Lamprey
(Donald McCuiggin)
Context
Squadron Supreme was a major 1985-86 Marvel Limited Series. The story was part of the maturing of super-hero comics during the 1980s.
Lamprey is a minor character in this story, with interesting powers and potential.
Background
- Real Name: Donald McGuiggin.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Institute of Evil, Squadron Supreme.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile, Squadron City, Earth-S.
- Height: 6’ Weight: 210 lbs.
- Eyes: Brown/White Hair: Brown
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Powers and Abilities
Lamprey possesses, for unknown reasons, the power of flight and energy absorption.
His absorption powers are so refined that he can sense the quantity as well as quality of both technological energy sources as well as the energy within super powered beings. He can also easily drain and use these energies for his own purposes. But although it normally was no hindrance, his powers could be overloaded with lethal effects.
Several years of flying has increased his maneuverability and nimbleness to high levels.
He’s also quite strong and tough, but not superhumanly so.
As an experienced super criminal he also is an expert thief capable in many criminal areas.
History
Unless you’ve already read the Squadron Supreme trade paperback I strongly recommend you to read this unusual story about superheroes.
For a more detailed history about the place called Marvel’s Earth-S, see the other Squadron Supreme write-ups.
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In short
Lamprey joined the Institute of Evil, a gang of criminals first organized by the time traveling Scarlet Centurion. As part of the group he performed heinous acts of crime against humanity for a long time.
During the Squadron Supreme’s Utopia Program the entire Institute of Evil got caught including Lamprey and were ’reprogrammed‘ (basically brainwashed) to become good and productive citizens instead.
Lamprey served within the Squadron for a time until the Institute members were de-brainwashed by the Squadron’s old enemy Dr. Menace. Together with a group called the Redeemers organized by former Squadroner Nighthawk (who opposed the fascistic Utopia Program) the Institutioners attacked the Squadron members in an all-out war.
During this attack Lamprey tried to absorb all of the energy of the hero Dr. Spectrum, but got overloaded, exploded to pieces and died. The Squadroners stopped the Utopia Program after the many deaths the attack resulted in.
Description
Lamprey is a slender, but tall and strong man. He usually wears a grey full body suit and purple boots and gloves with pointy parts at the joints. Most of the face and head is covered by a grey headpiece that has purple pointy ears.
In a typical superhero/super villain style he also carries a purple shirt and shorts (all sewn together) above the bodysuit. Conclusively his uniform basically is in two colors not making much of an impression.
His brown hair is kept in two long ponytails on both sides of his head hanging forward. From inside the head mask his eyes look completely white when using one of his powers.
Lamprey is almost always seen floating around in the air often repeating his quote below, with a nasty smile on his face.
Personality
Lamprey is an out-in-out villain who delights in using his victims’ strengths against them. While reformed, he was a playful, trusting man, but once deprogrammed he became a remorseless killer.
Lamprey is not a talkative fellow, but once in combat he likes to taunt his opponents. He often begins thinking with the words “Lamprey old boy…”.
All in all Lamprey is a super powered killer and psychopath and possesses few good traits. However, Lamprey does work well within a group and is a follower.
Quotes
“Heh Heeya Heeya Hee !”
DC Universe History
Since the Squadron Supreme are copies of the JLA there are two options. Either use the JLA in your adventure or use the entire Squadron Supreme instead.
Lamprey has, as far as I can see, no clear counterpart in the DC Universe. Seeing as he should be an energy stealing JLA villain his closest counterpart might be Amazo (personally I’d say Parasite – ed.).
Of course, Lamprey might be used in any type of hero campaign as he is. It would however be particularly interesting if the heroic PCs got to know Lamprey in a nice boy brainwashed form to later get surprised by his normal ferocious and lethal behavior.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Lamprey
| Dex: 07 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Psychopath |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Criminal, Squadron Member |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 4/25 (in Squadron) |
| Init: 016 | HP: 060 |
Powers:
Detect (Energy and Superpowers): 05, Energy Absorption: 12, Flight: 10, Power Drain: 12
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Detect can be used to sense the exact AP amount up to Lamprey’s APs of Power Drain (+1).
- Detect can also sense the exact quality of powers to differentiate people with the same powers from each other (+1).
- Energy Absorption and Power Drain Powers have Multiple Power Usage Bonus (+2 each).
- Energy Absorption and Power Drain have Ranges of Touch only (-1 each).
- Failure to use Energy Absorption or Power Drain against a superior power level (i.e. over 12 APs) results in a Killing Physical Attack against Lamprey equal to the APs of power that he tried to drain (-2).
- If Lamprey tries to absorb really high amounts of energy (over 12 APs) he will use a lot of hero points to succeed (as he’s aware failure is fatal to him).
Skills:
Acrobatics: 03, Thief: 05
Advantages:
Expansive Headquarters (Squadron City), Credentials (Squadron Supreme, Low).
Connections:
Institute of Evil (High), Squadron Supreme (Low), US Government (Low).
Drawbacks:
Dark Secret (spy within the Squadron), MIA (absorbing energy).
Source of Character: Squadron Supreme comics, Marvel Universe.