Team Ideas: More Victorian Avengers

I find it weird that these "Victorian Superhero" articles tend to some of my better performing posts, despite the fact that the first one began with a dismissal of the entire concept. I'm actually coming around on it a bit now that I've had so many ideas, but until I find regular opponents, I won't be starting on putting any miniatures together. This one's going to be a little different, in that I won't be doing so much "in-universe" writing, but more discussing the concept and inspiration. Also, I won't be suggesting too many miniatures or sticking to a rigid number this time.

For those not familiar with the concept, rather than just so "Steampunk Batman" for the millionth time, I try to combine existing superheroes with fictional, historical and folk characters associated with the Victorian era, or close to (such as "Captain America" being from the Napoleonic era as Richard Sharpe). The rules aren't strict, but I try and stick close to Victorian Science Fiction, Pulp and "Boys Own" stories as best I can. When considering a character, I look beyond the powers and image and into what they represent in their own era, meaning there's always more than just a costume change to be had. 

Spring-heeled Jack (Spider-Man) 

Name a recurring theme with Spider-Man. Was it that he constantly is assumed to be a criminal? Spring-heeled Jack was an Urban Legend in Victorian London, a black-clad horror often seen fleeing the scene of a grisly murder through impossible physical feats. Now imagine that Peter Parquet, a talented but unlucky engineer, decides to build a costume filled with devices to enhance his natural abilities, thinking he can use it to protect the innocent people of his borough from criminals. The Parquet luck kicks in and soon people are running screaming from "Spring-heeled Jack", and laying blame for murders at his feet. Driven by guilt, Parquet still dons his costume and does his best to fight crime.


John Henry (Luke Cage) 

Many think the legendary John Henry died after his famous defeat of the steam engine he was racing, but the real truth is that the authorities dragged him away for disturbing the peace and usurping the rule of white men. Instead of being quietly hanged, the judge, a KKK member, "volunteered" Henry for medical experiments, just to make sure he suffered. Whether through fate or his own strength, Henry survived, becoming somehow stronger and tougher, using his newfound power to escape. Since then, Henry has wandered the world, righting wrongs and striking a blow against colonial powers wherever he can, often in exchange for some payment, so that he can keep ahead of the law.


T'Chaka Zulu (Black Panther) 

Descended from the great king Shaka, T'Chaka Zulu has seen his ancestor's land taken from him by the hated English since childhood. Seeking advice from the witch doctors and clever-women of his council, T'Chaka was led to follow ancient myths into the last uncharted regions of the African continent, seeking new weapons to use in the fight for freedom. When the king finally returned to his people, he held two priceless treasures, the Heart-Shaped Herb, which grants strength and power, and Vibranium, a rare and deadly metal. Armed with these new secrets, T'Chaka led the Zulu on a bloody and successful campaign to reclaim parts of the great Shaka's territory. Taken by surprise, British forces in South Africa were immediately on the back-foot, but now they have time to prepare a counter-attack, how will T'Chaka's forces fare?


Sandow (Hercules)

Eugen Sandow is famous the world-over for his strength, physique and attitudes on personal fitness, but he has a secret that no one knows; Sandow is immortal. After his death, Hercules, having atoned for his misdeeds through the famous Twelve Labours, made his way to the fields of Elysium, where he engaged in games and feasting with the other notables of history. As society advanced, so did the influence of Olympus wane, and even mighty Zeus lost interest in protecting the world. When word reached the Lion of Olympus of the terrible wars, martian invasions and smog choked cities, he petitioned Hades for a short-term release. Wandering the world, Hercules, in the guise of Sandow, does his best to lift humanity back to a state of enlightenment and slay the monsters of the modern world.


The Haunted Writer (Ghost Rider)

Practically none does not know the name of Charles Dickens, but only a few know the price he paid for his talent. Although Dickens would be famous in later life for debunking Spirit Mediums, in his youth, he himself was a dabbler in the occult. Hoping to escape from the horrors of life in a blacking factory, the young Dickens made a deal with a mysterious entity for fame and fortune, but little did he know what the true cost would be. Dickens was granted the ability to see and hear the spirits around him, which soon drove him near mad in their constant requests and chatter; writing down their stories was the only way he could maintain his sanity. The stories of ghosts such as Oliver Twist and Martin Chuzzlewit threw Dickens into the public eye and gave him the influence to solve the dark mysteries of a bleak house and lay some ghosts to rest. Dickens may be cursed, but he has, through his own intellect and talent, turned the curse into a force for good.

Ned Kelly (Iron Man)

Going to drop the narrative voice on this one as it requires some explaining. In Australia, Ned Kelly is so tied into a culture that romanticises the colonial era, that separating the reality from the myth is incredibly difficult. Everybody knows that Ned Kelly was a brutal murderer, but the fact that he was charismatic and the police were just as corrupt and brutal help weave an ideal version of the man that Australians identify with. Probably one of the best takes on the mythology of Ned Kelly is a book by Robert Drewe entitled Our Sunshine, which was adapted into the film Ned Kelly starring Heath Ledger. The book takes place the night before the siege of Glenrowan, with Kelly and his gang holed up in the local Hotel, preparing for the police attack and winning over the locals. Spurred on by drink and camaraderie, Kelly's mind wanders to plans for after the siege is won; he wants to begin a popular revolt and turn Victoria into an independent state for the Irish. In literary and academic circles, Drewe's take on Kelly is referred to as being "futurist", meaning the character is a drunk futurist in a set of homemade armour; get it? Of course, Kelly had a very personal agenda, centered around his own background and ideals, but that too isn't all that far from many presentations of Tony Stark. 

Hope that fires some ideas up in people, if this is popular, I'll do some more when the ideas occur to me.