Meet the Planeteers: Professor Vulkov

 "That pain you are experiencing? That pain is called science."

Professor Vulkov is, of course, based on one the most loved archetypes found in pulp science-fiction:  the mad scientist. I started thinking about the Ur-character of this archetype: Professor Zarkov from Flash Gordon.

Hans Zarkov from Flash Gordon

Thinking about Zarkov made me think more about modern mad scientists from fiction - including one from one of my favorite video games - the Medic from Team Fortress 2. 

Professor Vulkov's healing ray was inspired by the medic's healing gun but I already felt like there were plenty of male characters in the game. The medic's glasses reminded me of another character...

...The Baroness from GI Joe. But I also wanted players to underestimate the Professor when they saw her miniatures on the table. So instead I looked to another video game for inspiration: Space Channel 5.

All of these elements combined into a strangely compelling mix which resulted in the following concept art:

 
Concept art by Scott Rogers

3D model by Kaleb Rice

As a young girl, Professor Vulkov graduated at the top of her class from the Imperial Science Academy when she accidentally disintegrated her fellow classmates during final exams. This act earned her the position of chief inventor at the Voight Neurolizer Company where she spent many years developing and improving weaponry for the Lord High Master Mizra Khan.

When Mizra Khan's empire collapsed after the Starbreaker incident, Professor Vulkov decided to diversify her allegiances and become a mercenary captain. She finds that the frequent battles between the Planeteer factions gives her ample opportunities to field-test her latest inventions.

Professor Vulkov's inventiveness can be felt in many ways on her captain card. Her Healing Ray attack reads: This attack has a range of 4. If Prof. Vulkov makes a successful ranged attack, she may remove 1 blast token from the target instead of dealing damage. While Tricksy allows her to spend 3 action tokens to replace the currently played command card with one from your hand. Discard the first card.

You'll find that Professor Vulkov is the perfect leader for your Planeteer faction if you want to cause a little trouble in the name of science!