Here's hoping there are a good number of 80's independent comic fans on this site.....
In 1984, screenwriters Carl Potts and Alan Zelenetz, along with artist Frank Cirocco, debuted a new comic book series under Marvel's Epic Comics imprint. With the premise of a "French Foreign Legion in outer space", the series was known as THE ALIEN LEGION.
According to Potts in a 2000 interview, the original concept was something like this:
"The original concept was the 'Foreign Legion in space' and all the legionnaires were human. ... Then I created the humanoid/serpentine design that later became Sarigar and decided that the Legion should include a wide variety of species. This was in the early '70s. By the time I got around to developing the idea further in the early '80s, Star Wars obviously became an influence. The Alien Legion universe is a giant extrapolation of the American democratic melting-pot society where different races and cultures work together for the common good while dealing with the pluses and problems that the nation's diversity creates."
The series tells the story of missions undertaken by Force Nomad, a military unit made up of many different alien beings. The series' tagline spoke of their mission statement:
"Footsloggers and soldiers of fortune, priests, poets, killers and cads - they fight for a future Galarchy, for cash, for a cause, for the thrill of adventure. Culled from the forgotten and unwanted of three galaxies, the Legion is sent into the Galarchy's most desperate internal and external struggles Legionnaires live rough and they die hard, tough as tungsten and loyal to the dirty end."
The official website of the series (found here at alienlegion.com) goes into further detail of what the universe of the series is like politically, socially, and militarily:
"In the Legion's Universe, the Union governs three galaxies - imagine what kind of a mess a bureaucracy that size can generate! The pluses and problems of a U.S.-style melting pot are pushed to extremes in an intergalactic government that's comprised of countless races with an endless number of wildly diverse cultures, languages and moral codes. The Legion's ranks are a microcosm of this fictional Universe. The Legion's fully integrated ranks must work together to succeed and survive, despite their differences. The best and the worst sentient beings from three galaxies are shoved into pressure cooker situations that put to the test all of the ideals upon which the intergalactic government is based. It is within the ranks of the Legion, and of Force Nomad in particular, that the Universe's infinite variety of physical types is matched by the widest spectrum of personalities. This mix makes for great chemistry from which a flood of character-driven action stories emerges."
The first volume of the comic lasted 20 issues from 1984 to 1987, was followed by a 1986 entry in the Marvel Graphic Novel line, and then was revived in that same year under writer Chuck Dixon and artist Larry Stroman for an 18-issue run. The comic then shifted to a series of miniseries and one-shots, mostly written by Chuck Dixon:
-Alien Legion: On the Edge (1990-91)
-Alien Legion: Tenants of Hell (1991)
-Alien Legion: Grimrod and Alien Legion: Jugger Grimrod (both 1992)
-Alien Legion: Binary Deep (1993)
-Alien Legion: One Planet at a Time (1993)
In the early 2000's, the comic was optioned for big screen treatment by Jerry Bruckheimer and the Walt Disney Company, with screenwriters Derek Haas and Michael Brandt tackling the script. Nothing has come of this as of late.
I first fell in love with the series after seeing a few snippets of the comic, and soon enough found the first issue of the first volume at a local used bookstore. Just recently I read Tenants of Hell and One Planet at a Time, and I can now definitely say that the comic is a real treat for comic fans or sci-fi fans anywhere. There aren't a lot of good animated ensemble shows on TV these days, so I began formulating ideas for how this could work as an animated series, and this is what I've got to offer:
-Art/Animation teams the same as Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I honestly think that having an aesthetic similar to that show (and Green Lantern: The Animated Series) works greatly in Alien Legion's favor, especially with the depictions of...well...the aliens.
-Voice direction by Andrea Romano.
-Carl Potts and Chuck Dixon acting as showrunners.
-The show would air on SyFy (which as stated previously has little-to-no animated programming whatsoever).
With those details down, let's see who I've got lined up as a voice cast for the more prominent members of Force Nomad (bios courtesy of alienlegion.com):
+Jimmy Smits as the voice of Cpt. Sarigar
"Native of Jentek in the Belgar II star system in the Auron Galaxy. Race was genetically engineered eons ago as slave stock to meet the rigors of a heavy gravity environment. When the Galarchy took control of Belgar II, slavery was abolished. Freed Jenteks were granted citizenship in the Union. Skilled in Jentek martial arts that utilize the powerful Jentek tail in combat. Parents died while Sarigar was relatively young, leaving him to raise his sometimes troublesome sibling, Sarivil. Holds Advanced degree in military history. High marks qualified Sarigar as a Legion officer candidate. Sarigar’s success against the most recent Harkilon invasion brought him many decorations and much praise within and outside of the Legion. Possesses a sharp intellect, unwavering sense of duty and is fiercely loyal. A disciplinarian with little tolerance for insubordination. Is both proud of and defensive about his Jentek heritage."
Smits is definitely talented enough to play this great example of a unit commander, especially with Sarigar's characterization. My alternate choices were Keith David or Gary Sinise.
+Scott Porter as the voice of Lt. Terrence "Torie" Montroc III
"Native of the planet Aret of the Solus star system in the Ophidian Galaxy. One of the best marksmen in the Union military. Great athletic ability and an expert in the traditional Ophidian sword arts. University Certified, holding Advanced degrees in archaeology and linguistics. Montroc was coerced by his wealthy industrialist father to fulfill family tradition by joining the Legion. Montroc must successfully complete a tour of Legion duty to claim his inheritance and place on the board of the Montroc family-owned conglomerate. Montroc’s father has less than 24 hours of life left due to a severe degenerative illness. He spends most of his time in cryogenic sleep, awaiting the discovery of a cure. A compassionate idealist and a diplomat of unusual tact. Exhibits superb mental and physical conditioning. A talented officer balancing discipline and compassion. Montroc is sometimes embarrassed by his wealthy and privileged background."
Something tells me one of these days Porter's going to be cast in a sci-fi show, so I might as well bring him into something like this. I really think he could play a rich-yet-humble guy easily enough. My alternate choice was Stephen Amell.
+John DiMaggio as the voice of Pvt. Jugger Grimrod
"A native of planet Thrax in the Tet Prime star system of the Auron galaxy. Extremely sensitive sense of smell. An expert hand-to-hand and small weapons fighter. Suspected of having an extensive pre-Legion criminal background. A mercenary father abandoned Grimrod, his mother and younger sister, Kittar, when Grimrod was an adolescent. When the mother died, Grimrod took to thievery and was sentenced to the detention world of Gallus. Formal education was minimal. Joined the Legion to evade criminal prosecutions. Has repressed most of his feelings of compassion and respect for the rights of others. Harbors deep hostility to authority. When convenient, Grimrod exhibits loyalty to some Nomad comrades. For unknown reasons, the Iks (Mik, Nik & Rik) have taken a liking to Grimrod and he often manipulates them to do his bidding. During his occasional stays in the brig for a range of offenses, Grimrod has exhibited signs of claustrophobia."
DiMaggio came to mind immediately when I started reading Jugger's lines, which have a bit of a Scottish tint to them. Have DiMaggio use his Scotsman voice from Samurai Jack, and we have a pretty good character portrayal for the 'Wolverine' of Force Nomad.
+Maria Canals Barerra as the voice of Cpl. Tamara
"A member of the Ulliorian Riff, a nomadic, space-faring race. Highest level gymnastic skills combined with hand-to-hand martial arts expertise make Tamara very formidable. Holds Advanced degrees in linguistics, Auron history, chemistry and dance. Alienated from her family and lover, Tamara volunteered for 50 cycle deep space mission that required crew to remain in cryogenic suspension. Intellectually, she knew her family and friends would be deceased by the time she returned. However, the emotional repercussions when the mission was completed proved devastating. Joined the Legion as a way to be around others while using military formalities to keep them at a safe distance. Gave birth before being called away on a Nomad mission and was caught it the “event horizon” around a black hole. It took a week to break free of the black hole but, due to time compression, 15 years have passed for the rest of the universe. Tamara’s daughter had grown up. [Said daughter, Zeera, is a pilot for another unit in the Legion, Dragon Squad.] Strong, quick, intelligent, and aggressive, she is a valued member of Nomad."
I started hearing Canals' voice for Hawkgirl from the DCAU when I was reading Tamara's lines, and I think it really clicked for me after that.
+Maurice LaMarche as the voice of Spc. Meico
"Native of the planet Cho-Ad in the Polara system of the Auron galaxy. Physician with a working knowledge of first aid for hundreds of species. An esper, able to sense others’ extreme emotions and thoughts. Holds Advanced degrees in Intergalactic Medicine and Exopathology. Fled his home world when it suffered an ecological catastrophe. Wife and parents were executed on false charges as off-world espionagents. A being without a world, Meico joined the Legion. Though basically a gentle soul, Meico more than holds his own in a fight. His four arms can each wield a HEL hand gun effectively. Espers are banned from Union military branches so Meico initially hid his abilities. When his superiors in Nomad learned of Meico’s esper abilities, they decided to use them instead of banishing Meico from their ranks. A sensitive individual who, as a physician, had seen much pain but little violence prior to his Legion tour."
LaMarche has had a lengthy voiceover career with a ton of characters and impersonations in his arsenal. For voicing Meico, I was picturing something along the lines of this (start the video at 3:32):
If he used that alien voice for Meico, that's exactly how I would picture it. I was also thinking of his Futurama character Kif Kroker, though Meico has a little more spine (both metaphorically and literally) than Kroker.
+Graham McTavish as the voice of Cpl. Zeerod
One of Sarigar's go-to men in Force Nomad, Zeerod is a canine-like alien who, over the course of the series, later gains bionic legs and a bionic eye after an accident.
I pictured McTavish's voice after remembering his take on the Transformer known as Thundercracker in the "Transformers: War for Cybertron" video game.
+Kevin Michael Richardson as the voice of Spc. Tonk Or'Molloe
"Native of the planet Eebreem of the Selidor star system in the Auron galaxy. Physically the strongest legionnaire in Nomad’s ranks. Easily wields a light cannon (“Big HEL”) that most in Nomad could not lift. Excellent at quickly comprehending and operating mechanical devices. Eebreem is a heavy gravity world and most inhabitants are even larger than Tonk (who is considered a runt by his species’ standards). No formal education, but a definite mechanical aptitude learned in his family's mining business. Tonk has an easygoing manner and unusual dialect. Has occasional episodes of lack of self-esteem & shyness."
Richardson, like LaMarche and DiMaggio, has a lengthy voiceover resume that definitely qualifies him for a character like Tonk, who I liken to his portrayal of Bulkhead on Transformers: Prime.
+Dee Bradley Baker as the voices of Pvt. Neebo Brodix and Pvt. Spellik
-Brodix: "Native of the Zor Contingent Worlds, a collective of artificial environments in orbit around the Tarso system of the Thermor galaxy. Neebo’s battlesuit gives him great strength, endurance and firepower. Weapons and accessory modules can be switched out for whatever conditions Nebo and Nomad will be facing. Zor inhabitants were long denied entrance into all military combat units due to small stature and lack of functional lower extremities. Fiercely proud, the Zors constructed impressive mechanical combat suits and re-petitioned for entry. Neebo is the test case and is assigned him to Nomad for trial by fire. A self-assured legionnaire with high motivation levels. His one drawback is his overly aggressive attitude, a compensation for his small size in relation to his Nomad comrades."
-Spellik: Place/planet of origin is unknown. "Virtually indestructible. When blown apart, his various parts merge back together. He either does not feel pain or does not display any external manifestation of pain. Entered Legion service on the planet Hassa in the Pan Tel system. It is clear that he is not a native of that, or any other known planet. Since Spellik speaks no known language and has no other communication methods, it is unclear how/why Spellik was accepted at the Hassa Legion recruiting station. It is possible that the recruiters lowered Legion standards in order to fill their quotas. Although no one can understand Spellik’s speech, it is clear that he understands Galingua and follows all orders to the letter. Since Spellik can not communicate in any way known to the Legion or Union, trying to analyze his mental state is impossible. As long as he continues to follow orders and distinguish himself in combat, no further attempt at analysis is necessary."
Baker also has a very impressive VA resume, and for voicing these two, I could picture Baker using some of his experience from both Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the Ben 10 shows for coming up with some decent voices for Brodix and Spellik.
+Richard Steven Horvitz as the voices of the Iks--Pvts. Mik, Rik, and Nik
"Tyoians from the planet Ruxpin IV in the Tyo/Ruxpin system of the Termor galaxy. Small size combined with great agility allows the Iks to serve as scouts and spies. Subjects are from a society where individuality is an unknown concept. Possess telepathic communication and operate as one unit, even when apart. Take turns beginning, expanding and concluding vocal statements. Most of the Ik’s background is unknown. Their planet is a newcomer to the Legion's roster of charted planets. Hyperactive and rambunctious, the Iks have taken a shine to Jugger Grimrod despite his occasional abuse. Subjects appear to be displaying signs of individual thought (if a unit of three beings can be considered an individual) due to their relationship with Grimrod."
Horvitz immediately came to mind for these little guys. Just picture his voice for Dagget (from "The Angry Beavers") or Billy ("The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy") coming out of three rodents at a time.
And that's a wrap for my latest independent comic-based fancast. Hope all of you have good things to say in the comments section, especially those of you who may have read Alien Legion. CBM users, DIS-MISSED!!