McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Limits on Phenomenal Cosmic Powers

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the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:

--- Quote from: The Deposed King on January 24, 2014, 01:51:12 AM ---Its harder to manage because.... think of it like Dragon Ball Z.  How many times can you defeat the Ultimate threat in the Universe before the more discerning viewer is rolling their eyes?

--- End quote ---

That's a failure mode, sure.

For a really good success in this direction, I recommend Mike Carey's Lucifer, which is a 75-episode comic centring on the second most powereful being in creation; succeeds by a combination of having a great supporting cast, and by characterisation of Lucifer as someone with so much pride that he will always play your game by your rules (and win anyway).

MacPhoenix:
So a good hero has power sure, but that is ooh and aww. A great hero is displayed with the humanity of the character showing despite or because of the power.

the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:

--- Quote from: MacPhoenix on January 24, 2014, 04:41:31 AM ---So a good hero has power sure, but that is ooh and aww. A great hero is displayed with the humanity of the character showing despite or because of the power.

--- End quote ---

Mm. "Humanity" in and of itself is to my mind overrated, if only because what people actually mean by it rather too often seems to boil down to "having the same predictably normative reactions when pushed hard enough" rather than "actually being a credible individual human".

MacPhoenix:
I guess I should really say essence rather than humanity. However, humanity to me means the compassionate ability of an individual to care for all other individuals as one's self.

the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:

--- Quote from: MacPhoenix on January 24, 2014, 08:43:26 PM ---I guess I should really say essence rather than humanity. However, humanity to me means the compassionate ability of an individual to care for all other individuals as one's self.

--- End quote ---

I'd be inclined to say that the popularity of shows like Sherlock makes it clear that you can write an interesting and compelling protagonist with little to none of that ability.  (Don't get me started about what season 3 does in that regard.)

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