DMW:Blaze Cartwright

Here's a version that treats Blaze as one of the setting's premier superheroes—a public legend whose accomplishments have become almost mythological.

Simon "Blaze" Cartwright

"When confronted with a problem that appears impossible, the public generally asks two questions: 'Where is Blaze Cartwright?' and 'How long until he gets here?'" — The Apex Observer, 1937

Dr. Simon "Blaze" Cartwright is one of the greatest heroes of the Miracle Age. Explorer, scientist, inventor, physician, soldier, athlete, aviator, adventurer, and champion of Apex City, he has spent decades accomplishing feats that most authorities insist should not be possible.

Unlike many public heroes, Blaze possesses no secret identity. He wears no mask and hides behind no alter ego. His face is among the most recognizable in the world. Newspapers follow his exploits relentlessly. Newsreels chronicle his adventures. Children collect cards bearing his likeness. University professors cite his research. Heads of state seek his advice.

He is not merely famous.

He is legendary.

Many consider him the finest example of what a human being can become.

Others maintain that no human being should be capable of doing half the things Blaze Cartwright routinely accomplishes.

Motto

Cartwright's personal creed has become known throughout the world:

"I Can Do Anything To Which A Man May Put His Mind."

The phrase appears beneath the Cartwright family crest and has become inseparable from Blaze's public image.

To his admirers, it is a statement of human potential.

To his critics, it is outrageous arrogance.

To Blaze, it appears to be neither.

It is simply how he believes the world works.

The World's Most Accomplished Man

Attempting to summarize the accomplishments of Blaze Cartwright presents a challenge even for professional historians.

By profession he is a physician.

By training he is a scientist, engineer, inventor, archaeologist, linguist, aviator, explorer, and soldier.

By reputation he is all of those things simultaneously.

Cartwright has performed groundbreaking surgical procedures, designed revolutionary technologies, discovered lost civilizations, won athletic competitions on multiple continents, published scientific research, commanded military expeditions, flown experimental aircraft, solved ancient mysteries, and personally saved Apex City on more occasions than contemporary newspapers can reliably count.

Critics have occasionally suggested that such accomplishments are improbable.

Supporters generally respond that Blaze Cartwright is improbable.

The Cartwright Family

Blaze is a scion of the famous Cartwright family, a lineage associated with explorers, inventors, adventurers, and public servants for generations.

The exact relationship between Simon Cartwright and the various branches of the family remains a matter of considerable debate. The family tree is notoriously difficult to untangle, owing largely to the tendency of Cartwrights to vanish into remote corners of the globe for years at a time.

Blaze himself has shown little interest in clarifying the matter.

When asked whether he was related to every famous Cartwright in history, he reportedly replied:

"Not every one of them. Some of them were respectable."

The Cartwright Method

Among the many mysteries surrounding Blaze Cartwright, none has inspired more speculation than the so-called Cartwright Method.

For decades, scientists, military officers, physicians, athletes, and rival adventurers have attempted to determine the source of Blaze's extraordinary abilities.

Cartwright invariably attributes his accomplishments to study, discipline, and perseverance.

Few observers find this explanation entirely satisfying.

According to numerous accounts, Blaze underwent an unusual regimen of physical, intellectual, and psychological training from an early age. The precise nature of this training has never been publicly revealed.

When asked how he mastered so many skills, Blaze reportedly answered:

"The same way anyone learns anything. One lesson at a time."

Pressed for additional details, he merely added:

"I had excellent teachers."

No further explanation was offered.

The true nature of the Cartwright Method remains one of the enduring mysteries of the age.

The Great War

During the First World War, Blaze served as a combat aviator and quickly established himself as one of the conflict's most daring flying aces.

Official records confirm numerous victories and commendations, though veterans who served alongside him insist the published accounts tell only part of the story.

One popular tale claims that Cartwright landed behind enemy lines, rescued a stranded observer, repaired his damaged aircraft with scavenged materials, and returned carrying both the observer and a captured enemy officer.

Military archives have never conclusively verified the incident.

No one has successfully disproven it either.

Explorer of the Impossible

Following the war, Blaze devoted himself to exploration and scientific discovery.

His expeditions have uncovered lost kingdoms, hidden valleys, forgotten civilizations, prehistoric ecosystems, ancient tombs, and locations that many experts insist should not exist.

Among the accomplishments commonly attributed to him are:

• Discovering a lost city beneath the Sahara.
• Circumnavigating the globe in an experimental autogyro.
• Locating the Tomb of the Serpent Kings.
• Charting unexplored regions of the Arctic.
• Discovering several previously unknown species.
• Escaping from seven firing squads.
• Punching a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Blaze has never publicly confirmed the final story.

He has never denied it, either.

The Lion of the Desert

Among certain Bedouin tribes, Blaze is known by the honorific title The Lion of the Desert.

The explorer's friendship with numerous tribal leaders throughout North Africa has become the subject of countless stories.

One famous account describes a celebrated desert chieftain embracing Blaze and proclaiming:

"The Lion of the Desert has returned!"

The resulting celebration reportedly lasted three days.

According to Blaze, this was because "the food was excellent."

Defender of Apex City

Though his adventures carry him across the globe and beyond, Blaze has always regarded Apex City as his home.

For decades he has stood against gangsters, saboteurs, foreign agents, occult conspiracies, criminal masterminds, giant monsters, invading armies, mad scientists, and every other menace unfortunate enough to threaten the city.

A common saying among Apex City's citizens is:

"It's not impossible. Blaze just hasn't arrived yet."

The phrase has become one of the defining expressions of the Miracle Age.

Public Reputation

To the people of Apex City, Blaze Cartwright represents the limitless potential of humanity.

Scientists admire him.

Explorers emulate him.

Children idolize him.

Criminals fear him.

Newspapers follow him relentlessly.

When something astonishing occurs anywhere in the world, journalists commonly assume Blaze Cartwright will eventually become involved.

More often than not, they are correct.

In The Press

"LOCAL SCIENTIST PUNCHES MUMMY."
— Evening Bulletin, 1932

"CARTWRIGHT MISSING IN TIBET; RETURNS WITH NEW MAP, ANCIENT CROWN, AND MILD CASE OF FROSTBITE."
— Apex City Gazette, 1934

"PROFESSOR DECLARES CARTWRIGHT THEORY IMPOSSIBLE. EXPEDITION CONFIRMS IT SIX MONTHS LATER."
— Illustrated Chronicle, 1935

"DR. CARTWRIGHT RETURNS FROM AFRICA. REFUSES TO EXPLAIN RHINOCEROS."
— Apex Evening News, 1931

"WORLD SAVED AGAIN. CARTWRIGHT DECLINES COMMENT."
— Apex Tribune, 1936

"If half the stories about Blaze Cartwright are true, he is the greatest adventurer of the century. If all of them are true, he may be the greatest adventurer in history."
— The Apex Observer, 1937