Clive Reston
Context
Marvel’s Master of Kung-Fu was one of the main comic book by-products of the kung fu movies craze of the early 1970s, along with Iron Fist or DC’s Richard Dragon.
Due to reasons, we hashed out very early on crude notes about its main characters, which we never had time to revisit. But these provide the basics, so that’s still useful.
Clive Reston himself is pretty much a James Bond expy . He first appeared in 1975.
Background
- Real Name: Clive Reston.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Leiko Wu (wife), David Wu (brother-in-law), Mr. Wu (father-in-law, deceased), unidentified father and grand-uncle (see History).
- Group Affiliation: Formerly MI6, then Freelance Restorations.
- Base Of Operations: London.
- Height: 5’11 ½” Weight: 170 lbs. Age: 30’s.
- Eyes: Blue-Gray Hair: Gray
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Powers and Abilities
Clive is a well-trained and well-rounded secret agent. He’s adept at all aspects of the espionage game, from fisticuffs and gunplay to stealth and sabotage.
History
Clive Reston was a longtime agent of the British spy agency MI-6. He served under Sir Denis Nayland-Smith and alongside Black Jack Tarr, Leiko Wu, and Shang Chi.
When Smith severed ties with MI-6 and formed his own agency, Freelance Restorations, Clive went with him.
Not much is known about Clive’s background.
He makes frequent references to his father and grand-uncle, implying that they were James Bond and Sherlock Holmes, respectively.
Description
Clive Reston is a good-looking and fit gentleman in his 30’s with prematurely gray hair. Off-duty, he dresses impeccably in fashionable suits ; while on the job, his outfits are more casual and practical… jumpsuits, etc..
He carries various firearms and other equipment as the job requires.
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Personality
Clive is basically a good and brave man. But he can be arrogant, vain, and immature, especially where women are concerned.
He and Shang Chi had a longstanding and sometimes bitter rivalry over the affections of Leiko Wu. After Shang and Leiko became an inseparable couple, Clive managed to remain friends with both of them, though he sometimes let his bitterness show.
Clive had a brief affair with Nayland Smith’s secretary, Melissa Greville. But he cut her off rather abruptly to pursue the exotic Russian defector code-named “Dark Angel”.
Clive has been known to go on drinking binges when he’s depressed over some setback. It’s never been bad enough to keep him from doing his job, but he’s occasionally had to go into action while nursing a hangover.
Quotes
“Anyway, as my father was wont to say, ‘Live and let live’… or die, as the case may be.”
DC Universe History
Since Clive, his associates, and the entire MI6 organization are fairly aloof from the Marvel Universe, they could be transplanted to the DCU with a minimum of fuss. If you don’t want to bring over Fu Manchu, then Nayland Smith’s arch-enemy (and Shang’s father) could be Ra’s Al Ghul or even Vandal Savage.
If you want Clive in America, he could end up as a Checkmate agent after leaving MI-6. Or perhaps he could replace Rick Flagg as the field commander of the Suicide Squad.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Clive Reston
| Dex: 05 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Thrill Seeker |
| Int: 06 | Wil: 08 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Freelance spy |
| Inf: 06 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 09 |
| Init: 017 | HP: 030 |
Skills:
Acrobatics: 05, Artist (Actor): 06, Charisma: 06, Detective: 06, Military Science: 06, Thief: 06, Vehicles: 05, Weaponry: 05
Advantages:
Area Knowledge (London), Attractive, Connoisseur, Rich Friend (Nayland Smith), Scholar (Botany), Sharp Eye.
Connections:
MI6 (High).
Drawbacks:
MIA (Alcohol).
Equipment:
Reston’s usual weapon is a vintage ASP 9mm semi-automatic pistol [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 04, Ammo: 07, R#02]. This modified Smith & Wesson M39 pistol is most famous for having been one of James Bond’s signature pistols, and was rebuilt especially for covert operations.
Helper(s): Sébastien Andrivet
Source of Character: Master of Kung Fu comics.