May 05 2009
How to do Superhero Gadgets Well
1. A hero’s gadgets are only interesting when he uses them in an exciting and/or unexpected way. No one will say “Wow, he had shark repellent!” But they will be impressed if your hero comes up with a clever way to apply a general tool. Versatile, general tools tend to be more interesting than gadgets that are only useful in a particular situation.
2. Narrow tools may force you to write an Eigen plot. Eigen plots are contrived set-ups where the superhero gets opportunities to use gadgets and/or superpowers that are typically useless. Eigen plots typically come off as cheesy. When the hero catches a golden opportunity to use his shark repellent, it won’t make him look good… it will probably just make you look bad.
3. Tools tend to be more creative and versatile when they draw on the scenery. For example, a grappling device lets the hero use the setting and scenery in ways he couldn’t before. He can set ambushes, try alternate entrances and exits, etc. A cutting tool can do many things depending on the situation. The hero may be able to cut through doors and other hard obstacles, or fashion bandages out of a shirt, or maybe even knock a streetlamp onto an enemy.
4. I recommend sticking with gadgets that are easy to understand. Gadgets that are really high-tech may require more explanation.
Finally, the magnum-opus post is here. Thanks, B. Mac! Include this under Superhero Writing Advice in the sidebar.
I find this post useful, but I wouldn’t say it’s my magnum opus.
Your Latin confuddles me.
I’ve always liked gadgets that worked with a hero’s powers, like Spiderman’s homing devices.
“Magnum opus” is typically used to describe someone’s greatest or largest work.
Yeah, I’m including a few scenes where the usual methods don’t work. Like, there’s an ambush/invasion, so a character has to fight in the kitchen unarmed, so she grabs the meat tenderizer laying on the counter and swings it into the side of the intruder’s head.
Umm, hmm. Remind me not to startle you when you’re cooking.
I don’t cook. I burn water. Smoke alarm and everything.
The trick is to leave the lid slightly ajar. Otherwise it will boil over.
It took me three months to figure that out, and another six months to discover that pasta should be put in the water AFTER the water is boiling, not before. Perhaps that is why I do a superhero writing advice site and not a cooking advice site.
I have been declared a lost cause. People say that if I don’t find and marry a guy who can cook, I might starve.
I can cook.
I can’t cook. Did you know that dried scrambled eggs don’t taste as bad as you think they would?
- Wings
They would if I got ahold of them. >_>;
Oh Rorsach from Watchmen can use household items in many ways! Some people with good gadgets are Batman(Bruce Wayne) and Ironman(Athonry “Tony” Stark)
I’m not so sure about Ironman for good gadgets. In my opinion, his suit isn’t really a gadget, its more of a mode of operation. Batman would be Batman without his gadgets, but I don’t think Ironman would be Ironman without his suit.
Well his suit has different gadgets such as uni beams,repulsor beams. energy shields, anti gravity beam, different suits. Also his suit is in his bones he can mentally summon it around him so he’s not going to be loosing it anytime soon. Tony has lots of suits anyway batman would be batman without his suits.
I understand this is for and from a writing perspective.
From a visual perspective, I would add some other points:
Visual plausibility: it should look like it could actually work.
Useful to the character : why would Batman (who has a code against killing) carry swords or guns? He would have a less lethal weapons arsenal instead.
Unique design and use: Spiderman’s bracelet design forces him to do those trademark hand positions. It’s very iconic. The gadget it self can become a representation of the character if it has something unique to it.
“Well, his suit has different gadgets such as uni beams, repulsor beams, energy shields, anti gravity beam.
I don’t think those count as gadgets, though. I think they’re functions.
What would be some interesting non-lethal gadgets for a clown themed vigilante? I was thinking something along the lines of razor sharp playing cards, and maybe a rubber sledgehammer.
How about a red nose that is actually a smoke bomb and a cork gun (like from funfairs where you get to shoot a prize)?
The flower on the lapel that squirts some kind of acid/liquid would be good for clownish vigilante.
JOKER.
Yeah, I think that a clown-themed vigilante will probably feel a lot like Joker (even though Joker is a villain). He’s sort of got that niche locked up.
What about Jack-in-the-Box from Astro City?
Not sure how well-known Astro City is. I suspect that the typical reader is likely to know of Joker but not JITB.