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Creating a Multinational team

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Sijo from Puerto Rico Since: Jan, 2001
#51: Sep 8th 2011 at 3:04:55 PM

Oh yes, the team would need at least some non-super support. Technicians, at the least, to keep the base and vehicles running. Even if the group has at least one scientific genius (and btw love the suggested Japanese character above smile) if he or she is a superhero then he might not always be available when needed. Similarly, an ONU attache to advice them and/or give them missions would also be a natural.

An assassin, though? I'm not saying there aren't people the World would be better off without, but true superheroes should not kill unless forced to. I can see them working *reluctantly* with Black Ops types sometimes, but not one in the team itself.

edited 8th Sep '11 3:13:44 PM by Sijo

MousaThe14 Writer, Artist, Ignored from Northern Virginia Since: Jan, 2011 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Writer, Artist, Ignored
#52: Sep 8th 2011 at 6:49:38 PM

Not all of them have to be superhuman/badass normal, some of them can be and others don't have to be. Like She-hulk is a superpowered lawyer.

Also, I just screwed up, Assassin should've been pluralized.

And after making my own team, an acoustic expert is not a bad idea. I mean do you have any idea how many sound based villains there are? Further more, you never know when you're going to need to use a resonate frequency to bust down a wall (like when your heavies or on a another mission that day.) or to use supersonic drums to counteract an earthquake (Yes I do consider scenarios like this], I do not think about superheroes too much, don't judge me I'm not insane.).

[up] And while I would agree normally assassins should not be necessary for a a superhero team, they are still law enforcers and certain acts must be necessary. If anything said assassins would be on standby or double as spies.

Since I came up with stuff like this allow me to provide some examples:

Detectives I have four, one is a standard detective only a conspiracy nut a la DCAU The Question with OCD, I have a batman-esque guy, and I have a psychic detective with limited pre and postcognition and her assistant is the leader of the forensic team.

The Doctors Most of these people aren't even front line fighters but their particular super or non super skills and abilities work for both in the battlefield and on the home front. The Botanical expert at the fort there for example doesn't even know how to fight but does have a rich and varied knowledge of must plants and poisons and can whip up necessary medicine in snap.

The sir in the top hat is their primary magical consultant, what he lacks in his inability to use spells he makes up for with vast knowledge and a magical immunity that renders all spells and potions aimed in his direction impotent. The man with no mouth doesn't actually look like that or wear a costume, it's an illusion cast by their short ans stout team psychologist whose psychic abilities are low level telepathy and advanced illusion casting, so he's excellent for espionage missions, interrogations/torture, tricking bad guys, as well as helping team members cope with whatever issues they have.

The man with the helmet is most certainly a front liner but as a scientist he specializes entirely on energy and working on conservation, finding new sources of it, analyzing and finding energy enemies might be using, and when he feels like it he uses his electrical impulse suit to fight crime as a human lightning bug.

The woman with the big hair isn't even a main liner, she used to be a mere physicist and technician that inherited a biosuit from a dispatched bad guy that allows her to use the abilities of any metahuman it has data (i.e. DNA and bio template) on. She's just there for when everyone else is busy. And the guy with the bags under his eyes is a healer both as an MD and he can heal people, though due to certain negative side effects he prefers the former.

All skills and abilities are part of the great circle of heroics.

edited 8th Sep '11 7:04:16 PM by MousaThe14

The Blog The Art
JusticeMan You complete me. from Maryland ! Since: Mar, 2011
You complete me.
#53: Sep 8th 2011 at 7:03:28 PM

When has ANY law enforce$emt agency used assassins, ever?

Even government agencies leave that up to their intelligence bureaus.

And I'm also pretty sure Superheroes don't assassinate anyone.

Let's make a TCG!
MousaThe14 Writer, Artist, Ignored from Northern Virginia Since: Jan, 2011 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Writer, Artist, Ignored
#54: Sep 8th 2011 at 7:05:06 PM

Sorry for being too pragmatic for you. Assassins off the list then

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JusticeMan You complete me. from Maryland ! Since: Mar, 2011
You complete me.
#55: Sep 8th 2011 at 7:55:48 PM

It's not "pragmatic" A UN sponsored law enforcement agency carrying out assassinations would cause a CLUSTERFUCK of issues, and I doubt most superheroes would be on board with it. There's a reason real assassins are in black op and clandestine groups; public assassination groups NEVER work out.

Let's make a TCG!
MousaThe14 Writer, Artist, Ignored from Northern Virginia Since: Jan, 2011 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Writer, Artist, Ignored
#56: Sep 8th 2011 at 8:05:10 PM

Who said they'd be public?

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AtomJames I need a drink Since: Apr, 2010
I need a drink
#57: Sep 8th 2011 at 8:08:37 PM

Oh! Oh! I have a really good idea. How about an Arab superhero who gains his powers through a deal with a Djinn? Or is always accompanied by one ala Johnny Thunder?

Theres sex and death and human grime in monochrome for one thin dime and at least the trains all run on time but they dont go anywhere.
Sijo from Puerto Rico Since: Jan, 2001
#58: Sep 8th 2011 at 9:21:38 PM

While I don't think an open killer would be accepted in the team (sorry, Wolverine! evil grin) one might be snuck in by a ruthless government agency. Also, the world of international espionage and crime is very cutthroat, even supposed ally countries like the USA and England spy on each other, so it's likely the heroes would run into a deadly agent at some point (a James Bond expy maybe?) and the conflict of idealism versus pragmatism would have to come up.

Doctors are another given, unless we have a healer character, which come to think of it would be a nice touch. Maybe the French character is a Mysterious Waif with a supposedly divine Healing Touch? (and yes I was inspired by Joan Of Arc there. And paladins.)

As for detectives, if the heroes go against regular criminals at any point -perhaps asked to do so by Interpol- they'd need such skills. I'm thinking of making the masked wrestler one, just to throw off people (including other heroes) who think he's just a bruiser or a fake. [lol]

[up]I actually have an idea for a djinn, but an evil one- in Islam, Djinn are the equivalent of Devils (eg. they rebelled against Allah because they wouldn't accept Man as a superior creation- THAT is why they were all imprisoned to begin with). That doesn't preclude having a good one as well of course.

edited 8th Sep '11 9:25:37 PM by Sijo

JusticeMan You complete me. from Maryland ! Since: Mar, 2011
You complete me.
#59: Sep 8th 2011 at 9:55:14 PM

[up][up]Kind of hard to keep guys with frikkin' laserbeams in their twig n' berries a secret, eh?

Oh an pm me about the Superhero RP.

edited 8th Sep '11 9:55:29 PM by JusticeMan

Let's make a TCG!
eX 94. Grandmaster of Shark Since: Jan, 2001
94. Grandmaster of Shark
#60: Sep 9th 2011 at 7:02:49 AM

^^^

That is again one of those national stereotype heroes.

TheoneandonlyJoseph Since: Jul, 2011
#61: Sep 11th 2011 at 2:23:41 AM

Idea for a British hero- the Pendragon, a normal man who has inherited the will of king arther, and can make weapons and armour appear out of hammerspace (and maybe a ghostly steed too!). Also, his main weapon, Excalibur, which grants him his powers (and is midly sentient) can cut through anything made of man (for an obvious weaksauce weakness) And he has a wisecracking ai interface called merlin. He seeks out and fights eniemes of Britain, bound by a ridged sense of duty and honour, but a bit of a loner.

Reason for helping the global team- reluctant at first (the world can sort out it's own problems) but comes to realise that Britain is part of the world too.

Edit- also, sounds like the new JLI was made for you guys.

Edit edit- catchphrase-"in the name of saint George, face judgement or face my wrath!" also, his hammerspace works by pulling his sword out of objects like walls, people, stones Etc.

edited 11th Sep '11 2:48:40 AM by TheoneandonlyJoseph

Sijo from Puerto Rico Since: Jan, 2001
#62: Sep 11th 2011 at 5:43:19 AM

[up]Oh, I'd be all over JLI right now- ...If I weren't still weary of trusting DC comics. (The original JLI characters were precisely the ones who got hit first and hardest when DC decided that killing heroes or ruining their lives was the way to go.) DX

The character sounds interesting, and you bet that if I made such a series, the myths and legends of all lands would be touched upon. Of course some lend themselves better than others to superhero stories. Arthurian Legend? Sure! Aztek religion, with its human-sacrifice-demanding gods? Uh, not so much.

edited 11th Sep '11 5:46:34 AM by Sijo

AtomJames I need a drink Since: Apr, 2010
I need a drink
#63: Sep 11th 2011 at 5:53:27 AM

How about a Luchador whose mask contains the strength of hundred men? If you wanted to take him down, you'd have to take his mask off :P

edited 11th Sep '11 5:55:31 AM by AtomJames

Theres sex and death and human grime in monochrome for one thin dime and at least the trains all run on time but they dont go anywhere.
TheoneandonlyJoseph Since: Jul, 2011
#64: Sep 11th 2011 at 6:28:16 AM

[up][up] JLI has started good, but I can see your concerns. I wouldent reley solely on deep mythic heroes though like the Aztecs, for a south American you could have like a big foot character (or whatever it is they call him), or a tribal shaman or even a Mowgli type (you know, from jungle book). How about a hawian with volcano powers, or a Spanish inquisitor who can detect lies/can not be lied to. An east European who turns into a giant bat. But if you keep using themed characters, it starts to look contrived, such as that last one.

Any modern legends that can be utilised as ideas?

JusticeMan You complete me. from Maryland ! Since: Mar, 2011
You complete me.
#65: Sep 11th 2011 at 2:28:03 PM

You should join Mousa's ridiculously slow RP then. Pendrag seems cool.

Let's make a TCG!
MousaThe14 Writer, Artist, Ignored from Northern Virginia Since: Jan, 2011 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Writer, Artist, Ignored
#66: Sep 11th 2011 at 3:01:31 PM

I'm waiting for the rest to post. I'm trying to increase the speed, but no one else is saying anything.

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Sijo from Puerto Rico Since: Jan, 2001
#67: Sep 11th 2011 at 4:37:57 PM

Hey, I might be interested in Mousa's game too... please PM me about it.

TheoneandonlyJoseph Since: Jul, 2011
#68: Sep 11th 2011 at 11:45:42 PM

[up]Ditto that. Although the only thing I am good for is fluff.

JusticeMan You complete me. from Maryland ! Since: Mar, 2011
You complete me.
#69: Sep 12th 2011 at 6:07:16 PM

He linked to it in this thread.

Let's make a TCG!
Sijo from Puerto Rico Since: Jan, 2001
#70: Sep 14th 2011 at 6:50:06 AM

Hey, I just made a page for Marvel's first Contest Of Champions series, which was basically an excuse to show off its international superheroes, check it out! (Incidentally, if anyone has info on the second Co C, please add it to the page or make its own.)

Sijo from Puerto Rico Since: Jan, 2001
#71: Jul 26th 2012 at 4:08:00 PM

I'm bringing back this thread for a special announcement: I'm making my own animated series based on international superheroes! Using the Go Animate website, that is. You can check out some of my animated videos on my Youtube channel (El Sijo 100) though those are just a few minutes long; World Champions (as I'm calling it) episodes will be longer. The only thing slowing me down right now is that making the characters cost money, so it will take me a while to begin, but I expect to do it soon.

Here is a quick summary of the ideas I developed in this thread (with imput from other posters):

  • The World Champions is a semi-independent superhero group, funded and authorized by the United Nations. Although they work with the ONU (who provides them with their equipment and authorization) they make their own decisions (which means political conflicts will be unavoidable sooner or later.) Note: this arrangement is similar to the one The Avengers have with the US government.
  • In exchange for their support, the UN demands that the team always include heroes that represent the member nations of their Security Council. This means there will always be a hero from the USA, Great Britain, France, China, and Russia, plus a support group representing the Council's non-permanent members nation groups. The support group will have a rotating membership, but will always include a member from the following areas: Africa, Asia/The Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America/The Caribbean, and Western Europe. Note that *the team* decides who these heroes will be (by voting) NOT the UN (otherwise the group would be full of 'heroes' with government agendas.)
  • There will also be a UN 'attache' to oversee the team. This will usually a normal, non-costumed person, with diplomatic training. It will be his/her job to make sure the heroes don't overstep their bounds, but s/he cannot order them around either (expect lots of arguments here. wink )
  • The team operates from the (fictional) Atlas Island, located somewhere in international waters (in the Pacific Ocean.)
  • From their base there, they travel around the world in private jets with suborbital flight capabilities.
  • The base will have the latest (but not secret) technology available, plus a support staff including some Blue Helmet soldiers and Red Cross rescue operatives.
  • All members have diplomatic immunity, which means they can ignore the laws of any country they visit!! HOWEVER, the laws of their native country still apply to each. This means that while, for example, the local authorities could not arrest them if someone got killed in a superbattle, they can expect to be arrested when they get home. Also, note that the immunity only applies in countries that are members of the UN! Not all of them are! Mostly this is just to keep every superbattle from ending up with everyone arrested for causing collateral damage afterwards.

Now comes the hard part: CREATING the characters! As mentioned before, I want the heroes to be based on the types invented in those regions, as opposed to just clones of existing American ones; I will also try to avoid the Captain Ethnic trope, by making the characters more like what modern people of those countries truly are.

So far, I have ideas for the heroes from USA (a caped, Flying Brick), Latin America (a masked wrestler), France (a Gentleman Thief) and Japan (an armored hero) but I still need those of the other countries/regions listed above. Any suggestions?

Note: I also will need help with names and genders for these characters!

edited 26th Jul '12 4:13:50 PM by Sijo

AtomJames I need a drink Since: Apr, 2010
I need a drink
#72: Jul 27th 2012 at 12:02:41 AM

Great job Sijo!! grin

Lets see, characters. Hmmm, how about an athiest middle eastern, Johnny Thunder styled hero who has command over a Djinn?

Theres sex and death and human grime in monochrome for one thin dime and at least the trains all run on time but they dont go anywhere.
TheDrifter Since: Mar, 2011
#73: Jul 29th 2012 at 7:22:20 AM

Eh, I would create Mutants/X-Genes scenario so that members can be hand picked from across the globe by a UN team. Maybe some kind of global accident that causes people to develop super powers from all over the world.

Of the ones that gets recruited, I wouldn't make all of them super heroes though. Some would use their powers for menial jobs like construction for example.

The main plot line would revolve around people having to accept super powered beings living amongst them.

Sijo from Puerto Rico Since: Jan, 2001
#74: Jul 29th 2012 at 9:43:06 AM

I want to have different kinds of Metaorigins because it fits better with the multicultural setting. Mutants are more of an American comics thing; the Japanese hero would more likely be technology based, while the Hindi one would be mystical, etc. Similarly the adventures they get involved in will cover all kinds of forces and incidents from the mundane to the cosmic.

And yeah, not every character with superabilities who appears will be a Hero or a Villain. Some will have other agendas, and some will just want to live normal lives.

I've been checking the International Heroes website [1] for ideas. I did not realize that the United Kingdom had such a long history of superheroes, for example (some even predate Superman!)

edited 29th Jul '12 9:47:36 AM by Sijo

Sijo from Puerto Rico Since: Jan, 2001
#75: Aug 5th 2012 at 9:08:50 PM

A few updates:

First, I've decided I will switch my projects around: I'll do my An American Superhero In Japan idea with Go Animate and do World Champions as a webcomic instead. This is because WC is looking like it will have a lot more characters, and it will be more expensive to animate. However that also means I will have to wait a while to do AASHIJ since Goanimate's Sci Fi Anime section isn't ready yet.

Second, I've narrowed down the list of heroes for WC. Besides the five main ones, who represent the major Security Council nations, there will be ten who represent the nonpermanent nations. These must be:

  • 3 from Africa; most likely Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt.
  • 2 from Asia; probably Japan and India.
  • 2 from Latin America: Mexico and Brazil, most likely.
  • 2 from 'Western Europe and Others' (Yes that's an actual grouping): I'm going for Germany and Israel.
  • 1 from Eastern Europe: Not decided yet.

(and note that these are just the semi-regular heroes- there will be many more!)

I'll post the characters once I have developed them more.

edited 5th Aug '12 10:05:10 PM by Sijo

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