[Supers] Background game

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That's two for Chris Brady! I think that's one of most received so far. :smile:

There seems to be allot of folks in this thread that take supers are more silly than straight. I can understand, I can't play "dungeon fantasy" straight personally. Taste is a funny thing.
 
I do straight supers, they just don't look much like those in this thread

Tastes will vary. They looked perfectly valid as serious characters to me, certainly not only open to the degree of humor displayed by the current majority of the suggested origins which seem more suitable for characters that was developed for The Tick or similar "Stupor Heroes". Not any "sillier" than mainstream comic characters (take that as you want :grin:) I thought the images so far were pretty cool, honestly though some of them were produced "paper doll" software. All of us aren't gifted with artistic talent, sadly :sad: But you can still create some nice, imaginative creations with those tools, IMO. The picture I submitted was intended to be a serious character, is the illustration one in use in my game. I was kind of surprised when it prompted laughter. *shrug* Mileage varies.

But its not my place to tell people what to think though I wanted to offer an observation and opinion and I admit it has made me reluctant to post any idea or a picture since folks appear to be more in the mood for comedy. I know or at least imagine no one is trying to deliberately mock others' taste and none of the submitters have taken umbrage at the suggests, mostly loved them in fact. I'm not sure if I could maintain that degree of mature distance and I don't want to be "that guy" And like I said earlier, comedic supers are quite popular.

Heck, the UPB origins thread that I contributed to on rpg.net got most people thinking of a humorous, light-hearted campaign setting when I was picturing something less light hearted by far. It was educational so I was partly ready for this divergence on a board with what I assume is lower number of strong comic books fans than say, the Hero Game forums. :smile:
 
Well, I probably set the tone for that with Coldsore, but then I also find even serious supers inherently silly.

That's the impression I had and tried (poorly) to explain. I know a number of folks that share that outlook. :smile:

And it was a funny concept/background.
 
I think it is realistic as far as the comics I grew up reading to have a mix of serious and goofy heroes and villains alike. The Punisher and Paste Pot Pete exist int the same universe. :smile: Additional, it wasn't until I was an adult that I figured out the Fantastic Four were all based on the elements (Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air), which struck me as horribly goofy in retrospect.

Yes, I am one of those guys who finally said humerus out loud and made the connection to the funny bone.
 
To be fair "Paste Pot Pete" was considered pretty silly by the standards of the other 'inherently silly' supers genre characters around him. as were some other more humorous characters. Eve denizens of an "inherently silly" universe 7 have same standards. :grin:

Yes, there's plenty of room for humor in comics as with most genres (even horror) but there is a point where humor becomes parody and satire. That point is going to vary between folks, of course and everyone should get their fun.

With that and the mood of the thread in mind, I think its best if I bow out of this. It's not really going as hoped and I can see myself getting touchy more than having fun. I mean, I would have done a more 'serious' take on "Poor Man's Nightwing" maybe coming at it from a Real Life Superhero type tried to be real superhero.... or perhaps a sociopath in the vein of Dexter with a 'moral code' that channels his dark urges into being a vigilante/anti-hero...

But they never fully gelled and didn't feel right in light of the prevailing mood.

Enjoy the thread everyone, hope you're ideas keep flowing.
 
Well to quote Niles from Fraser

" I'm a Jungian, not a Freudian like my brother, so no blaming your Mommy for your problems today!"

True, Analytical Psychology is not Psychoanalysis, but Dr. Doom on the couch is the first thing that popped into my head.
 
I don't do silly backgrounds. I just don't have the skill.

"Tragedy is easy. Comedy? Now that's hard."

My overt attempts to create truly silly backgrounds to tend to fall flat too. The best I can usually do is insert some humorous bits here and there that seem to be drawn 'organically' from the context. Like the oddball genius with a engineered body Abigail Norman who was nicknamed "Abby Normal" by her kid sidekick in the UPB thread. Nothing gut busting or as good as some of the ideas presented here.

Maybe another reasons for my misgivings about participating. :hmmm:
 
From my old Champions Campaign in the 1980s. That the letters MX on his chest.
View attachment 10100
Sure, how about this one:
View attachment 10432
No takers? Okay, how about this one based on my City of Heroes Character:
View attachment 10446
POOR MAN'S NIGHTWING
commission__matthaus_williams_by_johnbecaro_d4bybtu-pre.jpg
Anything Nightwing can do, he does almost as well, but charges significantly less for his services.

Would you mind if I used these pictures in other versions of this thread?
 
It's not my image, I have no right to claim it. Twas something I found and used in another game.
 
Thanks, I may start a thread with some of (if any) of the backgrounds that result from the other threads if anyone interested. :smile: "NPC resource mine" is one of my personal favorite uses for a forum.
 
Things seem to have died down. :sad:

Does this one give anyone any ideas, comedic or otherwise?

37307554032_86125a9179_o.jpg
 
Gimme a couple days. I got something, but I need to hash it out.
 
37307554032_86125a9179_o.jpg


Kraken
Real Name
: Beydaan Amburo
Height: 6' 3” Weight: 220lbs.
Hair: Black Eyes: Cybernetic, formerly brown
Origin: Cyber-enhanced Super-Soldier/Transformed

Prowess: 7 (Amazing)
Coordination: 6 (Incredible)
Strength: 6 (Incredible)
Intellect: 3 (Average)
Awareness: 3 (Average)
Willpower: 5 (Great)

Determination: 1
Stamina: 11

Powers:
Aquatic: 3 (Average)
Additional Limbs: Tentacles 6 (Incredible)
-Extra Elongation 6 (Incredible)
-Extra Secondary Power: Binding 6 (Incredible)
-Extra Secondary Power: Strike, Slash 3 (Average)
Resistance: Damage 3 (Average)

Specialties:
Knives
Military

Qualities:
Casual Killer
Fear Equals Respect
Pirate for Hire

History:
Africa is a mess, there's no disputing that. Between two world shaking disasters, the Paragon Incident wherein the world's greatest and most powerful hero went insane and killed almost 50% of the world's population, then the Alien invasion 8 years later that took out another 40%, the various nations of the birthplace of humanity have suffered greatly. In response, they began experimenting with various technologies to gain an edge against more disasters. However, due to fear and panic, shortcuts and haste can lead to both mistakes and results.

Amburo is one such, designed to be an underwater specialist, the warlord led government program installed several systems into the hardened killer. Eyes adapted to see underwater, coupled with a stronger, damage resistant body and innate swimming ability. For offensive powers his forearms were rebuilt out of a cable-like material that could break apart and stretch on command.

However, making him was easier than controlling him. Once the implantation was complete, the former Somali warlord second in command, killed his boss, took over his gang of pirates and began plying his new 'trade' across the sea, amassing several other like-minded vessels in the process. Word is out on the oceans of Earth, 'Beware the Kraken'.


(Yeah, yeah, I know, I little obvious, but... I'm planning on using him. Consider the image stolen. Edited: Forgot to add the claws. :tongue:)
 
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Going to give it to Chris. Good job! Want the next picture or want to open the floor?
 
37307554032_86125a9179_o.jpg


Kraken
Real Name
: Beydaan Amburo
Height: 6' 3” Weight: 220lbs.
Hair: Black Eyes: Cybernetic, formerly brown
Origin: Cyber-enhanced Super-Soldier/Transformed

Prowess: 7 (Amazing)
Coordination: 6 (Incredible)
Strength: 6 (Incredible)
Intellect: 3 (Average)
Awareness: 3 (Average)
Willpower: 5 (Great)

Determination: 1
Stamina: 11

Powers:
Aquatic: 3 (Average)
Additional Limbs: Tentacles 6 (Incredible)
-Extra Elongation 6 (Incredible)
-Extra Secondary Power: Binding 6 (Incredible)
-Extra Secondary Power: Strike, Slash 3 (Average)
Resistance: Damage 3 (Average)

Specialties:
Knives
Military

Qualities:
Casual Killer
Fear Equals Respect
Pirate for Hire

History:
Africa is a mess, there's no disputing that. Between two world shaking disasters, the Paragon Incident wherein the world's greatest and most powerful hero went insane and killed almost 50% of the world's population, then the Alien invasion 8 years later that took out another 40%, the various nations of the birthplace of humanity have suffered greatly. In response, they began experimenting with various technologies to gain an edge against more disasters. However, due to fear and panic, shortcuts and haste can lead to both mistakes and results.

Amburo is one such, designed to be an underwater specialist, the warlord led government program installed several systems into the hardened killer. Eyes adapted to see underwater, coupled with a stronger, damage resistant body and innate swimming ability. For offensive powers his forearms were rebuilt out of a cable-like material that could break apart and stretch on command.

However, making him was easier than controlling him. Once the implantation was complete, the former Somali warlord second in command, killed his boss, took over his gang of pirates and began plying his new 'trade' across the sea, amassing several other like-minded vessels in the process. Word is out on the oceans of Earth, 'Beware the Kraken'.


(Yeah, yeah, I know, I little obvious, but... I'm planning on using him. Consider the image stolen. Edited: Forgot to add the claws. :tongue:)
Kraken is a great name!
 
Here's one from Deviantart's custom heroes:
View attachment 11035

*has an impulsive idea, realizes its horrible, horrible political flame fuel that would turn the thread into a trainwreck so mentally wads it up and tosses it over his shoulder* :grin:

Gimme a couple of days to get back to the drawing board and I'll see what I can come up. Its an evocative image!
 
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*has an impulsive idea, realizes its horrible, horrible political flame fuel that would turn the thread into a trainwreck so mentally wads it up and tosses it over his shoulder* :grin:

Gmme a couple of days to get back to the drawing board and I'll see what I can come up. Its an evocative image!
I want to do another as well. But I just did one. :hehe:
 
View attachment 11035

American Outlaw

AKA:
The Pale Rider
Real name: Russel 'Rusty' Simmons
Height: 5' 11" Weight: 184lbs.
Hair: Black Eyes: Blue
Age: 27
Origin: Training/Master gunfighter

Prowess: 4 (Fair)
Coordination: 6 (Great)
Strength: 4 (Fair)
Intellect: 3 (Average)
Awareness: 4 (Fair)
Willpower: 5 (Good)

Determination: 4
Stamina: 9

Powers:
Weapon: Shooting 6 (Great, Pistol/Rifle)
-Extra: Secondary Effect 4 (Fair, Second pistol)

Specialties:
Athletics Expert
Firearms Master
Martial Arts
Investigation

Qualities:
The World's Fastest Shot
“Justice Flies True”
Intensely Focused

History:
Rusty Simmons grew up with his grandparents until their passing on his 18th birthday. Willard Allen Simmons was a huge fan of westerns, including the old serial Have Gun – Will Travel, and both he and his grandson bonded over that show. Rusty came to idolize the wandering hero, the man with no home, but willing to help others. However, the times being what they are, he quickly realized that he had better follow his second dream: To be a police officer.

Unlike most, he never went to the military, instead he applied straight to the San Antonio police academy. His shooting skills were legendary, as like most Texan's elder Simmons' man was an avid gun nut, teaching his grandson not only how to fire, but to care for and be safe around. Which coupled with his reflexes and diligence to learning everything he can about a topic, meant he was one of the top shootists in America, if not the world.

After graduating and working his way up from beat cop to detective, his attitude and caring got him the nickname of Paladin, something he secretly loved as it harkened to his childhood dream. He also met and fell in love with a local prosecutor, Lola Grace Barnes. The courtship was fast, honest and true. And sadly, not to be.

The case targeted a well known drug kingpin who used illegals, especially children, as mules. And unfortunately, Lola got too close. The fire was clearly arson, but her being dead before the flames started was proof of the murder. However, there was some circumstantial evidence linking it to the case, but given that most of the evidence and any links went up in flames along with her corpse, the police were helpless.

That would break most men, make them turn to drink, or to some other vice. Rusty on the other hand, became focused. The police couldn't do anything because of red tape, laws and regulations that were meant to help the innocent find justice, but often only helped those guilty to manipulate it.

So, taking his savings that were going to go for a house, a life, with the woman he loved, he found an underground tinkerer and smith, put in an order for a costume and some special revolvers, and a ride. A week later, Rusty Simmons was dead and the American Outlaw, the Pale Rider, left his mark. The first was the drug syndicate. Since then, he and his custom motorcycle, Midnight, wander the back streets and towns of America, seeking wrongs to right.
 
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I'm going to concede to Chris Brady on this. His entry is really good and mine won't gel.
 
I'll keep them coming until someone tells me to stop. LOL You're on a roll C Chris Brady

There are some really cool concept art for “Heroes and Villains”, by Shadow a concept artist for Plan Z Virtual Studio. Here's one of his:
11147
 
I'd like to see other people's ideas. I love supers. So this is fun for me, but equally fun is seeing other takes.
 
I'll keep them coming until someone tells me to stop. LOL You're on a roll C Chris Brady

There are some really cool concept art for “Heroes and Villains”, by Shadow a concept artist for Plan Z Virtual Studio. Here's one of his:
View attachment 11147

Cool art! I have a germ of an idea, I'll try to get it post in a day or two. Having a Hell of a week in RL
 
View attachment 11147

Ion-Man

AKA: None Known
Real name: Ian Stanford
Height: 5' 9" Weight: 172lbs.
Hair: Chestnut Eyes: Green
Age: 33
Origin: Transformed/Energy Blaster

Prowess: 4 (Fair)
Coordination: 5 (Good)
Strength: 4 (Fair)
Intellect: 4 (Fair)
Awareness: 4 (Fair)
Willpower: 6 (Great)

Determination: 2
Stamina: 10

Powers:
Absorption 7 Radiation (Incredible)
-Extra Blast 7 Radiation (Incredible)
-Extra Force Field 7 Radiation (Incredible)

Specialties:
Science
Power Expert

Qualities:
All The Power at My Command
Constantly 'Leaking'
Half-Assed

History:
There are people who never reach what others claim is their potential. And sadly, Ian was one of these people. It never felt like his choice. He didn't make it to MIT, his scores were just low enough to not be accepted. His life was a series of almost. He almost won every science fair. He almost won every athletics event. And everyone told him that if he just applied himself he'd be better. Never understood what that meant, Ian always did give his all, but never managed to reach those heights.

So he settled for second best. Went a science college, became an assistant to a nuclear physicist. His mentor/boss managed to land a gig at a Particle Accelerator. Of course, it was a sketchy operation, of course it went wrong, and of course, it was all blamed on him. What no one expected after the explosion was that although he was far enough away, the radiation they were experimenting with -which he never found out, no one ever thought he was important to clue in. After all, his job was to push the buttons the boss told him to- affected him at the cellular level without outright killing him.

Now, constantly expelling low levels of poisonous radiation, and on the run for a crime he doesn't think he committed -he pushed all the buttons when he was told to!- Ian decided to become the one thing everyone wanted him to: The Villain. Turns out being callous and robbing banks was a lot easier than being an honest man. And so Ion-Man was born, not much of a mastermind, he lets others take the lead. One gig gave him a suit to 'contain' him, another set him up with a decent amount of cash. Despite his raw power, he settled for henchman status to more prominent villains, which ironically helped in his favour, as he wasn't pursued quite as ardently.

When Paragon went insane, he hid. Which is why he survived and wasn't part of the 20,000 Post-humans that died trying to stop the world's most powerful man. However, when the Ultimians attacked a mere 8 years later, he joined the fight, realizing that he was effectively immune to their weapons. It's been a year since earth barely repelled them with the help of the supervillainess known only as The Empress of Man, and now, Ion-Man is at a crossroads.


Was gonna sit out, but I wanted to do something.
 
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I'm gonna concede, I don't think I can beat that one.
 
C'mon guys, I wanna see what y'all got. I'm not competing. I just wanna see people's takes. And seriously, I am NOT that good. The only thing I got is a setting I've been using for almost a decade, that's it. And it's not all that impressive, I'd argue it's rather lame.

Also, I don't have pictures to put up beyond Almost Nightwing. :smile:
 
Sorry, Internet was out for few days. It was the weed whacker what dun it!

48073776248_84d0f9d00f_b.jpg
 
Sorry, Internet was out for few days. It was the weed whacker what dun it!

48073776248_84d0f9d00f_b.jpg
Gravity Jane
Real name
: Claire Montgomery
Origin: Gadgeteer

Prowess: Fair
Coordination: Good
Strength: Fair
Intellect: Great
Awareness: Good
Willpower: Good

Powers:
Gadgets and gear related to gravity: Grav-board (Hover, fly, fast speeds) and Grav Grenades (float or pinned to ground)
Body armor made from space age polymers
Goggles: Nightvision, shielded, & telescopic.

Specialties:
Physics
Quantum Engineering
Technobabble

Qualities:
Youthful spirit
Stand back! I'm about to do SCIENCE!

History:
Claire was a struggling graduate student working on her PhD in Physics when she volunteered for some brain stimulation by her university's advanced psychology department. The resulting trial run of meds and brain modulation now allows her to excel in certain areas of physics, specifically her understanding of the ways in which to manipulate and harness gravity.
 
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