IPTAT: Legendary Savage
Immortals - Part Two
Team Four: Eternal characters who have a hard time dying.
Duncan MacLeod (Highlander: The Series)
Vandal Savage (DC Comics, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow)
Captain Jack Harkness (Doctor Who, Torchwood)
Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel)
Fictional heroes, villains, and everyone in between have formed unlikely alliances to answer a common calling: which group of kindred characters is the mightiest of them all? United by a shared theme, troops of four fabulous fictional characters will figuratively compete in a tournament of television, movie, and literature’s finest where only one foursome can be crowned kings and queens of popular entertainment. Join in on the roll call to learn more about these similar characters and delve into their individual histories. It's time to assemble the analogous all-stars and find out who is the best, one team at a time.
There are pop culture icons that seem to have existed since time immemorial, and this nigh-invulnerable squad consists of some of fiction’s most interesting immortals. Their individual histories span centuries, each possessing their own signature skills and abilities. Let’s explore the legacies of these ageless wonders and determine if their combined longevity can carry them to victory.
Immortals, assemble!
2. Vandal Savage
First appearance: Green Lantern #10, December 1943
Popular entertainment of 1943:
Shadow of a Doubt - film starring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotten
The Voice of Firestone Televues - television series starring Eleanor Steber
The Robe - novel written by Lloyd C. Douglas
Long, long ago, a brutish Cro-Magnon warrior encountered a meteorite and mysteriously received strange abilities including eternal life. Starting his lengthy existence with the name Vandar Adg, the French-born son of chieftain battled rival Neanderthal clans. The aforementioned “shooting star” paused a skirmish between the warring tribes, which young Vandar used as an opportunity to slay the opposing side’s leader. Vandar’s father, the clan commander of their Wolf Tribe, took credit for the victory, earning the ire of his son. Vandar and his people investigated the crashed space rock, where Vandar collected a glowing chunk from the strange stone. Consumed with jealousy over the stolen accolades, Vandar used this shard from the fallen star to murder his own father.
The celestial fragment bestowed Vandar with the gift of immortality, and his incredibly long life witnessed the rise and fall of empires, kingdoms, and other monarchies that he would play crucial roles in. Vandar evolved into a cunning soldier and master strategist, adapting new ways to hone his ever-improving survival skills. Eventually, he traveled to China where he’d battle the infamous Han Dynasty. After his time there, Andar drifted west and found himself among the Germanic Vandals, from which he developed the moniker Vandal Savage.
Now predominantly known under this new name, Savage roamed the planet, living through the different eras. As always, his militant mind attracted him to major wars and conflicts where he’d insert himself in vital roles. A perpetual opportunist, Savage historically served armies and powerful organizations that were typically not on the side of the angels. Regardless of who Savage worked with or for, his primary agenda was always focused on his ambition. Often aiding him in his pursuits are his several children who themselves have developed superhuman powers and abilities.
Throughout the decades of his character’s fictional history, Savage has, of course, been written in numerous ways. His mythos has expanded from the pages of comic books to appearances in animated tales as well as live action portrayals. In the world of cartoons, Savage has been voiced by Phil Morris, Jim Pirri, Miguel Ferrer, Brian Talbot, David Kaye, Ikuya Sawaki, and Renzo Jimenez. On The CW television network, Savage was played by Casper Crump in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, originally appearing on an episode of The Flash and also appearing on Arrow. In the Smallville series, a character named Curtis Knox (played by Dean Cain) is a centuries-old villain intended to be the show’s version of Vandal Savage, but ultimately ended up not being able to use the name due to rights issues.
Vandal Savage’s unique physiology and unparalleled intellect make him an intense opponent, but can he coexist with his fellow forever-people?
These perpetual participants are an intriguing foursome, but they’ll need more than longevity if they want to advance over the Spin-Off Superstars in what could be any kind of challenge—they’ll all need to keep their heads on a swivel, and just plain keep their heads.
Stay in the loop for more details by subscribing to Jonfiction Blog on Substack and be sure to check out jonmcbrine.com for more info about this and my books.
New blog every Monday. Jon McBrine Newsletter first Monday of each month via email.
