Viking Commando
Context
This character appeared in DC Comics’ short-lived All-Out War, in 1979/1980. Back then the war comics, once a popular genre, has begun their wane. Even Sergeant Rock would eventually stop publication.
These stories were in the style of the 1960s Bob Kanigher “weird war tales”, such as the War That Time Forgot feature. Meaning WWII stories from a veteran, but with some other pop fiction stuff — such as dinosaurs, vikings or aliens — randomly thrown in.
These notes were part of a series that simply re-presented that Mayfair stats in the then-hard-to-find World at War, plus basic DC content for context. I wanted to turn them into an actual writeups.org profile… but my unfortunate Kanigher allergy derailed that. 🙁
Background
- Real Name: Valoric
- Marital Status: Single
- Known Relatives: None
- Base Of Operations: Western Europe (1944-1945)
- Group Affiliation: U.S. Army
- Height: 6’5” Weight: 240lb
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Blond
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Powers and Abilities
The Viking Commando probably was one of the five most physically adept men in the Allied forces during the war (along with such men as the Gravedigger). He was extraordinarily strong and muscular, as well as swift and agile.
A card-carrying barbarian, his physical might was often seen as impossible to match for modern, civilized men. As per Howard’s Conan trope.
Although he preferred his magical axe Ironfang (which could shear through armor), he was also fully conversant with modern weapons. He packed a small arsenal on his person. All in all, the Viking Commando could destroy entire missile bases or tank columns all by himself.
History
Valoric is said to have been a 11th century Viking who fought the Huns.
However, there is no evidence that Valoric was actually a Viking. Since these Norse raiders were roving the seas in the 9th to 11th centuries. Also, to have fought the Huns, he had to be from a time even earlier than that. Amore probable time of origin, which will be used below, is the late fifth century.
If we forget the term “Viking” and the 12th century, it is quite probable that Valoric was one of a tribe ancestral to the Scandinavians of today.
Ride to ruin and the world’s ending
Late in the 5th century, a group of Huns, one of the scattered remnants left after the crushing defeat of Attila’s sons, raided Valoric’s tribe. They carried off King Siggro and his daughter Thella. Valoric led an expedition to rescue them.
They got the king and princess out of the Hunnish stronghold, but were met outside by a superior force of Huns. The Nordic warriors fought to the last. As each died fighting, he was carried off to Valhalla by one of the Valkyries.
At last, Valoric stood alone against his foes. As he fell, a Valkyrie named Fey took him up. She had, however, made a mistake : he was not yet dead. As a result, she could not carry him to Valhalla. The warrior was somehow hurled through a time warp to 1944, shortly after the D-Day invasion.
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World at war
His wounds healed by the journey through time, Valoric spied a German force. Mistaking them for Huns, attacked them. Fey tried to take him to Valhalla, but Odin appeared and ruled that she could not do so until he was truly dead.
Fey remained, patiently waiting for the death she was sure would come soon. Though visible to Valoric, she was invisible to others.
Major Graham of the U.S. Army had seen Valoric in action. He decided to recruit him to the Allied side. When Valoric heard the Germans referred to as “Huns”, he was eager to battle them. As he looked a bit like the later Vikings, he was nicknamed the Viking Commando and given Army training.
Valoric took part in a good deal of the action. He received a lot of publicity through Maggie Heywood, war correspondent for Life Magazine.
Whether he disappointed Fey by surviving the war is unrevealed. It is even possible that his voyage through the time stream slowed his aging and that he stayed alive for years after the war.
Description
See illustration.
Personality
No data.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Viking Commando
| Dex: 07 | Str: 05 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Thrill of combat |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 08 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Warrior |
| Inf: 06 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 07 | Resources {or Wealth}: 003 |
| Init: 021 | HP: 040 |
Skills:
Acrobatics: 04, Animal handling: 05, Charisma: 05, Martial artist*: 07, Military science: 06, Thief (stealth): 05, Weaponry: 09
Advantages:
Iron Nerves, Lightning Reflexes.
Connections:
U.S. Armed Forces (European Theatre, Low), Valhalla (Low).
Drawbacks:
SIA to envisioning his enemies as 11th century warriors.
Equipment:
- Iron Fang (magical battle axe) [BODY 13, Enhance (EV): 05 (cap is 13), Descriptor: Slashing, Recommended STR 03, Limitation: Enhance has a Power Loss – it can only have as many APs active as the wielder’s STR score].
- Thompson SMG [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 05, Ammo: 06, R#04, Advantage : Autofire].
- Grenades (x4) [BODY 01, Bomb: 07, R#2, Grenade drawback].
- Colt M1911A1 [BODY 03, Projectile weapon: 04, Ammo: 08, R#03].
- Dagger [BODY 07, Enhance (EV): 01 (Cap is 06), Descriptor: Piercing, Slashing].
Source of Character: DCU (old war comics).