OTHER ALIASES: Numerous villain identities (used to infiltrate gang operations) including the Purple Avenger, the Purple Revenger, Purpleman, the Violet Death, Speedo, the Masked Fury, the Caped Rider, and the Mystery Racer.
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION: Former accountant, later a fugitive, currently prison inmate.
CURRENT STATUS: Inactive; incarcerated at San Quentin prison.
SUPER POWERS: Martial arts, grappling gun. His greatest weapon is his automobile, which has been structurally reinforced and can be used as a battering ram, as well as exceed speeds of 200 m.p.h.
ORIGIN: As a struggling accountant in San Francisco, Tony Santini was approached by the Chinatown mob leader Lim So Lan about aiding him in illegal money laundering. When Tony refused, So Lan retaliated by murdering Santini’s family and framing Tony for the crime. Learning that even the police were subject to So Lan’s influence, Tony dropped out of sight and adopted a masked identity to battle So Lan’s criminal activities. Tony soon acquired the popular name of T-Bird, because of the vintage auto he often used. Although really a hero, T-Bird promoted the idea that he was a criminal to gain his enemies trust and infiltrate their operations as a ‘wiseguy’.
HISTORY: T-Bird and his frequent partner Lady Thunder helped found Galaxy Heroes, Inc. in 1973. When GHI received government backing, T-Bird was forced to make a public declaration of his true loyalties to protect GHI’s good public standing. Ironically, T-Bird ultimately ended his crimefighting career as a criminal when he tracked Lim So Lan down years later and murdered him. This resulted in a conviction for second-degree murder, for which he is currently serving a fifteen year sentence.
RELATIVES: Gina Santini (wife,deceased), Hope Santini (daughter, deceased), Michael Santini (son, deceased), Elaina Valdez (fiancee, a.k.a. Lady Thunder).
FIRST APPEARANCE: Issue #2 (Cameo flashback), Issue #4 (Full Appearance).