Originally Posted by
Ascended
Bit of an odd idea, I suppose, and I dunno if its got enough traction for a actual conversation. But I've been in several threads lately talking about how a particular character could benefit from finding a new niche and role in the DCU, one that no one else is currently filling that would help the character stand out from the crowd and expand the DCU.
So I thought, maybe this was a notion that deserved a thread of its own.
Couple examples of what I mean, because I'm not sure if I'm being very clear.
The Super Spy: DC doesn't have a prominent "super spy" in its roster. Marvel has Nick Fury, there's James Bond, Archer, etc., but DC is lacking one. So make Nightwing the super spy for DC, which gives him something to do other than be Batman-lite and could help clean up the corner of the DCU where Checkmate lives. Sorta like a return to the "Grayson" series, only with the Nightwing name and costume still attached.
The "Undercover" Hero: Some heroes figure the only way to stop crime is to own it. If they run the town, they can limit what happens in it. In superheroes the best example is probably the Green Hornet, who used his position as a crime boss to actually bring down the "real" criminals. The tv show The Shield is another example, though those guys were legit corrupt....and there's another recent example from Marvel Netflix that I don't dare mention in case it spoils the ending of a particular show. I'd totally nominate Plastic Man for this role in DC. After reading (most) of his latest mini, and considering O'Brien's history, I feel like it makes perfect sense. Just say the Trinity are in on the secret and they help distract heroes from really gunning hard for Plas.
The Romance Comic. Okay, a book like this can't survive today's direct market, but there's new formats and audiences out there, and this is just a fun thought experiment anyway so who cares if the book would actually sell? But I'd really love to see a romance comic starring Ryan "Atom" Choi and Giganta. He's a hero who shrinks, she's a villain who grows. He's an awkward asthmatic nerd. She's a statuesque cougar on the prowl. The only thing they have in common or agree on is how much they love each other. Come on folks, this book would be a ton of fun and practically writes itself, and DC doesn't really have anything on the stands like this since Superman-Wonder Woman ended.
The First Responder Hero. So, most superheroes are sort of modeled after police officers and soldiers. They fight crime, when they gear up it's usually with weapons, when an emergency hits it's something like a bank robbery. What about the other kinds of heroes like fire fighters, field medics, etc? The closest we've got at DC is Doctor Mid-Nite, who's more healer than bruiser. But he's only a small part of a big team. So maybe it's time to give the good Doctor a bigger role in the DCU, as the resident "super EMT." Or alternatively (I like this better, honestly) have Donna Troy become a fire fighter and fill this niche herself. Donna's "orphan" origin works well with this, and it'd be something to help Donna stand on her own and stand out, which she's always struggled to do. Maybe with a actual role and niche in the DCU, DC would finally put some effort into making Donna Troy make sense.
The Celebrity Hero. We've seen many characters try to bridge the distance between being a superhero and being a public celebrity, but none have really pulled it off. But I'd like to see Stargirl give it a try.
So what do you folks think? Any suggestions? Is this just a dumb idea not big enough for a thread? Is it a way to expand the DCU and breathe new life into characters who could use it?