Christopher Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Many should be familiar with the world of the Webcomic PS238. Noteable for having a HERO-System Sourcebook as thier RPG. In that world FISS Supers (Flight, Invulnerability, Superstrenght and Speed) are very common. Wich leads to them being undervalued severly as team-members, in PR and general recognition. One of the Characters looking for a name choose to just take her "FISS running number" as her name. It sparked a minor revolution, with her suddenly becomming the figurehead of a FISS equality movement that all just use the numbers as names. And she is getting totally moonshadowed by that development. Now she is getting interesting advice from a Flame User with Spiderman mouth: http://ps238.nodwick.com/comic/2015-03-13/ http://ps238.nodwick.com/comic/2014-03-18/ Edit: The third and final part is up: http://ps238.nodwick.com/comic/2015-03-25/ He is pointng out that distictive powers are not what makes you a recognized hero. Having a unique Gimick does. And that Gimik does not even need to be directly power related (of course it can be a power in it's own right). For example, he is a Fire user (fits theme of the team, but otherwise useless) with a good ability to distract enemies. Edit: And a "Dragon" theme, despite not really knowing about dragons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba smith Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 what is a good gimmick for a martial artist ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comic Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 what is a good gimmick for a martial artist ? It varies. Drunken Fist was a so-so martial artist, but his drunk movement and use of drink-themed improvised weapons gimmick made him memorable, and virtually unbeatable. Bruce Lee brought professionalism and science to the art. His 'gimmick' was thinking things through. Jackie Chan's gimmick appears to be comedy, but anyone who watches him knows he backs that humor up with incredible depths of discipline, hard work, and no small amount of personal sacrifice. One Belgian high kicker's gimmick for a time was reputedly nose powder, according to his detractors; a certain grim American student of Aikido's was that he could project total unlikability according to those who are no fans of his, apparently. A particular Texan's gimmick was that he was just personally humble enough that his never-failing martial arts effects didn't make him seem as big a jerk as that other guy. The Five Poisons had distinct gimmicks: Poison Toad Master could move his 'gate' depending on the time of day, so had apparent invulnerability even from those who understood the secret of Toad style super-blocking was to find that one small point that had to be left vulnerable; Viper Master moved and struck like a serpent; Scorpion Master favored back-kicks; Lizard Master specialized in acrobatic climbing.. yet none of these assassins for hire seemed to much use poison. So their ironic gimmick was to embody poisonous critters completely toxin free. The best gimmicks come with a bit of a twist like that. I'm pretty sure Doc Ock was a terrible swimmer, all-in-all, for example, and the Grey Hulk's deal was that the madder he got, the meaner he got. Twilight vampires' gimmick is that they don't explode into dust when struck by sunlight.. and here's the problem with gimmicks. You can love them, but you'll generally hate them. Spiderman's web shooters are his gimmick; if they always perfectly worked solving every problem every time, however, they'd be Mary Sue level *blech* and so would he. It's that they run out, fail, melt, spark, break, even from time to time embarrassingly misfire that makes them an interestingly complicated gimmick. Just imagine a character with a gimmick like he always has as much strength as he needs no matter the challenge, or one who can always dodge any attack, or one whose blades can cut anything: those sound uber-cool, and no doubt will make some fans drool, but without meaningful complications that pull these ultraisms back, make them thought-provokingly, heart-poundingly unreliable some of the time, without their own anti-gimmick, they'd be dull aspects of dull beings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Comic-book superhero gimmicks come in infinite variety. Some are obvious objects, like Captain America's shield or Wonder Woman's lasso and bracelets. Others are trademark powers, such as Black Canary's sonic scream.Some are image and/or personality traits, which are sometimes at odds with each other. Batman is just a man, but he's the most resourceful and intimidating man around. The Thing looks like a hideous monster, but at heart he's just a regular Joe who likes to get together with his friends for a beer and a game of cards. Regarding martial artists, Iron Fist has his, well, iron fist. Batroc is the Leaper, his fighting style incorporating his extraordinary acrobatic skill. Shang-chi's gimmick is that he's the son of one of the most evil and dangerous men in the world. While Karate Kid's skills are so advanced, he can hold his own against some of the most powerful superhumans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JmOz Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Myogi is a great teacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JmOz Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Myogi is a great teacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JmOz Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Myogi is a great teacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JmOz Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Myogi is a great teacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 A quadruple post! Is that a new forum record? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L. Marcus Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 I think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer84 Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 She looks older. What year are the kids in now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csyphrett Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Just imagine a character with a gimmick like he always has as much strength as he needs no matter the challenge. This is one punch man. The problem is he's so strong he beats his enemies in one punch so he's bored. CES Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Well, that's pretty much the Hulk, isn't it? Except the trick (and the fun) is working him up to the level of rage at which he has as much strength as he needs. And there's his gimmick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wcw43921 Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 So--superheroes are burlesque dancers, then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comic Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Well, that's pretty much the Hulk, isn't it? Except the trick (and the fun) is working him up to the level of rage at which he has as much strength as he needs. And there's his gimmick. The Hulk's strength is rife with complications. It's not always there, and when it becomes reliable it's generally too much. He's faced with Red Hulk and a reliable stable of opponents who can take the worst he can dish out -- and then some -- in general, and can hurt him with little trouble faster than he can get mad about it. And then there's the whole split personality, writer can't decide if he wants Hulk strong or smart or both or neitherness that makes the franchise nearly impossible to typify. And he's still a better character than the ones I was thinking of who are more often written to always have as much strength as they need, can always dodge or block any attack with no fear of being outmaneuvered, always solve the obscure riddle as if they'd looked up the answer on the back of the bubblegum wrapper, and so forth. It's not having a gimmick that does it for me: it's having gimmicks that fill the reader with wonder, excitement, and thoughtful reflection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted March 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Just imagine a character with a gimmick like he always has as much strength as he needs no matter the challenge, or one who can always dodge any attack, or one whose blades can cut anything: those sound uber-cool, and no doubt will make some fans drool, but without meaningful complications that pull these ultraisms back, make them thought-provokingly, heart-poundingly unreliable some of the time, without their own anti-gimmick, they'd be dull aspects of dull beings. I think that is exactly why superman got vulnerabiltiy to Kryptonite, Magic and Red Sun Light. As well as his psychological blocks against using too much power. And most noteably his unwillingness to kill, even when mind controlled. By design he is all of the above absolutes (and more). He would be both too powerfull and too scary to make him a hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 I think that is exactly why superman got vulnerabiltiy to Kryptonite, Magic and Red Sun Light. As well as his psychological blocks against using too much power. And most noteably his unwillingness to kill, even when mind controlled. By design he is all of the above absolutes (and more). He would be both too powerfull and too scary to make him a hero. Superman without any of his moral restraints would be one of the most terrifying opponents imaginable. To illustrate: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmjalund Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 So--superheroes are burlesque dancers, then? only in a Sucker-Punch type campaign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JmOz Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 A quadruple post! Is that a new forum record? This is what happens when I try to post from my phone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted March 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 So--superheroes are burlesque dancers, then? According to an earlier episode of PS238 and Spinnerete, they are quite similar: http://ps238.nodwick.com/comic/03142014/ http://www.spinnyverse.com/index.php?id=431 http://www.spinnyverse.com/index.php?id=432 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted March 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 The third and final part got published. Updated the OP accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothere Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 From the spidey and bat signal to the three slashes of Zorro. Lets recall a good calling card makes a great gimmick. Oh and I don't know how to make a link, but you should check youtube Misfits Gimme a gimmick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston GM Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 He is pointng out that distictive powers are not what makes you a recognized hero. Having a unique Gimick does. And that Gimik does not even need to be directly power related (of course it can be a power in it's own right). Batman. His gimmick is bats. It's not directly related to what he can do. The only possible benefit is psychological impact. But it makes him distinct. But he takes the gimmick to the hilt. He has batarangs, a batmobile, a batjet, a batcave, a batsignal.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
assault Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 "There is no land beyond the law where tyrants rule with unshakable power! 'Tis but a dream from which the evil wake to face their fate...their terrifying hour! " - The Sandman (Wes Dodds) "And I shall shed my light over dark evil, For the dark things cannot stand the light; The light of...THE GREEN LANTERN!" Later replaced by the more familiar: "In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might Beware my power--Green Lantern's light!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Let's not forget the guy with: Solomon's wisdom Hercules' strength Atlas's stamina Zeus's power Achilles' courage Mercury's speed The most meaning-packed magic word in comics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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