Doug McCrae

Gold Digger - tunnelling

Anything that seems like a comics staple is an archetype to me. Shapeshifter breaks down into Grower, Shrinker and Stretcher (and possibly Animal Forms too) because there have been several of all three subdivisions in the comics. The do-anything shapeshifter, like Metamorpho, is less common than the sub-groups.

That's a really cool idea. I don't think I'd have a whole team of different 'surprise packages' though. Doesn't make sense.

The Wrecker and his Wrecking Crew

Great stuff.

I'm very intersted in this. What did Allston have to say about the reasons for/benefits of casting your characters?

The old DC Heroes rules were great for this IMO. You could do any sort of high end weight/strength/distance calculation really easily. I'd just use them.

Under my current thinking on archetypes, Superman is a Brick, or Strongman as I call them, just like the mythological Hercules. All the other powers are just trimmings, Supes is mainly the strongest guy around. Even though he can run faster than the speed of light that isn't his main shtick. It's Flash's shtick but not Superman's. Likewise with patriot. The guys in the red, white and blue costumes are the real patriots, with Superman it's a secondary feature.

Re: thoughts I think it was largely an opportunistic move designed to put EC out of business. General Standards Part A 11) The letters of the word "crime" on a comics magazine shall never be appreciably greater than the other words contained in the title. The word "crime" shall never appear alone on a cover. 12) Restraint in the use of the word "crime" in titles or subtitles shall be exercised. General Standards Part B 1) No comic magazine shall use the word "horror" or "terror" in its title. 2) All scenes of horror, excessive bloodshed, gory or gruesome crimes, depravity, lust, sadism, masochism shall not be permitted. ... 5) Scenes dealing with, or instruments associated with walking dead, torture vampires and vampirism, ghouls, cannibalism, and werewolfism are prohibited. I particularly like the term 'werewolfism'.

Angel Kyzinsky, 'Ghost Nabber' From a young age, Angel found she was gifted with psychic abilities including telepathy, object reading and second sight, which enabled her to catch glimpses of intangible entities and other worlds. She has always used her powers to help others, as an adult charging a small fee for her services. Not a full member of Operation Magic, she occasionally works with the team when required. It was she who established communication with the man known as Osprey. Angel doesn't wear a costume and isn't really a superhero. 'Ghost Nabber' was the headline of an article in The Daily Mail describing a case in which she used an Indian spirit jar to trap an apparition. She dislikes the name and shuns publicity. Her entanglements with Operation Magic seem set to continue however for she has not one but two admirers there - Jack Stag and Osprey. Angel is attracted to both men and hasn't chosen one over the other, yet. Jack seems keener, though. The Lion In 1917, on his 16th birthday, Lewis Cooper joined up to fight and was in France within a month. He was hardened by his experiences in the Great War and even more so as one of the Black-and-Tans, suppressing republican rebels in the Irish Free State. If anything, his patriotism increased but he became ruthless and xenophobic. He had a talent for violence and used it serving His Majesty's Government around the globe, overseeing an Empire in retreat. In 1931 an accident at an ordnance factory in Holton Heath gave him the power to create explosions out of thin air. He did not don costume - such things were not done in those days - but continued much as he had before. Lewis joined Operation Magic early on and adopted the identity of the Lion. The Lion is a deadly fighter, very physically capable, highly skilled and ruthless in battle. He wears plate and chain armour of a modern design which bears a lion rampant on the chestplate. The Lion uses normal military equipment - guns and grenades - in addition to his powers. A devoted patriot, he is strongly anti-communist and dislikes most foreigners. He had some Nazi sympathies and contacts in Mosley's Fascist Party but is one hundred percent behind the war effort now the shooting's started. If there is anything Lewis cares about more than king and country, it is his wife and ten-year-old son, also named Lewis. He is married to an Indian woman of lowly caste whom he met while stationed in Rahjipur and brought back to Britain. His family know he works for the government in some capacity but none of the details and don't know about his power. Cooper likes to keep his work and his home life separate. He will react with great aggression if there is any threat to his nearest and dearest. Doctor Walker and Natterjack While holidaying in the Norfolk broads, Dr. Thomas G. Walker, an engineering lecturer at the University of London, discovered a large metal object on the beach, revealed by the shifting sands. Assisted by Eddie, a young boy he had befriended, he excavated further and discovered an opening. Inside was a chamber. A quickly acquired torch revealed it to contain exotic machinery made out of a light silvery metal. The devices seemed half-complete, as if the original workers had been interrupted in their labours. There were no plans or instruction manuals. Deciding to keep his find secret until tangible results could be obtained, Dr. Walker worked on the gadgetry in isolation, helped only by Eddie. He had great difficulty and came to the conclusion that the original builders must have had more than two hands. At last he constructed two devices - a calorific broadcast system and a tripedal ambulatory conveyance. The scientist was about to unveil his results to the world when he received word that a bank robbery in Holborn street had turned into a siege and Eddie was one of the hostages. Using his new vehicle, Dr. Walker travelled quickly to the scene and was able to rescue his young friend and arrest the criminals. The inventor had discovered a new and more exciting use for his heat ray and tripod walker - fighting crime. He constructed a second set of mechanical legs for the youth, which allowed him to make prodigious leaps. Eddie became Dr. Walker's sidekick, Natterjack. Notes: The tripod is a one-man vehicle, smaller and shorter than the Martian originals. You might want to change it to having two or four legs if you think it's too close to the source material, and too readily spotted by players. Speedwoman Dorothy Campbell, brilliant chemist, is the niece of Malcolm Campbell, reknowned holder of speed records on land and water. Inspired by her relative, she developed an 'acceleration formula' which allows her to run and act at superhuman velocities. As Speedwoman, Dorothy uses her invention to fight crime and the Natzis. She is extremely serious and conservative and is often made fun of by the Black Flyer.

My first adventure was Viper's Nest. I was knocked out and nearly killed by Brick. Well, I only had a PD of 2.

I've been in Brit 80s: Britannia's Fire Silver Age: Force Manhattan X-Files weirdness: Wild Talents (I thought of it first!) Brit contemporary: Overwatch UK Brit 80s, retro: British Stormfront It's funny how all the British team names indicate their Britishness.

There can be a Superman but he has to be dead or gone by the time the PCs arrive. Either he lost his powers to gold kryptonite in 1986 or was killed battling the Incredible Hulk in 1993.

Bunyip, your world wins the prize for Most European Super Teams. Easily I might add.

English Oak AKA Bill 'Oak' Hart. 6'4", 250lbs, of boisterous, hard-drinking sailor, as steadfast and loyal to his friends as any man on Earth. Bill had many adventures in the Orient involving pirates, beautiful doe-eyed maidens and fiendish Chinese masterminds. One such, a sorcerer named Feng Lo Tse supposedly derived much of his power from the Garuda Stone, a grayish-green pendant bearing mysterious symbols. In their final battle, Bill grappled with his foe, snatched the amulet and pushed the evil genius into a river of lava. Figuring Feng Lo Tse had no further use for it, Bill kept the Garuda Stone and discovered it had a remarkable property - the wearer could not be injured. Years earlier in Hong Kong, Bill Hart and Inspector Brooks worked on a case together and the pair became friends. The Scotland Yard detective, hearing of the sailor's remarkable acquisition, asked him to join Operation Magic as his man on the inside, particularly to keep tabs on the Black Flyer. Meanwhile... it has transpired that Feng Lo Tse somehow survived the lava though he was hideously burned. He wants his Garuda Stone back. And he's coming to England to get it...

Death Mask The most mysterious member of Operation Magic. He first crossed paths with the government task force in 1940 in the course of an investigation into a ritual murder near Blackfriars Bridge. The masked stranger seemed to know a great deal about the deceased and has since demonstrated a wide-ranging knowledge of the dead, especially those who have recently passed on. He can seemingly vanish in a cloud of smoke but it is not known whether this is magic or a mere conjuring trick. He certainly seems well versed in occult matters. On one occasion, late at night, Sword reported catching sight of Death Mask on the bank of the Thames. He heard a splash and thought he glimpsed a large reptilian creature swimming in the river, but he cannot be certain. Death Mask wears a long dark grey cape and hood. His facial covering is reminiscent of those on Egyptian sarcophagi and bears a striking similarity to Khamunkeru, a prince who was murdered by parties unknown while travelling to meet his bride. There have been a couple of unconfirmed sightings of Death Mask in the vicinity of mortician Herbert Leith's premises in St. John's Wood. Is Death Mask an undead Egyptian prince possessing vast necromantic powers and seeking revenge upon all murderers? Or is he just a mortician with an OTO membership card and an obsession with ancient Egypt? Or somewhere in between? You decide.

Re: We are not worthy! Thanks!

Gotta keep all those black monoliths safe, right?

Sword Tommy Tindle grew up in an orphanage and had to work hard all his life. One day he was approached by an old man, long of beard, and wild of eye, who bid him grasp the handle of a blade. Tommy ignored the stranger and looked in vain for a constable but at such a late hour and in that part of Sheffield, none was to be had. The greybeard persisted so hoping to satisfy him, the youngster took the hilt. He felt a force like an ocean wash over him. What was happening? The man produced a mirror and showed Tommy that he alone was not reflected - he was invisible! Later, in the Green Lion, the learned man explained that Tommy was the descendant of the first British king, a great hero named Brittanius and that this was his sword. Tommy was the rightful heir to the weapon and the power it contained. However a man named Vortigern also knew of the power and would stop at nothing to take it for himself. Tommy was at first doubtful, and frightened, but he took possession of the sword temporarily and used it to stop the attempted robbery of the payroll at his local factory. He realised the good he could do now. When he grasps the hilt, Tommy becomes invisible though the blade itself can still be seen. By willing it, he can cause the sword to become white hot. He has used this ability to melt and slice thru boulders, saving miners trapped by a cave-in. Tommy has been trained in swordplay by his mentor and, as Sword, wears an armoured costume.

Jack Stag, the Marvellous Man A superb all-round sportsman, Jack Stag particularly excelled at cricket. In 1934 he captained the English international team to its greatest ever victory over South Africa. But that night he became enfeebled, laid low by a peculiar lethargy. Over the next few years he saw many doctors and renowned experts but they could do nothing for him. Low on funds and desperate to see his pluck restored he decided to seek out Professor Dashwood, despite the dinosaur mishap some years ago. The brilliant, if slightly demented, scientist devised a program of electrical nerve stimulation, which over time worked a treat. Perhaps a little too well... Jack Stag is now positively bursting with spunk. His physical capabilities are all preternatural - strength, speed, agility and especially vitality. Even more astounding is his enhanced animal magnetism, or charm, which influences all but the strongest-willed. Jack especially appreciates the effect of his 'magnetic aura' on the fairer sex. However the electric current also changed Jack's personality. He is highly sanguine, overconfident almost to the point of dementia. One fears it cannot be long before Jack bites off more than he can chew...

To make the accounting easier you could have +30 STR Reduced depending on amount of water available (-1)* The * means 'See attached table for full STR vs. water amount correspondence.'

Marble Archie An animated section of Marble Arch brought to life by a wizard. The spellcrafter only required Archie's services for one night, bidding him to dig for buried treasure. After that the stone man was released and instructed "Be off. Do good." Which he has done, more or less. The missing section of the arch was initially attributed to bomb damage. Lately, Archie has fallen in love with a marble statue in the British Museum. He hopes that she can be brought to life, as he was, and is currently searching for his original creator. Iron Eskimo By early 1940, the Black Flyer had completed construction of a giant mechanical man designed to function in an arctic environment. It was intended to see service in the 'Winter War' in Scandinavia. Much to the chagrin of its inventor, Inspector Brooks convinced the head of Operation Magic, Brigadier Buff, to grant him authority over the radio-operated machine. Following Professor Dashwood's mixed results in his work on mechanical intelligence, the Iron Eskimo cannot think for itself but merely follows radio instructions. It is strong and armour-plated, as all robots are, and fitted with a set of removable skis. A freezing ray, nicknamed 'frigi-breath', is located in its mouth. Osprey As a child, the man now known as Osprey was shipwrecked on a remote Scottish island. The infant was raised by birds of prey and developed astounding abilities. He was strong and swift with far keener senses than a normal human. Attempting to mimic his adoptive parents he sewed together a set of feathered wings and, after much trial and effort, took to the air. Rumoured sightings of a 'birdman' were passed to Operation Magic, where all reports deemed too rum or uncanny to be seriously contemplated ultimately end up. In 1939 an expedition was mounted, and with the aid of an occult investigator reputed to possess psychic abilities, communication established. Osprey reluctantly agreed to travel to the mainland and has worked on-and-off with Operation Magic. He has a tendency to fly back to his island home when the world of men becomes too confusing, however.

The Black Flyer AKA David Kaufmann The Black Flyer is a criminal genius, inventor of the 'aero flyer', which he used to commit daring sky robberies. Clearly no supporter of free speech, his peculiar craft was also employed to break up a peaceful rally of Mosley's British Union of Fascists in the East End of London. The Black Flyer was finally arrested in 1938 by the celebrated Inspector Brooks of Scotland Yard. Following the outbreak of hostilities, the War Office issued orders for Kaufmann's release, much to Inspector Brooks's chagrin, to assist in Operation Magic, Military Intelligence's investigation into 'super-powers'. The Black Flyer is for the most part, cheerfully immoral. He'll happily lie and steal but he would only injure or kill those he feels deserve it. He is very curious, particularly interested in all the werewolves, ghosts and superstrong dog-men he regularly comes into contact with at Operation Magic. In addition to the 'aero flyer', the Black Flyer uses a personal short-range rocket pack and a knockout gas of his own invention. In his spare time he works on a very big robot but it's nowhere near completion.

That, and Alan Moore's Captain Britain, was my introduction to most of those characters. I was really intrigued and wanted to find out more. Some of the unnamed ones in Zenith areparticularly hard to place. The site even has the original for Hotspur! Who do you think Mister Why represents?

Okay, I've had a look at the excellent website Crimson Arrow mentioned. The ideas you can use depend on how period-appropriate you want to be. Just how knowledgable is the genre-fiend in your game? If you're prepared to include Roy Thomas retro stuff like Spitfire and Union Jack then you can pretty much do whatever you want. Assuming you want to be more 'period' than that, British superheroes of the early 40s were quite limited. There were Tarzan ripoffs - Morgyn the Mighty and Halcon - and an Aquaman ripoff called Argo. There were several really big robots. Most were used for evil but one was a school teacher! They were - Iron Warrior, Iron Teacher and Crusher. I can't stress enough that these were *big* robots. Iron Warrior looks as tall as three men. There were several do-anything wizards who didn't wear costumes. More promising as source material are: Flaming Avenger (33). Wore a suit of armour (not power armour) but of modern design fitted with a flame-thrower, which he'd constructed himself. I think this is a great character, a proto-superhero and not quite like anything I've seen before. He'd have been fighting crime for a while by 1940 and would probably now be helping the war effort in some capacity. There's a nice picture of him at Very similar is... Night Hawk (30s) He also wore a suit of modern armour, this time outfitted with wings. He had a sidekick named Sparrowhawk. If these two inventors got together, they could make a dragon! Round about 1939 there were a bunch of Beano characters with various powers - strength, cold, magic pipes - all but one were children though. The exception was Ping the Elastic Man who was very similar to Plastic Man. The Bat (40). Like Batman but sources I've read hint he was a vampire. Garth (43). Mysterious individiual. Originally an amnesiac who washed up on a beach. He had great, maybe superhuman strength. He travelled thru time in later stories. Garth didn't wear a costume so wasn't really a superhero. He's a cool character, though. Mr. X (44). Gained superhuman stength thru a fitness regime. Mr. Muscle (45). Gained superhuman strength from drinking 'the essence of strength'. So I would say the most genre appropriate types would be: 1) Strongman 2) Inventor in a suit of armour, with one or more gadgets built in. I would strongly recommend you don't make the armour powered as it gives it much more of a period feel. These days everyone and his dog has powered armour. 3) Big robot that looks like this - 4) Wizard 5) Like Batman only more supernatural, and darker and grimmer, if possible. 6) Humour character a la Plastic Man but with perhaps less extreme abilities. In the late 1940s there were lots of Superman, Captain Marvel and Flash ripoffs. Most of them derived their powers from atomic energy, some were aliens. Marvelman or Miracleman, one of the three most important British superheroes, came a lot later, in 1954.