As a streetwise youth, Stephens
was sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. He underwent an
experimental procedure that granted him bowling ball-hard skin and
superhuman strength. Cleared of his crime (and his acne) he became a “hero for
hire,” although, Matthew was always forced by conscience not
to take any money for his deeds. Later, he formed a business
partnership with the martial arts hero known as Monkey-Knuckles and
began playing the upright bass. In 2002, serendipity or fate found
Stephens and Poe at the same swine calling contest and antique show
(Stephens took 4th place, Poe bought a night stand.)
By day, Stephens works under the pseudonym of Thomas Shaky mixing
the ink for Rorschach tests at a top-secret government facility. But
at night, he 'mixes it up' by fighting crime through playing the
upright bass.