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.
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November 9th, 2005 at 6:25 pm
Looking at it that way, Galactus is just a very lucky guy who was whisked from certain death (the destruction of his universe) and thrust into a role he didn’t want in this universe. So he’s big, but he gets hungry a lot and doesn’t have staying power. Hell, Dr. Doom even managed to steal his powers. Then again, Dr. Doom’s managed to steal just about everybody else’s powers.
I’ve never gauged comic book characters based on their power level; if we’re to do that, top of the list would be the likes of Beyonder, High Tribunal (Marvel), Spectre, the Oans (DC), et al.
Point in fact, my favorite characters are Rorsharch and the Comedian. No powers, but very well written.
I personally wouldn’t mind if Panday remained normal. What’s disheartening is the pressure to have high ratings that force writers to churn out sub-level plots because the shows have to air daily, instead of weekly.
November 10th, 2005 at 5:15 pm
i’m not asking for sheer power. i just want enough to keep him “competitive”
if not raw power, at least wits, or sheer commitment (like Rorsharch). can the panday con the devil himself? i hope they give him more depth….but right now he might end up being a pissed off hack-n-slasher, character wise