Deathtrap
Matthew Miller
For ten years prior to becoming the supervillain-for-hire Deathtrap, Matthew Miller was the corporate world’s foremost “accident engineer.” For a price he would sabotage a rival’s expensive prototype, manufacture a factory fire that would fool the best arson investigator, and even ensure that a rival CEO’s mountain climbing trip took a fatal turn. No one who ever employed Miller admitted he existed, but some of the most influential people in the world made use of his services.
Eventually, Miller became bored and decided to branch out. He turned his talents to more challenging prey: superheroes. The world was, after all, seemingly full of them. It wasn’t difficult to find clients interested in eliminating “costumed interference.”
His initial foray provided more of a challenge than he was prepared for and Miller suffered a brutal, fiery defeat at the hands of Freedom City's Foreshadow. He managed to escape, however, and convalesced in Emerald City. His defeat was scarring both physically and emotionally, but only made him more determined to succeed. While he underwent surgeries and healed he developed his costumed identity, came up with the equipment he needed, and built it. Soon thereafter, Deathtrap made his debut. This time, instead of arranging accidents for executives and corporations, he sold his services to villains and criminal organizations that wanted traps or scenarios designed to remove, confound, or eliminate superheroes.
Physical Description
Specialized Equipment
Deathtrap has no powers of his own, but is a brilliant strategist and engineer. He carries some high-tech devices with him for self-defense but he’d rather deal with opponents through elaborate traps and ruses. He is very conscious of his human limitations and quickly removes himself from the battlefield if he comes face-to-face with a powered opponent.
Mental characteristics
Intellectual Characteristics
Even before becoming Deathtrap, Miller was a cold-blooded killer unconcerned with anything but taking on new and bizarre challenges. His run-in with Foreshadow didn’t do anything to improve his sociopathy, but it did focus it on superheroes. He loves the challenge of bringing down super-powered beings and keeps a massive database on them in the event he’s asked to deal with them. Deathtrap is a consummate professional and does not engage in an operation without being compensated in some way. This even goes for heroes who have foiled or embarrassed him in the past, such as Foreshadow. However, he will offer deep discounts to take on such foes.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Deathtrap prefers to work alone, but has worked for other costumed villains. He doesn’t really consider any of these employers allies, though he does respect a repeat client. He makes use of mercenaries and agents to help with various plans. Chief among these is Ms. Lure, a trained assassin with supermodel looks who often poses as a helpless damsel or other innocent to deceive targets.
Deathtrap doesn’t care for any hero who escapes his traps or foils his operations, but he likes to think he’s a professional above such “petty grudges.” He offers “cut rates” to take on opponents he dislikes or who catch his interest.
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