Post by Admin on Apr 22, 2011 16:16:50 GMT -5
Hey Ledgers,
If you're following Jeff Parker's Thunderbolts, you're aware a beta roster has been selected for side missions and such. So, this got me thinking...What five characters would I pick if I was in Luke Cage's shoes? Depending on how well you know me, the answers may surprise you!
First and foremost, history has proved that villain/anti-hero teams absolutely, positively cannot include characters you're unable to keep in line, are too powerful control, or are clearly too far off the deep end when it comes to morals. Despite security measures, it will never be enough. Because the one second they have a chance to, they'll kill an innocent, jeopardize the mission, or even turn on a teammate. Because of that, I'll be selecting purely street level ranged villains and anti-heroes who have never displayed on-going bloodlust and follow some set of morals.
Right off the bat, the team needs a field leader. For that role, I'm going to have Toxin (the offspring of Carnage) step back into the spotlight of the Marvel Universe. Despite being a symbiote, Patrick Mulligan has proved he's a hero through-and-through. Even when mocked in the face by his father's killer, the New York City cop refused to cross the line and proved he has full control over his symbiotic counter-part. His training as an officer, ability to follow orders, and moral code will help keep the team in line during operations. To top it off, he has the physical means to throw his weight around if any member gets out of line. His impressive attributes and powers will also be a huge benefit in numerous combat scenarios or missions, allowing him to function as a brute, one-man army, and even stealth (thanks to camo and disguises).
Next I'll recruit Sandman and Shocker. These two Spider-Man villains are simply driven by one thing...Money. And let's face it, I'd rather have them brought in, given a regular salary and kept in line, instead of potentially falling back under command of someone truly evil, like Doctor Octopus. Both have killed, but they're not killers. If they serve under Doctor Octopus, they're merely his pawns and Octavius will use them how he pleases.
Sandman has shown compassion on countless occasions, most recently during Gauntlet when his entire struggle was just to save a girl. Even when working for Oc, he objected his plans that could potentially destroy the city, and in turn kill the girl. Ensuring the girl's safety will be an easy way to keep Sandman 100% loyal. To top it off, having an elemental themed character provides countless tactical options under the right command. Few would be able to stop him and he has countless non-lethal ways to best the targets.
Shocker on the other hand, has a moral set similar to Sandman. When he was concerned about his armor becoming too powerful, he feared the result would not only kill him, but wipe out an entire city. He let his enemy, Spider-Man, as well as Night Thrasher help him fix the problem. Not only has a moral-set on par with Sandman, but his armor and mind bring more potential to the table as well. When brute force is needed, Shocker serves a key role as a medium/long range combatant and is capable of blasting down any wall in the team's way. His expertise in engineering could also be put to good use. Given the Raft's resources, he could work with Fixer on creating some great new supplies that could be put to excellent use.
There's just two more slots to fill, and I'm going to pick my favorite duo from The Initiative---Taskmaster and Constrictor. Just like Shocker, Taskmaster is all about watching out for himself and getting paid. As long as those two options are on the table, he'll be available. And in this case, it's better to have him following Cage's objectives than those of the highest bidder. Just like during Norman's rule, Taskmaster would function as the expert close-range combatant. His extensive knowledge of techniques and expertise with assorted weapons make him the ideal soldier in the team. With the gear the raft will grant him, few will be able to contend.
And then there's Constrictor, the former SHIELD agent turned mercenary. Despite him going on the opposite side of the law and even teaming up with Sabretooth, he's always had a soft heart. Letting him be on a team fighting for the good guys is something I believe he wants to do. His armor and adamantium coils also make him a formidable force to have in almost any situation. Plus, him and Taskmaster have become good friends during their time under Norman. Chemistry is key for any successful team and it's important to avoid any potential bad blood scenarios.
Other candidates that were under consideration but didn't make the cut were Xraven, Cardiac, Rhino and Crossbones. Xraven is too big of a wild-card. We don't know what motivates him yet and I don't want anyone on the team to be a victim when he finds out. His power-set would be a great addition, but also makes him that much more dangerous. We don't know if he can be trusted and because of that, he shouldn't be let loose if caught.
Cardiac's impressive physical powers and intelligent mind could help the team, but this anti-hero is following his own agenda...And after his numerous encounters with Spider-Man, it's clear he doesn't play well with others. Rhino would make for the ideal strong-man on the team, but the loss of his lover has put him in a dark place, and if caught, that's something he needs to sit around and come to terms with, instead of unleashing on a populated area while in the field.
Then there's Crossbones. The Captain America villain who already served on the team. Sure, his brutal methods and skills could be of use, but he's already proved that be belongs locked up in a cell for the rest of his life.
So there you have it, Ledgers. If I was Luke Cage, my beta T-Bolts team would be Toxin, Sandman, Shocker, Taskmaster, and Constrictor. Do you guys think they're good or bad choices based on my reasoning? And if you were placed in Luke Cage's boots, who would you want on your team? Discuss!
If you're following Jeff Parker's Thunderbolts, you're aware a beta roster has been selected for side missions and such. So, this got me thinking...What five characters would I pick if I was in Luke Cage's shoes? Depending on how well you know me, the answers may surprise you!
First and foremost, history has proved that villain/anti-hero teams absolutely, positively cannot include characters you're unable to keep in line, are too powerful control, or are clearly too far off the deep end when it comes to morals. Despite security measures, it will never be enough. Because the one second they have a chance to, they'll kill an innocent, jeopardize the mission, or even turn on a teammate. Because of that, I'll be selecting purely street level ranged villains and anti-heroes who have never displayed on-going bloodlust and follow some set of morals.
Right off the bat, the team needs a field leader. For that role, I'm going to have Toxin (the offspring of Carnage) step back into the spotlight of the Marvel Universe. Despite being a symbiote, Patrick Mulligan has proved he's a hero through-and-through. Even when mocked in the face by his father's killer, the New York City cop refused to cross the line and proved he has full control over his symbiotic counter-part. His training as an officer, ability to follow orders, and moral code will help keep the team in line during operations. To top it off, he has the physical means to throw his weight around if any member gets out of line. His impressive attributes and powers will also be a huge benefit in numerous combat scenarios or missions, allowing him to function as a brute, one-man army, and even stealth (thanks to camo and disguises).
Next I'll recruit Sandman and Shocker. These two Spider-Man villains are simply driven by one thing...Money. And let's face it, I'd rather have them brought in, given a regular salary and kept in line, instead of potentially falling back under command of someone truly evil, like Doctor Octopus. Both have killed, but they're not killers. If they serve under Doctor Octopus, they're merely his pawns and Octavius will use them how he pleases.
Sandman has shown compassion on countless occasions, most recently during Gauntlet when his entire struggle was just to save a girl. Even when working for Oc, he objected his plans that could potentially destroy the city, and in turn kill the girl. Ensuring the girl's safety will be an easy way to keep Sandman 100% loyal. To top it off, having an elemental themed character provides countless tactical options under the right command. Few would be able to stop him and he has countless non-lethal ways to best the targets.
Shocker on the other hand, has a moral set similar to Sandman. When he was concerned about his armor becoming too powerful, he feared the result would not only kill him, but wipe out an entire city. He let his enemy, Spider-Man, as well as Night Thrasher help him fix the problem. Not only has a moral-set on par with Sandman, but his armor and mind bring more potential to the table as well. When brute force is needed, Shocker serves a key role as a medium/long range combatant and is capable of blasting down any wall in the team's way. His expertise in engineering could also be put to good use. Given the Raft's resources, he could work with Fixer on creating some great new supplies that could be put to excellent use.
There's just two more slots to fill, and I'm going to pick my favorite duo from The Initiative---Taskmaster and Constrictor. Just like Shocker, Taskmaster is all about watching out for himself and getting paid. As long as those two options are on the table, he'll be available. And in this case, it's better to have him following Cage's objectives than those of the highest bidder. Just like during Norman's rule, Taskmaster would function as the expert close-range combatant. His extensive knowledge of techniques and expertise with assorted weapons make him the ideal soldier in the team. With the gear the raft will grant him, few will be able to contend.
And then there's Constrictor, the former SHIELD agent turned mercenary. Despite him going on the opposite side of the law and even teaming up with Sabretooth, he's always had a soft heart. Letting him be on a team fighting for the good guys is something I believe he wants to do. His armor and adamantium coils also make him a formidable force to have in almost any situation. Plus, him and Taskmaster have become good friends during their time under Norman. Chemistry is key for any successful team and it's important to avoid any potential bad blood scenarios.
Other candidates that were under consideration but didn't make the cut were Xraven, Cardiac, Rhino and Crossbones. Xraven is too big of a wild-card. We don't know what motivates him yet and I don't want anyone on the team to be a victim when he finds out. His power-set would be a great addition, but also makes him that much more dangerous. We don't know if he can be trusted and because of that, he shouldn't be let loose if caught.
Cardiac's impressive physical powers and intelligent mind could help the team, but this anti-hero is following his own agenda...And after his numerous encounters with Spider-Man, it's clear he doesn't play well with others. Rhino would make for the ideal strong-man on the team, but the loss of his lover has put him in a dark place, and if caught, that's something he needs to sit around and come to terms with, instead of unleashing on a populated area while in the field.
Then there's Crossbones. The Captain America villain who already served on the team. Sure, his brutal methods and skills could be of use, but he's already proved that be belongs locked up in a cell for the rest of his life.
So there you have it, Ledgers. If I was Luke Cage, my beta T-Bolts team would be Toxin, Sandman, Shocker, Taskmaster, and Constrictor. Do you guys think they're good or bad choices based on my reasoning? And if you were placed in Luke Cage's boots, who would you want on your team? Discuss!
