This is what I was planning…

shastab24 wrote:
You can use them. And I would like to see the outline, to smooth out any possible inconsistencies.

No problem PQ me your email and I'll send it to you if that's okay.

Does anyone have contact with Azujod? Neilsama is looking to complete the Fearless comic and it was originally going to feature Azumorph. I see that the character usage states “auto” but Neil would like to double check it is okay. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

If anyone sees him, just tell him to check his Private Quacks. I left him a message there.

*Wakes up* *Yawns* Did someone call me? ;)

Don't worry Neil, I got your message, and I just sent you an e-mail.

Sorry - one more from me. Not even sure if this guy is worth mentioning, but only thought of it as I was doing my latest pages.

Franklin Lawler - HOLD

For those not familiar - he is Natasha Lawlers father and he played an important role in the finale of Energize: Hunted, which carries on into the opening of Energize: Black

Nepath wrote:

Franklin Lawler - HOLD

Done.

Frank Lawler is now DEAD

irrevenant wrote:

Nepath wrote:

Franklin Lawler - HOLD

Done.

Whoa!

Lawler will make a brief appearance at the end of the current HA chapter (given that he's ultimately in charge of RISE), which cannot be changed. But I guess he's off the table then for future issues… (or we'd have to add a "this takes place before Energize: Black"-caption.)

I knew he was your RISE guy and alluded to it in one of my latest pages, but I hoped this wouldn't have a huge impact on Heroes Alliance.

I figured timing difference will cover his planned appearances and after that it gives you a nice little power play opportunity for RISE ;)

Nepath wrote:
I knew he was your RISE guy and alluded to it in one of my latest pages, but I hoped this wouldn't have a huge impact on Heroes Alliance.

I figured timing difference will cover his planned appearances and after that it gives you a nice little power play opportunity for RISE ;)

I agree with Nepath on this. What happens when the guy holding the reins is gone? Who's left to try and take hold? Cobalt? Miltia? Or another perhaps even more dangerous general?

It's a great angle to say the least.

No way would the people funding this shindig allow a criminal, or even an outside contractor (like I believe Militia is) to take charge. Fun as a leadership struggle within RISE would be, what would happen is that the Government would appoint a new commander or try to shut the unit down. Note that I said “try”. :) Lots of dramatic potential in that…

Nothing to stop an existing hero within HA being selected to “join” Rise to lead them. You could have everyone throw a character in the hat and then decide who works best for you.

Nepath wrote:
Nothing to stop an existing hero within HA being selected to “join” Rise to lead them. You could have everyone throw a character in the hat and then decide who works best for you.

Seems unlikely. RISE seems to be the Government's answer to HA - a super team that's under their direct control. I can't see them putting anyone in control who isn't one of theirs.

Then find a hero that is not part of HA, who liked the HU setup?
It would be your Rick Flag

It should be noted that I'm just expressing my opinion. I have no actual clout or anything. xD

Nepath wrote:
Then find a hero that is not part of HA, who liked the HU setup?
It would be your Rick Flag

I think most of the characters who'd be suitable like Exocet or Tazer are out of play.

The other options tend to be civilians like Quantum, The Flea or Blonde Marvel without the necessary background.

Prodigy, H-Bomb and New Form didn't really seem like leader material, but that could actually make for an interesting storyline if one of them were thrown in above their competence level. I know very little about Weaver or Defender. Either of those might be a good fit.

Those are all the ones I can think of.

I'd have to talk to Spudsy, but I reckon he be might up for Tazer in that role. He was keen for Tazer to be a feature of something after his appearance in Energize, and New Guard had a promising idea behind it. Once Ironhand made it clear that the comic was not continuing, he was pulled from it.

I don't think an occasional appearance as a member of HA would cut it, but leader of RISE?

I could have a word with him about it?

I mentioned this to Spudsy last night, explaining to him the concept of RISE and he was up for it.

So therefore, if you want to use Tazer as new leader of RISE following Lawlers “termination”, then you are free to do so.

I don't see Tazer being the head of R.I.S.E. at all. It's not his MO at all, especially with the knowledge that they have a feud with HA (heroes he has countlessly worked alongside and called friends). Although hearing Tazer might be still in play again gets me excited…I would LOVE to write a solo story involving Tazer…there's a lot of untapped potential in his character.

Perhaps there'd be some way that Cobalt would get what he wants and get himself a more of a trusted, higher-ranking role? We're already showing he has a few tricks up his sleeves, something like Lawler dying and R.I.S.E's growing popularity would be a great power play for him.

Fair point to be honest.
RISE is your thing, whatever you think works.
As for Tazer, I think if the idea was right then Spudsy might be up for it, and im happy to pass along as he is not on this site anymore.
I do check in on these forums regularly, but you could PQ me also.

ironhand wrote:
I don't see Tazer being the head of R.I.S.E. at all. It's not his MO at all, especially with the knowledge that they have a feud with HA (heroes he has countlessly worked alongside and called friends). Although hearing Tazer might be still in play again gets me excited…I would LOVE to write a solo story involving Tazer…there's a lot of untapped potential in his character.

Perhaps there'd be some way that Cobalt would get what he wants and get himself a more of a trusted, higher-ranking role? We're already showing he has a few tricks up his sleeves, something like Lawler dying and R.I.S.E's growing popularity would be a great power play for him.

I always saw Cobalt as the real head of RISE, Lawler was merely the backer for it. How I see it is like this.

Lawler's dead and they know its Energize or some sort of facsimile of him. Cobalt emphasizes that RISE is needed now more than ever as Energize was in HU and HA as the potential for ultimate destruction.

Cobalt looks the type to play on peoples fears through logical wording and such.

The government of course isn't going to give him a blank check but prodding from war hawks could fix that.

ironhand wrote:
I don't see Tazer being the head of R.I.S.E. at all. It's not his MO at all, especially with the knowledge that they have a feud with HA (heroes he has countlessly worked alongside and called friends). Although hearing Tazer might be still in play again gets me excited…I would LOVE to write a solo story involving Tazer…there's a lot of untapped potential in his character.

Depends how its played. I can see Tazer maybe wanting to try and reform RISE from the inside. (Think Angel Season 5. :).

If you don't go that route with Tazer there are other HU characters who might fit it. Weaver, possibly.

Cobalt seems like a reasonable fit, but it's hard to comment on that since so far we know essentially nothing about him.

irrevenant wrote:
Depends how its played. I can see Tazer maybe wanting to try and reform RISE from the inside. (Think Angel Season 5. :).

If you don't go that route with Tazer there are other HU characters who might fit it. Weaver, possibly.

Cobalt seems like a reasonable fit, but it's hard to comment on that since so far we know essentially nothing about him.

My only thought re. Colbalt leading is that RISE is a team of villains. Lawler was the “good guy” keeping them in check? Would you hand that role to a villain? I think Irrevenant may be right, if not Tazer, then Weaver or someone trustworthy, but logically it would not be an existing member of RISE.

You guys have a point about Cobalt. We don't know much about him, which makes me wonder if he'd attempt a power play. I really, really will protest against Tazer. Even trying to reform from the inside isn't his MO - he'd be trying to shut them down just the same as Bombshell IMO.

Someone like Weaver, or maybe a similar type of character, could really work. This plays the “trying to reform from the inside” approach, while also juggling the “power-struggle” as Cobalt works his way up the chain to become the head. This makes everything internal in R.I.S.E. so much more interesting and dynamic, and maybe even opens them up to a weak spot (and an even dangerous spot as Cobalt plays everyone.)

(RE: Tazer, I'll get thinking…I love that character too much to see him fall into limbo)

Hah, cool.
Well it will be interesting to see what you do with RISE.
At least me killing off Lawler made things interesting. :)

I've been quietly waiting in the shadows till now, since I really wanted to hear everyone's angle on this first. Now…
I must admit I don't see Tazer as head of RISE either. Whoever heads RISE must absolutely believe that the ends justify the means… Frank Lawler fit that category, but I don't think Tazer does. How do you reform a team of villains, most of whom are forced to act against their own will? I don't see how that could work. But I'm always open to suggestions, of course!
Cobalt cannot become the official leader of RISE, for pretty much the same reason any if their members can't: They're all villains. They can hope for redemption, but not merely by rising to power; in the public eye, that would be irresponsible.
Personally, I believe the most plausible development is - very straightforward - that another military leader will take over from Lawler. But, again, I'm still open for more interesting suggestions ;)

I actually have a genuine suggestion that would make more sense.

http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Energize/5284467/

Lawlers best friend and head of his armoured soldier program - Arsenal.

He is military, could lead AND could be on the team.

Isn't Arsenal one of the characters on the off limits list?

I can sort that out, i'm sure.
He will be making a small cameo in Energize: Black, so his restriction was more to stop the character being free to use. That goes for all of Spudsy's characters. It's not that they cannot be used ever, just that you need to seek permission.

The only problem is that he is not on the site. But I talk to him everyday anyway, so it's no bother to ask.

For example, Ironhand recently had a suggestion for a Tazer/Nemesis story which he contacted me about on Deviantart. Spudsy liked the New Guard ideas, but wasn't keen on this pitch, so vetoed it. But if the idea is right, he would be fine.

Just to confirm, his key characters are as follows;
Tazer
Exocet
Arsenal
New Form
Prodigy

Is there a character bio on Arsenal somewhere? Just so I can evaluate his potential role better. My concern is that perhaps Arsenal might overshadow Cobalt's role, especially if Arsenal is in the field during RISE missions too… It's important for future plots that Cobalt has clear authority over the other RISE team members in the field.