Split-Second Squad
(1970s version)
Context
These blokes primarily appeared in a 1970 Avengers story. Back then the criminal gang full of colourful reprobates, each with a ridiculous schtick, was something of a comic book tradition.
The Split-Second Squad is thus a good way to evoke the late 1960s comics in street-level games.
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Overview
The Split-Second Squad was a colourful gang of bank-robbers assembled by a masked villain named Kronus.
Kronus insisted on aggressive timetables and doing everything on the double, which earned his men the “split-second squad” nickname. He would even have them film themselves during heists, so they could improve by watching themselves in action.
However, the motley mob of misfits chafed under Kronus’s strict regimen. Especially since he tended to keep them confined in a small, high-tech bases between jobs. There were several half-hearted attempts at rebellion, but Kronus always quelled those with his concussive energy pistol.
In 1970, the Squad had one of their rapid bank robberies in New York City interrupted by the Black Panther (T’Challa). Onionhead got rid of the hero with his gas pistol, and the Squad fled with their loot. Some days later, Kronus used the Split-Second Squad in an attempt to kill the Avengers using a bomb.
His goal was to frame the successful and unethical businessman Cornelius van Lunt, for personal reasons. However the scheme failed, and Kronus and the Split-Second Squad were captured and arrested.
Illustrated : Onionhead, Pecos, Pinstripe.
The Split-Second Squad members apparently continued their criminal career in New York. The Cap’n and Joe the Gorilla were thus spotted among the fake Defenders who clashed with the “Defenders for a day” (don’t ask). They attempted to subdue the Valkyrie, with predictable results.
Perhaps, one day, the Split-Second Squad will be reunited in all of its, mmm… its… with its whole membership.
Personality
Cap‘n Skragg is the nautical type. Most of what he spouts is in sailing jargon. He seems to be a bit of a bully.
Joe the Gorilla is very strong (though his Strength score is on the generous side, really) and proud of it. He’s something of a bully, too.
Onionhead (presumably named after his woollen hat) sounds like an uneducated brute, but he’s actually a cunning fighter. He seems pretty large and strong, but his thing is his knockout gas pistol.
Pecos is a cowboy. He shoots a sixgun and says cowboy things, podnuh. His belly seems to be yellowish, though.
Pinstripe dresses in fashions that are many decades out of date (roughly the same style as Turner D. Century). His speciality is unclear, but he seemed to help with the filming and keeping track of the timetable and the plan.
Sweet William affects a precious manner, and dresses fastidiously. A lot of his dialogue starts with “dear me !”, and he keeps sarcastically complaining about all the violence. Perhaps he has some sort of distinctive people skills and can serve as the group’s face.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Cap‘n Skragg
“In my day, we knew how to deal with lubbers like you !”
“Well, blow we down, matey… but can’t you take a joke ?!”
| Dex: 04 | Str: 03 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 010 |
Skills:
Vehicles (Sea): 05, Weaponry (Firearms): 04
Advantages:
None demonstrated, matey.
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
Yarrrr !
Equipment:
- S&W Model 76 submachinegun [BODY 04, Projectile weapon: 05, Ammo: 08, R#03, Advantage: Autofire].
- Cap‘n Skragg mentioned having a launch anchored in a New York City harbour, and likely owns several ships.
Joe the Gorilla
“Nothin’ breaks Joe the Gorilla’s killer grip — nothin’ !”
“That fast-guy wasn’t lyin’ — they just grabbed the chief !”
| Dex: 04 | Str: 05 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 02 | Wil: 02 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 009 | HP: 010 |
Skills:
Accuracy (Wrestling): 05, Weaponry (Firearms): 04
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
Minor Rage.
Equipment:
S&W Model 76 submachinegun [BODY 04, Projectile weapon: 05, Ammo: 08, R#03, Advantage: Autofire].
Onionhead
“Don’t that Sweet William know nuthin’ ? A guy’s as fast as the Panther, you can’t mow ’im down with no tommy gun !”
| Dex: 04 | Str: 03 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 010 |
Skills:
Weaponry (Firearms): 04
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
Gas pistol [BODY 02, Knockout gas: 09, Ammo: 01, Bonus: Knockout gas is its own AV (+1), Drawback: No Reload In The Field]. Since that’s his big attack, Onionhead usually burns most of his Hero Points when shooting his gas pistol.
Pecos
“You tell ’em, podnuh !”
“Hey boss-man ! While you’re palaverin’ about the element of surprise… look who just pulled one on us !”
| Dex: 04 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 010 |
Skills:
Weaponry (Firearms): 05
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
Revolver [BODY 03, Projectile weapon: 04, Ammo: 06, R#2, Drawback: Long reload time] plus extra ammo on his belt.
Pinstripe
“He won’t like it when he finds we’ve been playing cards again — on his time !”
| Dex: 04 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 02 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 009 | HP: 010 |
Skills:
Weaponry (Firearms): 04
Advantages:
None demonstrated, possibly an innate sense of timing.
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
S&W Model 76 submachinegun [BODY 04, Projectile weapon: 05, Ammo: 08, R#03, Advantage: Autofire].
Sweet William
“Dear me, Panther — now I believe you’ve hurt our feelings ! And Sweet William doesn’t like having his feeling hurt — any more than he likes violence ! So do try not to bleed too profusely, won’t you ?” (opens fire)
| Dex: 04 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 010 |
Skills:
Weaponry (Firearms): 04
Advantages:
None demonstrated, possibly Connoisseur.
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
S&W Model 76 submachinegun [BODY 04, Projectile weapon: 05, Ammo: 08, R#03, Advantage: Autofire].
Source of Character: Avengers v1 #77 and (vaguely) two Defenders issues.
Helper(s): Darci.