Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

[TheImperialKhan]

This is Bolan as he was during the Mafia Wars. If he feels up to it perhaps Doug could make whatever changes are needed to show a modern day Bolan and post him below.

 

THE EXECUTIONER

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

20 STR 10 13- Lift 400.0kg; 4d6; [2]

18 DEX 24 13- OCV 6 DCV 6

20 CON 20 13-

18 BODY 16 13-

18 INT 8 13- PER Roll 13-/16-

18 EGO 16 13- ECV: 6

35 PRE 25 16- PRE Attack: 7d6

14 COM 2 12-

7 PD 3 Total: 7 PD (0 rPD)

6 ED 2 Total: 6 ED (0 rED)

5 SPD 22 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12

10 REC 4

50 END 5

50 STUN 12 Total Characteristic Cost: 173

 

 

Movement: Running: 7" / 14"

Swimming: 3" / 6"

Leaping: 5" / 10"

 

Cost Powers END

Martial Arts: Commando Training

Maneuver OCV DCV Notes

3 1) Aikido Throw +0 +1 4d6 +v/5, Target Falls

4 2) Boxing Cross +0 +2 6d6 Strike

4 3) Choke Hold -2 +0 Grab One Limb; 2d6 NND

4 4) Escape +0 +0 35 STR vs. Grabs

4 5) Judo Disarm -1 +1 Disarm; 30 STR to Disarm

4 6) Karate Chop -2 +0 HKA 1d6 +1

4 7) Kung Fu Block +2 +2 Block, Abort

2 8) Weapon Element: Clubs, Empty Hand, Knives

 

15 Luck 3d6

12 Expert at Reading Mafiosi: Telepathy 6d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (45 Active Points); Limited to Mafiosi [single species/type of mind] (-1), Extra Time (Full Phase, Only to Activate, Character May Take No Other Actions, -1/2), Must Be Able to View Subject, Including Facial Expressions (-1/2), Surface Thoughts Only (-1/2), Does Not Provide Mental Awareness (-1/4)

1 +3 PER with Normal Sight (3 Active Points); Limited Power Power loses about two-thirds of its effectiveness (Only to counter darkness penalties; -1 1/2)

 

 

Perks

13 Contact: Leo Turrin - Underboss in the Pittsfield family, Undercover Federal Agent and Bolan Ally (Contact has significant Contacts of his own, Contact has: extremely useful Skills or resources, Very Good relationship with Contact) 16-

6 Contact: Jack Grimaldi - Ex-US Army Copter Pilot, Mob Flyboy and Bolan Ally (Contact has: useful Skills or resources, Good relationship with Contact) 13-

8 Contact: Hal Brognola - Number 2 Cop in the US DOJ and frequent Bolan Ally (Contact has access to major institutions, Contact has significant Contacts of his own, Contact has: very useful Skills or resources, Good relationship with Contact) 12-

6 Money: Wealthy

2 Reputation: Will not fire on Cops (A large group - Police and Reporters) 11-, +1/+1d6

 

 

Talents

9 Ambidexterity (no Off Hand penalty)

6 Combat Luck (3 PD/3 ED)

16 Deadly Blow: +4d6 (only when attacking from behind)

16 Deadly Blow: +4d6 (only when attacking from stealth)

18 Evasive

8 Lightning Reflexes: +8 DEX to act first with Guns

4 Resistance (4 points)

3 Lightsleep

 

 

Skills

3 Acting 16-

3 Analyze: Combat 13-

5 Accurate Sprayfire

5 Concentrated Sprayfire

5 Rapid Autofire

5 Skipover Sprayfire

3 Breakfall 13-

3 Bugging 13-

3 Climbing 13-

3 Combat Driving 13-

16 +2 with All Combat

15 +3 with Ranged Combat

9 +3 with All Pistols

10 +2 with HTH Combat

10 Penalty Skill Levels: +5 vs. Hit Location modifiers with all small arms

9 Penalty Skill Levels: +3 vs. Range Modifier with All Attacks

6 Penalty Skill Levels: +4 vs. Range Modifier with a sniper's rifles

3 Concealment 13-

3 Conversation 16-

3 Criminology 13-

1 Cryptography 8-

3 Deduction 13-

10 Defense Maneuver I-IV

3 Demolitions 13-

3 Disguise 13-

5 Fast Draw 14-

1 High Society 8-

3 Scholar

7 1) KS: Guerilla Warfare (8 Active Points) 17-

7 2) KS: Mafia Operations (8 Active Points) 17-

7 3) KS: Mafia Rituals (8 Active Points) 17-

7 4) KS: Mafiosi (8 Active Points) 17-

7 5) KS: Military Operations (8 Active Points) 17-

7 6) KS: US Army (8 Active Points) 17-

1 Language: English (imitate dialects) (5 Active Points)

2 Language: Italian (fluent conversation)

1 Language: Polish (basic conversation)

1 Language: Vietnamese (basic conversation)

3 Mimicry 13-

2 Navigation (Land) 13-

3 Paramedics 13-

3 Persuasion 16-

6 PS: Sniper 15-

6 PS: Soldier 15-

8 PS: Warrior 17-

5 Rapid Attack (Ranged)

3 Security Systems 13-

3 Shadowing 13-

10 +1 Overall

3 Stealth 13-

3 Streetwise 16-

10 Survival (Arctic/Subarctic, Temperate/Subtropical, Tropical, Desert, Mountain) 13-

11 Tactics 17-

3 Tracking 13-

13 TF: Common Motorized Ground Vehicles, Hanggliding, Parachuting, Advanced, Parachuting, Basic, SCUBA, Skiing (snow), Small Military Ships, Small Motorized Boats, Small Rowed Boats, Snowmobiles, Tracked Military Vehicles, Two-Wheeled Motorized Ground Vehicles, Wheeled Military Vehicles

10 Two-Weapon Fighting (Ranged)

11 WF: Emplaced Weapons, Small Arms, Blades, Clubs, Fist-Loads, Flamethrowers, General Purpose/Heavy Machine Guns, Grenade Launchers, Shoulder-Fired Weapons, Thrown Knives, Axes, and Darts, Vehicle Weapons - Bradley AFV

8 Weaponsmith (Firearms) 16-

 

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 494

Total Cost: 667

 

200+ Disadvantages

20 Hunted: The Mafia 11- (As Pow, NCI, Harshly Punish)

10 Hunted: Local Law Enforcement 8- (Less Pow, NCI, Harshly Punish)

20 Hunted: Federal Law Enforcement 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Harshly Punish)

25 Dependent NPC: various civillians caught up in his war 14-, Normal, Group DNPC: x2 DNPCs

15 Psychological Limitation: Will not fire on Police, not even a dirty badge (Uncommon, Total)

15 Psychological Limitation: Sworn to destroy the Mafia (Common, Strong)

20 Psychological Limitation: Will not allow innocents to come to harm (Very Common, Strong)

5 Social Limitation: Semi-secret Identity, Not recognized out of blacksuit Occasionally, Minor

337 Experience Points

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 667

 

Standard Equipment:

Cost Powers END

Standard Weapons (, )

11 1) "Belle" 9mm Beretta Brigadier: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6+1, 4 clips of 8 Charges (+0), Invisible to Hearing Group (Silencer; +1/4) (25 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4) (, )

19 2) "Big Thunder" .44 Automag: Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6+1, 4 clips of 8 Charges (+0), +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (44 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4) (, )

20 3) 9mm Uzi SMG: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6+1, Autofire (5 shots; +1/2), 16 clips of 30 Charges (+3/4) (45 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4) (, )

33 4) 5.56 mm M16A2: Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6, +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Autofire (5 shots; +1/2), 16 clips of 30 Charges (+3/4) (75 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4) (, )

4 5) Knife: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6-1 (1d6+1 w/STR) (10 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4) (, ) 1

30 M203 40mm Greande Launcer: Multipower, 60-point reserve, (60 Active Points); all slots OAF (-1) (, )

2u 1) 40 mm Fragmentation Round: Killing Attack - Ranged 2 1/2d6, Explosion (+1/2) (60 Active Points); 8 clips of 1 Charge (-1), OAF (-1) (, )

2u 2) 40mm Flechette: Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6, Armor Piercing (+1/2), Explosion (+1/2) (60 Active Points); 4 clips of 1 Charge (-1 1/4), OAF (-1) (, )

2u 3) 40 mm Concussion Round: Energy Blast 8d6, Explosion (+1/2) (60 Active Points); 8 clips of 1 Charge (-1), OAF (-1) (, )

2u 4) 40 mm Gas Round: Energy Blast 3d6, No Normal Defense (+1), Area Of Effect (3" Radius; +1), Conforming (+1/2) (52 Active Points); 4 clips of 1 Charge (-1 1/4), OAF (-1) (, )

70 Warwagon: Vehicles & Bases (, )

 

Background/History: When Mack Bolan's war with the Mafia had only been a few months old and already the man had become a legand and a modern day folk hero. Law enforcement agencies at every level of government and throughout the land had taken to keeping a special file on the exploits of the man known as The Executioner, in the months that followed various foreign capitals were added to the alert network of international police organizations. Others, also, sought the lifeblood of Mack Bolan. It was common knowledge that a $500,000 death contract had been issued against Bolan by the ruling council of bosses of that vast "invisible second government" known as the Mafia or La Cosa Nostra. This was an open contract with bounty hunters of every walk and stripe invited and encouraged to participate in the hunt. It was also rumored that the various individual family bosses had added attractive bonuses to the final payoff in the event that the murder contract was closed in their territory; it has been estimated that in several areas of the country Bolan's head would be over a million dollars to his killer.

 

What sort of superman could inspire such nationwide awe, fear and respect from both sides of a modern society? Bolan himself would be the last man to attempt to answer that question. He knew that he was no superman. Like any other man, he bled when wounded, trembled when frightened, felt loneliness in isolation and regarded life as preferable to death.

 

Short months before his war with the Mafia had begun, this "superman" had been on combat duty in Vietnam, in his own eyes just another non-com fighting another version of the impossible war. But in that war there had been comrades, a sense of national purpose, and the brawn and brains of the United States government backing him. Now he was alone, often doubting his own moral imperatives, and with only his own abilities and instincts to stand against what often seemed to be the entire world.

 

When Bolan killed enemies in Vietnam, he was decorated for heroism and applauded by the bulk of his society. When he killed enemies at home, he was charged with murder and hounded as a dangerous threat to that same society. In that other war there had been respites from combat, a reasonably safe place to lay the head and rest the soul; in this new war there were no places to pause, no zones of safety, no sanctuaries for the man whose battlefield was the entire world and whose enemies were both infinate and often invisible.

 

No --- Mack Bolan was no superman, and none knew this better than the man himself.

 

Bolan was perhaps a bit too modest in his assessments of self, however. He had received the tag "The Executioner" by virtue of his unusual military specialty in Vietnam. A sniper team sharpshooter, the young sergeant had repeatedly penetrated hostile territories and strongholds, often spending days behind enemy lines on deep-penetration strikes against Viet Cong terrorist leaders and officials. Steely nerves, precision tactics and remarkable self-sufficiency had spelled the difference for sniper Bolan, the difference which had kept him alive and functioning through two combat tours in Southeast Asia and earned him the respect and admiration of superiors and peers alike. But Sgt. Bolan had been mmuch more than a sniper. Executing an important defector or enemy field commander on his own soil could be ticklish business. Merely locating and identifying the target in unfamiliar territory was challenge enough; to then make the strike, hang around long enough to verify the success of the mission, and then to safely withdraw through miles of aroused hostile country required considerable personal resources.

 

Bolan had obviously possessed those resources. He had been regarded as a highly valuable weapon of the psychological warfare being waged for the soul of Vietnam. Now it appeared that Bolan, along with legions of other young Americans, had lost his own soul in that conflict - a point that many homefront moralizers were hastening to make. He had been editorialized as "a government-trained mad dog", and lamented on the floor of the U.S. Senate as "America's military sins coming home to roost." It being conveniently forgotten that this same man had earned a second and far different nickname in Vietnam. To medics, battlefield surgeons and Red Cross personnel he was "Sergeant Mercy" for his humane and compassionate treatment of civillians and the other unfortunate victims of the the war.

 

All of this was inconsequential to Mack Bolan. He had not expected medals for his war at home. He would admit, even, that his initial strike against the Mafia had been largely motivated by a desire for vengeance. His parents and teen-aged sister had died violently as a result of Mafia terrorism and the police had been helpless to do anything about it. Bolan had not been helpless and he had done something about it. He took his pound of flesh from the Sergio Frenchi family and his sense of personal justice had been satisfied in the lightning strikes that left that Mafia arm in shambles. Long before that first battle had ended, however, Mack Bolan came to realize that he had entered into another war without end. The mob would not, simply could not hold still for that sort of treatment. The entire premise for there survival was based on the idea of their invincibility and omnipresence in the American society. They had to crush Bolan and run his head up their pole for all to see and beware.

 

Bolan's war thus became a holy war, good versus evil, and he clung to his battle philosophy as his only buttress against a disapproving society. And as the war raged on, from front to successive front, his growing familiarity with the syndicate served to intensify this certain feeling that he was fighting the most vicious enemy to ever threaten his nation. The mob was everywhere, in everything - controlling, manipulating, corrupting, wielding and influence such as no political party had ever dared dream. Invisibly they reached out to touch every man, woman and child in the country - stealing more from the poor than from the rich - squeezing the working man with invisible taxes and tributes, demoralizing and enslaving the young with drugs and insidiously corrupt pleasures, canniblizing industry and victimizing both retailers and consumers, seizing the reins of government through blackmail and the exploitation of human greed - and everything they touched turned rotten and spoiled and ugly and corrupt. This was Mack Bolan's vision, his sustaining truth and reason for living when often the most pleasurable thing possible would be merely to die.

 

He earned the distinction "The Executioner" in the jungles and hamlets of Vietnam and it was this same brand of warfare that he brought to the American continent. A police lieutenant in Pittsfield, Bolan's home town and scene of his first Mafia encounter, was responsible for the nickname living on through the translation from Vietnam to hometown - but it was Bolan alone who endowed the name with the terrible attributes that rocked the Mafia ship of state and struck deep dread into the the bones of Mafiosi everywhere, from the lowest street soldier to the most exalted Capo.

 

The Executioner was not a cop; he could go and do as no cop could. The Executioner was not a judge or jury; he was not interested in legal technicalities, bribes or threats. The Executioner was not a prison guard or trustee, he was not impressed with political or underworld influence and intimidation, and he had no reasons whatever for granting special favors or dispensations. He was incorruptable, non-negotiable, ready to die and willing to kill, he was THE EXECUTIONER, and his target was the Mafia, La Cosa Nostra, anywhere and everywhere, so long as he should live.

 

Personality/Motivation: From Mack Bolan's War Journal

 

April, the start of the Washington campaign.

 

I try to tell myself that I don't mind being called a murdering lunatic... but I do, I do mind. No man who is sane enjoys being pointed out as an enemy of his society. I guess what I mind the most, though, is that so damned much official attention is going to my side of the war and not to the other.

 

I didn't really want this war with the Mafia. I sort of edged into it. Once in, though, there was nothing left but to see the thing through, for better or worse. I couldn't run from the mob now. That would give them a strength they've never had before. It would wipe out every advance I've made, and it would actually make things worse than when this war had started.

 

I have a feeling that the entire focus of my life has become fixed on this spot; that I will very likely die here. If that's the way it has to be, then okay. I've known all along that there was only one way out of this mess for me. What I mind is failing, and failing at such a hell of a critical time. Also, I don't feel that it will be the mob that puts me down. I believe it will be the law, and I'm afraid that the focus will go the wrong way. Big deal, they got Mack Bolan. Never mind the marauding cannibals who were left around to pick up the pieces. That's what bothers me.

 

Ten years ago I would have been so worried about this. We were a different nation then. I guess what scares me is the sinking feeling that the country has lost its guts. Everyone seems so hung up on ideas of doing their own thing, living in peace and sweetness and love. Hell I can't blame anyone for wanting that. I want it too, not this hell I'm stuck with. But all those nice things come with a price tag. Someone has to be willing to settle the bill, or there will be no seller and no buyer.

 

Quote: "The Mob are their own judges, their own juries. I'm just the executioner."

 

Powers/Tactics: Combat vetern of Vietnam, highly skilled specialist in "destruct missions" against enemy commands; recieved nickname "the Executioner" in Vietnam by virtue of high proficiency in this regard. Considered highly adept at penetration/intelligence techniques; military tactician and strategist of the highest order; a master at both the "quiet kill" and "massive kill" disciplines of jungle guerrilla warfare. Expert marksman, various personal weapons catagories; skilled armorer and munitions man. All of the forgoing constitute Bolan's M.O. Wages all-out warfare using all facets of combat character. Identifies, infiltrates and destroys "the enemy" sometimes with wiles, sometimes with full-dress frontal assaults. Has been known to use various personal combat weapons as well as field mortars, light anti-tank weapons, demolition devices etc. Bolan strikes are easily identified by the presense of a military marksman's medal that he leaves at the scene of each action.

 

Primary personal weapon, however, appears to remain a 9mm Beretta Brigadier equipped with silencer and worked in for precision kills at close range. Latest personal sidearm, described as "a big silver hawgleg" by official witnesses has been identified as a .44 caliber autoloader, "the .44 AutoMag." This latter weapon exhibits impressive accuracy at extremely long ranges and should be considered equivalent in many respects to a big-game rifle.

 

Appearance: Tall, darkly handsome with vaguely Italian features as a result of cosmetic surgery. Described as being very light on his feet, almost catlike, in his movements. Often affect costume of skintight black combat garb - commando style, but has also been known to wear various innocuous outfits in subtle applications of "role camouflage". Eyes routinely described as blue ice and "penetrating", obviously highly developed night vision.

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

oooh... this I like, can I put in a request for Carl Lyons from Able Team?

[HewhoisMatt]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

I use to have all These books. I did not like the spin offs as much but the Executioner was wasy to cool. He should be in the modern LXG thread I saw in here.

[Guest Skaramine]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Excellent work.

 

More recently, I'd add Language - Russian, and a few more, like Basic Conversation in Spanish, Cantonese, German, French and Arabic.

 

Oh, and Transport Familiarity with Helicopters and light single-engine airplanes.

 

I'd also add in Universal Traveller, since if he doesn't know a place, he at least has the ability to research before going there and get as much data as he needs. He's never lost anywhere.

[Susano]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Permission to add to my website archive?

[TheImperialKhan]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Excellent work.

 

More recently, I'd add Language - Russian, and a few more, like Basic Conversation in Spanish, Cantonese, German, French and Arabic.

 

Oh, and Transport Familiarity with Helicopters and light single-engine airplanes.

 

I'd also add in Universal Traveller, since if he doesn't know a place, he at least has the ability to research before going there and get as much data as he needs. He's never lost anywhere.

 

I can't find Universal Traveller anywhere in any of my books are you sure you don't mean the Skill Enhancer - Traveller? I agree that he tends to pick up Area and City Knowledge skills quickly. Usually during the pre-campaign recon period which lasts about a week or so.

 

 

I guess he picked up the rest during his days at Stony Man Farm cause I can't recall him having them during the Mafia Wars.

 

shadowcat1313, I'm afraid I was never a reader of Able Team so I doubt I could do Lyons justice. Frankly I still think of him as the idealistic young cop he was in Death Squad.

 

Susano, Permission is most happily granted. Just let me clean up a few typos and settle his Area Knowledge questions and I'll send you a fresh copy of the file.

 

Oh and thanks for the rep guys. I'll be sure to pass it on.

[OddHat]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

I can't find Universal Traveller anywhere in any of my books are you sure you don't mean the Skill Enhancer - Traveller? I agree that he tends to pick up Area and City Knowledge skills quickly. Usually during the pre-campaign recon period which lasts about a week or so.

 

 

I guess he picked up the rest during his days at Stony Man Farm cause I can't recall him having them during the Mafia Wars.

 

shadowcat1313, I'm afraid I was never a reader of Able Team so I doubt I could do Lyons justice. Frankly I still think of him as the idealistic young cop he was in Death Squad.

 

Susano, Permission is most happily granted. Just let me clean up a few typos and settle his Area Knowledge questions and I'll send you a fresh copy of the file.

 

Oh and thanks for the rep guys. I'll be sure to pass it on.

 

You can create a Universal Traveller ability by using the Universal Translator model, or with a 10 point "Super-Cramming" skill VPP. You could also give him Traveller, 5 AK skills at 15 or less (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America), and cramming if you don't like the first two. The in-game effect is almost the same (reasonable knowledge of any area given time to do some research), and the costs are fairly similar.

[Guest Skaramine]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

I can't find Universal Traveller anywhere in any of my books are you sure you don't mean the Skill Enhancer - Traveller? I agree that he tends to pick up Area and City Knowledge skills quickly. Usually during the pre-campaign recon period which lasts about a week or so.

 

 

I guess he picked up the rest during his days at Stony Man Farm cause I can't recall him having them during the Mafia Wars.

 

shadowcat1313, I'm afraid I was never a reader of Able Team so I doubt I could do Lyons justice. Frankly I still think of him as the idealistic young cop he was in Death Squad.

 

Susano, Permission is most happily granted. Just let me clean up a few typos and settle his Area Knowledge questions and I'll send you a fresh copy of the file.

 

Oh and thanks for the rep guys. I'll be sure to pass it on.

Oddhat nailed the Universal Traveller concept.

 

And as for the other teams, Able and Phoenix...

 

I can always volunteer.

 

I just finished two books featuring most of them.

 

(Sadly... Katz is gone now).

[TheImperialKhan]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

I wound up giving him a familiarity with a bunch of cities, bringing him up to Firebase: Seattle and +5 with CK that takes one week to activate to represent his pre-combat recon of the area. That seems to simulate things pretty well in game terms, basically he has maps and guidebooks to give him the basic familiarity with the city and then his recon of the area goes from there.

 

Be my guest as far as Able and Phoenix are concerned. I'm sure you can do a much better job than I with them.

 

Here's the new file with the corrections.

[Lord Liaden]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

As a fellow fan of the old "Mafia Wars" Executioner series, I can attest that your writeup does Mack Bolan justice. Your knowledge and love of the character clearly shows through.

 

I hope not to derail this thread too far, but considering how blatantly the Punisher is or has become based on the Executioner (since Mack Bolan's debut predates Frank Castle's by several years), I've often wondered whether Marvel Comics experienced any legal challenges from Don Pendelton or his publisher.

[HewhoisMatt]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

I hate it when people nit-pick so I guess I am going to have to go yell at the mirror a bit....................But. The Beretta he carried, wasn't it a model 93R that could shoot 3 round bursts and had a very small fold down grip. I only mention this cause when I was reading these books as a kid I thought it was too cool.

 

Of course I could be wrong.

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Yer right about the Berretta 93R I love the heavy barrel extention they put on the one used by RoboCop.

 

Cheers

 

QM

[TheImperialKhan]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Bolan switched to the 93R early on in the Terrorist Wars. But during the earlier Mafia War when Pendleton was actually writing them Mack carried the M1951 Beretta Brigadier, which he first used in #5 Continental Contract and carried throughout the rest of the Mafia War. In the early days Bolan used whatever was handy and changed personal sidearms from book to book. He picked up the .44 AutoMag in #11 California Hit. This write up shows him as he was following # 21 Firebase: Seattle. Another favored firearm was the awesome Weatherby Mark V .460 magnum big game rifle which Bolan used as a sniper's rifle. This was another weapon that he picked up in #5.

[TheImperialKhan]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

As a fellow fan of the old "Mafia Wars" Executioner series, I can attest that your writeup does Mack Bolan justice. Your knowledge and love of the character clearly shows through.

 

I hope not to derail this thread too far, but considering how blatantly the Punisher is or has become based on the Executioner (since Mack Bolan's debut predates Frank Castle's by several years), I've often wondered whether Marvel Comics experienced any legal challenges from Don Pendelton or his publisher.

 

Thanks very much, LL. As Bolan would say - "Live large guy."

 

There was some talk about the Punisher back when he first came out. Pendleton looked on it as a case of imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Considering how much of Bolan Marvel... borrowed, shall we say, he could have raised quite a stink over it but choose not to. Good thing for Marvel that Pendleton wasn't like them, considering their legal action against City of Heroes.

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

in some of hte later books he switched from the .44 automag to a .44 Desert Eagle, which makes sense, the .44 desert eagle would be a lot easier to find ammo/parts for

 

it was a 93R he carried that could fire 3 round bursts and had a collapsing stock almost like the one Czech pistol[skorpion?]

[Guest Skaramine]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

As a fellow fan of the old "Mafia Wars" Executioner series, I can attest that your writeup does Mack Bolan justice. Your knowledge and love of the character clearly shows through.

 

I hope not to derail this thread too far, but considering how blatantly the Punisher is or has become based on the Executioner (since Mack Bolan's debut predates Frank Castle's by several years), I've often wondered whether Marvel Comics experienced any legal challenges from Don Pendelton or his publisher.

Don gave Marvel a free pass back in the 70's.

[Guest Skaramine]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

I hate it when people nit-pick so I guess I am going to have to go yell at the mirror a bit....................But. The Beretta he carried, wasn't it a model 93R that could shoot 3 round bursts and had a very small fold down grip. I only mention this cause when I was reading these books as a kid I thought it was too cool.

 

Of course I could be wrong.

That was after the Mafia Wars, around 1982.

[gewing]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

I wouldn't have made him QUITE so formidable, but I only read the first book, iirc.

 

this thread did get me thinking though.

 

Has anyone written up

 

CREASY from "man on fire" (I have read the book about 3 times, seen the bad first movie, haven't seen the Denzel incarnation)

 

or

 

YEOMAN from Wildcards?

[Susano]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Has anyone written up

YEOMAN from Wildcards?

 

Yes:

 

Yeoman

[gewing]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

I KNEW I should have checked, but I couldn't remember whether you did.

 

I also lost ALL my bookmarks last week.

 

 

Yes:

 

Yeoman

[FenrisUlf]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

And as for the other teams, Able and Phoenix...

 

I can always volunteer.

 

I just finished two books featuring most of them.

 

(Sadly... Katz is gone now).

 

Katz was the one-handed Israeli, right?

 

And thanks for reminding me of some fun reading from my youth. Executioner, in retrospect, sorta reminds me of a more 'real world' version of the Spider (no death dwarves or Lord of the Killing Light here, folks) but it was always a very fun, pulpish read.

 

And am I the only one to remember that first big series crossover, where the crazy Russian KGB agent tried to use an army of terrorists to nerve gas America to death?

[Guest Skaramine]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Nope... but it took me 15 years of hunting to find that book.

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Yakov Katzenbolgen IIRC, and yes he was Israeli

[Michael Hopcroft]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Great job of taking a "pulp" character and making him complelling. I don't think I'd want to read those late books everyone is talking about, but now I'm curious about this character and the early adventures.

 

You got Rep, dude.

[Guest Skaramine]

Re: Character: Mack Bolan, the Executioner

 

Great job of taking a "pulp" character and making him complelling. I don't think I'd want to read those late books everyone is talking about, but now I'm curious about this character and the early adventures.

 

You got Rep, dude.

Don Pendleton is a legend. I am thrilled to be following in his footsteps.

 

Some of the later adventures aren't as good, but I can recommend good authors in the series:

 

Tim Tresslar

Chuck Rogers

Jon Guenther

Mike Linnaker

and some people call me pretty ok too.