We all know about Indiana Jones and his globetrotting adventures battling Nazis and “rescuing” artifacts.
But I was just thinking about a twist to the pulp adventurer plot.
Hitler supposedly sent teams of agents throughout the world to collect artifacts and conduct occult research. I was thinking about a German adventurer, an officer/scientist who serves his country in this respect. To make the character more sympathetic we can use the “I’m a German officer, not a Nazi” trope. Suppose he is sent for some powerful artifact, but during the adventure he has a crisis of conscience and decides to destroy the artifact rather than let it fall in the hands of Hitler and his cronies? He’s not a traitor so giving the artifact to the allies is not an option. He would have many of the same antagonists that Dr. Jones would have including the allies. Possibly an Indiana Jones style adversary with whom he tangles with from time to time. Our hero is in fact a hero, he just works for some nasty hombres. This might make a nice short story or a limited run comic.
What a simple, yet brilliant plot idea. Nice one! And thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim.
ReplyDeleteI was actually inspired by an action figure post and by reading an article about the new Tom Cruise movie "Valkyrie".
And if anyone gets a book deal from this I want a cut!
It is a neat idea, particularly if you can show true differentiation from the Indiana series. Hope you'll let us know of any further developments.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I think the word is 'conscience', isn't it?
Thanks Wampus Cat!
ReplyDeleteI fixed it.
Maybe he is the guy that buried the Nazi gold in Operation Condor.
ReplyDeleteA good idea. Worth some exploration.
ReplyDeleteGreat pitch! Can't wait to see the outline!
ReplyDeleteHey, you might enjoy Phillip Kerr's Noir Trilogy. Bernie Gunther's more of a 30's Berlin Marlowe rather than a Doctor Jones, but the character has that similar "i'm a German but not a Nazi" kinda conflict. Muy excellente!