We’ve done a few things like this in the past, and in honor* of the new GI Joe movie coming out in a coupla days, I’ve got a new project for everyone—name some new members for the GI Joe (and/or Cobra) team…“League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” style.
The rules:
New characters have to be from Earth, by most appearences human, and active in the modern day (say, 1975—Present)
No overt superpowers. This is GI Joe,** not the Justice League. So, no one with any powers or abilities so beyond human capability so as to completely blow suspension of disbelief (even as it is, with lasers and ninjas and whatnot).
—And, frankly, I’m on the fence as to the subject of “depowered” super-characters, or ones with fairly small freakish features or abilities that could be rationalized fairly easily. I’ll see how it goes.
At the minimum, we need the character, some note of their recommendation/qualifications, and a possible code name. Writing a pithy filecard, a la the action figures would be great, but not required.
And for the record, the setting is the cartoon/comics, circa 1982—present.
So…my own picks? Let’s start with—
•Pete Mitchell—“Maverick”
Fighter pilot, the “best of the best.” Still dangerous.
Any other children of the 80s want to join in?
*Cough cough, snicker-choke.
**“The nation’s most elite counter-terrorist team with the least oppressive dress code!”
David, infiltration and weapons, codename: Solid Snake
Veteran of several dangerous infiltration missions, Solid snake is you first choice when stealth and secrecy is required. Straight to the point, his only weakness is overly long expositions.
Dr. Hal Emmerich, whiner, codename: Otacon
A scientist or something. A kind of moron that deliberately includes faults in multibillion dollar military projects. Should be wearing diapers.
Mei Ling, save lady, codename: For the love of god, shut the FUCK up!
Stay away at all cost. Unless you really like Chinese proverbs.
Jack Bauer. Codename “Minuteman.” Expert in interrogation and infiltration. The other Joes may sometimes criticize his methods, but there’s no doubt he gets the job done, as he seems to never sleep.
For the sake of thoroughness, one should include Rocky Balboa, code name “Rocky”. Personal Combat Instructor.
Sadly, my best efforts for real life members of a covert action team all date back to the 40s.
Asimov, DeCamp, Heinlein, Feynman, Turing as the obligatory Brit, and Von Neumann. The Brooklyn Navy Yard Boys plus the Manhattan Project. Led by General Leslie Groves, of course.
•Hawke, Stringfellow. “Airwolf”
Special Operations Aviation. (Codename picked [del]for marketability[/del] on the rationale that the vehicle he pilots is also known as “The Lady”)
