Rick Jones was born in Scarsdale, Arizona. He lost his parents at a young age and grew up in an orphanage. Later, he accepted a dare to drive out to a bomb testing ground in New Mexico. As luck would have it, the gamma bomb designed by Bruce Banner was being tested. Banner pushed Rick into a protective trench, saving his life, but absorbing the gamma rays that transform Banner into the Hulk. Rick thus became the sole confidant of the Hulk's identity.

Jones' guilt over causing the incident (and lack of any other place to go) led him to stay close to Banner and the Hulk. Eventually, the dangerous unpredictability of Hulk forced Rick to keep his distance.

Later, Rick formed the Teen Brigade, a loose network of teenagers with ham radios throughout the United States. The first Teen Brigade played a role in the origin of the Avengers when the Norse god Loki tampered with the Teen Brigade's radio transmission. After the Hulk's departure from the team, Rick became an honorary Avenger.

abilities

durability: 3

fighting skills: 5

intelligence: 4

strength: 3

abilities: music, martial arts, hacking skills, writing

why i love rick

Rick is special to me because he has a heart of gold that is seeped in guilt. He did one idiotic thing as a lonely teenager with a deathwish and can't help but define himself through it in the years to follow. He acts glib and laid back but he's never far from reliving his hurts. He loves people so deeply that it almost consumes him. When he loves someone he's go to the moon and back to save them and put a smile on their face.

The shine of being a hero wore off for him quickly but he's always ready to respond to danger and get himself in trouble for the greater good. He's repeatedly thrown into situations that he seems unlikely to survive but he's both intelligent and reckless enough to rescue himself and others. He's used to being used and having his autonomy violated. He knows when its in his interest to run away but doesn't like to leave others in jeopardy. It's in his nature to try and rescue everyone, even when it seems impossible.

As Rick grows older he learns to be less reactive and less dependant on others, Bruce especially. He discovers how to live a life that is frequenty disrupted by situations beyond his control. He's got a dark sense of humor and tries to add levity when times are tough. Music becomes an outlet for him and a way to express himself as an individual. Soon he's never out of the spotlight, and usually has something creative he's working on. I love him because he is imperfect, he's a light in the darkness, and he's always there when you need a friend or a rescuer. Any hero should feel lucky to have Rick by their side.