I think it's true of a lot of other characters as well. There's no imagination involved in many comics. Flash can only fight speedsters (or the speed force). Superman can only fight Kryptonians. Green Lantern can only fight other spectrum Lanterns. Batman can only fight himself (or his inner "demons," I guess).
There's a sameness to it all that's sad. The series finale of the CW Flash really drove it home, although inadvertently. They brought back all the "big bads" from all the seasons, and every one was a speedster, and every one was beaten by Barry "getting faster."
All of these characters have rogue's galleries. Furthermore, why can't they switch up those villains. (How much more interesting would the TV Flash had been if he had to fight a Kryptonian? And while I get CGI would be expensive for villains like Grodd, a rogue Kryptonian wouldn't cost any more than our fifth or sixth Reverse Flash.)
One of the great things about the Silver Age Justice League was that you got some bonkers matchups like ... I dunno, the Atom vs. the Floronic Man.
Thank you for highlighting this, Bryan. One of the things that I think is Wrong With Comics Today is that they have become too inbred, too fetid. The heroes spend all their time fighting against the mire of their own lore rather than any external threats.
"The heroes spend all their time fighting against the mire of their own lore rather than any external threats."
None of the great arch-nemeses work like that. Superman's nemesis isn't Bizarro; it's a scientist / businessman. Batman's nemesis isn't Owlman; it's a man who defies order.
A good arch-nemesis should have abilities different from the hero's that are difficult to directly counter; should be thematically opposed; and should have a vision that, if they're allowed to pursue it, will hurt a lot of people.
You know who Hal's nemesis should be? ("Dr. Herman Eadtrauma, right?" rimshot) Not Sinestro, but Myrwhydden. Rework him so his deal is that he's something of a psychic vampire, and he wants to drain humankind of its will so that our species is reduced to barely-conscious drones. His living in the ring, or operating through it, or however you want to work it, means it'd be difficult to stop him with the ring.
It's funny, HJF1, I was thinking Hector Hammond but for much the same reason -- he could psychically counter Hal's willpower. But I get your point.
But I also think not every hero has to take on his/her opposite number. I'd really be interested in a story arc about Batman actually taking on organized crime, for example, rather than the Condiment King or whoever. Same with Superman. How do you tackle a faceless, widespread organization that won't meet you on the top of the Daily Planet to slug things out? Maybe by being an investigative reporter?
The problem is that imagination is great for ideas but execution takes work and I don't see a lot of comic writers willing to put in the work.
Hector Hammond and Myrwhydden would end up in the same territory, in terms of what they do. Although, Hector's also got some advantages like being more science than magic, being a little better known, and not requiring as big of a retrofit. In Hammond's case, I'd say that his goal is to dominate people's minds so that he is in as many people's bodies as he wants at any time, and is maybe even evolving himself into a group-mind hosted by humanity. Can't easily beat that with an energy toilet plunger.
Okay, I'm sold: Hector Hammond is the best Hal Jordan arch enemy.
The Flash would be an even easier guy to come up with an solid nemesis for. Anyone who could cast illusions or interfere with senses would render the Flash's super speed useless. Even Count Vertigo would do.
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I think it's true of a lot of other characters as well. There's no imagination involved in many comics. Flash can only fight speedsters (or the speed force). Superman can only fight Kryptonians. Green Lantern can only fight other spectrum Lanterns. Batman can only fight himself (or his inner "demons," I guess).
There's a sameness to it all that's sad. The series finale of the CW Flash really drove it home, although inadvertently. They brought back all the "big bads" from all the seasons, and every one was a speedster, and every one was beaten by Barry "getting faster."
All of these characters have rogue's galleries. Furthermore, why can't they switch up those villains. (How much more interesting would the TV Flash had been if he had to fight a Kryptonian? And while I get CGI would be expensive for villains like Grodd, a rogue Kryptonian wouldn't cost any more than our fifth or sixth Reverse Flash.)
One of the great things about the Silver Age Justice League was that you got some bonkers matchups like ... I dunno, the Atom vs. the Floronic Man.
So yeah, Flash vs. Speed Force. Again.
Thank you for highlighting this, Bryan.
One of the things that I think is Wrong With Comics Today is that they have become too inbred, too fetid. The heroes spend all their time fighting against the mire of their own lore rather than any external threats.
"The heroes spend all their time fighting against the mire of their own lore rather than any external threats."
None of the great arch-nemeses work like that. Superman's nemesis isn't Bizarro; it's a scientist / businessman. Batman's nemesis isn't Owlman; it's a man who defies order.
A good arch-nemesis should have abilities different from the hero's that are difficult to directly counter; should be thematically opposed; and should have a vision that, if they're allowed to pursue it, will hurt a lot of people.
You know who Hal's nemesis should be? ("Dr. Herman Eadtrauma, right?" rimshot) Not Sinestro, but Myrwhydden. Rework him so his deal is that he's something of a psychic vampire, and he wants to drain humankind of its will so that our species is reduced to barely-conscious drones. His living in the ring, or operating through it, or however you want to work it, means it'd be difficult to stop him with the ring.
- HJF1
It's funny, HJF1, I was thinking Hector Hammond but for much the same reason -- he could psychically counter Hal's willpower. But I get your point.
But I also think not every hero has to take on his/her opposite number. I'd really be interested in a story arc about Batman actually taking on organized crime, for example, rather than the Condiment King or whoever. Same with Superman. How do you tackle a faceless, widespread organization that won't meet you on the top of the Daily Planet to slug things out? Maybe by being an investigative reporter?
The problem is that imagination is great for ideas but execution takes work and I don't see a lot of comic writers willing to put in the work.
Hector Hammond and Myrwhydden would end up in the same territory, in terms of what they do. Although, Hector's also got some advantages like being more science than magic, being a little better known, and not requiring as big of a retrofit. In Hammond's case, I'd say that his goal is to dominate people's minds so that he is in as many people's bodies as he wants at any time, and is maybe even evolving himself into a group-mind hosted by humanity. Can't easily beat that with an energy toilet plunger.
Okay, I'm sold: Hector Hammond is the best Hal Jordan arch enemy.
The Flash would be an even easier guy to come up with an solid nemesis for. Anyone who could cast illusions or interfere with senses would render the Flash's super speed useless. Even Count Vertigo would do.
- HJF1
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