliases= Rocket Red #4
supports=
powers=Super Strength, Flight, Invulnerability, Energy Blasts, Mecha-Empathy|

Rocket Red is a fictional character, a comic book superhero from the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in "Justice League" #3, (July 1987), and was created by Steve Englehart and Joe Staton. His first appearance in the DC Universe canon was "Green Lantern Corps " #208 (January 1987).

Fictional character biography

Dimitri Pushkin (Rocket Red #4), became a member of the JLI after the previously assigned Rocket Red #7 was revealed to be a Manhunter android. A kind-hearted and jolly man with a taste for American culture, Dimitri serves with the Justice League International for many years.

When his armor is destroyed by Lobo, he replaces it with a more advanced model made on Apokolips. This happens during a small-team Justice League mission to save Mister Miracle. He also suffers the complete destruction of his battlesuit while facing Time Commander in "Animal Man" #16 (Oct 1989). This was when Dimitri is serving with Justice League Europe for a while. There he makes friends with Animal Man, aka Buddy Baker, in a similar manner to the friendship of Blue Beetle and Booster Gold. Dimitri and Buddy initially bond over their mutual similarities of wives and children.

In "Justice League Europe" #28 Dimitri is part of the small resistance against Starro because the alien can not take him over through his armor. Dmitri himself is neutralized when Starro threatens to harm his family. He willingly surrenders to the alien's control in order to keep them safe. Other JLA members eventually defeat the menace.

He is the only European on the team initially. He retires from super-heroics for a long time. He dies in "The OMAC Project", self-destructing to save the other members of the old JLI. His last words to Booster Gold are; "My wife and children, Michael...tell them I love them."

Powers and abilities

The Rocket Reds were originally created for the Soviet Union by Green Lantern Kilowog, the Rocket Red Brigade - normal human beings enhanced using "forced evolution" and armoured battle-suits - proudly defended the USSR.

Their abilities included super strength, invulnerability, flight (through rocket packs/boots), the ability to project powerful energy blasts and "mecha-empathy" - the ability to sense and control computers and machines (though to what extent it's not clear).

Other media

Rocket Red is seen briefly in various "Justice League Unlimited" cartoons, particularly in the episodes, "The Return" and "Panic in the Sky". Since his armor is exactly the same as Dmitri's (Rocket Red #4) second suit, it is probable that he is the man behind the mask.

In "The Return", Rocket Red is one of the many heroes mobilized to defend Earth against the threat of Amazo. He is assigned to the second line of defence in the upper atmosphere, along with Supergirl, Fire and Red Tornado. The team is subsequently attacked by Amazo during his search for Lex Luthor. After a head-on collision with Amazo, Supergirl becomes the first casualty of the battle and falls, unconscious, into the ocean. Rocket Red then attempts to stop Amazo by firing a massive barrage of missiles from his chest and shoulders. When this has little effect, Rocket Red opens fire with his shoulder-mounted Gatling gun and tries to retreat. However, Amazo pursues him and rips the gun from his armour.

Later, Rocket Red reappears briefly to carry the unconscious Fire out of the losing battle, moments before the last member of the team, Red Tornado, is destroyed by Amazo.

He is also later seen helping in the resue efforts of the League after their weapon system is overtaken by Lex Luthor and fired at Cadmus Headquarters.

Rocket Red also was a Mattel "Justice League Unlimited" DC Superheroes action figure in a single pack.

ee also

*Rocket Red Brigade