please help me develop a truly English Superhero

[wamdue]

So unless his alter ego is going to be Shane Richie, another name would be better.

currently theory im working on, is the son of merlin who was meant to follow his dad (an elderly person from an alt reality, with advance technology mistaken for magic) but somehow ends up in the present day when his advanced tech & genetics, make him a superhero, being the son of Merlin he stands for kind of thing the his Dad died, and when he sees the legend his dad has become, he becomes a superhero in hopes of making Britain a place of legend.

You could use the merlin myth to generate his nemesis as well. Perhaps his technology/unique physiology is of interest to the Le Fay Corporation.

we are not having Shane Richie anywhere near this project.

and I like this "Le Fay Corporation" idea, there is certainly no reason why other "people" have not come from the alt reality, maybe its not that the Son of Merlin ends up in the wrong time, its Merlin who ended up in the wrong time.

the Le Fay Coporation could be set up with the secert aim to make Mordred ruler of Earth, it certainly would have an interest in Sam (lets just call him Sam for now, we can work on a better name)

Haven't you already got a British superhero?

Didn't that Dougal guy from "Father Ted" already do this?

that would be My Hero

Isn't the whole Merlin/Arthur thing kind of overplayed? Especially with Stargate most recently milking the shit out of it.

you are not wrong, hated its inclusion in the Justice League cartoon, as I said previously im not keen on superheros & magic mixing.

I am thinking of trying to do something with the Beefeaters, and those who protect the Queen, maybe there is a secert about them, and they could become heroes to make Britain a better place.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Since magic has been part of the super hero genre since its inception, its not really a element that need to be "mixed in". (Wonder Woman, Dr. Fate, Captain Marvel, the Spectre, Green Lantern...)

Do you want a Captain America type? One that wears the flag and expouses the English idea? (what is the English idea)

A hero who takes insipiration from English history? A modern day knight in hi-tech armor. A modern Robin Hood with trick arrows. A guy who turns into stone and calls himself Castle. A dashing swordsman, the Privateer. A tough guy with unending tenacity, the Bulldog. Two women who control plants: Rose Red and Rose White (and they hate each other)

And are the Welsh and Scots not to be concidered?

Most superheroes are just guys with powers, their nationality really isnt important. The run fast, turn into fire, ice or stone, fly or have some sort of tech that makes them powerful.

 

[wamdue]

1) Since magic has been part of the super hero genre since its inception, its not really a element that need to be "mixed in". (Wonder Woman, Dr. Fate, Captain Marvel, the Spectre, Green Lantern...)

2) Do you want a Captain America type? One that wears the flag and expouses the English idea? (what is the English idea)

3) A hero who takes insipiration from English history? A modern day knight in hi-tech armor. A modern Robin Hood with trick arrows.

1) that does not mean I have to like it.

2) im not against it, Captain Britain reads well until we hear of his magical back story, with another back story I would worry he would come off as just a British version of Captain America.

3) so you are suggesting Iron Man & Green Arrow? Truth be told I like Green Arrow he is maybe the only superhero I would like to see given a British based back story, even if its not highly original.

 

[Nerys Myk]

1) Since magic has been part of the super hero genre since its inception, its not really a element that need to be "mixed in". (Wonder Woman, Dr. Fate, Captain Marvel, the Spectre, Green Lantern...)

2) Do you want a Captain America type? One that wears the flag and expouses the English idea? (what is the English idea)

3) A hero who takes insipiration from English history? A modern day knight in hi-tech armor. A modern Robin Hood with trick arrows.

1) that does not mean I have to like it.

2) im not against it, Captain Britain reads well until we hear of his magical back story, with another back story I would worry he would come off as just a British version of Captain America.

3) so you are suggesting Iron Man & Green Arrow? Truth be told I like Green Arrow he is maybe the only superhero I would like to see given a British based back story, even if its not highly original.

1) You seemed to imply that they are two disparate forms

2) Well there's always Union Jack

3) They are the "archtypes" I guess. Though I dont think they are the first to use those motifs. I think Mike Grell did a story where Ollie Queen went to Sherwood Forest and established some sort of connection betwee Green Arrow and Robin Hood (other than the bow and arrow thing)

I would't want Green Arrow or Iron Man to become literally English. I was just suggesting that Knight and Archer are elements associated with England so heroes with those abilities seemed like a good match

So what about Castle, the Privateer, Bulldog, Rose Red and Rose White? The can be a superteam : England United!

 

[Mysterion]

There's alsways Bicycle Repair Man:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01xasUtlvw

 

[FluffyUnbound]

I'm an American, so I am not really qualified to say what is "quintessentially British" but one problem for me with a British superhero on the Marvel model is that I just don't believe that a non-chav Brit would dress up in tights to fight villains.

That just seems too damn American for me. Brits have more dignity than we do.

That's why the Doctor was a damn good call. To me, it's hard to get more British than the Doctor.

Maybe you could have a superhero who doesn't wear a costume, but is always in disguise instead. Like the Scarlet Pimpernel. In many ways the Scarlet Pimpernel is a proto-superhero or a proto-Batman. He hides in plain sight even better than Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne. Design a British Batman with no costume but an infinite range of disguises, and I think you'd have something.

 

[wamdue]

1) Since magic has been part of the super hero genre since its inception, its not really a element that need to be "mixed in". (Wonder Woman, Dr. Fate, Captain Marvel, the Spectre, Green Lantern...)

2) Do you want a Captain America type? One that wears the flag and expouses the English idea? (what is the English idea)

3) A hero who takes insipiration from English history? A modern day knight in hi-tech armor. A modern Robin Hood with trick arrows.

1) that does not mean I have to like it.

2) im not against it, Captain Britain reads well until we hear of his magical back story, with another back story I would worry he would come off as just a British version of Captain America.

3) so you are suggesting Iron Man & Green Arrow? Truth be told I like Green Arrow he is maybe the only superhero I would like to see given a British based back story, even if its not highly original.

1) You seemed to imply that they are two disparate forms

2) Well there's always Union Jack

3) They are the "archtypes" I guess. Though I dont think they are the first to use those motifs. I think Mike Grell did a story where Ollie Queen went to Sherwood Forest and established some sort of connection betwee Green Arrow and Robin Hood (other than the bow and arrow thing)

I would't want Green Arrow or Iron Man to become literally English. I was just suggesting that Knight and Archer are elements associated with England so heroes with those abilities seemed like a good match

So what about Castle, the Privateer, Bulldog, Rose Red and Rose White? The can be a superteam : England United!

1) magic & superheroes do work together, I cant deny that, just on a personal level I dont like it.

2) Ive looked at Union Jack, not keen

3) a modern day Archer of Knight are valid ideas, but the modern day Archer is going to come off alot like Green Arrow, unless he is a relative of Robin Hood himself. The Knight seems a bit clunky for modern day times.

A guy who turns into stone and calls himself Castle. A dashing swordsman, the Privateer. A tough guy with unending tenacity, the Bulldog. Two women who control plants: Rose Red and Rose White

you were being serious? becasue those hero's would certainly be part of a team.

Castle, isnt that going to be a bit like The Thing? how does he do this?

the Privateer, give him some super speed & super reflexes, and this is one idea I quite like.

the two Roses, WTF no just no, this would certainly be magic.

Bulldog, sounds like a side kick to me.

Still its nice to have ideas, so thanks.

I'm an American, so I am not really qualified to say what is "quintessentially British" but one problem for me with a British superhero on the Marvel model is that I just don't believe that a non-chav Brit would dress up in tights to fight villains.

That just seems too damn American for me. Brits have more dignity than we do.

it is true a subtle costume might be best.

Do you think that chav Brits wear tights?

 

[Nerys Myk]

Castles more like Colossus with Goliath tossed in. A guy who can grow in size and strength whos skin is rock hard.

The Knight would be a Iron man type for sure. An RAF fighter pilot given a hitech battle suit by the government. He's the Official Hero of the UK.

The Roses are mutants or mutates. They have control of plant life through "science". No elementals.

Bulldog is a hero in the Wolverine mode. Total bassdass fighter.

Privateer is the in the Daredevil mode. Might have enhance reflexes. I see him as haveing a Spider-man type reputation.

"Robin Hood" is a Batman type. Street level hero who fights the mob. Takes from the Rich (the Mob) and gives to the poor. Though I see him as middle or lower class, not millionare playboy. Maybe an ex soldier/Olympic archery hopefull who life/future was changed by mob violence.

 

[wamdue]

I actually do like Privateer, certianly a character we could use.

The Knight is interesting, but very similar to Iron Man, the idea of him being an "offical" hero is interesting, more the government lackey than an actual hero.

the British Green Arrow is something ive thought about before, im thinking the son of a Lord, archery champion, but when his parents dies he cant cope and looses his wealth, takes up the bow and becomes a champion for the down trodden.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I actually do like Privateer, certianly a character we could use.

The Knight is interesting, but very similar to Iron Man, the idea of him being an "offical" hero is interesting, more the government lackey than an actual hero.

the British Green Arrow is something ive thought about before, im thinking the son of a Lord, archery champion, but when his parents dies he cant cope and looses his wealth, takes up the bow and becomes a champion for the down trodden.

Thats a little too close to Green Arrow for my taste.

 

[wamdue]

I actually do like Privateer, certianly a character we could use.

The Knight is interesting, but very similar to Iron Man, the idea of him being an "offical" hero is interesting, more the government lackey than an actual hero.

the British Green Arrow is something ive thought about before, im thinking the son of a Lord, archery champion, but when his parents dies he cant cope and looses his wealth, takes up the bow and becomes a champion for the down trodden.

Thats a little too close to Green Arrow for my taste.

I think giving him the bow & arrow made him way to close to Green Arrow.

 

[BenRoethig]

There's got to be a story line where a bad guy gets away because the superhero is taking a tea break.

 

[O'Dib]

Another iconic English hero is James Bond. He needs very little alteration to become a superhero. Like in the films, his "by day" (or should that be "by night" wink wink) persona is a tuxedo wearing, martini downing, babe humping socialite. And then he discovers his host is a dirty rotten scoundrel, puts on a mask, and goes into the baddie's secret lair, kicking all sorts of ass.

For the Robin Hood idea, to make it distinctly British (i.e. to distinguish it from Green Arrow, the American ripoff), I think the whole gang should make the jump to modern times. Have stand-ins for Robin, Little John, Father Tuck, and Maid Marion pulling heists, etc. And lose the bows and arrows. Occasional hi-tech crossbows should suffice.

 

[wamdue]

Have stand-ins for Robin, Little John, Father Tuck, and Maid Marion pulling heists, etc. And lose the bows and arrows. Occasional hi-tech crossbows should suffice.

so how would that be different to say Hustle or an Oceans 11 TV series set in London? other than the fact they dont keep all the money at the end of it?

 

[Nerys Myk]

I actually do like Privateer, certianly a character we could use.

The Knight is interesting, but very similar to Iron Man, the idea of him being an "offical" hero is interesting, more the government lackey than an actual hero.

the British Green Arrow is something ive thought about before, im thinking the son of a Lord, archery champion, but when his parents dies he cant cope and looses his wealth, takes up the bow and becomes a champion for the down trodden.

Thats a little too close to Green Arrow for my taste.

I think giving him the bow & arrow made him way to close to Green Arrow.

Or Hawkeye or Golde Arrow or the Arrow

Robin Hood needs a bow and arrow. They loom large in his legend.

GA's backround is rich guy looses fortune. So having another archer follow that path is similar. I'd avoid it.

Hawkeye was a Carny, turned theif, turned hero.

Some Robin stories have him as a nobleman turned outlaw. In others he's just a regular guy who runs afoul of the law. (unjustified of course).

To make this modern Robin Hood less like Green Arrow I'd make him an average bloke who the folks in power ( the mob, corrupt politicians) have it in for.

Might make for a tense relationship with the Knight and Robin. The Knight is the government "stooge" and Robin is an outlaw according to the local powers that be. The Knight should arrest Robin on the spot and turn him over to the local constables.

 

[O'Dib]

Have stand-ins for Robin, Little John, Father Tuck, and Maid Marion pulling heists, etc. And lose the bows and arrows. Occasional hi-tech crossbows should suffice.

so how would that be different to say Hustle or an Oceans 11 TV series set in London? other than the fact they dont keep all the money at the end of it?

Well, it wouldn't have to be about money all the time. They could just generally try to bring down corrupt police and gov. officials, and corporate heads.And they'd have tacky costumes. And different skills. Like Lil' John'd be the superpowered tank type of the group. In fact I'd combine the Hood with the Bond. Have him still be part of the aristocracy, but one who's secretly sick of it. And having to plow through all those women to get info would make for an interesting dynamic with Marion.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Another iconic English hero is James Bond. He needs very little alteration to become a superhero. Like in the films, his "by day" (or should that be "by night" wink wink) persona is a tuxedo wearing, martini downing, babe humping socialite. And then he discovers his host is a dirty rotten scoundrel, puts on a mask, and goes into the baddie's secret lair, kicking all sorts of ass.

For the Robin Hood idea, to make it distinctly British (i.e. to distinguish it from Green Arrow, the American ripoff), I think the whole gang should make the jump to modern times. Have stand-ins for Robin, Little John, Father Tuck, and Maid Marion pulling heists, etc. And lose the bows and arrows. Occasional hi-tech crossbows should suffice.

Ever see the movie Robin and the Seven Hoods?

 

[Nerys Myk]

There's always The Bishop!

 

[captcalhoun]

the British Ideal would be Justice, Freedom and Fair Play.

my Knights of Albion are English, Scots, Welsh and not just white. One's black, one's south Asian and one's Cantonese-English from Hong Kong before the hand-over. and I'm going to fit a Gurkha in somewhere.

i'd avoid using 'Union Jack' as a name - Marvel's got it.

 

[O'Dib]

Ever see the movie Robin and the Seven Hoods?

No! Looks cool though.

OK, how 'bout this. The entire extended royal family gets possessed by aliens in a bid to take over England & later, the world. Some average schmo gets passed up for possession 'cause he's something like 100th in line for the throne. He accidentally stumbles upon his uncle in his hideous alien form, and ends up killing him. He inherits everything, and starts livin' the life. He catches on to the fact that all of his new royal friends are aliens (and for whatever reason, they think he is too).

So he becomes the English Cade Foster. Doing the rounds at their parties, investigating alien activities, and trying to stop them. He beds an occasional distant cousin, and when she asks for "more tentacle", he replies that he now prefers doing things the human way. Anyway, he ends up wiping out the entire royal family, and becomes King. He's pretty badass. Says stuff like "It's good to be King." ^_^ Also, if this guy just happens to be an archery hobbyist, his superhero alter-ego is no brainer. Although it might be cooler if he just got alien trinkents from all his kills, augmenting his costume and power set over time.