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Rules of Enragement Through the Comic Book Ages


Cassandra

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In the Golden Age most superheroes would have the following psychological limitations.

 

Code of the Hero

Superpatriot

 

The Mystery Men (and Woman) of the Golden Age were extention of the Authorities.  They battled the truly evil and bizarre theats of the era.  While they didn't seek to kill their enemies, they were too troubled when a mad scientist ended up killed by his own nefarious device.   During the War they battled Axis soldiers, and the gloves were off.  This was an time where there were few costumed criminals to fight (Batman's Rogue Gallery being an exception), and most of the villains would have to hold off the heroes by using innocents are human shields.  Most heroes and heroines were martial artists with a single device that gave them superhuman powers.  Even those with superpowers like fire control would engage in hand to hand combat just to "fight fair." 

 

 

 

 

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It should be noted that martial arts in the golden age almost always meant boxing or brawling.

 

Asian martial arts were almost un-heard of back then.

 

Agreed--but you could still visit the "Mysterious Orient"  and come back with all sorts of "mystic secret" powers--like walking through walls, or turning invisible, or "channeling physicality" to become as strong as ten men.  Stuff like that.

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It should be noted that martial arts in the golden age almost always meant boxing or brawling.

 

Asian martial arts were almost un-heard of back then.

true enough but as I understand it HERO games lets the term be used for golden age heroes that combine boxing and wrestling moves as in the term mixed martial arts

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Agreed--but you could still visit the "Mysterious Orient"  and come back with all sorts of "mystic secret" powers--like walking through walls, or turning invisible, or "channeling physicality" to become as strong as ten men.  Stuff like that.

 

...and the ability to cloud men's minds. Except Margo's, who wasn't exactly a man.

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true enough but as I understand it HERO games lets the term be used for golden age heroes that combine boxing and wrestling moves as in the term mixed martial arts

 

Theodore Roosevelt did start a interest in jiu-jitsu when he was in the White House.

 

Someone called him "Four Eyes" once.  Once!

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She was the best thing in the movie.  

 

I just couldn't forgive Tim "Rocky Horror Picture Show" Curry taking on The Shadow.

 

I agree and yet I also disagree.

 

I really like the movie. But I did think that some of the humor fell flat. And it would have been better if Curry hadn't been playing the part for laughs. If he'd played it seriously Curry could have made Claymore a genuine threat that probably would have resonated better with the audience.

 

Still love the film though. Loved Billy Zane's Phantom too.

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I agree and yet I also disagree.

 

I really like the movie. But I did think that some of the humor fell flat. And it would have been better if Curry hadn't been playing the part for laughs. If he'd played it seriously Curry could have made Claymore a genuine threat that probably would have resonated better with the audience.

 

Still love the film though. Loved Billy Zane's Phantom too.

 

I agree with you about The Phantom.

 

On "New Girl" Schmitt created a Billy Zane fan club after seeing Titanic.

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Very true.  It was the age of "Two fisted heroes".

 

Indeed.  It seemed as though all you needed to fight crime back then was a cape, a mask, and a solid right hook.  Nowadays, if you don't have any superpowers or supertechnology you need a black belt or the equivalent rank in half a dozen martial arts disciplines--at least--before you can even think about fighting the forces of evil.

 

...and the ability to cloud men's minds. Except Margo's, who wasn't exactly a man.

 

She was also Lamont's good friend, and Lamont had a conscience.   Shiwan Khan had no problem clouding Margo's mind.

 

One time many years ago my stepbrother brought home a recording of a Shadow radio show.  I remember an exchange with a guy who had information the Shadow needed that went something like this--

 

THE SHADOW: "I am the Shadow!"

 

THE GUY: "The Shadow?  Where are ya?"

 

THE SHADOW: "I cloud men's minds so I cannot be seen!"

 

THE GUY: "That's what you're doing to me, huh?"

 

Worked really well on radio. :snicker:

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I have actually never seen Titanic.

 

I know what happens though ... the boat sinks and DiCrapio dies.   :rockon:

 

 

I'm sorry I shouldn't say things like that, I know he's matured. But back then I could not fricking stand him.

 

As it was pointed out at youtube's "How It Should Have Ended" if Rose had stayed on the lifeboat Jack would have been able to save himself.  

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Indeed.  It seemed as though all you needed to fight crime back then was a cape, a mask, and a solid right hook.  Nowadays, if you don't have any superpowers or supertechnology you need a black belt or the equivalent rank in half a dozen martial arts disciplines--at least--before you can even think about fighting the forces of evil.

 

 

She was also Lamont's good friend, and Lamont had a conscience.   Shiwan Khan had no problem clouding Margo's mind.

 

One time many years ago my stepbrother brought home a recording of a Shadow radio show.  I remember an exchange with a guy who had information the Shadow needed that went something like this--

 

THE SHADOW: "I am the Shadow!"

 

THE GUY: "The Shadow?  Where are ya?"

 

THE SHADOW: "I cloud men's minds so I cannot be seen!"

 

THE GUY: "That's what you're doing to me, huh?"

 

Worked really well on radio. :snicker:

 

Radio is why Superman would say "Up Up and Away" when he started flying.  At least he didn't turn into a cartoon (Obscure Serial Reference!)

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Radio is why Superman would say "Up Up and Away" when he started flying.  At least he didn't turn into a cartoon (Obscure Serial Reference!)

 

Since we're talking about obscure movies...Kirk Alyn was good as Superman, but I couldn't finish watching it. Too boring. The Adventures of Captain Marvel was much better.* BTW, did you see Superman vs. Atom Man? Was it any good?

 

*Despite having a homicidal Cap. :-(

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Since we're talking about obscure movies...Kirk Alyn was good as Superman, but I couldn't finish watching it. Too boring. The Adventures of Captain Marvel was much better.* BTW, did you see Superman vs. Atom Man? Was it any good?

 

*Despite having a homicidal Cap. :-(

 

Atom Man vs. Superman with Kirk Alyn was better.  It had Luthor both as a mad scientist and respectable businessman, the "Empty Doom" (early version of the Phantom Zone).

 

The Superman Serial did have Kryptonite and cliffhanger veteran actress Carol Forman as the Spider Lady.

 

If you want to see Cap even more out of control watch J-Men Forever on youtube.

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Atom Man vs. Superman with Kirk Alyn was better.  It had Luthor both as a mad scientist and respectable businessman, the "Empty Doom" (early version of the Phantom Zone).

 

The Superman Serial did have Kryptonite and cliffhanger veteran actress Carol Forman as the Spider Lady.

 

If you want to see Cap even more out of control watch J-Men Forever on youtube.

 

I think I saw J-Men Forever when I was a kid. If it's on youtube I'll have to check it out. Thanks. :thumbup:

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