Who's got the right stuff for League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 1990s?
- Thread starter Frostmarrow
- Start date
This is one of my favorite games. I've run several one-shots with different teams of modern LXG.
In our continuity, James Bond is the name of whoever is 007 for MI6, so retired Bonds often show up. We've had an Arnold style Terminator on the team. Once someone played Cliff Claven from Cheers with the caveat that he actually knew pretty much everything. Indiana Jones is the head of the League in our current time. He is physically as old as Harrison, having drunk from the Holy Grail.
If you are setting it in 93, you have to focus somewhat on 80's characters. The x-files started in 93, so mulder or scully are probably out.
That gives
The A-Team
Michael Knight (or better yet, just KITT)
MacGuyver
Battlestar Galactica characters
Ferris Bueller would be great as a charismatic who can talk anyone into anything.
That guy from a show called "The Wizard" would be cool. He was an inventor, don't remember much else about the show.
Manimal
Michael Landon was that angel from Highway to Heaven. Never watched that.
Airwolf or Streethawk? (was that the one about the motorcycle) I guess there was also Blue something about a police helicopter, but I'm sure the League would recruit Airwolf over that
You might be able to stretch to Steve Austin from 6million dollar man
Ralph Hinkley from "The Greatest American Hero"
I sometimes use a different approach. Take the icons of the action and horror and one character from each. If you just want one shot at it, take the most iconic role of each one.
Schwarzenegger
Harrison Ford
Stallone
Bruce Willis
Brad Pitt would fit in there with Louis de Pointe du Lac from Interview with the Vampire
Mina Harker could still be around
In our continuity, James Bond is the name of whoever is 007 for MI6, so retired Bonds often show up. We've had an Arnold style Terminator on the team. Once someone played Cliff Claven from Cheers with the caveat that he actually knew pretty much everything. Indiana Jones is the head of the League in our current time. He is physically as old as Harrison, having drunk from the Holy Grail.
If you are setting it in 93, you have to focus somewhat on 80's characters. The x-files started in 93, so mulder or scully are probably out.
That gives
The A-Team
Michael Knight (or better yet, just KITT)
MacGuyver
Battlestar Galactica characters
Ferris Bueller would be great as a charismatic who can talk anyone into anything.
That guy from a show called "The Wizard" would be cool. He was an inventor, don't remember much else about the show.
Manimal
Michael Landon was that angel from Highway to Heaven. Never watched that.
Airwolf or Streethawk? (was that the one about the motorcycle) I guess there was also Blue something about a police helicopter, but I'm sure the League would recruit Airwolf over that
You might be able to stretch to Steve Austin from 6million dollar man
Ralph Hinkley from "The Greatest American Hero"
I sometimes use a different approach. Take the icons of the action and horror and one character from each. If you just want one shot at it, take the most iconic role of each one.
Schwarzenegger
Harrison Ford
Stallone
Bruce Willis
Brad Pitt would fit in there with Louis de Pointe du Lac from Interview with the Vampire
Mina Harker could still be around
Cthulhudrew
First Post
No Jackie Chan?
Darth Shoju
First Post
I'd have to agree that characters from the future or outright super-heroes wouldn't make a lot of sense for this kind of story. Also I wouldn't think we would need to just pick characters from the 90's, but rather those that would still be alive in the 90's or 21st century (depending where you set it). Anyway, here's my suggestions:
The Scholar-Dr. Henry Jones, Sr.;A number of people have suggested an elderly Indiana Jones, but didn't he and his dad drink from the grail in the third movie? Aren't they immortal now (or at least ageless?). Well, running with that assumption, I think it would be more interesting to have the more scholarly Jones as a member of the group. In many ways it would be harder to get Indy to work with this type of group than Mr. Hyde.
The Spy-Jason Bourne; in many ways he is closer to the original James Bond than Bond has been in a while (until Casino Royal hit the theatres). At any rate, he's very competent and it is fairly feasible for him to work with a group like this.
The Occultist-Willow Rosenberg; depends when the story is set, but I'd say if it happens in the late 90's or later she would be a good fit. Harry Dresden is a good alternate if it is set when Willow is too young.
The Leader-Mina Murray; she is ageless and is very involved in the League throughout the years. By this time she'd be integral IMO.
The Muscle-Proinsias Cassidy; depending on the timeline this might work or it might not. He would make an interesting contrast with Mina due to his vampiric nature. Possible alternate is Beatrix Kiddo, but I think during the 90's she would have been working with the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.
The Aging Rogue-Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck; he'd be older but I think that would make him even more interesting.
With Guest Appearances By...
Hanibal Lector
Harry Potter
Dr. Who
Fox Mulder
The Scholar-Dr. Henry Jones, Sr.;A number of people have suggested an elderly Indiana Jones, but didn't he and his dad drink from the grail in the third movie? Aren't they immortal now (or at least ageless?). Well, running with that assumption, I think it would be more interesting to have the more scholarly Jones as a member of the group. In many ways it would be harder to get Indy to work with this type of group than Mr. Hyde.
The Spy-Jason Bourne; in many ways he is closer to the original James Bond than Bond has been in a while (until Casino Royal hit the theatres). At any rate, he's very competent and it is fairly feasible for him to work with a group like this.
The Occultist-Willow Rosenberg; depends when the story is set, but I'd say if it happens in the late 90's or later she would be a good fit. Harry Dresden is a good alternate if it is set when Willow is too young.
The Leader-Mina Murray; she is ageless and is very involved in the League throughout the years. By this time she'd be integral IMO.
The Muscle-Proinsias Cassidy; depending on the timeline this might work or it might not. He would make an interesting contrast with Mina due to his vampiric nature. Possible alternate is Beatrix Kiddo, but I think during the 90's she would have been working with the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.
The Aging Rogue-Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck; he'd be older but I think that would make him even more interesting.
With Guest Appearances By...
Hanibal Lector
Harry Potter
Dr. Who
Fox Mulder
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Kafkonia
First Post
If you're willing to take the League away from its British Intelligence roots (which makes sense given the paucity of British heroes being bandied about) you should consider having them bankrolled by an ageing billionaire philanthropist named Richard Rich. 
And of course you'll need to include Bill and Ted. Excellent!
And of course you'll need to include Bill and Ted. Excellent!
Nyeshet
First Post
I would suggest the following:
Indiana Jones or Eric Draven (The Crow) [Allan Quatermain]
Conner McLeod (Highlander) [Dorian Gray]
Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown (Back to the Future inventor) [Captain Nemo]
Blade (or Alucard from Hellsing) [Wilhelmina Harker / Murray]
Bruce Banner / Hulk [Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde]
Dr. Sebastian Caine (Hollow Man) [Invisible Man]
Other (secondary) characters / contacts / etc
James Bond [Mr Campion Bond, the recruiter / leader in the comic]
and perhaps M?
Batman or Harry Dresdan [Sherlock Holmes]
Allan Quatermain is a big game hunter and explorer who can come back to life under certain circumstances. A sort of Lazarus Man, in a way. The Crow similarly can come back to life and has some skill in killing those hard to kill.
Another pointed out that Indiana Jones, having drunk from the Holy Grail, may have aged very very well - to the point of appearing a few decades younger than he should at the end of the twentieth century. (Well, actually they suggested he might be immortal, but I doubt that is the case.) So perhaps an Indiana Jones, appearing as aged as his father was in the third movie, could work for this role. A former / (current?) explorer / scholar could work well as a replacement of Allan Quatermain - especially as Indiana Jones was *based* off Allan Quatermain. While not as skilled in killing or as able to revive from the dead, in other respects Indiana works quite well. His (former) adventuresome life is behind him. He has aged well and skill has many of his skills (with the whip and gun), but he may be a little cynical due to having lived long enough to see most / all of his former friends die of old age. Note that Allan Quatermain regained his youth bathing in an African 'fountain of youth' (the springs of fire and life in the mythical african city of Kor, as I recall), so the connection with continued youth and water (drinking or bathing) works especially well with Indiana Jones.
Dorian Gray is an immortal who heals rapidly from even the worse injuries. He has a single weakness that can truly end his life - the destruction of his portrait. The Highlander (Conner McLeod) is similarly an immortal who can heal swiftly from even mortal injuries, but he has a single weakness that can truly end his life - beheading.
Captain Nemo is an explorer, an inventor, and a former terrorist with various eccentric personality traits (more so in the comic than in the movie). His greatest work is the novel form of travel - a submarine (in an age where such do not yet exist). Dr Emmett "Doc" Brown is similarly a somewhat eccentric inventor and explorer (of time) whose greatest work is a vehicle (either the De Lorean or the Train, although I would use the train for this type of group). He briefly worked with terrorists to gain the parts he needed - albeit he sabeutaged some of their works in the process as he himself was not a terrorist.
Wilhelmina Harker / Murray is a probably immortal semi-vampire, having some of their strengths and weaknesses but not all of either. It is hard to find a perfect match for her, but either Alucard (from Helsing) or Blade would work well, I think. Blade perhaps better than Alucard, who is strong enough to steal the show, so to speak. On the other hand, Alucard, working for Hellsing, has a british connection Blade lacks. Failing with these, one can always just use Wilhelmina again, although this is supposed to be a modern version as I recall.
Dr Jekyll is a genius scientist who turns into a super strong brutish being at times. Bruce Banner is also a genius scientist who turns into a super strong brutish being at times. I can't think of a finer comparison, actually.
The Invisible man is best replaced with the character from Hollow Man, as both he and Griffin (from the comic - who would have been in the movie had the studio not failed in their negotiations for the rights to use him) are deranged murders and rapists. I don't like the character, but he does work best for the role of Invisible Man. The hardest part is explaining how he regained a semblance of sanity (and borderline decency, for that matter).
In the comic, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is recruited and partially lead by Mr. Campion Bond - an ancestor of James Bond. Having his descendant work with the modern league not only sounds right, it also reaffirms the British tie to the organization. Retired M may or may not be a part of the organization, but I can just imagine how he, Banner, and Brown might get along. ^_^
Also in the comic, they are occasionally aided by Sherlock Holmes, so we should have a super sleuth amongst them as well. Perhaps Batman? Personally, I think Edogawa Conan would work best in this, or perhaps even a grown up version of Encyclopedia Brown. Worse comes to worse, we can use a more potent version than either of these (or even Batman) and go with Harry Dresdan. He certain is extraordinary and a moderately good sleuth besides.
Indiana Jones or Eric Draven (The Crow) [Allan Quatermain]
Conner McLeod (Highlander) [Dorian Gray]
Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown (Back to the Future inventor) [Captain Nemo]
Blade (or Alucard from Hellsing) [Wilhelmina Harker / Murray]
Bruce Banner / Hulk [Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde]
Dr. Sebastian Caine (Hollow Man) [Invisible Man]
Other (secondary) characters / contacts / etc
James Bond [Mr Campion Bond, the recruiter / leader in the comic]
and perhaps M?
Batman or Harry Dresdan [Sherlock Holmes]
Allan Quatermain is a big game hunter and explorer who can come back to life under certain circumstances. A sort of Lazarus Man, in a way. The Crow similarly can come back to life and has some skill in killing those hard to kill.
Another pointed out that Indiana Jones, having drunk from the Holy Grail, may have aged very very well - to the point of appearing a few decades younger than he should at the end of the twentieth century. (Well, actually they suggested he might be immortal, but I doubt that is the case.) So perhaps an Indiana Jones, appearing as aged as his father was in the third movie, could work for this role. A former / (current?) explorer / scholar could work well as a replacement of Allan Quatermain - especially as Indiana Jones was *based* off Allan Quatermain. While not as skilled in killing or as able to revive from the dead, in other respects Indiana works quite well. His (former) adventuresome life is behind him. He has aged well and skill has many of his skills (with the whip and gun), but he may be a little cynical due to having lived long enough to see most / all of his former friends die of old age. Note that Allan Quatermain regained his youth bathing in an African 'fountain of youth' (the springs of fire and life in the mythical african city of Kor, as I recall), so the connection with continued youth and water (drinking or bathing) works especially well with Indiana Jones.
Dorian Gray is an immortal who heals rapidly from even the worse injuries. He has a single weakness that can truly end his life - the destruction of his portrait. The Highlander (Conner McLeod) is similarly an immortal who can heal swiftly from even mortal injuries, but he has a single weakness that can truly end his life - beheading.
Captain Nemo is an explorer, an inventor, and a former terrorist with various eccentric personality traits (more so in the comic than in the movie). His greatest work is the novel form of travel - a submarine (in an age where such do not yet exist). Dr Emmett "Doc" Brown is similarly a somewhat eccentric inventor and explorer (of time) whose greatest work is a vehicle (either the De Lorean or the Train, although I would use the train for this type of group). He briefly worked with terrorists to gain the parts he needed - albeit he sabeutaged some of their works in the process as he himself was not a terrorist.
Wilhelmina Harker / Murray is a probably immortal semi-vampire, having some of their strengths and weaknesses but not all of either. It is hard to find a perfect match for her, but either Alucard (from Helsing) or Blade would work well, I think. Blade perhaps better than Alucard, who is strong enough to steal the show, so to speak. On the other hand, Alucard, working for Hellsing, has a british connection Blade lacks. Failing with these, one can always just use Wilhelmina again, although this is supposed to be a modern version as I recall.
Dr Jekyll is a genius scientist who turns into a super strong brutish being at times. Bruce Banner is also a genius scientist who turns into a super strong brutish being at times. I can't think of a finer comparison, actually.
The Invisible man is best replaced with the character from Hollow Man, as both he and Griffin (from the comic - who would have been in the movie had the studio not failed in their negotiations for the rights to use him) are deranged murders and rapists. I don't like the character, but he does work best for the role of Invisible Man. The hardest part is explaining how he regained a semblance of sanity (and borderline decency, for that matter).
In the comic, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is recruited and partially lead by Mr. Campion Bond - an ancestor of James Bond. Having his descendant work with the modern league not only sounds right, it also reaffirms the British tie to the organization. Retired M may or may not be a part of the organization, but I can just imagine how he, Banner, and Brown might get along. ^_^
Also in the comic, they are occasionally aided by Sherlock Holmes, so we should have a super sleuth amongst them as well. Perhaps Batman? Personally, I think Edogawa Conan would work best in this, or perhaps even a grown up version of Encyclopedia Brown. Worse comes to worse, we can use a more potent version than either of these (or even Batman) and go with Harry Dresdan. He certain is extraordinary and a moderately good sleuth besides.
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Nyeshet
First Post
Actually, I think they need to drink from the grail regularly to have immortality. Otherwise, it just heals any injury / disease / poison you currently have, perhaps slowing aging for a while. Remember, the knight that guarded the grail was exceedingly aged, yet he had been of moderate age when he found it. Drinking from it regularly slowed his aging - perhaps even stopping it for a few days / weeks at a time, but he still aged over time.Darth Shoju said:
The idea of adding Harry Dresden is interesting. I might add him on to my recommendations, actually. I just need to think of *where* to add him . . . .
theredrobedwizard said:
Re: Doctor Who... there really was no Doctor in the 1990s, unless you count the telemovie. So, it would have to be Sylvester McCoy [as Doctor #7] or Paul McGann [as Doctor #8].
I mean, isn't the rule of this game that it's set in the 1990s, so the heroes would have to be older versions of earlier pop culture heroes or contemporary ones to that time period?
How about a Charlie's Angel! Sabrina Duncan with grey hair! woohoo!
Piratecat
Sesquipedalian
All of your recommendations are good, but this one wins -- especially because I just re-read my Preacher comics from start to finish.Darth Shoju said:
I'm in awe. Good call! It's a little known fact that I went to get a MBA because of my old fascination for Richie Rich comic books...Kafkonia said:If you're willing to take the League away from its British Intelligence roots (which makes sense given the paucity of British heroes being bandied about) you should consider having them bankrolled by an ageing billionaire philanthropist named Richard Rich.