Crucible:Booster
Booster
| |
| Real Name | Amanda Matthews |
|---|---|
| Identity | Public |
| Affiliation | Watchstar |
| Base of Operations | Watchstar operations |
| Status | Active |
| First Appearance | As Amanda Matthews, WATCHSTAR #50; as Booster, WATCHSTAR #112 |
| Creator | Jeff Messina |
“That’s why.”
— Booster, when asked why she became a hero
Booster is the armored hero identity of Amanda Matthews, a prodigy engineer and one of the youngest core members of Watchstar. Brilliant, idealistic, and fiercely loyal, she represents the heart of the team—and the next generation of heroism.
She built her own armor.
Then she built herself into a hero.
Origin
Amanda Matthews is the younger sister of Tech, and like her brother, she is a genius inventor. With a measured IQ of 172, she demonstrated extraordinary aptitude from an early age, mastering electronics, engineering, and computer science well beyond her years.
By sixteen, she had already completed three university degrees.
But intelligence alone did not define her.
Growing up around heroes through Tech’s connection to Watchstar, Amanda developed a deep admiration for what they stood for. Still a teenager, she made a quiet, determined choice:
She would become one of them.
Working in secret, she designed and constructed the Booster armor, improving upon earlier powered armor designs pioneered by Protector. Against her brother’s wishes, she donned the suit and stepped into the field.
She did not ask permission.
She joined Watchstar.
Two Sides Of The Same Person
Amanda Matthews and Booster are the same person—but they do not always feel like it.
As Amanda, she is shy, introverted, and deeply bookish. She is more comfortable behind a screen or at a workbench than in the spotlight. Brilliant but self-effacing, she often downplays her own abilities and hesitates to assert herself.
As Booster, everything changes.
Inside the armor, Amanda becomes confident, decisive, and unafraid to speak her mind. She stands up for herself, her teammates, and what she believes is right—even in the face of far more experienced heroes.
The armor does more than protect her.
It gives her permission to be the person she already is.
Watchstar
Booster quickly proved herself indispensable to Watchstar.
She serves as:
- A frontline armored combatant
- The team’s primary systems engineer
- A tactical support and rapid-response asset
More importantly, she is the emotional center of the team.
Booster believes in Watchstar—not as an institution, but as an idea. She reminds her teammates what they are fighting for, especially when the fight becomes difficult.
She is also the best friend—and honorary little sister—of SHOC, a bond that reflects her place within the team as both family and equal.
The Snarl Incident
Booster’s idealism was tested in one of the hardest ways possible.
During a major battle alongside Watchstar, she was responsible—accidentally—for the death of the villain Snarl. The event shook her deeply, forcing her to confront the reality that even heroes can make irreversible mistakes.
She did not walk away.
Instead, she made a vow:
To be more careful. To be more responsible. To never lose sight of why she chose this path.
Why She Fights
When asked why she became a hero, Booster does not explain.
She simply shows a clip of Christopher Reeve in Superman.
That is enough.
Technology
The Booster armor is one of the most advanced powered suits in operation.
Designed and built entirely by Amanda, it reflects both her intellect and her evolving experience as a hero.
- Flight Systems – High-speed aerial mobility
- Integrated Weapons – Wide array of offensive capabilities
- Defensive Systems – Advanced armor and energy shielding
- Life Support – Sustained operation in extreme environments
- Modular Design – Constantly upgraded and refined
Amanda is not just the pilot—she is the system.
Skills
Amanda Matthews is one of the most gifted young minds in the world.
- World-class expertise in electronics, engineering, and computing
- Exceptional intuitive pilot
- Rapid design and systems integration
- Analytical and strategic thinker
- Encyclopedic knowledge of Pokémon and anime
Personality
Amanda is kind, thoughtful, and quietly passionate.
As Booster, she becomes bold, protective, and unafraid to take a stand.
The difference is not a mask.
It is growth.
Reputation
Among Watchstar, Booster is the heart of the team.
To the public, she is a symbol of youthful brilliance and hope. To her teammates, she is the one who reminds them why they fight.
To her enemies, she is far more dangerous than she looks.
Legacy
Booster did not inherit a legacy.
She built one.
She saw what a hero could be—and chose to become it, even when it was difficult, even when it hurt.
And every day, she grows into that choice.