From Panel to Play: M.O.D.O.K

CP05 M.O.D.O.K

Welcome back for another Atomic Mass Transmission!

Last time, we explored how we approached translating Captain Marvel into Crisis Protocol. Today, we’re going to take a look at how a being of pure evil genius, that malevolent leader of AIM, M.O.D.O.K. shaped up in Crisis Protocol.

Once a technician in the service of Advanced Idea Mechanics—an organization of scientists dedicated to world domination through technology—George Tarleton was transformed by the use of mutagenics into M.O.D.O.C., an acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Computing. His only function was to study and improve upon the newly created Cosmic Cube, a device housing unfathomable cosmic power. Holding ambitions far beyond being used as a living computer, M.O.D.O.C. disposed of his former masters, took control of A.I.M. and donned the moniker M.O.D.O.K., or Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing.

In the following years, M.O.D.O.K. would battle the likes of Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, and Iron Man among others. Occasionally, his position as Scientist Supreme of A.I.M. would be challenged as a result of his defeat at the hands of these heroes, but in the end, M.O.D.O.K. would always use his superior intellect to reassert his authority against anyone foolish enough to stand in his way.

Truth be told several of us at Atomic Mass Games have a soft spot for mad scientists, and so we knew we had to bring M.O.D.O.K. in all his over-the-top maniacal glory to the tabletop. M.O.D.O.K.’s design is one of the most unique and striking in all of Marvel. The proportions of his head to his limbs not only tell the viewer this guy is more of a thinker than a bruiser, but it also puts his facial features into clear focus and really let’s his character shine. Because of this, we knew that the key to getting this miniature right was getting the right facial expression—which we quickly decided would be his iconic scowl. We positioned one hand upturned and gesturing to give you that sense that M.O.D.O.K. was in the middle of one of his epic tirades, while the engine in his Doomsday Chair works overtime to keep the weight of M.O.D.O.K.’s genius in the air.

Translating M.O.D.O.K. into a playable character in Crisis Protocol was a ton of fun. His vast intellect and psionic powers gave us a lot of freedom to explore some really different approaches on how M.O.D.O.K. flexes his “muscle”, while his Doomsday Chair and its wide array of murderous gadgets made sure he was not entirely lacking when it came to physical impact.

A big theme for M.O.D.O.K. is how his impressive mental powers allow him to dominate and manipulate his weaker minded foes. His Psionic Blast has the potential to sap Power from his enemies leaving them drained and unable to perform their most powerful attacks. “Bow To The Will OF M.O.D.O.K.!”, allows M.O.D.O.K. to telepathically force an enemy character to move in a direction M.O.D.O.K. chooses. If this weren’t enough, M.O.D.O.K. can also use his impressive psionic potential to hurl dumpsters, cars, and even trucks at his foes! Proof that brain really is more impressive than brawn.

And that’s it for our brief overview of this iconic mad scientist!

Join us next time when we take a deeper look at exactly what all the numbers on a character stat card mean.