Table #4: Calling Superman (Transogram Games, 1954)

[Grognardsw]

My box cover says 2-8 players (a glaring typo), though the rules say 2-4, and they only give you 4 plastic pieces. So I'll borrow from another game. The rule mechanics can handle more than 4.





Transogram was an American producer of toys, games and other leisure products from 1915 to 1971. It is best known for such long-produced games as Tiddledy Winks and Game of India, as well as such baby-boomer favorites as Green Ghost and television tie-in board games for such characters and series as Superman, Atom Ant, The Flintstones, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Perry Mason, Tom and Jerry, The Monkees, Hogan's Heroes and many others. More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transogram

[OGRE MAGE]

In that case....... Dibs on Black! (so I don't forget what color I am)

[DadsAngry]

I'll take red.

[Grognardsw]

In that case....... Dibs on Black! (so I don't forget what color I am)

Well, given you’re a First Gentleman, I suppose us ruffians can accommodate that.

[OGRE MAGE]

I'll take whatever perks I can get!

[Grognardsw]

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman!



Hello there boys and girls! Ha! This is an RPG site, there are no girls but let’s pretend! We're good at that! Ready for some fun around the table? Give the spinner a twirl for 1d5. Highest goes first, etc. Ties to be broken by a roll from your friendly GM.

Okay now, pick your color. Black and red are already taken by a few of our chums. We’ll be using the pieces in the game and the pieces in W&W.

Alrighty then, next roll 1d8 to draw an Assignment card from the 8-card pile.



Okey dokey pals, when all you cub reporters have these details settled, we’ll get underway.

[Rex]

Is there still room for me? Any color.

[DadsAngry]

Sam "Scoop" Stern (Red):

"Scoop, get in here" yells editor-in-chief Perry White.
Superman - Starting Order [1d5]=3

"I've got an assignment for you"
Superman - Assignment [1d8]=6

[OGRE MAGE]

Dirk Headstrong reporting for duty, boss!

Superman Spin [1d5]=1

SM Assignment [1d8]=5

[Grognardsw]

Is there still room for me? Any color.

Sure Rex. Go ahead and make the rolls for play order and assignment. You’ll be green.

I know Mant72 wanted to join.

I’ll be Dash Dartwell!, cub reporter, a plucky Horatio Alger-type who’s come far from his days at the orphanage. He’s proud that his last name is spelled with an exclamation mark.

Grog Start Order [1d5]=5 They don’t call him Dash for nothing!

Grog Assignment Roll [1d8]=1

Blue piece.

[Rex]

Rex start order [1d5]=1

Rex Assignment roll [1d8]=7

I am cub reporter Rex!

Green piece.

[Grognardsw]

At the morning assignment meeting, Daily Planet editior Perry White speaks...


All right boys, here's your assigments:

Play Order - Name - Color - Assignment
#1 - Grog/Dash Dartwell! - Blue - Plan to Destroy Bridge
#2 - DadsAngry/ Sam "Scoop" Stern - Red - Ship Sends S.O.S.
#3 - Rex/Rex - Green - Bank Robbed of $50,000 (Rex won tie roll vs OM Tiebreaker Rex and OM [1d5]=5, [1d5]=4
#4 -OgreMage/Dirk Headstrong - Black - Lois Lane Missing
#5 - Mant/TBD - Yellow - City Crippled by Storm


Each assignment has a number that corresponds to the scene number on the board.

Now get out there and spill some ink. Put some pep in it!




Turn 1

Everyone roll 1d5. You'll leave the Daily Planet home space by the green space exit that is nearest your assignment. Announce which by cardinal direction (e.g. north.), as well as the path you take if multiple choices are possible. If you land on a Telephone space, please spin again 1d5 for the Superman determination.

Starting positions:

[Rex]

Rex

Superman turn 1 [1d5]=5

South

[Mant72]

Intrepid cub reporter, Lance Langston, heads out to east Metropolis to investigate the storm.

Superman Turn 1: [1d5]=4

[OGRE MAGE]

On a hunch, Dirk heads in a southern direction.

Superman 1 [1d5]=5

[DadsAngry]

Sam "Scoop" Stern

Scoop steps outside the Daily Planet's west entrance and stops at the hot dog vendor just outside.
Superman Turn 1: [1d5]=1

[Grognardsw]

CS T1 Dash [1d5]=2

The teletype prints Turn 1 rolls:

Play Order - Turn Roll - Name - Color - Assignment & Card #
#1 - 2 - Grog/Dash Dartwell! - Blue - Plan to Destroy Bridge #7
#2 - 1 - DadsAngry/ Sam "Scoop" Stern - Red - Ship Sends S.O.S. #4
#3 - 5 - Rex/Rex - Green - Bank Robbed of $50,000 #2
#4 - 5 - OgreMage/Dirk Headstrong - Black - Lois Lane Missing. #5
#5 - 4 - Mant/Lance Langston - Yellow - City Crippled by Storm #8

The patriotic Dash Dartwell! on his way by says hello to Scoop at the hot dog stand. “So Stern, where are you from?” he asks, noting Sam’s initials, his Bavarian surname, and preference for red pieces ties.

Rex and Dirk (I first read this as Dick, with a perfect last name ) head southeast to their assignments. Lance, new to Metropolis, heads east by the scenic route to the southwest storm. He stops on a traffic light which sets him back one space.

The city at end of Turn One:




Turn Two

The news hounds keep at it for 1d5. Note direction choices. A reminder that you’ll be returning to the Daily Planet by a different route than how you got there.

[Rex]

Rex

East
Superman turn 2 [1d5]=3

[DadsAngry]

Scoop:

Scoop finishes his very salty hot dog and proceeds south. He doesn't get but a block before he stops at a soda shop for a malt.
Superman turn 2 [1d5]=1

[OGRE MAGE]

Dirk heads south.

Superman 2 [1d5]=3