Monkey House Games

It's a little skimpy, because of course it's limited to our own published stuff (so far). But I've added a little bit more, and we'll be expanding this as we release more info. Without further ado:

V&V Universe Timeline
Special thanks to Joe Littrell for compiling information from previously published sources.

c. 25,000 Years Ago
The island nation of Lemuria sinks into the South Pacific, its residents protected by huge domes erected over their cities. (LL)

c. 10,500 Years Ago
The continent of Atlantis sinks into the sea, but not before its scientists genetically engineer the race for survival underwater. (LL)

Middle Ages
A Peratonian alien scientist (later known as Freedom Eagle) arrives on Earth to begin his research.

c. 1497-98
The Indestructibles travel back in time to battle the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. (VV2.1)

1917
Freedom Eagle, world’s first superhero, begins his superheroic career on Earth as a red, white and blue clad special soldier for the United States in World War I. He was soon joined by the hooded psychic detective, Psimon. (LL)

NOTE: Opinions differ as to whether Freedom Eagle or Psimon was the first superhero. Freedom Eagle was the first to be *called* a 'superhero', when he appeared on the WWI battlefield wearing his distinctive costume and clearly demonstrating super powers. On the other hand, Psimon's masked crime-fighting career began earlier - around the turn of the century. But since his powers were less overt, and his early adventures less 'superheroic', many prefer to think of him as a 'strange detective', rather than a 'superhero' during that stage of his career. Of course Psimon's powers grew over time, and none dispute that he was 'super' by the time he joined the military to fight alongside Freedom Eagle.

1920's
The 'masked crime-fighting' craze begins, as masked heroes returning from military duty continue their careers by fighting organized crime during Prohibition. Many would-be heroes who missed the war responded by donning masks and costumes as well. Criminals, particularly those with superhuman abilities, responded in kind.

1940
The weather-controlling hero Excalibur protects London during the Blitz and through WWII. (CCC)

1953-1954
Senator Joseph McCarthy conducts his now-infamous hearings on 'unAmerican activities', which included a public call for the unmasking of all 'anonymous vigilantes', including those employed by the military.

1954
Psimon delivers his famous address before Congress, speaking of the special needs of those who risk their lives to use their unique gifts to help America, and the unique challenges they face which require them to operate independently and anonymously. Then he voluntarily unmasked himself, revealing that he is black. The impact of this speech – and Psimon’s voluntary unmasking – during a time when racial tensions were reaching their peak was enormous.

1954
Congress passes the "Superheroism Accommodation Act", establishing a licensing process by which the activities of masked crime-fighters are now legal under the law.

1956
CHESS, the Complex High Energy Selective Surveillance task force, is founded. (VV2.1)

1961
President Kennedy shifts the mission of CHESS to deal with super-powered menaces to a law-enforcement capacity. (VV2.1)

1978
Manta-Man founds the Crusaders. (CCC)

1979
The Psychic/Scientific Institute, an organization studying psychic phenomena and mental powers, based in Crystal Lake, IL, is founded by Amos Jackson (aka Psimon). (VV1)

April 1979
The Justice Defenders repel an invasion of the Earth by the troops of Psynax General Skorla’ar. (VV1)

July 1979
Doctor Carlos Yeti, the Abominable Snowman, attempts to bury the United States in snow. (VV1)

1980
The Military Espionage Department, United States of America (aka MEDUSA) is founded. (MW1)

1981
Alexandria Huntington is named co-leader of CHESS. (VV2)

1982
Makvel Tölt, the original Mammoth, is extradited to his native Hungary. (FF)
The Crusaders are defeated by their archenemies, the Crushers, sparking off a month-long crime wave in Center City. (CCC)
The Wonder County Super Penitentiary is established near Vacaville, California. (VV2)
János Tölt, son of the original Mammoth, is born.

Late 1982 - Early 1983
The Psynax join forces with the Technocracy to attempt an invasion of the Earth. (LL)
The Protectors liberate the Vandari homeworld from Psynax occupation. (LL)

September 1983
CHESS declassifies a number of its files regarding supervillains operating in the United States. (MW1)

1983
The robotic hero Stigmata goes rogue. (MW1)
The Shrew dies from rabies caused by the actions of one of her own teammates. (VVCB)

1985
The legendary hero Freedom Eagle is assassinated in Grand Rapids, MI. (VVCB)

1986
On his release from prison, the Vulture begins a speaking tour with G. Gordon Liddy. (VVCB)

Summer 1986
Mocker gets the Crushers back together for another assault on Crusader Citadel, but his real target is the Statcom Communications Satellite. The resultant mayhem includes the destruction of the Citadel and the team’s Mini-Shuttle. (VVCB)

1997
The murder of a cadet at a small military school just outside Evanston, IL leads to the discovery of a planned invasion of Earth by the Terroid race. (EIT)

Unknown Future Era
Scientists send a genetically engineered supersoldier back in time to avert the apocalypse that created their ruined Earth. (MXMA)

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SOURCES:
CCC – Crisis At Crusader Citadel
EIT – An Education In Terror
LL – Living Legends
MW1 – Most Wanted Volume 1
MXMA – “Maxima”, Dragon #111
VV1 – Villains & Vigilantes: 1st Edition
VV2 – Villains & Vigilantes: 2nd Edition
VV2.1 – Villains & Vigilantes: Edition 2.1
VVCB – Villains & Vigilantes Comic

Jack and I had a talk about this, and we've decided that, officially, our published characters don't age.

Never mind the fact that we put updated/aged versions of the Crushers and Crusaders in the comic book - that was before we made this decision.

It's just going to be too hard to age them naturally. It's bad enough in comics, where the monthly release schedule WOULD allow them to age their characters realistically if they wanted. They avoid aging their characters mainly for marketing reasons. We have the same concern, but we DON'T have the luxury of issuing new versions of our adventures every year. There's just no way. So, the answer is that Homer Grimsby is still in his 50's, Shatterman and Condor are still in their 20's, and so on. We really have no other practical option.

-Jeff

Quote from DSumner on July 1, 2010, 01:36
So, does this mean the Foe File book is on Monkey House Games publishing schedule, as it's listed as a source?

Hehe! You people do not miss a thing, do ya?

Actually no, we're completely re-thinking our strategy (if you can call my wild flailing about when it was just me selling LL over at UNIgames a 'strategy'). We haven't announced anything except Intercrime: Hostile Takeover for V&V yet, and so I went back and edited the Foe File references out of my previous post so there will be no further confusion.

-Jeff

Quote from Majestic on July 3, 2010, 22:04
I understand that it's tough to try to age them, though.

That said, for those who want to try, I've updated my Real Life Ages spreadsheet over at the Yahoo Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VandV/files/The%20Files%20of%20Agent%2013/vnvages.xls

Yes, Joe, very good work! It does lend understanding on why they're choosing not to age characters, as many of those listed characters appear to be in their 50s to their 70's!