Boston Supers Design Diary 2: Excelsior Comics Publishing List
by Brendan Mahan | Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Brendan Mahan is developing a roleplaying game world for a superhero GURPS game based in Boston. In his Design Diaries, he shares his thoughts about how he will make the game work for his players and how he plans to meet challenges ranging from playing once a month as opposed to once a week, to making the world as immersive as possible from the very start, to deciding what themes to explore and any other challenges that develop along the way. In his latest article, he talks about creating a dynamic game world by developing an imaginary comic line.
As I mentioned in the previous, introductory article, I’m running a superhero roleplaying game based in Boston. In introducing it to my players, I wanted to establish, right away, that this was a world, not just Boston. I wanted it to feel like a real comic universe in the vein of Marvel and DC. To do that, I decided to pretend I was, in fact, the editor-in-chief of a comic book publishing company. Several hours and a quick nod to Stan Lee later, and “Excelsior Comics” was born.
I had several goals in writing up the books in the Excelsior line. I wanted to show the premier JLA style super team. I needed to establish Boston as a living, breathing setting. I wanted an homage to my favorite comic, the X-Men, that fit securely in my new game world where many super heroes were the result of crossing humans with animals. I wanted to add an arcane line of book to make up for the intentional lack of a cosmic line. I thought I should throw in something from New York, and I wanted to let my mind wander a bit to see what came out.
I wrote the up most of the descriptions to give the general idea of what the heroes were about, a one paragraph pitch. There were a few, however, the Outsider Books and several of the limited series, most notably, where I wanted to give the feel of a story rather than a specific character or team. This, I thought, would add to the feeling of a dynamic game world.
Why limited series? Because comic publishers print limited series. Also, it’s meant to show that these stories are either not overly important or the start of something big. I’ll let you decide which is which.
So, read on. I hope you like them. Please let me know what you think in the comment section. Questions about where I’m headed and how I got to here are, of course, also welcome.
Excelsior Comics: Publishing List 2009
Ongoing Series:
Guardians Family of Books:
The Sentinel, Guardian of Justice
He came to Earth as a child, raised by kind parents in the heart of the American Farm Belt. As a child, he noticed that he was faster, stronger and much, much tougher than his friends. As he grew, so did his powers; until none on Earth could be held in comparison. Now, he stands mightily by the side of his adopted nation and planet against all who would threaten them as their protector, their Sentinel.
White Knight, Guardian of the Earth (vol. 2)
When cutting edge technological engineer Jim Carter learned that he was descended from former Templar Grandmaster Guillaume de Chartes, he was surprised but not overly excited. Two days later, however, when learned he was the inheritor of the Templars’ Great Secret, his interest was piqued. Now, he blends the secrets of his ancestors with his own scientific talents as White Knight, Guardian of the Earth!
Nighting Gale, Guardian of the Night
Gale Knight was disappointed when her twin brother joined Latin Kings, but she understood. After losing him to gang violence, however, she swore she’d get revenge. She tracked down the members of the Crips who had killed her brother, but found she couldn’t kill them in cold blood as she had planned. Instead, she got the evidence the police would need to convict the gang members and set them up for a fall. Then, she turned her sights on the Latin Kings and brought them down as well. Afterward, her brother began appearing to her, pushing her to do more. Soon, guided by the spirit of her brother, she was studying various martial arts and training to be a detective. Now criminals the world over pray in hushed tones that they will not have to face the shadowy Nighting Gale.
The Guardians
Some challenges are too difficult for one hero to face, even when those heroes include Sentinel, White Knight and The Glamazon. At those times, the mightiest heroes on Earth come together as The Guardians to defend the world against the forces that would do her harm.
Boston Family of Books: (The PCs are in this group.)
The Minutemen (vol. 2)
The Patriot, Liberty, The Spirit of ’76, Lexington and Concord. Five men and women based somewhere in the suburbs of Boston, who seek to further the Dream for all Americans and keep the country safe from all threats, both foreign and domestic.
The Patriot (vol. 2)
John Davis is the latest in a long line of men who trace their roots back to Colonial America. Men so tied to the American Spirit that they could tap into it in at times of crisis and use it to first establish, and later defend the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. The better Americans feel about their country, the more powerful the Patriot becomes in times of need, as it has been for generations.
Loose Cannon Players
“You can’t run around like a bunch of loose cannons. This isn’t a game and it’s not for kids!” Those were the first words The Patriot ever said to them. They’re teens and they have superpowers, of course people get on their case, but those words hurt more than he could have expected and it made them even more determined to become heroes just to spite him. Now, they’re part of Boston’s super community and it just might be worse off without them.
The Bay State Squadron (The Player’s Team)
They were born of a crisis 87 years in the making, and have known more than their fair share of tragedy. Yet, like true heroes they continue on; fighting the good fight. The Spider; a teleporting pugilist with the coolest gun in town. Skyfire; powered by an Aztec Sun God, he’s a flying powerhouse. Techie; once a technological genius, she is now literally, technological. Dr. Amoeba; the genius amorphous scientist whose whole body is his brain. Rampart; a shrewd healer with a dark past. Whether it’s ninjas, pirates, mob bosses or super powered gang members, these heroes will step up to any challenge to keep The Bay State safe.
The Outsiders Family of Books:
Outsiders
Not all heroes look like they just fell out of a Muscle and Fitness magazine or an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue. Some have powers that set them apart even from their fellow ‘Dexters*: Peregrine, whose brown wings and large dark eyes clearly reflect the avian experiments that were performed on her grandfather. Deflector, a man cursed to never feel the touch of another thanks to a force field he cannot turn off. Bufonidae, greenskinned with elongated tongue and legs, his amphibious heritage disturbs many. Thermite, a loyal Outcast from day one, she didn’t leave just because she learned to control the intense heat that burns within her. Granite, whose stone exterior belies an artist’s heart.
*Superheroes in the game world are called ‘Dexters. It’s a bastardization of their initial nickname, Spandexers given in reference to their costumes.
Outlaws
It was the moment that shattered the Outsiders; Cougar, confronted by an unsanctioned government taskforce ordered to bring him in, killed them all in the ensuing battle. Sides were taken. Now Cougar, Titan, Bolt and Brahma are on the run from the government and their old team.
The Outcasts
Sprite. Simian. Hardwood. Mucilage. Because they refused to track down one of their own, they find themselves cast out of the only family most of them have ever known. They find themselves questioning the commitments they have made to each other. They find themselves the only hope for those like themselves; outcasts looking for a place to belong.
The Supernatural Family of Books:
Arcane Adventures Featuring Merlin
Upon revealing themselves to the public, the Mages of the world began sharing their secrets a bit too liberally and became a bit too lax in their charge as Earth’s defenders against the supernatural forces that seek to destroy her. And so, the greatest Mage of them al was forced to return. In the guise of Marvin Green, he keeps up a masquerade with regard to the supernatural, trying to turn people away who seek to look into the secret history of the world. Not out of conspiracy or avarice, but rather out of the protective impulses of a mentor and steward. There are things man is better of knowing, for knowing them would give them power and they are already powerful enough. It is those things that Merlin seeks to protect us from.
The Shadow Grimoire
Who says kids don’t read these days? Thomas, Marie and Brian Davis certainly do. When the siblings find a strange book in the library and can’t seem to return it no matter how hard they try. Now, Thomas can step from one shadow to another, Marie can disappear in the smallest amount of shade, and Brian sees perfectly no matter how dark it is. With each passing day, they find themselves in a world of mystery and surprises few would believe; especially their parents.
Athena, Woman for the Ages
Soon after scientists unlocked the secrets of grant men powers beyond measure, the Old Gods reawakened. Athena was tasked with returning to Earth to seek out the items of power that had been left behind and keep them from falling into the wrong hands.
New York Family of Books:
The Heroes of New York
New York City is full of heroes: The Knickerbocker, Detective Ratson: Supercop, Amsterdam and The Flying Dutchman, The Five Points Clean Up Crew, The Village Idiot. There are too many even to name, and each has a story. These are those stories.
The Spirit of the City
If New York is The City that Doesn’t Sleep, why does she destroy so many people’s dreams? Because they don’t know how to listen. But he does. She speaks to him like a lover; showing him where it hurts and what needs to be done. And he does it. Not because it’s right and not because he must, but because he loves her back.
Unaligned Family of Books:
The Unlikely Adventures of Oz & Chance
They thought they’d take Vegas by storm. With Oz’s strength, and Chance’s talents with probability, they thought they could fleece the casinos for a few mil and be gone without fear of repercussions. But they forgot something; the house always wins. Now, they’re at the beck and call of Terry Benedict. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and so do Oz and Chance; whether they like it or not.
Limited Series 2009
Cougar: In Cold Blood (1-4)
Cougar stands on trial for the murder of seven government agents, but that isn’t his version of events. Will the Outlaws attempt to free him despite his wishes? And how does Sen. Alexander Osborne factor into all of this?
Lady Quiver: ...From the Rich (1-6)
She’s always had it out for Joey “Mr. Big” Fratoni, but now Lady Quiver is stepping up her game! For the past three months she’s been interfering with every illegal shipment and criminal dealing he’s made; selling the valuables to pawn shop in New Hampshire and turning all of the money over to local poorhouses and food banks. Robbing from the criminally rich (literally) to give to the poor of Cambridge. The only things she hasn’t been giving away are the drugs and illegal goods. Those she’s been slipping to the police, trying to build a case. It’s only a matter of time now; she can feel it.
Tazer: A Shocking Turn of Events (1-6)
When sixteen year old Terence Cormon falls into a coma after being struck by lightning, everyone is shocked to find him alive and kicking in his hospital bed the next day. Terence is even more shocked when he finds out he’s a walking stun gun. Will he use his powers for good or evil? How will Lord Tesla react when he learns of the new electric powered teen?
Dawn and Dusk: Rumble in Chi-Town (1-4)
When a gang war erupts in Chicago, it’s up to the twin sisters of light and darkness to keep the city from erupting into chaos.
Glamazon & Athena: Redeeming Pandora (1-6)
Athena finally reveals herself to the Glamazon, explaining where the power of her magic ring originates. The Goddess then asks her “Little Sister” to accompany her in the search for Pandora’s Box, so that when the time is right, the evil of the world can be purged.
The Unknown Stuntman: Coyote Crossing (1-6)
Leaping from the pages of The Bay State Squadron, The Unknown Stuntman takes on a band of coyotes who are selling the the people they ferry across the southern boarder of the United States into bondage at the hands of the criminal mastermind Countertenor!
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