Comments on: Six Superhero Plots That Need to Die http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/ How to write a superhero book, comic book or superhero novel and get it published Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:42:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Rex http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-155580 Rex Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:33:20 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-155580 Hey there. I'm considering writing a story about a group of heroes, and I have some plot ideas that I would like some feedback on. 1. The leader of the group, Franz. He is extremely faithful to God, and is an all around good leader. But as the story's events transpire, he comes to think that God no longer cares for him. So he basically decides to cut all ties to God and throws his Bible off of a building. This, coupled with a few arguments, causes him to leave the team. 2. Lucy (Actually a guy, it's a funny play on his real name, Luke). He is romantically involved with another member of the group, Zero. During one of the fights, Lucy fails to stop the villain from killing several innocent bystanders, which he takes hard. Afterwards, a demon named Andras confronts him, and says that he can give him enough power to stop the villain, to which Lucy agrees. While he is possessed, Zero becomes pregnant with his child (Which could have some sort of consequences). However, as Andras becomes more powerful, Lucy becomes more violent, which culminates in a fight where he ruthlessly kills several people. At this point, he would realize what is going on, and somehow manage to exorcise Andras, but he would be left in a coma. And Andras would move on to possess Franz, who would be in a severely weakened state. What do you think? Hey there. I’m considering writing a story about a group of heroes, and I have some plot ideas that I would like some feedback on.

1. The leader of the group, Franz. He is extremely faithful to God, and is an all around good leader. But as the story’s events transpire, he comes to think that God no longer cares for him. So he basically decides to cut all ties to God and throws his Bible off of a building. This, coupled with a few arguments, causes him to leave the team.

2. Lucy (Actually a guy, it’s a funny play on his real name, Luke). He is romantically involved with another member of the group, Zero. During one of the fights, Lucy fails to stop the villain from killing several innocent bystanders, which he takes hard. Afterwards, a demon named Andras confronts him, and says that he can give him enough power to stop the villain, to which Lucy agrees. While he is possessed, Zero becomes pregnant with his child (Which could have some sort of consequences). However, as Andras becomes more powerful, Lucy becomes more violent, which culminates in a fight where he ruthlessly kills several people. At this point, he would realize what is going on, and somehow manage to exorcise Andras, but he would be left in a coma. And Andras would move on to possess Franz, who would be in a severely weakened state.

What do you think?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-155500 Anonymous Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:47:15 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-155500 I see what you mean. But I'm gonna make the shrinking a central aspect in the story sort of. I was just asking what are some dangers the characters might face while miniturized. Think sizes from Honey I shrunk the kid aside from people, and bugs. What else I thought of vacuums, or something. Any ideas? And some dangerous enviorments, so far I thought party. I see what you mean. But I’m gonna make the shrinking a central aspect in the story sort of. I was just asking what are some dangers the characters might face while miniturized. Think sizes from Honey I shrunk the kid aside from people, and bugs. What else I thought of vacuums, or something. Any ideas? And some dangerous enviorments, so far I thought party.

]]> By: B. McKenzie http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-155122 B. McKenzie Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:31:17 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-155122 I don't know. There have been so many shrinking stories (throwaway episodes, mostly) that I feel like it's been mined to death. The only positive about a one-shot shrinking story I can think of is that it's an easy way for a writer to crank out a story on a deadline. Making the shrinking a more central aspect of the story as a whole would probably help but I think it'd still be pretty predictable/forgettable. I don’t know. There have been so many shrinking stories (throwaway episodes, mostly) that I feel like it’s been mined to death. The only positive about a one-shot shrinking story I can think of is that it’s an easy way for a writer to crank out a story on a deadline. Making the shrinking a more central aspect of the story as a whole would probably help but I think it’d still be pretty predictable/forgettable.

]]> By: Writer http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-155111 Writer Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:32:50 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-155111 I'm questioning the first plot. About nothing interested about shinkring. I think there could be plenty danger. One of my problems with Honey I shrunk the kids it wasn't interesting enough. It was them running around a garden fighting bigs, a giant baby, and the third one some stupid party. I think it could be done interesting but I need some ideas what are some dangers people would face being an inch or half an inch tall aside from being stepped on and bugs. I’m questioning the first plot. About nothing interested about shinkring. I think there could be plenty danger. One of my problems with Honey I shrunk the kids it wasn’t interesting enough. It was them running around a garden fighting bigs, a giant baby, and the third one some stupid party. I think it could be done interesting but I need some ideas what are some dangers people would face being an inch or half an inch tall aside from being stepped on and bugs.

]]> By: HatiChantheWolfHog http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-149863 HatiChantheWolfHog Mon, 05 Sep 2011 06:45:20 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-149863 Now that you have told me about these plots I have the strangest urge to write a superhero origin story featuring all of the above. Now that you have told me about these plots I have the strangest urge to write a superhero origin story featuring all of the above.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146517 Anonymous Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:26:24 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146517 Damzo, that's prolly a good point. I imagine I'll be wandering about this website a fair bit, given my woeful knowledge of superhero fiction. From now on, I will be... Nibbles? Damzo, that’s prolly a good point. I imagine I’ll be wandering about this website a fair bit, given my woeful knowledge of superhero fiction. From now on, I will be… Nibbles?

]]> By: B. Mac (Brian McKenzie) http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146454 B. Mac (Brian McKenzie) Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:45:17 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146454 Yeah, I added my given name to make it easier on people that wanted to quote me in a relatively serious context (like an article aimed at ESL instructors or English teachers). Yeah, I added my given name to make it easier on people that wanted to quote me in a relatively serious context (like an article aimed at ESL instructors or English teachers).

]]> By: Damzo http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146450 Damzo Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:21:34 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146450 You could use a name so we know who you are when you come back. Also B.Mac you edited your name? You could use a name so we know who you are when you come back. Also B.Mac you edited your name?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146449 Anonymous Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:07:51 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146449 Yay! So they're tropes, rather than copyrightable plot lines liable to get me sued. :) This is good. Thanks a lot for all your help- I may drop in again when I have more ideas. Yay! So they’re tropes, rather than copyrightable plot lines liable to get me sued. :) This is good.
Thanks a lot for all your help- I may drop in again when I have more ideas.

]]> By: B. Mac (Brian McKenzie) http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146437 B. Mac (Brian McKenzie) Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:20:59 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146437 The government pursuing supernatural people is pretty generic. It's much less likely to evoke Heroes than, say, someone that can paint prophetic futures. As for the fighting brothers, that's another generic element that would probably not scream "Heroes." For example, please see Professor X and Juggernaut, Cyclops and Havok (in the comics, at least), etc. I think you'll have room to build the relationship in a unique way. The government pursuing supernatural people is pretty generic. It’s much less likely to evoke Heroes than, say, someone that can paint prophetic futures. As for the fighting brothers, that’s another generic element that would probably not scream “Heroes.” For example, please see Professor X and Juggernaut, Cyclops and Havok (in the comics, at least), etc. I think you’ll have room to build the relationship in a unique way.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146433 Anonymous Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:58:15 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146433 Gah! Just occurs to me I've dramatically failed to mention the antagonist of the story and the reason the younger brother was killed. That was intelligent... in short, he wasn't killed at all, but has been taken away by the government for experiments. They're quite curious as to how he can do what he does. That was why they treated the heroes so well, because they didn't want them running off, a la paranoid brother. Gah! Just occurs to me I’ve dramatically failed to mention the antagonist of the story and the reason the younger brother was killed. That was intelligent… in short, he wasn’t killed at all, but has been taken away by the government for experiments. They’re quite curious as to how he can do what he does. That was why they treated the heroes so well, because they didn’t want them running off, a la paranoid brother.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146432 Anonymous Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:53:00 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146432 Hey again! "If he’s so paranoid about this, why does he choose to let them reveal his identity?" I think I was going with the assumption that it was an accident- something like there was an emergency and they responded without thinking. They've only received their abilities recently, and I think they're still quite inexperienced in taking care of themselves/dealing with the public, etc, etc. That said, I do like the idea of his brother convincing him to trust him. My main concern is that a friend of mine has mentioned that it sounds very similiar to the plotline of Heroes- is this something to be overly concerned about? She mentions the fighting brothers and the government pursuing the supers as examples, but I think this is relatively superficial. Hey again!
“If he’s so paranoid about this, why does he choose to let them reveal his identity?” I think I was going with the assumption that it was an accident- something like there was an emergency and they responded without thinking. They’ve only received their abilities recently, and I think they’re still quite inexperienced in taking care of themselves/dealing with the public, etc, etc. That said, I do like the idea of his brother convincing him to trust him.
My main concern is that a friend of mine has mentioned that it sounds very similiar to the plotline of Heroes- is this something to be overly concerned about? She mentions the fighting brothers and the government pursuing the supers as examples, but I think this is relatively superficial.

]]> By: B. Mac (Brian McKenzie) http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146328 B. Mac (Brian McKenzie) Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:07:45 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146328 "However, the two central figures of the ‘team’ (or whatever they are) are two brothers, and one of them’s utterly paranoid about all this. He’s convinced it can’t end well, and the public’s bound to turn against them sooner or later, so he leaves and goes on the run, possibly taking a couple of other supers with him." Hmm. If he's so paranoid about this, why does he choose to let them reveal his identity? (Does he consider leaving the team and going solo rather than revealing his identity? Maybe he considers it, but does not because his brother convinces him to stick with it. Then it might be somewhat ironic that the brother that thought it was safe is the one that gets killed). <br /> It sounds like a pretty fresh take on secret identities, although a few other stories have done the secret-heroes-going-public angle. (For example, that was one of the key elements of Marvel's Civil War). “However, the two central figures of the ‘team’ (or whatever they are) are two brothers, and one of them’s utterly paranoid about all this. He’s convinced it can’t end well, and the public’s bound to turn against them sooner or later, so he leaves and goes on the run, possibly taking a couple of other supers with him.” Hmm. If he’s so paranoid about this, why does he choose to let them reveal his identity? (Does he consider leaving the team and going solo rather than revealing his identity? Maybe he considers it, but does not because his brother convinces him to stick with it. Then it might be somewhat ironic that the brother that thought it was safe is the one that gets killed).

It sounds like a pretty fresh take on secret identities, although a few other stories have done the secret-heroes-going-public angle. (For example, that was one of the key elements of Marvel’s Civil War).

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146308 Anonymous Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:47:18 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146308 Thanks. ^_^ So, first thing: yes, this is based on a dream, but no, I have not planned it out verbatim from said dream. That would be odd, and would involve a lot of the main character being at Waterworld for some reason. It's just the seed that came from it. So, it starts off with a group of superheroes (still vague on some of the details) coming out into the open about who they are. Off with the capes, off with the masks, abandoning the concept of a secret identity. For a while, the public treats them like celebrities, and they're universally loved. The government even panders to this, making them honorary police officers, and giving them a budget to help them fight crime. However, the two central figures of the 'team' (or whatever they are) are two brothers, and one of them's utterly paranoid about all this. He's convinced it can't end well, and the public's bound to turn against them sooner or later, so he leaves and goes on the run, possibly taking a couple of other supers with him. Ultimately, it turns out he was right, as his brother is 'accidentally' killed in a fight that he knows couldn't possibly have killed him (or something of the like: you can tell this is vague, can't you? ;).) I'm not sure where it would go from there. Basically, I'm just wondering if this idea is worth pursuing, or if it's hopelessly cliched, has issues with the plot or whatever, and I was just hoping for some feedback. Thanks muchly! ^_^ Thanks. ^_^ So, first thing: yes, this is based on a dream, but no, I have not planned it out verbatim from said dream. That would be odd, and would involve a lot of the main character being at Waterworld for some reason. It’s just the seed that came from it.
So, it starts off with a group of superheroes (still vague on some of the details) coming out into the open about who they are. Off with the capes, off with the masks, abandoning the concept of a secret identity. For a while, the public treats them like celebrities, and they’re universally loved. The government even panders to this, making them honorary police officers, and giving them a budget to help them fight crime.
However, the two central figures of the ‘team’ (or whatever they are) are two brothers, and one of them’s utterly paranoid about all this. He’s convinced it can’t end well, and the public’s bound to turn against them sooner or later, so he leaves and goes on the run, possibly taking a couple of other supers with him.
Ultimately, it turns out he was right, as his brother is ‘accidentally’ killed in a fight that he knows couldn’t possibly have killed him (or something of the like: you can tell this is vague, can’t you? ;) .) I’m not sure where it would go from there.
Basically, I’m just wondering if this idea is worth pursuing, or if it’s hopelessly cliched, has issues with the plot or whatever, and I was just hoping for some feedback.
Thanks muchly! ^_^

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/05/17/five-superhero-plots-that-need-to-die/comment-page-1/#comment-146119 B. Mac Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:20:34 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=3635#comment-146119 "Is it okay if I run a plot idea past you?" Sure. “Is it okay if I run a plot idea past you?” Sure.

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