Dollar Bill - Before the Watchmen (2012)

The alias of William Brady, Dollar Bill was one of the many crime fighters to audition for the Minutemen, being accepted into their ranks by Captain Metropolis without even needing to prove himself due to his fame.

Among his employees was the National Bank, who had created the role to act as their super-hero sponsor and ensure that customers felt that they were being well treated and safe, with the test audiences adoring the concept. It was a shameless cash grab opportunity, one that the creators of the project would openly admit to Brady. However, due to the nature of the costume and the perceived image of it being "gay", Brady was the 14th person to audition for the part.

Within a few weeks of him taking on the mantle of Dollar Bill, every National Bank had his image on them, as well as being known throughout town. He would shoot promo shoots pretending to stop bank robberies to build his hype and encourage new customers for the bank.

A month after joining the Minutemen, he accompanied them on their first official mission to stop a smuggling ring transporting weapons into New York Harbour, which turned out to be in fact illegal fireworks that blew up the warehouse when they were caught alight from a lit smoke bomb. The failure was covered up and he was given glory for his act of patriotism.

Called to a robbery at one of his own national banks, Dollar Bill needed much convincing to talk him into helping, worried for his personal safety more than the hostages the robbers had taken. However, after a talk from Captain Metropolis, he was persuaded to do something about it, sneaking around the back with the help of Hooded Justice and Nite Owl. "Disgusted" by his cowardness and seeing the other heroes fight, he charged at the robbers and knocked them down, recapturing much of the energy from his college sporting days. He was praised for his actions by Captain Metropolis, filling him with pride.

Feeling himself become more of a hero, his life was cut short during his attempt to stop a robbery at his own bank. Chasing them outside, Dollar Bill's cape got stuck in the revolving door. Before he could detach it, he was shot in the head and point blank range.

A funeral was held for him and the members of the Minutemen gave him a final send-off, with Metropolis giving him a eulogy and calling him brother. His death had a great impact on Mothman, who could not believe that someone so young and full of life could go before he did and wondered if people would still remember and honour Dollar Bill now he was gone. However, Metropolis replied that they would, pointing to a young kid who was role-playing the hero in his honour.