Austin, Texas police detective Jarrett Crippin was declared the big winner on last night's season finale of "Who Wants to be a Superhero?." Star and judge Stan "The Man" Lee chose Crippen's alter ego The Defuser to be America's newest superhero over runners-up Hyper-Strike and Hygena in the dramatic conclusion of SCI FI's original competition reality program. The Defuser will be immortalized in his very own comic to be written by Stan Lee and published by Dark Horse Comics, and Shocker Toys will create an action figure of the character. The Defuser will also get to appear in a SCI FI original movie.

"Most kids grow up reading comic books and dreaming about being a superhero. It's taken 38 years, but I'm living that dream," states Crippen. "I can't express how this experience has changed my life for the better. The only word that comes to mind is... incredible!"

Inspired by Batman and Captain America, Crippen created his character when he was a young boy. The Defuser is a loner and expert at gadgetry and invention. He performs at 110% possessing enhanced speed, strength agility, reflexes, hearing and eyesight.

"I congratulate The Defuser on his well-deserved victory," said Stan Lee. "He truly lived up to his superhero powers with his laudable performance throughout the series. He demonstrated all of the characteristics of a true hero and will be a terrific role model for kids."

In "Who Wants to be A Superhero?," comic book legend Stan Lee searches for America's next great superhero. The show challenges 10 lucky contenders to create their very own superhero alter ego, live together in a secret lair under Stan's watchful eye and compete in challenges that test their mettle and all the virtues of a true superhero.

Who Wants To Be A Superhero? is a production of Nash Entertainment, in association with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment, Inc. Bruce Nash and Stan Lee serve as executive producers.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 89 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

________________

GET ON REALITY TV, APPLY TOP SHOWS LIKE : American Gladiators - New NBC/Mark Burnett Game Show - Dance Wars - Nothing but The Truth - Parental Control - ALL CASTING CALLS