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Topic: Do you like "families" of superheroes? Post ReplyPost New Topic
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Sergio Saavedra
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 2:55pm | IP Logged | 1 post reply

In the last issue of Action Comics I found not only Superman, "Superson" and "Superdog", but also Supergirl, Superwoman, the New Superman, Luthor with Superman armour, Steel, Cyborg Superman, Erradicator and Zod. I'm enjoying Dan Jurgen's run on Action Comics, but this issue reminded me of how I dislike this concept of "families" of superheroes.
I've quit Detective Comics because it focuses on Batwoman, Batgirl, a lot of Robins, etc.
What do you think of this concept of superheroes related to a major superhero? Do you feel they show how inspiring the character is? Do you like it because  they show different approaches to the main concept? Do you feel they make the main character less unique and more vulgar?
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Matthew Wilkie
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 3:34pm | IP Logged | 2 post reply

I lost interest in the Marvelman / Miracleman run when they introduced Miraclewoman and Miracledog. I know Young Miracleman and Kid Miraclemen were part of the mythology of the series but I felt extending the family even further took it too far.

And every Marvel series seems to have an extended family now. I'm not speaking from any real authority but don't they have four Hulks, four Spider-Men/Women, two Hawkeyes, two Captain Americas, two Ironmen and two Wolverines? And each of the original X-Men has a second version. As a one-off it could be interesting, but all the time is just dull.
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Eric Smearman
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 3:38pm | IP Logged | 3 post reply

Doesn't bother me so much when DC does it (though they tend to
overdo it, particularly recently.) because it's traditionally been their
thing. When Marvel does it, however...feh!
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Anthony J Lombardi
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 4:51pm | IP Logged | 4 post reply

The only ones that haven't bothered me were Fawcett's Marvel family and DC Bat family. I suppose that's because both were institutions before I began reading comics.
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Eric Jansen
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 4:57pm | IP Logged | 5 post reply

Yeah, I'm fine with DC doing it, especially since they started in the innocent and playful 50's and I love characters like Supergirl and Batgirl (and I even like Man-Bat and Krypto!).

But when "modern and trend-setting" Marvel does it, it's just ridiculous!  Marvel always decides to copy DC--even in things that are mistakes.  (Again, a little is okay--I also love Spider-Woman and She-Hulk!  But now how many Hulks and Spider-people do we have?)  Marvel actually did a "Spider-Man Family" series and I thought "Are they joking?"
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Joe Zhang
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 5:24pm | IP Logged | 6 post reply

It's one of my least favorite things about DC. And sometimes it makes no sense within the context of the stories. For example the new Batwoman is borderline contemptuous of Batman's authority. Why would she name herself after him? 
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Mike Norris
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 5:41pm | IP Logged | 7 post reply

I like the Superman, Batman and Shazam families. Beyond that, not so much. 
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Wallace Sellars
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 5:53pm | IP Logged | 8 post reply

I'm not a fan.
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Shane Matlock
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 6:29pm | IP Logged | 9 post reply

I do enjoy the DC families (Superman, Batman, and Marvel) but I also think JB had a great point back when he revamped Superman that having so many characters run around with the same costumes and powers really diminishes the original character, especially in the case of Superman. In Captain Marvel's case they even made that literal.

The one derivative family character I think most of us would agree is great is Hulk's cousin, She-Hulk. 
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Rick Whiting
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 6:47pm | IP Logged | 10 post reply

Too many redundant knockoffs make the original character less unique and special.
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James Johnson
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 6:59pm | IP Logged | 11 post reply

The Marvel family I did not have a problem with. 

The Batman family should have ended with Batgirl.

Superman should always be the Last Kryptonian.
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Charles Valderrama
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Posted: 13 July 2017 at 7:21pm | IP Logged | 12 post reply

I don't really mind when the family extends to a female version of the original (Batgirl, Supergirl, Mary Marvel, Spider-Woman, She Hulk) but it gets ridiculous when it gets to Superboy, Wonder Girl, Red Hulk, and all Spider-Man copies! (Miles Morales... really??)

I guess the key is to not go overboard to the point where the redundancy is GLARINGLY obvious... and lazy.

-C!

PS - I would've been content with just Flash, Kid Flash & Jay Garrick.


Edited by Charles Valderrama on 13 July 2017 at 7:24pm
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