[META] Why I Love Legacy Characters

Andrew Perron pwerdna at gmail.com
Wed Sep 15 17:49:59 PDT 2010


On Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:12:59 +0000 (UTC), Tom Russell wrote:

> That's one reason why the Eightfold universe doesn't employ a sliding
> timescale: it allows for more legacy characters and historical
> engagement.  

I'm debating what kind of timescale to use elsewhere.  If I did slide it,
it would be a simple ratio, probably 3:1, rather than this "last X years"
nonsense.

> If there was a Spider-Man in Eightfold, he wouldn't have
> been Spider-Man from 1963 to present, but likely would have passed it
> on two or three times already-- perhaps more, given that a superheroic
> career is probably similiar to an athlete's: a small window of glory
> followed by years of diminishing returns (which is a theme I look
> forward to exploring in the future).

Interesting.  On this, I have a different opinion, and I'll explain why.

In athletics, pains are taken to make sure there's a level playing field,
that all participants are similarly equipped, that the only thing that
matters is the task at hand.  And while that task usually requires thinking
and planning, both strategic and tactical, the biggest limiting factor is
physical ability, which inevitably declines with age.

While, for many, superheroing requires athleticism, the physical factor is
secondary to the mental.  Tactics become a much larger lever, larger even
than on a conventional battlefield.  The things that make Batman vs.
Superman a match you'd even consider take significantly longer to degrade,
I think.  Not that diminishing physical capacity plays *no* part, mind,
but...

(Also, this doesn't count in those who are immortal, those whose powers
lengthen lifespan, those who get de-aged at some point, those whose powers
have nothing to do with physical capacity at all, etc.)

> The current Jolt City storyline,
> for example, is very specifically set in 2008, and there are reasons
> for that-- perhaps more thematic reasons than plot reasons, but
> reasons none-the-less.

Hmmmmm. *looks at ongoing theme of a heroic black man standing up for what
he believes in as an inspiration to people*

Nope, couldn't really guess why. `.`

Andrew "NO .SIG MAN" "Juan" Perron, doesn't share everything politically
with Tom, but...


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