SILVERSWORD (Arnold Kaua)	BIOGRAPHY
Created by Karl Kesel and Tom Grummett

Silversword; Art by Tom Grummet and Doug Hazlewood

PERSONAL DATA

Real Name: Arnold Kaua
Occupation: Professional criminal; Former museum curator
Gender: Male
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
First Appearance: (as Doctor Arnold Kaua): Superboy Vol. 3 #2 (March 1994): "Knockout!"
(as Silversword): Superboy Vol. 3 #5 (June 1994): "Live By The Sword... ...Die By The Sword"
Creators: Karl Kesel and Tom Grummett

HISTORY

Dr. Arnold Kaua was once curator of the Hawaiian historical museum, and had a tendency to take his personal beliefs a little too seriously. One day he found a metallic canister containing a strange alien metal, he now calls 'animetal.' The canister exploded, and the metallic shrapnel embedded in his chest in a sword like shape. He soon took on the identity of 'Silversword.' He considers himself the kind of true hero Hawaii needs because he respects Hawaiian tradition and culture, and feels he is justified to take on anyone or anything unbecoming to the Islands or its people. Superboy Vol.3 #2 and 5

When a naval ship bombed Kahoolawe Island, a remote part of Hawaii owned by the government, just to practice its arsenal, Kaua went to stop the ship from carrying out its mission. Although the Navy had the right to do so, Kaua was of another opinion. Shortly after Silversword had initiated his attack on the naval ship, Superboy showed up, having been made aware of the threat by Dubbilex. Even though Superboy was suffering from the clone virus at the time he managed to stop Silversword, who was then captured by the authorities. Silversword felt honored by the battle because Superboy almost died fighting him due to the battle and his illness. Superboy Vol. 3 #5

The second time Silversword fought Superboy was during Superboy's brief partnership with Knockout. They battled mainly because Silversword thought Knockout was in no way a hero and she should be turned over to the authorities. The Navy aided the duo because Silversword's "animetal" was currently under their close study. Superboy and Knockout defeated him together, but when the Navy helicopter came to return him to their base, Knockout threw him right through the helicopter and destroyed it. This was mainly due to the fact that she didn't want to see anyone undergo the same mistreatment she served on Apokolips. Silversword accredited Superboy with the save, since Superboy approved of Knockout's misdemeanor, and told Rex Leech over the phone he owes Superboy a debt of honor. Superboy Vol. 3 #24

Silversword later ran into Superboy when the Legion of Super-Heroes paid the young hero a visit. They all teamed up to try and stop him because he tried to break into the museum he once worked in to steal an ancient Hawaiian artefact called the spear of Lono, which grants its carrier immense power. Although the heroes both outpowered and outnumbered Silversword he managed to get away with the spear, as he destroyed a column that supported the museum roof thereby giving the heroes something else to think about. Superboy Vol. 3 #45

Some time later, he once again encountered Superboy. This time inside the volcano, Kilauera Caldera, where Superboy had earlier dumped a mystic gem that had once been a part of the spear of Lono. Superboy was there to retrieve the gem as a substitute for the stolen spear, and Silversword wanted it so that he could reunite it with the spear and bring it to the ancient Hawaiian Goddess named Pele. Silversword's metal body was covered in molten lava at the time, and Superboy reclaimed the spear by throwing him into the ocean, causing terrible damage to his metal body. At this point, Silversword seemed mesmerised by this Hawaiian Goddess. Superboy Vol. 3 #46

Silversword however was able to heal the damages to his body and a couple of days after his encounter with Superboy, Pele told him to capture the kid and bring him to the volcano where he should then be killed. When Silversword found Superboy, the kid was taking some time off with Kyle Rayner, the Green Lantern. But before any of them had any time to react to the threat Silversword knocked them out and brought them to the volcano, where both heroes were sent plunging to their deaths. Green Lantern Vol. 3 #94

Believing the heroes to be dead Silversword and Pele went to the city of Hilo to announce her return and gather followers. Due to a bit of teamwork, Superboy and Green Lantern survived. When they caught up with Silversword and Pele, the "goddess" used all her powers in an attempt to kill them. Her rampage however also caused a lot of harm to the native Hawaiians. Silversword eventually realised how right Superboy and Green Lantern were about how evil Pele was. He figured that the real Pele would never be as unrelenting as she was, and then he joined the heroes in their fight against her. But Pele beat the stuffing out of Silversword with some high-grade molten lava that his metallic shield couldn't fight off. Silversword's current whereabouts are assumed to be in prison for his theft and attempted murders. Superboy Vol. 3 #47

POWERS AND WEAPONS

Silversword has the abilities of super strength, invulnerability, the ability to fly, as well as the ability to morph his metal into any shape he wants. He has chosen the form of an ancient Hawaiian leader, Kamehameha as his heroic form.

CHRONOLOGY

For a definitive list of appearances of Silversword in chronological order click here