Michael Seebach, who later adopted the alias Schwarzwald, was originally a reporter for Paradigm Press. He became consumed by a desire to uncover the truth behind the mysterious event that erased the memories of Paradigm City forty years earlier. His investigation brought him into conflict with the Paradigm Corporation, which continually censored his work. His obsession grew to the point that he withdrew from human contact, even abandoning his wife and children. The Paradigm Corporation attempted to silence him, an attack that left his face disfigured and forced him to wrap his head and hands in bandages. Adopting the name Schwarzwald, which means Black Forest, he dedicated himself to forcing the people of Paradigm to confront the reality he believed they were ignoring.

Schwarzwald's personality is defined by an unyielding, almost fanatical pursuit of truth. He is solitary, analytical, and deeply suspicious of authority, particularly the Paradigm Corporation and the artificial structures that maintain the city's amnesia. He views the domes that shelter part of the city as a false sky and seeks to destroy them. His methods are theatrical and often violent, yet his motives are rooted in a conviction that humanity must not remain willfully ignorant. He has a philosophical bent, seeing fear of the dark as an intrinsic human trait that must be faced rather than denied.

In the story, Schwarzwald serves as a direct rival to Roger Smith, the protagonist and negotiator of Paradigm City. Schwarzwald initially refers to Roger as Paradigm's Dog, but he comes to regard him as the only other person in the city who truly seeks the truth. Their conflict is not merely physical; it represents two opposing responses to the same mystery. Schwarzwald discovers and pilots the megadeus Big Duo, a flying machine that he uses to challenge Roger's Big O. His battles with Roger are personal and ideological. He is killed when his damaged Big Duo is destroyed by the giant megadeus Leviathan, yet his pursuit of the truth continues. Even after death, his consciousness manifests, appearing to the would-be pilot Alan Gabriel to declare him unworthy of controlling Big Duo, and ultimately taking the rebuilt megadeus into the sky to learn the final truth about the world.

Key relationships include his adversarial but respectful dynamic with Roger Smith, his role as the first pilot of Big Duo, and his contempt for those he considers unworthy of that power. His character is influenced by themes found in the works of H. P. Lovecraft, particularly the descent into obsession and confrontation with forbidden knowledge. Schwarzwald's notable abilities lie in his intellect, his determination, and his skill as a megadeus pilot. He is resourceful and willing to sacrifice his own safety to achieve his goals. His development traces a path from a frustrated reporter to an obsessed vigilante, and finally to a transcendent figure who, even in death, continues to pursue and ultimately obtain the truth about Paradigm City.