James Lockhart (New Earth)

I served in two vicious, bloody wars -- then made billions in military contracts with Lockhart Navionics. It took until I was an old man to see things straight, But I've seen enough death. This is how I try to fix it.

— Jim Lockhart ^src

James "Jim" Lockhart was a gifted engineer and U.S. Navy man who built an amazing one-man submarine that he called the Red Torpedo. He used his sub to combat lawlessness at sea and fight against the Nazis and Japanese forces during World War II. Eventually, he became known as the Red Torpedo himself.

History

World War II

The Red Torpedo joined Uncle Sam as one of the first members of the Freedom Fighters. Their mission was to stop the Japanese en route to Pearl Harbor. They nearly succeeded, but a surprise attack left Jim dead in the water, or so it seemed. ^[1] Somehow, Jim survived and later in the war was known to aid other heroes, such as the Justice Society of America.

Post-World War II

After World War II, Jim retired the name the Red Torpedo. He started a company, Lockhart Navionics, that designed seafaring craft. Lockhart Navionics made Lockhart billions of dollars through military contracts.

He was involved in creating a new Starman in 1951. When Ted Knight was unable to continue his mission in Opal City, Lockhart helped Dr. Mid-Nite (Charles McNider) to build the Star Flyer. Lockhart designed a star-shaped aircraft that McNider used to combat crime. The Star Flyer later passed hands to a time-travelling David Knight, who took over as Starman. ^[2]

Windward Home

Jim and his company later created Windward Home, a mobile seafaring city that he ran with Elsa Magnusson. The home was created as a mobile think tank, which brought together scientists and scholars from across the globe into an environment free from life's daily trials. Since Windward Home operates in international waters, the inhabitants are subject to no one nation's laws. The scientists come from the various hidden races of Earth, including at least one inhabitant of Feithera. Their research covers all topics, from technology to magic.

The Sea Devils joined Jim and his think tank to help them in their research. When the Spectre destroyed Atlantis, the Atlanteans came to the home for refuge including the ghost of Atlantis' greatest scientist, Dr. Vulko. A.J. Curry and King Shark joined as well to help search for Aquaman, and his protection of the scattered Atlantean people. During this time, Jim and his team became the first surface dwellers to visit the underwater nation of Naos.^[3]

Powers and Abilities

Abilities

Paraphernalia

Transportation

The Red Torpedo: His one-man submarine boasts many impressive features: it is concussion-proof and it can snare things with its spear-tip, release a cloud of ink into the water, and grind through thick masses of polar ice.

Notes

Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-Two era of publication, their existence following the events of the 1985–86 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the character's Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New Earth continuity, and no longer apply.
In the Pre-Crisis timeline, the Red Torpedo died helping Uncle Sam fight the Japanese on Earth-X (as shown in All-Star Squadron #32). In the Post-Crisis timeline, that battle did not happen. It was replaced by the pre-Pearl Harbor battle shown in Secret Origins (Volume 2) #26, which he did survive (if just barely).