John Table

Sensation & Wonder: An Absolute Comics Roleplay [DC & Marvel One Universe Style Game]

Fuck it. I'd like to do this as a side to Superman

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

THE SANDMAN

^{_{♦ WESLEY DODDS ♦ ADVENTUERER ♦ JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA ♦ NEW YORK CITY ♦}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

---

^{"Mr. Sandman, I'm so alone... Don't have nobody to call my own... Please turn on your magic beam. Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream"
-- The Chordettes}

GOOD EVENING MR. AND MRS. AMERICA AND ALL OUR SHIPS AT SEA.

TONIGHT'S TOP STORY: THE COSTUMED HERO CRAZE CONTINUES TO SWEEP THE COUNTRY, AND A NEW NAME EMERGES ON THE TOUGH STREETS OF NEW YORK.

HE CALLS HIMSELF THE SANDMAN. ARMED WITH A GAS GUN, AN OLD GAS MASK FROM THE GREAT WAR, AND HIS SHEER WITS, WESLEY DODDS WAGES A ONE MAN WAR ON CRIME THROUGHOUT THE CITY. WITH A STIFF RIGHT HOOK THE SANDMAN DISMANTLED THE BUSTAMANTI CRIME FAMILY ALL ON HIS LONESOME.

WHAM!

DOWN GOES A GROUP OF KRAUT SYMAPTHIZERS AND FIFTH COLUMNISTS.

KRAK!

WATCH AS THE SANDMAN GIVES THE BUSINESS TO A GROUP OF HARLEM TOUGHS CALLED THE ACE OF SPADES GANG. LOOKS THE ACE OF SPADES GOT DEALT A BAD HAND! THE ONLY JOKERS HERE ARE THESE NEGRO YOUTHS WHO'LL SPEND THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS IN SING SING!

AND THE SANDMAN ISN'T THE ONLY ONE INVOLVED IN THE ACTION! WITH SANDY THE GOLDEN BOY AT HIS SIDE, DODDS AND YOUNG SANDY HAWKINS CLEAN UP THE CITY AND JOIN FORCES WITH THE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA TO PROTECT OUR GREAT NATION FROM THREATS BOTH FOREIGN AND ABROAD.

WATCH OUT ADOLF! IT'S ONLY GOING TO TAKE A ONE-TWO COMBO FROM THE SANDMAN TO SEND YOU AND THE REST OF THE AXIS TO DREAM LAND!

---

The newsreels play in Wesley Dodds mind. It's the year 2021 and Wesley, retired from the superhero game for over sixty years, cannot seem to die. He approaches his one hundred and twelfth birthday on this planet still as physically fit and mentally sound as a man half his age. The Sandman may be in his past, but he can't he put it to bed.

And now, a great tragedy stirs him out of retirement. When a former friend is in need of avenging, Wesley puts on the suit, tie, and gas mask and once more ventures into the night.

P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ):

---

1. "In Dreams"

Wesley finds himself back in action when a estranged friend close to him dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances. As he starts to investigate his friend's life in the years since they last spoke, he discovers a twisted subculture dedicated to the fetishization of The JSA and the heroes of the era, the Sandman included.

2. "Goodnight Sweetheart"

People across Manhattan are falling asleep and not waking up. As reports of a new drug called "Coma" filter through the news, Wesley begins to investigate the trail. What seems a simple criminal enterprise begins to show signs of something deeper and more magical. Someone or something has their hands on a powerful artifact, an artifact with endless consequences.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

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Courtney Whitmore/Stargirl -- Dodd's granddaughter, costumed hero
Sandy Hawkins/Sand -- Ex-Sandman sidekick turned second Sandman turned convention attender.
Alan Scott -- Original Green Lantern, deceased.
Jay Garrick -- Original Flash, missing since 1968.
Ted Grant -- Wildcat, deceased
John Dee -- Petty criminal, illegitimate son of magician Roderick Burgess.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

---

TBA

Sensation & Wonder: An Absolute Comics Roleplay [DC & Marvel One Universe Style Game]

<Snipped quote by John Table>

That’s a conversation for later. Let’s table (John Table) that for now

@Cybermaxx

Repetition, repetition, repetition. It's the key to good comedy

Sensation & Wonder: An Absolute Comics Roleplay [DC & Marvel One Universe Style Game]

Do we need to have Mike The Janitor, Axis Chemicals Employee?

Sensation & Wonder: An Absolute Comics Roleplay [DC & Marvel One Universe Style Game]

<Snipped quote by Cybermaxx>

Minor change: I made Superboy an Avenger babeee

@Cybermaxx

Sensation & Wonder: An Absolute Comics Roleplay [DC & Marvel One Universe Style Game]

Man, I always want to join these comic RPs because of how cool they always are but I'm pretty insecure about my lack of comic knowledge

@KenjuGuy

We’re all dumb as shit. Can’t be any worse with comic knowledge than some folks

Sensation & Wonder: An Absolute Comics Roleplay [DC & Marvel One Universe Style Game]

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

SUPERMAN

^{_{♦ KALEL/CALVIN ELLIS ♦ PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ♦ JUSTICE LEAGUE ♦ WASHINGTON DC ♦}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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^{"What kind of peace do I mean? What kind of peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war... not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women--not merely peace in our time but peace for all time... Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal"
-- John F. Kennedy}

Born to Jorel and Lara in the science capital on Vathlo Island on Krypton, baby Kalel was sent to Earth to escape Krypton's destruction. Found by the poor but kind Ellis family, who christened him Calvin, he was raised to stand up for himself no matter the odds, and to fight for what's right. When his star-spanning Kryptonian powers emerged under Earth's yellow sun, he became Superman, champion of the oppressed and defender of peace around the world.

But as Superman reached great heights as the world's greatest hero, Calvin Ellis began to chart his own path as a journalist and community activist. Superman went on to have many adventures across the world and the galaxy while Ellis became known as a man who was in touch with the American people and what they needed. He soon found himself running for, and winning local office in Metropolis. Like his alter ego, he found that he could leap to high office in a single bound. In 2020, Calvin Ellis ran for president of the United States and won by a razor thin majority of the popular vote, handily winning the electoral college.

Now as both Superman and President of the United States, Kalel must walk a fine line between implementing change without force, to continue to use his powers and office to the best of his abilities, and to be a representative of truth, justice, and the humanitarian way.

P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ):

---

1. "E Pluribus Unum"

When a sudden death of the supreme court has the ability to swing the high court in either direction of decades, the Ellis Administration works behind the scenes with the Senate to see their successor be appointed to the position. Meanwhile Superman goes to battle against The 100, a secessionist milita with designs on doing as much harm as possible.

2. "Pax Americana"

President Ellis deals with threats both foreign and domestic as he travels to New York for an address of the United Nations. While President Ellis rubs shoulders with heads of states, kings, and dictators, Superman finds himself in China. What appears to be a natural disaster is revealed to be something darker and more sinister beating at the heart of the matter.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

---

Lois Lane Ellis - First Lady
Jimmy Olsen - Press Secretary
Ron Troupe - Vice President
Maggie Sawyer - Secretary of State
Perry White - Secretary of Defense
Gen. Dan Turpin - Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joe Siegel -- Senate Minority Leader and Ellis Administration ally
Lex Luthor - Billionaire
Morgan Edge - Senate Majority Leader

P O S T C A T A L O G:

---

TBA

Sensation & Wonder: An Absolute Comics Roleplay [DC & Marvel One Universe Style Game]

Damn, how did you find the time to fill out that character sheet like that?

Sensation & Wonder: An Absolute Comics Roleplay [DC & Marvel One Universe Style Game]

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

CATWOMAN

^{_{♦ SELINA KYLE ♦ "PROCUREMENT" ♦ GOTHAM CITY ♦}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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^{"At the dark end of the street/That's where we always meet/Hiding in shadows where we don't belong/ Living in darkness to hide our wrong"
-- James Carr}

Born and raised on the mean streets of Gotham, Selina Kyle has done and seen it all. A teenaged petty thief turned major league carjacker, the choice of prison or the US military meant she said خداحافظ to Gotham and سلام to Afghanistan. After leaving the army and spending some... colorful time in Europe, Selina returns back home to Gotham and opens up shop offering a very particular service. If you've lost something or had something stolen from you, she can get it back no questions asked. Lost causes, regular civilians, and even the occasional crime lord find themselves employing Selina for her services. And you too can employ her for help at the mere cost of 40% of your stolen items value, her cut.

P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ):

---

1. "Fever"

A serial arsonist has Gotham in its grips in the middle of a scorching summer heatwave and Selina finds herself in the middle of it when Rupert Thorne, noted slumlord and champion of the 1%, comes to her in need of help. The rampant fireburg is targeting Thorne's properties throughout the city in search of something inside the burnt homes. Not even Thorne knows the arsonists true agenda as the spree continues. Selina must race against the clock and beat both the cops and the Batman to recover whatever it is the firebug is after.

2. "The Girl From Ipanema"

Selina and Holly leave the dark and gritty Gotham behind for a trip to Europe. When a former client asks for help in recovering a stolen painting, Selina finds herself back in the high-stakes world of European art theft. As she and Holly dash across the continent one step ahead of INTERPOL, Selina reconnects with an old friend with a mutually invested interest in seeing the painting safely returned to its "rightful" owner.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

---

Holly Robinson - Selina's assistant and protégée
Alice Tesla - A former client turned technical support for Selina
Jimmy Burke - GCPD robbery detective, Selina's source inside the force
Rupert Thorne - Shady businessman and client of Selina's
Cameron Chase - INTERPOL agent
Louis "Bone" Ferryman - Mid-tier Gotham gangster
Count Vertigo - International criminal and art collector
Parker - World's greatest thief

S A M P L E P O S T:

---

*This is from a previous game, but characterization and plot are generally in keeping with my intended tone.

Downtown Gotham
12:11 PM

“You come highly recommended, Ms. Kyle.”

Selina looked over her sunglasses at the fat old man. They were sharing a table on the outside patio of the swanky coffee shop. Rupert Thorne looked Selina over like a piece of meat, the old man doing what he thought was a charming smile. She would have been creeped out by it if not for the bits of pastry flake on his tie. It made him more comically sad than anything.

“I do my job well, Mr. Thorne.”

“I can only imagine,” he said with a sleazy smile. “The only thing they wouldn’t tell me was your asking price.”

Selina sipped from her latte before answering.

“Forty.”

“Forty thousand seems steep.”

“Percent. Whatever you want found, I get forty percent of it.”

Thorne frowned “It’s… it doesn’t work like that. What I want is only valuable to me.”

Selina spread her hands and offered a smile that was a little smug without being too smug. “Then forty percent of whatever it’s worth to you. That’s my price.”

“That’s highway robbery!”

“Then call the cops,” Selina said with a smirk. “But if you were able to call the cops, you wouldn’t reach out to a… procurement specialist like myself. And since it sounds like something pretty valuable to you, the longer you haggle the more my price goes up.”

Thorne put his balled up fists on the table. They were squeezed so tightly that they were beginning to turn white. As fun as it was to see him squirm Selina knew that a delicate touch would be needed here on out if she wanted the job. All these rich old men. For all their power and arrogance, they just couldn’t handle a woman even appearing to get the upper hand. It was time to put on the motherly concern.

“Start at the beginning, Mr. Thorne,” she said calmly. “Tell me what’s been taken and we’ll go from there.”

Selina listened intently as Thorne told his story. She wasn’t the only one interested in the tale, however. Inside the coffeeshop a young man sat in front of a laptop with earbuds in and a Gotham Knights baseball cap obscuring his face. To anyone passing by he looked like another would-be writer trying to write a screenplay.

But Bruce Wayne’s earbuds were relaying to him every word of Thorne’s story. The small listening device embedded in the band of Thorne’s wristwatch had amazing sound quality. He was able to perfectly transcribe the details of what Thorne was saying. Since Falcone’s fall, Thorne had become top dog in the criminal underworld. Without the ties to the Italian Mafia, Thorne ran his criminal organization like a business. And like a CEO of a Fortune 500 Thorne kept trade secrets close to the vest. He was too careful. Compared to Falcone and Maroni, Thorne and his men had the discipline of monks. After a year of intense surveillance Bruce was nowhere near finding any evidence that proved Rupert Thorne was a criminal kingpin.

But now?

Now there seemed to be a path to see Thorne thrown behind bars

He just had to make sure he beat Selina Kyle to it.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

---

TBA

Sensation & Wonder: An Absolute Comics Roleplay

Sure

Variety Hour: An Absolute Comics Roleplay

A Cage in Harlem
Part I:
"Summertime"

Harlem
1936

A light rainstorm fell on Harlem that scorching hot summer night. Instead of breaking the heat, the rain just increased the humidity. Cage could see steam wafting off the pavement from inside the car. He pulled a handkerchief out of his dress’ shirt’s breast pocket and dabbed sweat from his bald head. Jeff, sitting in the driver’s seat, perused over a racing sheet. The rain futzed with their radio, but the sounds of big band music filtered through the static. Glen Miller and his orchestra were playing at the Rainbow Room and NBC was broadcasting it out across the city and the country.

“I think your tip may be bullshit,” Cage grunted.

“Turk just likes to take his time is all,” came Jeff’s response.

Cage had been working with Sergeant Jefferson Pierce for five years now. The two men were the only black plainclothes officers among the NYPD’s sworn officers. And, naturally, they were assigned to work Harlem from the 32nd Precinct. Jeff was the only black sergeant inside the organization, just one of two black men to attain any kind of rank. Cage knew that Jeff had earned those sergeant stripes and then some. He’d had twice as much service time as Cage, and had put up with at least twice as much shit from within and without the NYPD.

“Speak of the devil,” said Cage.

The skinny form of Turk Barrett came out of Ms. Sadie’s, pulling the collar of his blazer up against the rain. Cage started to open the door, but stopped when Jeff put a hand on his shoulder.

“Not yet. From the way Turk is walking he just lost a lot of money. Five gets you ten he’s going back to find work.”

Jeff tossed the racing form into the backseat and started the Ford. They gave Turk a long leash as he walked down 110th Street in the rain. Cage lit up a cigarette despite Jeff’s dirty look. Cage cracked a window to temper his partner’s passive aggressive waving.

“Think he’s going to the Cotton Club or to Harlem’s Paradise?” Jeff asked Cage.

“Depends on how much money he lost gambling,” Cage replied. ”If he lost a lot, he’ll go to the Cotton Club and pick up a package. If he lost everything, then he’ll go to Harlem’s Paradise and put himself at Stokes’ mercy.”

Jeff nodded slightly at the younger cops’ logic. If Cage didn’t know any better he may have seen a flash of pride on the man’s face. Cage felt even better as they saw Turk approach the Cotton Club. Harlem’s preeminent nightclub and, despite its location, was white’s only for the most part. You had to be somebody rich and famous if you were black and wanted to pass through the doors. NYPD were also pretty sure it operated as a front for organized crime, with heroin being sold out the back. How else could you explain “dishwasher” Turk Barrett being able to afford such nice suits and such hefty gambling debts.

“What’d I tell you?” Cage said as he flicked the butt of his cigarette out the window.

Turk ducked into a side alley beside the club. Jeff parked the Ford and put it in park.

“Alright,” said Jeff. “When he comes out, we put him against the wall and shake him down. Try to sweat him and see if we can roll him up. From there we-”

Jeff’s words were cut off by the sound of gunshots. Gunshots coming from the back of the Cotton Club. Cage and Jeff jumped out the car with their own guns drawn. And that’s when hell broke loose.

---

The gun felt heavy in Turk's hands. It always did any time he held in it his rough, calloused hands. He rarely pulled it out. He wasn't like these other two-bit gangsters always flashing iron whenever they got a chance. For Turk, the gun was a weapon of last resort. He usually used his fists and legs and the occasional switchblade to get his work done. If Turk pulled a gun then people were going to die.

The two dead bodies on the kitchen floor were proof of that. Turk had walked into the back entrance of the Cotton Club and found manager Paulie Legs and his bodyguard Momo talking business. Momo flashed a cool look towards like always, but was off guard. Like Momo, Turk was the hired help around here. There was no reason to be on guard. It was easy enough for Turk to pull out his snubnose and blast away at the two men. He killed Momo first with two shots to the chest and neck. What was going on dawned on Paulie just in time to get a bullet in the forehead. The contents of Paulie's brains splattered against a set of pots and pans hanging above the kitchen's prep area.

Turk quickly tucked the gun back into his waistband and started to rifle through Paulie's pockets. The Cotton Club always closed on Sundays so there would be limited staff here, but plenty of them were around to hear the gunshots and come running. Turk found Paulie's keys and hurried through the kitchen towards the manager's office. He unlocked the office and stepped inside, locking the door behind him. The digs were standard, a couple of chairs and a desk with a door behind the desk leading outside. But in the corner was a safe nearly as tall as Turk and at least a ton heavier. On Paulie's keys was the skeleton key for the safe. Turk slipped it in and popped the safe open.

He nearly licked his lips at the sight of all the heroin. Six packaged pounds of pure, uncut heroin from Turkey, appropriately enough. More than enough to pay off Turk's debts and buy him a new life. Turk found a paper bag in the office and started to put the heroin inside. He stopped when he heard the door to the office rattle.

"NYPD! Open up!"

Fuck

Turk stood and grabbed the bag as the door began to shake on its frame. One of the benefits of the manager's office was it had access to the side alley. Turk ran towards the back door as the door behind him buckled and came off its hinges.

"Stop!"

Turk didn't bother to look back as he bolted out the back door and ran like hell down the alley.