Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger
Encyclopedia
Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger was the name of a novel series based on Top Secret/S.I.
setting published by TSR, Inc.
from 1986 to 1988. There were three stories in the series, following the actions of the protagonist referred to in the novels only as Agent 13, or simply, The Agent. It was written by Flint Dille
and David Marconi
.
There is also a source book based on the characters and settings in the series.(Agent 13 Novels)
The background of the series was set in the late 1930s, reminiscent of the popular pulps of the era. Graphic novel
editions of the series were also published subsequently.
. Lemuria had been an advanced civilization in the prehistoric age of mankind.
Lemuria was destroyed by ravaging horde of primitive barbarians. The survivors who escaped established a hidden base whereby they dedicated themselves to preserving their advanced knowledge, keeping their existence a secret from the world, but maintaining a network of agents working surreptitiously amongst the rulers.
Through actions of these agents, the Brotherhood kept an eye on the development of the world, intervening through indirect and subtle means to guide the course of history, and when they judged the time was ready, gradually release bits of knowledge, such as specific scientific breakthroughs, to the world.
In the story, the secret agents of the Brotherhood were responsible for preventing the sacking of Rome
by Attila the Hun
in AD 452, as well as being responsible for the advancements during the Renaissance
.
It was not revealed, at first, when corruption set in, or whether it had been there from the beginning. Eventually, Itsu, known as the Hand Sinister, one of the paramount leaders of the Brotherhood, seized full control of the Brotherhood, and began using it as a tool to dominate the world. Its agents acted to infiltrate the major governments of the world and set the world on a path towards globally destructive war, which would give them the opportunity to become its master.
He became the best disciple and would have risen high in the ranks of the Brotherhood, until he discovered its true nature. Fleeing, he was hunted by agents sent by the Brotherhood and began a deadly cat-and-mouse contest against the organization.
Eventually, he survived their attacks long enough to fight back, having formed his own group of allies to provide him with support. At the beginning of the story, Agent 13 dedicated himself to fighting against the plans of the Brotherhood.
Top Secret (role-playing game)
Top Secret is an espionage-themed role-playing game written by Merle M. Rasmussen and first published in 1980 by TSR, Inc.-Top Secret :...
setting published by TSR, Inc.
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
from 1986 to 1988. There were three stories in the series, following the actions of the protagonist referred to in the novels only as Agent 13, or simply, The Agent. It was written by Flint Dille
Flint Dille
Flint Dille is a screenwriter, game designer, and novelist. He is best known for his animated work on Transformers, G.I...
and David Marconi
David Marconi
David Marconi is an American screenwriter and film director. His writing credits include the screenplays for Enemy of the State and Live Free or Die Hard.-Filmography:*Rumble Fish...
.
There is also a source book based on the characters and settings in the series.(Agent 13 Novels)
The background of the series was set in the late 1930s, reminiscent of the popular pulps of the era. Graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
editions of the series were also published subsequently.
Novels
- The Invisible EmpireAgent 13: The Invisible EmpireThe Invisible Empire is the first of the short series of fast-paced, action-based adventure of Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger, written by Flint Dille and David Marconi in a style reminiscent of popular 1930s pulps....
, ISBN 0-88038-281-3 - The Serpentine AssassinAgent 13: The Serpentine AssassinThe Serpentine Assassin is the second of the short series of fast-paced, action-based adventure of Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger, written by Flint Dille and David Marconi in a style reminiscent of popular 1930s pulps...
, ISBN 0-88038-282-1 - Acolytes of Darkness, ISBN 0-88038-550-2 (published as part of Double Agent book series).
Graphic novels
- Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger, by Flint Dille, David Marconi, and Dan SpiegleDan SpiegleDan Spiegle is an American comic book and cartoon artist and illustrator . He has had a long career in drawing comics based on movie and television characters, and has worked for companies including Dell Comics, DC Comics and Marvel Comics.-Life and career:In his second year of high school,...
, ISBN 0-88038-581-2 (based on The Invisible Empire and The Serpentine Assassin). - Agent 13: Acolytes of Darkness, ISBN 0-88038-800-5
Other publications
- TSAC2: Agent 13 Sourcebook (1988) by Ray WinningerRay WinningerRay Winninger is a game designer who has worked on a number of roleplaying games, including the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game.-Career:...
, ISBN 0-88038-478-6 - Agent 13 Assassin: The Immortal Avenger/Role Playing Game Comic (Agent 13 Game Comic), by Mike BarrMike W. BarrMike W. Barr is an American writer of comic books, and mystery, and science fiction novels.-Biography:Barr's debut as a comics professional came in DC Comics' Detective Comics #444 , for which he wrote an 8-page back-up mystery feature starring the Elongated Man...
, Robb Phipps and Alfredo AlcalaAlfredo AlcalaAlfredo P. Alcala was a Filipino comic book artist, born in Talisay, Negros Occidental in the Philippines. Alcala was an established illustrator whose works appeared in the Alcala Komix Magazine. His 1963 creation Voltar introduced him to an international audience, particularly in the United...
, published October 1990 by TSR. ISBN 0-88038-944-3
The Setting
The primary antagonists of the series was a group known as The Brotherhood. They were a highly secretive organization formed by remnants of the legendary lost civilization of LemuriaLemuria
Lemuria may refer to:*Lemuria , in Roman religion, a feast during which the unwholesome and malevolent spectres of the restless dead were propitiated...
. Lemuria had been an advanced civilization in the prehistoric age of mankind.
Lemuria was destroyed by ravaging horde of primitive barbarians. The survivors who escaped established a hidden base whereby they dedicated themselves to preserving their advanced knowledge, keeping their existence a secret from the world, but maintaining a network of agents working surreptitiously amongst the rulers.
Through actions of these agents, the Brotherhood kept an eye on the development of the world, intervening through indirect and subtle means to guide the course of history, and when they judged the time was ready, gradually release bits of knowledge, such as specific scientific breakthroughs, to the world.
In the story, the secret agents of the Brotherhood were responsible for preventing the sacking of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
by Attila the Hun
Attila the Hun
Attila , more frequently referred to as Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in 453. He was leader of the Hunnic Empire, which stretched from the Ural River to the Rhine River and from the Danube River to the Baltic Sea. During his reign he was one of the most feared...
in AD 452, as well as being responsible for the advancements during the Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
.
It was not revealed, at first, when corruption set in, or whether it had been there from the beginning. Eventually, Itsu, known as the Hand Sinister, one of the paramount leaders of the Brotherhood, seized full control of the Brotherhood, and began using it as a tool to dominate the world. Its agents acted to infiltrate the major governments of the world and set the world on a path towards globally destructive war, which would give them the opportunity to become its master.
Agent 13
Kidnapped as a young child in 1907, a gifted boy was brought to the secret headquarters of the Brotherhood known as The Shrine. His past memories were erased, he was assigned as Agent 13 and trained as an assassin and an agent in clandestine operations.He became the best disciple and would have risen high in the ranks of the Brotherhood, until he discovered its true nature. Fleeing, he was hunted by agents sent by the Brotherhood and began a deadly cat-and-mouse contest against the organization.
Eventually, he survived their attacks long enough to fight back, having formed his own group of allies to provide him with support. At the beginning of the story, Agent 13 dedicated himself to fighting against the plans of the Brotherhood.
List of allies
- Benny the Eye: Deployed for assignments to tail targets.
- China White: One of the Brotherhood's top members trained to seduce. Agent 13's lover.
- Maggie Darr: The beautiful operative closest to Agent 13.
- Ray Furnow: An Asian who seemed to have endless number of wives and children to deploy as human resources for Agent 13.
External links
- http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/a/agent13.htm
- Top Secret/SI Agent 13 Sourcebook