Nova Name: Neurosis
Real Name: Johnny Malkav
Allegiance: The N! Network
Gender: Male
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 187 lbs

Appearance

Neurosis has been gifted with very marketable looks. Tall and well-built, he tans regularly and is rarely ever poorly groomed. His face is long and sensitive, coming together to form a strong, chiseled jaw, framed by a trimmed goatee. His features run the balance well between courageous confidence and sensitive intelligence. His close-cropped jet black hair is often spiked when appearing at press conferences, but when “in the field” he allows it to be unkempt.

When in front of the cameras (which is almost always), Neurosis proudly wears his living Buendia Eufiber, given to him via his N! Network benefactors. His outfit hugs his skin and accentuates his physique. It is black with red on the sides, with a zig-zag design separating the colors. In the rare instances Johnny wants to appear out of costume, he dons tailored suits, semi-formal casual dress or the latest piece of Neurosis-brand men’s wear.

EDIT: Neurosis' has recently manifested his first aberration. The intense brown pupils of his eyes have been replaced by hypnotic spirals that twist inward into infinity. People who look him in the eyes directly have a tendency to easily "space out." There is talk N! is rather unhappy with this turn of events, having hoped his first aberration would have been something like bright colored skin or dynamic anima -- something to make him more endearing to consumers.

Powers

According to the N! Network, Johnny “Neurosis” Malkav possesses the ability to “drive bad guys insane with fear and loathing, wreaking havoc on their minds and souls. He can make them see their worst nightmares come to reality, and when the dust is settled, his mental attacks will haunt them forevermore.” Dramatic posturing aside, it is believed Neurosis’ powers are currently limited to the manipulation and enhancement of emotion and the implanting of illusions in the minds of others. He also possesses superhuman mental skills as well as an incredibly commanding and intimidating presence. Whether he possesses any other superhuman abilities is unknown, although there has been talk he may be saving some for sweeps or a season finale.

Known Facts

Neurosis is the star of his own recently premiered self-titled TV show, which is presently being produced and shown exclusively on the N! Network. A camera team follows around the young and recently erupted nova as he confronts and battles criminals, rights wrongs and excites audiences with displays of power along with witty catchphrases. Although not as popular as more established and more potent novas, Neurosis and his show have generated much buzz due in part to heavy advertising saturation, the promise of live televised action, reality show-style voyeurism and Neurosis’ rather erratic behavior. While the show has already accumulated a considerable fanbase, it is not without its detractors – both Utopian and Teragen advocates have bashed Neurosis for “pimping the public image” of novas, caring more for ratings and revenue than doing something truly productive. Neurosis and network spokespeople have dismissed such criticisms as cynicism, jealously and people taking TV too seriously.

Little is known about the actual biographical details of Neurosis, save for what has been stated in press releases. According to N!, Johnny Malkav was “just a regular guy before he discovered his astonishing abilities.” The actual details of the eruption and what triggered it are unknown. After his eruption, Malkav joined a local Rashoud facility to control his powers, but ultimately left the Project “on friendly terms.” Neurosis does not discuss Project Utopia, the Teragen or any other nova organizations, although the OpNet is abuzz with rumors about the real reason he left – from allegations of genetic experiments leading to possible derangements to the possibility that Neurosis was never accepted because he has never had powers, and that the N! Network manufactures his powers with special effects.

Having learned some discipline, Neurosis returned to his hometown of Santa Monica, where he started looking for work. Interested in a program about the development of a relatively young nova, N! recruited Neurosis as their new hit – giving him a stylish costume, hand-to-hand fighting lessons to complement his emphatic attacks, and a slot between two already trendy shows. In return, Neurosis has returned the favor by giving N! a hot young piece of talent with a sense of panache and flair, a profitable show and a line of merchandise (t-shirts, action figures, beach towels, etc.) that is selling like hotcakes.

It is known that Neurosis presently resides in a comfortable apartment in an upscale neighborhood in his native Santa Monica, where he lives with his girlfriend Alexus Silverberg. When not dazzling his adoring fans, he relaxes at home, makes the scene at fashionable restaurants and clubs, and spends his money a little faster than he earns it.

What lies in the future for Neurosis is anyone’s guess, despite speculation that he may someday team with other novas to form a new super-group (perhaps voted in by fans according to their popularity) and an eventual relocation to more exotic and dangerous locales to fight nastier, more thrilling villains – but all this is unlikely unless Neurosis further upgrades his powers and his ratings don’t fall. There is also some trouble in paradise, as the paparazzi abound and suspicions were raised in a recent tabloid about possible “self-medication.”

Fiction:
The Next Episode - Character and TV show introduction
Past is Prologue - Character\'s origin and first aberration