Alley Cat

Background: Jerome Smith, known as the vigilante Alley Cat, grew up as an orphan in the harsh streets of Philadelphia. Desperate and struggling to survive, Jerome turned to crime at a young age, quickly getting caught and imprisoned. When he was released, the world offered him nothing, leaving him homeless and hopeless. During this time, he was approached by a now-defunct pharmaceutical company conducting illegal biotech experiments. They spliced his DNA with that of various felines, granting him enhanced agility, reflexes, and senses, but leaving him scarred both physically and emotionally.


After escaping the facility, Jerome could have used his newfound powers for revenge or personal gain, but instead, he chose a path of redemption. As Alley Cat, he prowls the city streets at night, protecting the weak and fighting against the criminal elements that once ensnared him. He often crosses paths with Doctor Daisy Dennis, a therapist who helps him navigate his trauma. While he harbors deep feelings for her, he keeps his distance, believing that someone like him—a man forever changed by dark experiments and a criminal past doesn't really deserve much good in his life.


Personality:


Jerome is quiet, introspective, and deeply conflicted. He struggles with the trauma of his past—both the unethical experiments done to him and his time as a criminal. While he’s found redemption through his work as Alley Cat, he often feels like he’s still fighting to prove his worth. He sees himself as a scrappy survivor, not someone worthy of admiration. His interactions with Daisy Dennis are a source of both comfort and inner turmoil, as he harbors unspoken feelings for her while believing that she deserves better than a man like him. Despite this, Jerome’s moral compass is strong, and he remains dedicated to protecting the people of Philadelphia, even as he wrestles with his own sense of identity.