Benny
(Black Lagoon)
Context
Black Lagoon is a 2002+ manga series, which began receiving its anime adaptation in 2006. It is about a band of modern-days pirates and mercenaries. They are based in Roanapur, a mobs-dominated pisshole of a city in Thailand.
Black Lagoon is steeped into the aesthetics of ultraviolent 1990s and early 2000s action movies and “gun opera” movies, with a dark overall tone. It is a seinen manga, meaning that it is aimed at older and more kanji-literate readers than shōnen manga (aimed at boys).
Benny is one of the protagonists, working as their technical guy.
Background
- Real Name: Benny (last name unrevealed).
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Black Lagoon.
- Base Of Operations: Roanapur, Thailand (although active throughout southern Asia).
- Height: 5’11” Weight: 150lbs.
- Eyes: Green Hair: Blond
Advertisement
Powers and Abilities
Although not a physical combatant, Benny is a whiz with machines. Thus, he usually can be found manning the Black Lagoon’s electronics gear.
He’s also a skilled hacker (or “cracker”). For instance he could recover Janet Bhai’s data in Episode 18, Mr. Benny’s Good Fortune.
On top of all that, he can drive his ’69 Plymouth Road Runner like a madman. Benny can even handle the Black Lagoon in a pinch.
History
Benn might be from Florida, where he ran into trouble with the mob and the FBI. He only survived thanks to Revy. He came to work for the Lagoon Couriers, and has been with them for two years as the story begins.
Later, kidnapping the heir of a decaying Columbian drug cartel put them into conflict with the family’s maid. This woman actually was a match for Revy. After that they were hired by Mr. Chang to deliver some documents to the UN dodging terrorist all the way. Despite her misgivings Revy did save Rock when he was captured during this episode.
Advertisement
Their next adventure was a bounty hunt for a pair of serial killers loose in their city. Later they helped Janet, a skilled counterfeiter, escape from the syndicate that wanted her back. Benny and Janet subsequently started a long-distance relationship.
Benny is hardly seen in the final story arc. But it appears that he and Dutch are merely going about their business in Roanapur taking care of the company’s daily affairs.
Description
Standing 5’ 11”, with a lanky build, Benny has long shaggy blond hair he keeps tied up in a pony tail. He wears glasses, is often in need of a shave, and wears Hawaiian shirts most everywhere.
Personality
A relaxed guy. Benny has no interest or skill in violence, though being Jewish he has a big problem with Nazis – some of whom operate in the area. His family apparently has a past opposing these, perhaps as WWII partisans.
Benny is irrationally protective of his computers, and don’t want anybody else touching them.
Quotes
“Either way, we’re not the type to shoot at human beings. That’s why we stay with the fort.”
DC Universe History
Roanapur is a very interesting setting that could inserted whole into the DCU since we all know there isn’t all that much going on in Asia. Or the Black Lagoon Co. could reasonably be encountered anywhere in southern Asia.
Gritty street action characters would best fit this sort of setting. Bat family members could easily have some memorable adventures with the Black Lagoon Co. or in Roanapur.
Giving Benny connections to some of the known FBI or Mafioso characters might be a nice touch to incorporating him into the DCU. He could be on the run from checkmate or possessing secret info that the Suicide Squad might want back. Perhaps he learned some secret info about Project Cadmus or Amanda Waller. Anyone else want to take a stab at this?
Marvel Universe History
Again Roanapur or the Black Lagoon Co. could be inserted whole and come into conflict with a variety of characters in the region. Possible characters through into this mix could include the Punisher or Daredevil, but characters with superpowers that frequent these criminal elements such as Wolverine or Deadpool might be too much.
Or alternatively the final story arc resulting in a clash between the Russian Mafia and Yakuza could pit the characters against the Hand and affiliated heroes and villains.
Benny could easily be on the run from Justin Hammer or the Maggia. Perhaps the Punisher is seeking him out because of the secret info that he has.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Benny
| Dex: 03 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Anti-heroic Mercenary |
| Int: 07 | Wil: 07 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Officially a computer technician for an international trading company, but really just a pirate |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 006 |
| Init: 013 | HP: 025 |
Skills:
Acrobatics (dodging)*: 03, Military Science (electronic countermeasures): 05, Scientist (analysis, research): 05, (computer science, computer hacking): 08, Thief (security systems): 05, (stealth)*: 03, Vehicles (sea): 04, (land): 07 (both include build and repair)
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Black Lagoon Company (High), Levy (High), Hotel Moscow (High), Mr. Chang’s Triads (Low), Janet “Greenback Jane” Bhai (High).
Drawbacks:
SIA (not letting others use his computer equipment), Involuntary Exile (America), MPR (nearsighted).
Genre:
Gritty.
Equipment:
- Palm computer [BODY 01 INT 01, Miniaturization: 08, Recall: 15, Internet access, R#3] Access encrypted by 8 APs of Security Systems.
- Advanced Home Computer [BODY 02 INT 02, Miniaturization: 02, Recall: 20, Split (Mental, no lose): 03, Thief (Security Systems): 02, Internet access, R#2] Access encrypted by 8 APs of Security Systems.
- He does also have access to the “company car” provided it’s drivable as it frequently gets destroyed: Muscle Car [STR 06 BODY 06 Flash: 03, Running: 05, R#03. Bonuses & Limitations: Flash can only be used to provide a continuous light source (headlights)].
Source of Character: Black Lagoon (animated series).
Helper(s): Wikipedia, Kal el Vigilante (for computer stats), Frank Murdock, Roy Cowan, Sébastien Andrivet, Surbrook .