They Killed Cap!

[Felon]

But you also have to consider the events in the world when those story-lines originally were created. Back then most Americans (and 'westerners' in general) believed that there is no way in hell that any democratic government could get away with creating such a harsh registration law (that infringes on civil liberties and is almost akin to racial profiling) and actually be able to have it pass into legislation. Unfortunately, times have changed so much that such a story could be viewed as being plausable and not just part of a setting's flavor.

Think so, huh?

I dunno, if there were human atom bombs running around, I think the government would seek regulation, and the American public would likely support them. Most folks are much more concerned about protecting their kids than some lofty ideal, like the civil liberties of people who might be a danger to their kids.

Now, having said that, the government would certainly have to face the reality of all the arch-villains running around trying to throw over the world. It's just not that good an idea to crush their most effective defense against them. That's the part I find hard to swallow.

 

[Falkus]

But you also have to consider the events in the world when those story-lines originally were created. Back then most Americans (and 'westerners' in general) believed that there is no way in hell that any democratic government could get away with creating such a harsh registration law (that infringes on civil liberties and is almost akin to racial profiling) and actually be able to have it pass into legislation. Unfortunately, times have changed so much that such a story could be viewed as being plausable and not just part of a setting's flavor.

I honestly don't think that there's been any point in the last century in which a clear majority of the American people believed that the police force should not be responsible to anyone. Because, essentially, that's a vigilante superhero is. A police officer who doesn't have to answer for his actions.

That's what I've never liked about most comics. Superheros should work for the government, that's what police forces do. Not only does it give them the legal right to arrest villains, but they also get a vast, agency apparatus to back them up in their various investigations into said villains, rather than having to go it alone.

 

[Klaus]

I honestly don't think that there's been any point in the last century in which a clear majority of the American people believed that the police force should not be responsible to anyone. Because, essentially, that's a vigilante superhero is. A police officer who doesn't have to answer for his actions.

That's what I've never liked about most comics. Superheros should work for the government, that's what police forces do. Not only does it give them the legal right to arrest villains, but they also get a vast, agency apparatus to back them up in their various investigations into said villains, rather than having to go it alone.

That's a great premise for a comic book. But when you apply it to your entire line, it becomes stifled.

IMHO, a publisher has to offer a gamut of books, ranging from the serious, reality-based ones to the carefree, fun stuff.

 

[Shalimar]

My problem with it isn't because of the licenses, its because of the fact that anyone with even the slightest super power must register else they will be locked up indefinitely in another dimension that actually drives people in it insane. No trial, no appeal, do whatever we say or we will disappear you. That and once supers are registered they can and will be drafted into doing whatever IronHitler wants.

Looking at what he did to the Hulk, and was doing in the negative zone, I wouldn't have been at all surprised if he had been the one to give the power up to Nitro to set off the Stamford incident and get the SHRA rolling in the first place. Iron Man just flat out isn't a hero, his actions speak for him regardless of what he says, and the more Joe Q/Tom B and everyone at Marvel insissts he is a hero the more out of touch with reality I think they are.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

But you also have to consider the events in the world when those story-lines originally were created. Back then most Americans (and 'westerners' in general) believed that there is no way in hell that any democratic government could get away with creating such a harsh registration law (that infringes on civil liberties and is almost akin to racial profiling) and actually be able to have it pass into legislation. Unfortunately, times have changed so much that such a story could be viewed as being plausable and not just part of a setting's flavor.

In the Real World, yes, but not in the Marvel world, where events on the scale of 9/11 happen all the time.

I'm not saying that there's not a story there, and that interesting things can't be done with it, but there could have been more plausibility behind it. For instance, something on this scale would have been more appropriately in character in the MU's reality after, say the Kang War, as opposed to the "Stamford Massacre".

 

[Felon]

I honestly don't think that there's been any point in the last century in which a clear majority of the American people believed that the police force should not be responsible to anyone. Because, essentially, that's a vigilante superhero is. A police officer who doesn't have to answer for his actions.

Forget throwing fireballs and punching people through buildings, are there even any places left in the U.S. where it's not illegal to wear a mask in public on any day other than Halloween?

 

[Felon]

My problem with it isn't because of the licenses, its because of the fact that anyone with even the slightest super power must register else they will be locked up indefinitely in another dimension that actually drives people in it insane. No trial, no appeal, do whatever we say or we will disappear you. That and once supers are registered they can and will be drafted into doing whatever IronHitler wants.

Well, remember, that's supposed to mirror real-world events involving the Patriot Act and Guantanamo Bay, where real-life people have been "disappeared" to.

As to Iron Man and Richards indulging in this kind of behavior, I'm afraid that's part of the flaw with the Civil War. It was initially set up as a conflict that gave each side some merit. The Negative Zone prison thing is an attempt to turn the pro-reg crowd into a straw man, so ultimately there's a clear bad guy. Kind of like Minority Report. The premise of "future crime prevention" had real merit, so they had to tack on the inhumane "halo" punishment to taint it. even though the two were unrelated methodologies. We could hardly sit and root for Tom Cruise to destroy the system if it's a system we approve of, after all.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

That's a great premise for a comic book. But when you apply it to your entire line, it becomes stifled.

IMHO, a publisher has to offer a gamut of books, ranging from the serious, reality-based ones to the carefree, fun stuff.

Exactly.

 

[Shalimar]

Well, remember, that's supposed to mirror real-world events involving the Patriot Act and Guantanamo Bay, where real-life people have been "disappeared" to.

As to Iron Man and Richards indulging in this kind of behavior, I'm afraid that's part of the flaw with the Civil War. It was initially set up as a conflict that gave each side some merit. The Negative Zone prison thing is an attempt to turn the pro-reg crowd into a straw man, so ultimately there's a clear bad guy. Kind of like Minority Report. The premise of "future crime prevention" had real merit, so they had to tack on the inhumane "halo" punishment to taint it. even though the two were unrelated methodologies. We could hardly sit and root for Tom Cruise to destroy the system if it's a system we approve of, after all.

Except for the fact that the writers/editors have flat out said that Iron Man was right and has done nothing wrong I would agree with you. I'm actually happy about World War Hulk for the off chance that big green gets to kill Iron Man, Reed Richards, and Professor X. The three of them deserve it since you just know they wont be tried an executed for mass murder for their actions in Planet Hulk and Civil War. I don't really understand why they are taking heroes and making them retroactively evil.

 

[Umbran]

Folks,

Please remember that these forums have a directive against discussing real-world politics and religion.