Manslaughter Marsdale
Context
A very minor Marvel Comics baddie
He’s mostly remembered for two brief clashes with Spider-Man during the 1980s.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Agent of Madame Fang ; Gang-with-no-name.
- Base Of Operations: New York City.
- Height: 6’8” Weight: 385 lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
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Powers and Abilities
Manslaughter Marsdale is a huge man with the following assets :
- His strength is enormous. It may in fact be slightly superhuman, given how he can destroy objects.
- He is a trained and talented boxer with a great killer instinct.
- He’s had a special operation making him unable to feel pain. This takes the form of active agents in his blood somehow blocking selected nerve signals. He can still be felled by superhuman blows, though.
- From his 2009 appearance, one gets the impression that he has military experience. He can handle explosives and milspec communication systems.
History
Manslaughter Marsdale worked as the right-hand man and enforcer of Madame Fang, an elderly criminal deeply involved in the New York City boxing scene.
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In 1985, he was sent to persuade rising star boxer Bobby Chance not to switch to Madame Fang’s rivals. Chance did not comply, and Marsdale would have probably maimed Chance – and killed his trainer, down-on-his-luck ex-wrestler “Crusher” Hogan. However, Spider-Man (Peter Parker) intervened.
Spider-Man again defeated Manslaughter Marsdale in 1988, while investigating the disappearance of Mary-Jane Watson. However, Marsdale was not intimidated, and did not know anything about the case anyway.
Dark Reign
In 2009, Marsdale was put in a coma by villainous anarchist Zodiac. He never saw his assailant. Zodiac then administered counter-agents to Marsdale, “miraculously” saving the enforcer from his coma and earning his loyalty.
Manslaughter joined Zodiac’s Gang-with-no-name. Other members were Death Reaper, the Clown (Eliot Franklin’s brother), the Trapster and Whirlwind.
The Gang-with-no-name successfully struck against Norman Osborn’s HAMMER organisation. They also put the Human Torch (Johnny Storm) in a coma before unleashing a commandeered Red Ronin giant robot in Times Square.
During the robot rampage, Marsdale took his revenge against Bobby Chance, torturing him and killing everyone at his gym. The Gang-with-no-name then invaded a HAMMER base, killing all inside – and particularly an ex-SHIELD investigator who had deduced Zodiac’s role.
Description
See illustrations.
Personality
A scary extortionist and legbreaker. He’s articulate, calm and professional, but a bit too confident in his immense strength and toughness. Marsdale can nurse a grudge like nobody’s business.
Quotes
“Don’t push me, kid ! I used to be in the ring myself… before they barred me ! Take my advice and reconsider before you sign with someone else ! I’ve grown real fond of you, Chance ! I’d hate to see you do anything that could seriously jeopardize your career – and your health !”
“Maybe you should try living in the real world ! Face it ! You can’t hurt a man who can’t feel pain !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Manslaughter Marsdale
| Dex: 05 | Str: 06 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Enforcer |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
| Init: 015 | HP: 015 |
Powers:
Growth: 01, Lightning immunity: 01, Skin armour: 01
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Growth is Always On and already factored in.
- Skin armour doesn’t work vs. large Slashing and Piercing attacks (-1).
Skills:
Charisma (intimidation): 05, Military Science (Demolitions): 03
Advantages:
Familiarity (Military equipment and protocols), Iron Nerves, Schtick (Pain Management, Medium).
Connections:
New York boxing scene (Low), Madame Fang (Low).
Drawbacks:
Creepy Appearance (huge).
Equipment:
PAIRED BRASS KNUCKLES [BODY 07, Enhance (EV): 01 (Cap is 07), Descriptor: Blunt, Bonus: +1CS OV/RV to resist Disarm attempts].
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Manslaughter Marsdale — Averaged PL 7.2
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 | 04 | 02 | 01 | 04 | 01 | 01 | 01 |
Powers
Feel no pain ● 4 points
– Immunity 1 (Pain), Protection 2.
– Protection 2 (Limited 3 to electric shocks).
Combat Advantages
Defensive Roll 2.
Other Advantages
Contacts, Equipment 1, Second chance (Fear/intimidation).
Skills
Athletics 1 (+6), Close combat (Unarmed) 4 (+8), Expertise (Enforcer) 4 (+5), Expertise (Boxing) 4 (+5), Expertise (Infantry soldier) 4 (+5), Insight 1 (+2), Intimidation 4 (+5), Perception 3 (+4), Persuasion 1 (+2).
Equipment
Brass knuckles — Strength-based Blunt Damage 1, Power Attack.
Offense
| Initiative +2 |
| Unarmed +8, Close, Damage 5 |
| Brass knuckles +8, Close, Damage 6 |
Defense
| Dodge | 7 | Fortitude | 9 |
| Parry | 8 | Toughness | 6/8* |
| Will | 4 |
* With Defensive Roll
Complications
- Appearance Marsdale is huge.
- Mercenary man Marsdale works for the highest underworld bidder.
Power levels
- Trade-off areas Attack/Effect PL 7, Dodge/Toughness PL 8, Parry/Toughness PL 8, Fort/Will PL 7.
- Point total 77. Abilities 38, Defences 17, Skills 13, Powers 4, Devices 0, Advantages 5. Equiv. PL 6.
Notes
Unlike with some other very tall characters, I did not model him with a Power about his size. This is because it’s not emphasised in the story or combat choreographies.
Source of Character: Spider-Man comics.
Helper(s): Roy Cowan, Darci.