Originally created during the Second World War as a response to Nazi Occult Research and Super-Science teams, the Worldwide Extranormal Incident Response Directorate and its Operatives had a mission to collect, catalogue and contain threats that the conventional military wasn’t equipped for. From death rays to mad sorcerors, they stood against the threats nobody else could and were the best there was… for a while.
With the rise of the modern super-hero, however, W.E.I.R.D.O.s have been increasingly limited to showing up in the aftermath of a super-powered punchout to haul the unconscious bad guys off to prison. The public sees them as little more than a glorified clean-up crew, and with the government looking for ways to cut corners, W.E.I.R.D.‘s on the chopping block. They’ve got one last chance to prove they can still do the job, and for that, they’ve turned to the one man who can turn things around: Doctor Socrates.
Dr. Alexander Socrates is the smartest man in the world, and he’s got a plan to get the cash-strapped government agency back on its feet.
A former adventurer himself, “Doc Soc” is well acquainted with the people he’s going up against, and he knows the best way to prove W.E.I.R.D.’s relevance is by taking the fight to them! The problem is how to do that on the shoestring budget they’ve been left with, but as always, the good Doctor has a solution. Why send a team of W.E.I.R.D.O.s that costs millions to train and equip into a hazardous situation when you can outsource it to a couple of freelance (and yes, expendable) “Recovery Agents” who’ll do any job for ten thousand? Sure, it’s a little ruthless, but Doc’s found two men that have been working as super-villain bounty hunters–a mystical kung fu master and a hardcore, daredevil wheelman–that might just fit the bill.
It’s not gonna be easy, but then again, these aren’t the guys you get for the easy jobs. These are the guys you get for…
And that’s all for the character profiles of The Hard Ones! Of course, we could introduce you to the deadly Kings of Vegas, the smokin’ Hot Rod Honeys, the tough-as-nails Outlaws, or even the Seven Men of Evil… but that’ll have to wait for another time. Keep your eyes on the road and watch your back: The Hard Ones are coming soon to the Action Age of Comics!
March 19th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Rusty/CFC, nice choice on the double-breasted blazer. It gives him a certain sinister Ozymandias quality. Of course, my mind is coloring his hair blond, if its actually grey or white, he’d probably look more like a banker, but that would also be sinister!
March 19th, 2009 at 12:53 am
I was picturing a mild hemlock-green.
Also, rad. Sounds like all your (aka my aka everyone who likes fun) favourite things mashed up into one glorious high-concept.
Cant wait.
March 19th, 2009 at 6:39 am
I am wondering is it pronounced Socrates like the philosopher, or So Crates like Bill and Ted would say?
March 19th, 2009 at 7:21 am
No joke, Tim, heaven forbid this project having any associations with banks or bankers.
Because y’know, there’re two types of guys in comics these days…
And… end inside joke.
March 19th, 2009 at 7:40 am
You have me a week pumping out about Doctor Socrates, and now that I know, you tell me I’ll be waiting for a month for the Seven men of Evil? C’mon! A group with such an uninspired name must be composed of the most kickass genius ever! I’m gonna have a heart attack here!
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:56 am
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