J-Mart: Viltrumites, Isaiah Bradley, Sportsmaster

[Thorpacolypse]

So I was sitting around lamenting the end of the holiday season and dreading the long haul until the next non-vacation using 3 day weekend. Not to mention looking at the brand spankin’ new debt we incurred with the Christmas overspending and I was feeling a bit down. I was looking for a way to lift my spirits and then I checked my godson’s Facebook page and I got inspired by the January tradition that his fraternity started for just this type of post holiday blues. So with that, grab a cold beverage of your choice, turn on some sports, or some super hero themed shows, tell your significant other a lie, scratch yourself, and prepare to bid miserable January farewell and join us in celebrating the newest J-Mart Tradition:

MANUARY!!!

That’s right, folks. This MAN is taking back MANHOOD for of all us MEN! Less us not disparage our female compatriots but let us celebrate all that it is to be a MAN! And let’s face it folks, the comics are full of the MANLIEST MEN ever! I mean, it all started with SuperMAN and then BatMAN, then onto Spider-MAN and on and on. Get ready for a HUNGRY MAN sized serving of builds that a MAN can be proud of! So we’re kicking off with our first MANUARY build that certainly fits the bill.

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I'm gonna ask you a question. How you answer it will determine how this night ends. How does a good man decide when to kill?

HITMAN (AGENT-47)
PL: 9 (165 pts) - OPL: 9 ; DPL: 9

ABILITIES: STRENGTH 3, STAMINA 4, AGILITY 4, DEXTERITY 5, FIGHTING 10, INTELLECT 3, AWARENESS 4, PRESENCE 0

SKILLS: Acrobatics 3 (+7), Athletics 6 (+9), Close Attack 1 (+13), Deception 7 (+7), Expertise [Assassin] 7 (+10), Expertise [Current Event] 4 (+7), Expertise [Streetwise] 2 (+5), Insight 6 (+10) [Assessment], Intimidation 7 (+7), Investigation 6 (+9) [Well-Informed], Perception 11 (+15) [Skill Mastery], Ranged Combat [Pistols] 1 (+14), Sleight of Hand 4 (+9), Stealth 9 (+13) [Hide in Plain Sight], Technology 2 (+5), Vehicles 2 (+7)

ADVANTAGES: Assessment, Benefit (1) (No ID), Chokehold, Close Attack (3), Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll (2), Equipment (5), Evasion (1), Hide in Plain Sight, Improved Aim, Improved Critical (2) (Unarmed, Firearms), Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative (1), Improvised Weapon (1), Languages (3) (Russian, Japanese, Spanish, 7 others, Base: English), Precise Attack (1) (Ranged, Cover), Quick Draw, Ranged Attack (8), Skill Mastery (1) (Perception), Takedown (2), Tracking, Uncanny Dodge, Well-Informed

POWERS:
NONE

EQUIPMENT:
(25ep)
5ep for various EQ, Weapons needed for job
Cell Phone, Standard: Feature 1 (Cellular Communication), Diminutive; 1ep
Arsenal: (18ep)
Explosives: Ballistic Damage 5, Extra: Ranged Area Burst, Range 25 ft; 15ep
Heavy Pistol: Ballistic Ranged Damage 4; 100 ft range, Small; 1ep
Heavy Machine Pistol: Ballistic Ranged Damage 4, Extra: Multiattack; 100 ft range, Medium; 1ep
Poison Syringe: Affliction 6 (Resisted by Fortitude; 1st: Dazed, 2nd: Stunned, 3rd: Incapacitated); 1ep
Sword: Slashing Strength-Based Damage 3, Critical 19-20, Medium; 4ep

OFFENSE:
Initiative +8
Close Attack +12 [Needle Affliction +6; Sword +6, Critical 19-20]
Unarmed +13 [Unarmed +3, Critical 19-20]
Ranged Attack +13
Pistols +14 [Twin Heavy Pistols +4, Critical 19-20; Heavy Machine Pistols +4, Multiattack]
Special Attack [Explosives +5, Area Burst]

DEFENSES:
Dodge +12 [DC22] Parry +12 [DC22]
Toughness +6, Fortitude +8, Will +10

COMPLICATIONS:
Conflicted: Even though he has been programmed to be assassin for as long as he can remember, he is beginning to have second thoughts about his path in life
Relationships: He is very protective of Nika, the Russian prostitute that he traveled with for a while
Reputation: Even though he is generally thought of as an urban legend, people are very hesitant to associate themselves with him because of his reputation
Responsibility: Fulfilling his contracts

Abilities 66 + Skills 39 (78 ranks) + Advantages 40 + Powers 0 + Defenses 20 = 165 / 165

Comments: I actually liked the HitMAN movie from a few years back with Timothy Oliphant as Agent 47 and apparently it made enough money for a sequel that is supposed to start shooting sometime this year. This build is based on that incarnation since I haven’t really played any of the games. That’s probably why I liked it.

He’s a street level badass extraordinaire. He’s a total beast against mooks and norms, but with no Power Attack, he wouldn’t last long against most supers.

More MANLY builds are on the way!

[Thorpacolypse]

Ah, yes...I'm feeling quite MANLY this evening...yes, quite MANLY...

Check out this this MANUARY SPECIAL on Aisle 2!


I call the runt with the claws...

GORILLA MAN
PL: 10 (150 pts) - OPL: 10 ; DPL: 10

ABILITIES: STRENGTH 6, STAMINA 7, AGILITY 4, DEXTERITY 4, FIGHTING 8, INTELLECT 2, AWARENESS 2, PRESENCE 2

SKILLS: Acrobatics 6 (+10), Athletics 7 (+13), Deception 5 (+7), Expertise [Hunter] 5 (+7), Insight 5 (+7), Intimidation 6 (+8), Investigation 5 (+7), Perception 8 (+10), Persuasion (+2), Ranged Combat [Firearms] 2 (+11), Stealth 5 (+9), Treatment 2 (+4), Vehicles 4 (+8)

ADVANTAGES: All-Out Attack, Animal Empathy, Chokehold, Close Attack (5), Defensive Roll (2), Diehard, Equipment (4), Fast Grab, Improved Aim, Improved Grab, Improved Initiative (1), Languages (2) (5 others, Base: English), Power Attack, Ranged Attack (5), Takedown (1), Tracking

POWERS:
Large Size: Growth 4 (+4 Str, +4 Sta, -2 Dodge/Parry, -4 Stealth, +2 Intimidation, Speed +1, +4 Mass; Extra: Permanent, Innate); 9 pts
Ape Physiology: Protection 1, Senses 3 (Low Light Vision, Scent [Extended, Acute]), Feature 1 (Prehensile Feet); 5 pts
Mystic Gorilla: Immunity 2 (Aging, Disease); 2 pts

EQUIPMENT:
(20ep)
Commlink: Feature 1 (Radio Communication), Miniscule; 1ep
Arsenal: (18ep)
Fragmentation Grenades: Ballistic Damage 5, Extra: Ranged Area Burst, Range 25 ft; 15ep
Heavy Pistol: Ballistic Ranged Damage 4; 100 ft range, Small; 1ep
Assault Rifle: Ballistic Ranged Damage 5, Extra: Multi-Attack; 125 ft range, Large; 1ep
Knife: Piercing Strength-Based Damage 1, Critical 19-20, Small; 1ep

OFFENSE:
Initiative +8
Close Attack +13 [Unarmed +6; Knife +7, Critical 19-20]
Ranged Attack +9
Firearms +11 [Heavy Pistol +4; Machine Guns +6, Multiattack]
Special Attack [Frag Grenades +5, Area Burst]

DEFENSES:
Dodge +8 [DC18] Parry +10 [DC20]
Toughness +10, Fortitude +10, Will +10

COMPLICATIONS:
Monstrous Appearance: Ken is stuck in the Gorilla Man body forever which makes it a bit difficult for him to function in normal society most of the time
Responsibility: As an Agent of Atlas, he has a responsibility to fulfill his duties to the team

Abilities 54 + Skills 30 (60 ranks) + Advantages 29 + Powers 16 + Defenses 21 = 150 / 150

Comments: Ken Hale, the erstwhile Gorilla MAN. Haven’t read much of Agents of Atlas, but it what I have I liked. Too Doom Patrol-y to last, though, I think. Anyway, Ken was a big game hunter who wants immortality, found out about the Gorilla MAN, went to kill him, backed out, then the Gorilla MAN attacked him and he had to kill him out of self-defense but when he did, the Gorilla MAN curse was passed to him. So he is know an immortal man trapped in a gorilla’s body, much like Congorilla.

[ClassDunce]

I enjoyed the Hitman movie too, of course I enjoy Timothy Olyphant for completely different reasons then you do and personally I think he does look a lot better with hair. He has those little tufts of grey at his temples that just works for him and well for me. The Hitman movie was fun, it wasn't a work of art or anything but the fight he had with the Hitmen in the train or bus or whatever was really solid. All of them bald and dressed just a like. The Katana's were a little goofy though I don't know if that was a hold over from the game or not but I it didn't really work for me.

I can understand knives those are practical and becomes a battle of attrition because nobody wins a knife fight. By the way if any of you recognize the "Nobody wins a Knife fight" quote and can name the novel it's from you officially win an awesome point.

[Thorpacolypse]

Oh MAN, what a day. I'm pooped. But you can't keep a good MAN down! Or me!

MANUARY continues with one of the THE MANLIEST builds I have ever done, or will do. Brace yourself for the epic MANLINESS of...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HofoK_QQxGc

THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN
PL: 7 (120 pts) - OPL: 7 ; DPL: 7

ABILITIES: STRENGTH 2 [7], STAMINA 3 [4], AGILITY 2, DEXTERITY 2, FIGHTING 6, INTELLECT 1, AWARENESS 3, PRESENCE 3

SKILLS: Acrobatics 2 (+4), Athletics (+7), Close Combat [Unarmed] 1 (+7), Deception 4 (+7/+9) [Attractive], Expertise [Astronaut] 5 (+6), Expertise [Secret Agent] 5 (+6), Insight 3 (+6), Intimidation (+3), Investigation 6 (+7), Perception 6 (+9), Persuasion 4 (+7/+9) [Attractive, Connected], Stealth 5 (+7), Vehicles 7 (+9)

ADVANTAGES: All-Out Attack, Attractive (1), Benefit (1) (OSI Clearance), Connected, Equipment (1), Extraordinary Effort, Ranged Attack (2)

ENHANCED ADVANTAGES (BIONIC LEGS): Great Endurance

ENHANCED ADVANTAGES (BIONIC EYE): Improved Aim, Ranged Attack (3)

POWERS:
Bionic Arm: Enhanced Strength 5 (Quirk: Right arm only), Enhanced Dodge 1, Enhanced Parry 1; 11 pts
Bionic Legs: Enhanced Stamina 1, Enhanced Advantages 1 (see Advantages), Speed 5 (60 mph), Leaping 2 (30 ft); 10 pts
Bionic Eye: Enhanced Advantages 4 (see Advantages), Enhanced Skills 1 (Perception 2 ranks), Senses 6 (Normal Vision [Extended 2, Rapid], Infravision, Darkvision); 11 pts

EQUIPMENT:
(5ep)
OSI Commlink: Feature 1 (Radio Communication; OSI HQ), Miniscule; 1ep

OFFENSE:
Initiative +2
Close Attack +6
Unarmed +7 [Left Arm Unarmed +2; Right Arm Unarmed +7]
Ranged Attack +7

DEFENSES:
Dodge +8 [DC18] Parry +8 [DC18]
Toughness +4, Fortitude +6, Will +7

COMPLICATIONS:
Disability: When Steve's bionics are damaged, they do not self-repair, he must be repaired by someone trained in bionics
Relationships: He has had a long time off and on relationship with Jaime Sommers, the Bionic Woman. He is also close to Oscar Goldman and Dr. Rudy Wells
Responsibility: To work for the OSI and the USA
Rivalry: The Seven Million Dollar Man, Barney Miller (not the Hal Linden character from the excellent 70's cop comedy)
Secret Identity: Steve generally tries keep his bionic abilities secret to aid in his undercover missions
Vulnerable: Extremely cold temperatures can impair his bionic functions

Abilities 44 + Skills 23 (46 ranks) + Advantages 15 + Powers 26 + Defenses 12 = 120 / 120

Comments: You just don't get any more MANLY then Lee Majors. He was banging Farrah Fawcett-Majors when she was at her peak, he was The Fall Guy, he saved Santa (see Scrooged) and he was THE MAN as Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar MAN. And he's still being MANLY into his twilight years by voicing General Hawk on the newest G.I. Joe series. That show was a phenomenon for a couple of years then died quickly, but man when it was hot, nobody was cooler than Lee Majors. Heck, he could take out 2-3 mooks just with the collars of his kickin' polyester leisure suits! And that hair...it never moved. I think IT was bionic...

As a build, I had a hard time nailing his strength. I always though he was limited to like 5 strength, but then I watched some clips and realized he threw stuff around that was WAY beyond the limits of what a human could throw based on what your body would need to support, no matter how strong the arm was. But it was 70's sci-fi, so what the hell, he gets 7 strength. That's "peak" human anyway, even though no human will ever lift 3 tons unaided.

That show was HUGE when I was a kid in the early 70's. You would see dozens off us kids at recess running in slow motion and leaping off the monkey bars while shouting "nananananana" (imitating the "bionic sound", of course) pretending to be Steve. Or we would bring our 12" Six Million Dollar [/b]MAN[/b] action figures that were loaded with lead based paint and look through the little built in telescope in the back of his head that was supposed to simulate his bionic eye and think it was the coolest thing ever. You can keep your iPhones, iPads, Ninendo DS and 24-hours of cartoons, you young whippersnappers. Give me a Stretch Armstong that leaked toxic goo once you stretched it too much and a brief 4 hours of cartoons a week on Saturday morning any day.

[Goldar]

Thanks for finally posting SMDM Steve Austin, Thorp!

An excellent build done perfectly!

I have been anxiously awaiting this and was not disappointed! Great pics as well.

Two minor points:
1) Adversary-turned-friend Barney Miller (the Seven Million Dollar Man) was renamed Barney Hiller in his second appearance (The Bionic Criminal) to avoid confusion with the TV series of the same name.

2) The Bionics of both Steve and Jaime became useless even as normal limbs in the presence of severe cold, such as freezers, icy waters and very cold outdoor temperatures. Warming the limbs returned them to normal. The Eye and Ear were not affected.


I agree with the strength level (7) being correct for the 1970's show. I think Steve was far stronger than the TV series sometimes showed us because they wanted to keep him human, and not make him seem like some superman, which is what interviews of writers and directors have said in the past.

*The only thing is, in the last reunion movie (somewhere around 1994), Jaime was said to have undergone a "Massive Upgrade in strength and powers" which gave her among other things bionic vision with targeting capabilities, and Steve was also to receive these powers upgrade. We really don't know how much stronger/faster they became. Perhaps they became closer to the newer cyborgs, Steve Austin, Jr (1987) or Kate Mason (1989) versions? *

[Sidious]

I'm really enjoying the new series by Kevin Smith it's a nice melding of the book & series with an updated, modern twist.

[Gilliam]

So is Buck Rogers coming up?

[cassius335]

So is Buck Rogers coming up?

Given there's no "Man" in "Buck Rodgers", I'm guessing not...

[cbwjm]

What about the man from the Old Spice commercials? Call him the Old Spice Man and he fits in to Manuary. Of course he may have too much awesome to be properly statted out in MnM

[Earth-Two_Kenn]

What about Steve's OSI boss, Oscar GoldMAN? Will he be written up?

[Thorpacolypse]

So is Buck Rogers coming up?

Given there's no "Man" in "Buck Rodgers", I'm guessing not...

Oh, I don't know about that. Gil Gerard was pretty f'n MANLY in that show. He may make the cut.

What about the man from the Old Spice commercials? Call him the Old Spice Man and he fits in to Manuary. Of course he may have too much awesome to be properly statted out in MnM

Ooooo....I hadn't thought about him. I was considering The Most Interesting MAN in the World, but he might deserve some dap. The question is whether I can build him accurately at under PL20...

What about Steve's OSI boss, Oscar GoldMAN? Will he be written up?

Maybe. I don't remember much about him. He might get it in as well. I am splitting time between the MANUARY builds and getting ready for a big Black History Month Special, so I'm going to have to narrow the list.

[JoshuaDunlow]

Oh, I don't know about that. Gil Gerard was pretty f'n MANLY in that show. He may make the cut.

Damn Straight. Loved that show. I think i was gonna do some 2e builds a while ago of Buck.

[Thorpacolypse]

Being a MAN isn't always about being the roughest and toughest. Sometimes being a MAN is just doing your job. And this MAN knows how to job...

Representing our JOB SQUAD here on MANUARY, let's enjoy this build that's getting stocked on Aisle 2.


Since Johnny Cash was the MAN in Black, considering his record against the Marvel heroes, I guess he's the MAN in Black and Blue...

MAN MOUNTAIN MARKO
PL: 9 (85 pts) - OPL: 9 ; DPL: 8

ABILITIES: STRENGTH 9, STAMINA 8, AGILITY 1, DEXTERITY 1, FIGHTING 6, INTELLECT 0, AWARENESS 1, PRESENCE 1

SKILLS: Athletics 2 (+11), Close Combat [Unarmed] 3 (+9), Deception (+1), Expertise [Performance] 4 (+4), Expertise [Streetwise] 3 (+3), Insight (+1), Intimidation 8 (+9), Perception (+1), Persuasion (+1), Stealth (+1)

ADVANTAGES: All-Out Attack, Chokehold, Crushing Pin*, Fast Grab, Interpose

POWERS:
Enhanced Physiology: Protection 2, Immunity 1 (Pressure), Feature 1 (Increased Mass); 4 pts

EQUIPMENT:
NONE

OFFENSE:
Initiative +1
Close Attack +6
Unarmed +9 [Unarmed +9]
Ranged Attack +1

DEFENSES:
Dodge +6 [DC16] Parry +6 [DC16]
Toughness +10, Fortitude +11, Will +5

COMPLICATIONS:
Nemesis: Daredevil
Reputation: Big, dumb loser minor super mook
Responsibility: To whoever is paying him at the time, usually The Owl or The Kingpin

Abilities 54 + Skills 10 (20 ranks) + Advantages 5 + Powers 4 + Defenses 12 = 85 / 85

Comments: I loves me some MAN Mountain Marko. I actually had the comic where he debuted against Spider-MAN when I was kid, but lord knows what happened to it. He’s a big, dumb (even though I kept his intellect at 0, which I might reconsider) brick mook and that’s all he’s ever tried to be, which I respect. Apparently he used to be a singer, too, so I gave some ranks in Performance. I always like my jobbers to have something fall back on…

[Earth-Two_Kenn]

What about Dr. Jonathan Chase, MANimal?

[death tribble]

If you are going to do one Steve Austin then you ought to do the other. Stone Cold Steve Austin that is.

But if there needs to be a man reference then consider Ric 'To be the Man, you have to beat the Man' Flair.