League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - Who else could be in it?

[Black Omega]

I'm all looking forward to the movie. And quite enjoyed the comic book.

The classic cast is Mina Murrey (nee Harker) from Dracula. Allan Quatermain from the book of the same name by H. Rider Haggard. Griffin from the Invisible Man by H.G Wells.. Jekyll and Hyde from the book of the same name. Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

The movie has added Tom Sawyer (1876) (wince) and Dorian Gray (1890, Oscar Wilde). Wulf Ratbane's game added James West (not sure when the series was set).

My question is what other novels from that period, or sources set in that period would also be suitable?

Frankenstein came quickly to mind, but it's from 1830 so perhaps a bit early since i'm thinking roughly 1890-1920 or so. Sherlocks Holmes fits the period well. As does Fu Manchu (appearing in the first LXG series as the Devil Doctor).

Any more ideas?

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Shouldn't this go in the TV/Movies forum?

I actually like the addition of Tom Sawyer. As for others...hmm...Frankenstien definatly...my mind kind of blanks for others, it seems like most of the big ones have already been snatched up.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

In the Arthur Conan Doyle canon, I prefer Professor Challenger for the sort of thing we're talking about. This would be Challenger as a younger man, but it would work, since "The Lost World" dates to 1912.

 

[nHammer]

I will NOT go see this raping of a top quality comic.

 

[Black Omega]

I will NOT go see this raping of a top quality comic.

Thanks for the comment, but i'm not actually talking about the movie. One of my ideas for a future campaign revolves around the idea of the comic and i'm trying to get ideas for who else fits into that period.

 

[bwgwl]

Phileas Fogg comes to mind, though i'm not sure when Around the World in 80 Days was published (presumably a few years before 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea).

i'll second Professor Challenger as a good addition.

maybe one of the beastmen from the island of Dr. Moreau?

what was the name of the scientist in Wells' First Men in the Moon? Cavor?

[edit] i'm pretty sure this is way later than the time period in question -- Olaf Stapledon's Odd John? wasn't that published in the 30s or 40s? [/edit]

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Hmm. I haven't read the comic books (haven't had a chance with exams and work, hopefully this fall), but as someone with an interest in Victorian literature and culture, I might suggest Jack the Ripper as a possible villain (1888), although I don't know if he's completely appropriate. I'd second Challenger. A little early, but there's also Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (1864-5) and Through the Looking Glass (1872), either of which could give up a number of characters. If one were to go all the way back to Frankenstein for Victor or his monster, contemporary American sources could yield Dupin (Poe, "Murders in the Rue Morgue," "Mystery of Marie Roget," and "Purloined Letter" 1840s) and Ahab (Melville, Moby Dick, 1850s?), whereas Pip (Dickens, Great Expectations, 1861) and Count Fosco (Collins, The Woman in White, 1859-60) could be picked up from the British, with the latter as a villain.

Anyhow, I'm kind of just throwing these out there, as I've said, I haven't read the series, although I'm beginning to think I should. I'll have to check out the local comics shop on this sometime this week or later this month when I have more money.

Edit—for Pip you'd probably have to do something similar to what I've heard they're doing to Tom Sawyer for the movie (detective?)...they're roughly analagous characters. Also, another book I haven't read, but what about picking up characters from Conrad's The Secret Agent. Or, you could have Kurtz from Heart of Darkness as a villain...

best,
tKL

 

[bwgwl]

your Pip reminded me -- the Artful Dodger from Oliver Twist could make a nice rougish scoundrel for the group.

 

[Black Omega]

Throwing out ideas is fine. An aged Dupin appears briefly in the first series, as a matter of fact. Poe's works are from the same period as Frankenstein, so would require a little aging but the exact time of the League is a little vague. Artful Dodger from Dickens makes a background appearance in the final book of the first series as well.

If your friendly local comicbook store doesn't have the collected edition, you can get it from an online site like Amazon.com pretty easily.

 

[Eridanis]

maybe one of the beastmen from the island of Dr. Moreau?

SPOILER for vol 2 issue 5...
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Dr. Moreau does appear, along with his very disturbing creations.

I'll escort this over to the Movies & Comics forum...