Jean-Paul “Frenchie” Duchamp
Context
Frenchie is Moon Knight (Marc Spector)’s aide, ally and chauffeur/pilot. A bit of Alfred Pennyworth, and a bit of Kato. He’s been there since the beginning, in 1975.
I’m not sure why we have sparse, old notes about him. It may have been a “his stats are probably this, we can’t get too wrong on that one” thing. And/or this interesting solo appearance of his against Killer Shrike.
The notes were done during the 1990s – he had already become Bloodline, but I apparently was waiting for more material about this identity (which IIRC never came). And of course, Frenchie’s character development during the 2006 series didn’t exist yet.
Advertisement
Background
- Real Name: Jean-Paul Duchamp.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Partner of the Moon Knight.
- Base Of Operations: New York City (formerly Spector Mansion, Long Island, New York).
- Height: 5’11” Weight: 170 lbs. Age: Mid-30s.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black (graying along the temples).
Powers and Abilities
Frenchie is a crack pilot. He’s trained with props, helicopters, jets and advanced VTOL vehicles like the Mooncopter. He’s also an excellent driver and powerboat operator.
Furthermore Duchamp is :
- A Foreign Legion-trained elite soldier.
- A smooth and experienced mercenary.
- A person with solid experience in the superhuman arena as Moon Knight (Marc Spector)’s aide.
His main weakness his low Hero Points total. As he’s, ultimately, but a sidekick.
Advertisement
History
Jean-Paul “Frenchie” Duchamp is Marc Spector’s closest buddy. They met in Africa when both were mercs, and started regularly working together. When Spector died, was revived and became the Moon Knight, Frenchie became his pilot, aide and confidante.
For a several years, Frenchie operated with Moon Knight both around the globe and in America. They fought criminals, dictators and supervillains and regularly saving each other’s life. But eventually, Frenchie was badly wounded when Killer Shrike tore the Mooncopter apart. Duchamp narrowly survived the crash, but his legs were crippled.
As a man of action, took his handicap pretty badly. However, while Moon Knight was confronting the machinations of Seth the Immortal, it was discovered that Duchamp could access superpowers and call on the abilities and personalities of his ancestors. He thus regained his mobility as Bloodline.
At one point, in his Pierre Latrec ancestor persona, Jean-Paul went into a rage and pummelled Moon Knight. Moon Knight had to drain Duchamp’s life in order to save himself, and accidentally destroyed the Latrec persona and abilities. Duchamp survived the ordeal, though.
Personality
Frenchie is a smooth operator and a cinematic commando, pilot, getaway wheelman and mercenary. He’s smart and perceptive, and enjoys life as a suave adventurer.
He is more grounded and mature than Moon Knight. Thus, he often serves as a friendly adviser, especially when it comes to romance. He loyally follows Moon knight’s orders like any good sidekick. Duchamp draws from some of the same archetypes as Magnum, P.I..
During the last few issues of Marc Spector : Moon Knight, he grew tired of the “Frenchie” nickname. He preferred to simply be called Jean-Paul (the closest approximation of pronunciation in English being Jaw-Pohl).
Description
Frenchie nearly always wears a pair of aviator’s shades and keep his hair slicked back, along with a small 1930s moustache.
The version of the Mooncopter illustrated below is one of the most modern ones – a VTOL jet shaped much like Moon Knight’s crescent darts.
Quotes
Frenchie (pointing his gun at guards) : “There’s one hundred thousands in the case and fifteen rounds in the Browning. Is that enough for the helicopter and an hour’s worth of silence ?”
Greedy guards : “You may have our silence for free, sir.”
Frenchie : “You can keep the case along with the bills, then. It’s sharkskin. Step away from the rotors now, gentlemen – a pleasure doing business with you.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Jean-Paul Duchamp
| Dex: 04 | Str: 03 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Thrill of Adventure |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 05 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 006 |
| Init: 013 | HP: 015 |
Skills:
Artist (actor): 04, Charisma: 05, Military science: 04, Vehicles (Air, Land, Water): 06, Weaponry (firearms): 05
Advantages:
Connoisseur, Language (French, presumably others).
Connections:
Marc Spector/Moon Knight (High), Chloe (High), Mercenary world (Low), Marlene Alraune (High).
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
- Browning BDA9 [BODY 03, Projectile weapon: 04, Ammo: 14, R#03].
- Aviator’s shades [BODY 01, Shade: 02].
- If he expects heavy combat, he will have :
- a M16A2 [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 06, Ammo: 08, R#02, Advantage : Autofire].
- a Tac vest [BODY 06, Skin armor: 02, Invulnerability: 04, Limitations : Skin armor and Invulnerability are Partial (vest) and only work against bullets and blades, Drawback: Real Armour].
- See the Moon Knight writeup for the stats of the Mooncopter.
Source of Character: Moon Knight (comics) Marvel Universe.
Helper(s): Craig Clarke.