MATTHEW HIGHTOWER	BIOGRAPHY
Created by Fabian Nicienza and Allan Goldman

PERSONAL DATA

Occupation: Reverand
Citizenship: American
Known Relatives: Elizabeth Parsos Hightower (mother; deceased), Charles Josiah Hightower (father; deceased), Paul Charles Hightower (brother), Marilyn Hightower (sister)
Base of Operation: Valley Falls, Colorado
Gender: Male
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Grey
First Appearance: Action Comics #848 (May 2007): "Redemption, Part One: If You Believe, A Man Can Fly"
Creators: Fabian Nicienza and Allan Goldman

HISTORY

A U.S. Army chaplin in the Second World War, Matthew Hightower posssessed the metagene, granting him superpowers. These powers were fueled by the belief others had in him. While on the German front, over 2,300 men, women and children, both Allied and German were killed when Hightower lost control of his powers.

It is not known how Hightower bypassed the sphere of influence that kept Allied metahumans out of Axis controled areas for fear of falling under the sway of the Axis powers. Likewise, the story of his meeting with the Spectre has yet to be revealed.

Returning to the United States, he founded the First Church of Redemtpion in 1951, seeking to atone for what he had done. He pushed his powers deep inside himself, thinking they would never be a threat again.

Decades later, the Dale family joined his congregation. Jarod Dale had a dormant metagene that Hightower was able to activate and channel his powers through. He used Jarod as Redemption, a superhuman to protect the church's missionaires from harm.

CHRONOLOGY

For a definitive list of appearances of Matthew Hightower in chronological order click here