The Bangus Ultimatum

Heroes used to be not only immortal but stable. They’re cast in stone, unchanging. I’m not sure if it’s postmodernism or plain marketing at work, but that doesn’t hold true anymore, at least for heroes of the super type: entire multiverses of fictional heores are rebooting and reimagining all the time these days.

I suppose it’s a matter of changing expectations. Steven Denbeste, for example, is no longer impressed with the Jedis. Not after seeing the planet-destroying powers of Super Saiyan warriors in Dragonball Z.

Having been a comics fanboy (I’m having a slight resurgence, thanks to Mr. Ellis), I feel the same way with most of our Pinoy superheroes (I manage to sort of keep track, for “academic purposes”). I mean, sure, Darna can fly and has super strength, but “flyers” with super strength are a dime a dozen in the Wildstorm Universe. With meticulous planning and the right technology, she can be easily dispatched by trained operators like Stormwatch: Team Achilles. It was wise for the Mango Comics version to give her “upgrades”: she now has psi-powers comparable to Jean Grey’s, and she doesn’t have to swallow that damn stone all the time. In the TV version, she at least has energy-based ranged attacks.

I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be impressed with Panday. I’m not talking about the teleserye production. I’m talking of Panday as an archetypal hero. I mean, when you get down to it, the Panday is just a warrior/swordsman with a mystical sword and great martial skills. His only weapon is a dagger that can morph into a sword and cut virtually everything (and probably render fire damage). Big hairy woo. He can’t tap to an energy field. He has no psychic powers or spellwork. He has no ranged attacks. Wouldn’t last 15 minutes in Ragnarok Online. Would probably die force-choked in a fantasy battle with Darth Vader. Would probably be beaten by any of the Sailor Warriors. Pathetic.

I do hope they give him an upgrade. I know it takes more than sheer power to be a hero, but please, give us something that won’t get out geek chops busted.