Hello patrons! Today I’ve got something a bit unusual for you… y’see, I love comics. I’ve always loved comics, and I talk comics every week with my boss at my current job (it’s awesome).

While we discuss comics, my mind tends to seize on ideas that would be amazing — but I’m not in the comics industry. Rather than just sit on these ideas, though, I thought I might share them here in hopes they might inspire you guys to create your own stories… or use them as adventure seeds in any Superhero RPG you may take part in! (See, I did manage to bring it back around to RPGs in the end).

Here are some storylines I’ve brainstormed while discussing comics.

The Great Hunt

What if Kraven hunted Mister Fantastic in the Savage Land?

Super-smart and gizmoteer superheroes are great — but they are rarely, if ever, really challenged to save the day without their gear. This storyline proposes that, for some reason, Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four have switched villains (ask me for my ideas on Spider-Man facing off with the Red Ghost!). In this scenario, the fairly-staid-and-boring Mister Fantastic is rudely thrust out of his comfort zone, sent to the Savage Land with nothing but his costume.

In this environment, I think Mister Fantastic would find himself challenged like never before — no high-tech gear, no friends, and no fantasti-car! Likely, he’d have to use his smarts in some all-new ways to out-think Kraven the Hunter, who is patiently stalking his prey through the pre-historic jungles of the Savage Land. No doubt we could even get some character development as Reed Richards is confronted with his own mortality — or pauses to quiet the super-science racing through his head and simply appreciate the natural splendor surrounding him.

In the end, of course, Mister Fantastic would find a way to escape Kraven and get out of the Savage Land — though there might be some lasting consequences in the form of a jungle disease, perhaps a scar from one of Kraven’s weapons, or something else entirely.

A Mutant Captain America

What if Cyclops became Captain America?

The role of Captain America is a powerful symbol. In recent years, we’ve seen Sam Wilson don the red-white-and-blue costume and shield, and he’s awesome as Cap. However, there is another group in Marvel’s world that could use some of that representation, especially since they’ve been around in America for quite a long time. I’m speaking, of course, of the mutants.

And here’s where Cyclops steps in. Scott Summers is a mutant, a famous one, and as leader of the X-Men for so many years, he’d bring some serious skills to the role of Captain America. One of his mutant powers is an instinctive understanding of trigonometry, so the tricks he could pull off with throwing the shield and using it to bounce his optic blasts would be legendary. Also, Scott has the right temperament to be Cap — he’s got the compassion and the heart, plus the courage and the determination.

And what does it mean for a mutant to be Captain America? It would certainly enrage mutant-haters across the nation. It would galvanize any Sentinel programs and politicians who oppose mutant equality. It would certainly prove interesting to numerous supervillains as well… particularly X-Men villains AND Captain America villains. What happens when the Red Skull teams up with the Sentinels? Would Hydra and Apocalypse work together?

And of course, there’s the social angle. Mutants worldwide would feel like they’re seen for the first time. American mutants, and particularly the X-Men, would see their profile raised and probably get a lot of attention from the media. Progressive groups would celebrate this as a win for visibility and equality, while conservative groups would be upset that Captain America could possibly be anything other than a human.

Dream a Little Dream

What if Dream Girl met Dream?

Now that I’ve talked about two Marvel ideas, let’s give DC some love as well.

The Legion of Super-Heroes is a group that keeps the 30th century safe. One of the most underrated members of the Legion is Nura Nal, better known as Dream Girl. Her superpower is to glimpse the future in her dreams, in addition to some serious science and hand-to-hand skills. She’s been a Legionnaire for years but has only rarely had any time to shine.

Dream of the Endless is better known as “Sandman” from Neil Gaiman’s excellent run of that series in the 90’s. He’s the actual-for-real Morpheus, lord of Dreams.

I wondered what would happen that might draw these two together? Not romantically, per se, but more of an encounter that ends up with the two teaming up against a common threat. Dream had enough trouble getting along in 90’s-era America… how would he react to the 30th century?

And Nura would have many, many, many questions for a being who literally controls dreams. I think this would be a really interesting way to evolve her powerset, maybe being able to enter others dreams or somehow being able to use her precognition while she’s awake.

As to whom they have to team up to defeat, well, there’s always the Fatal Five, but the Legion has numerous other enemies that could be a lot of fun to explore. My instinct would be to find some lesser-known villains and use them, someone like Satan Girl or the Dark Circle. Naturally, Dream and Dream Girl would find a new appreciation for each other’s courage, abilities, skills, and compassion through the story.

Maybe the climax involves bringing Dream’s sibling, Death, to handle someone like Satan Girl, or Dream Girl manages to bring the Dark Circle into a dreamscape where Dream can imprison them in their own minds.

Love Comics? Tlell me!

If these ideas have any value for you, that’s great! I’d love to hear from you about comics stories you may have thought of and would love to see someday.