Oh, I so agree! While I do like quantitative analysis (numbers), those grids were awful---and many times wrong!
The older Deluxe edition was much more detailed and for those with super-strengrh, gave mostly correct strength levels (at least at that period of time) without any grids.
Marvel characters really need at least 10 levels, no less, while DC probably needs at least 15. (OK, yes, I admit I have spent much time looking at the various levels!
I think they were trying to simplify the grids. (They had some books in early 2000s which were the predecessors which had only 5, if I remember correctly.).
I remember really not liking them because there was not enough space between the categories. For example, between "weak human" and lifting "1000 pounds" could easily have 3 categories, if not 5 categories.
Last edited by Phoenixx9; 12-03-2019 at 02:08 AM.
Some Namor holiday icons!
"No one should ever question where my allegiance lies." - Namor of Atlantis
More icons!
"No one should ever question where my allegiance lies." - Namor of Atlantis
I think that this, other lore about Neptune, and also other things tied to the oceans changing, migration of fish, would be a cause of some kind of holiday in addition to stuff like the King's birthday to the people of Atlantis.
I often hate these things because they rank Namor so low on the intelligence scale, like just because Namor isn't a super genius scinetist doesn't mean he isn't smart. He has the education of a Prince, vast knowledge of the oceans and it's creatures, as well as how to run a kingdom, miltary stratigies for war etc. He shouldn't be a 2, at least a couple of points more imo.
"No one should ever question where my allegiance lies." - Namor of Atlantis
It's December! Which means it's time for the Feast of Fish! This was a panel where an AU Namor became something like a Santa Claus to people.
From the Gwenpool's Holiday Special Merry Mix-Up
"No one should ever question where my allegiance lies." - Namor of Atlantis
Yes, these are often wrong, sometimes on most characters in at least one category or more. It seems the writers of today are unaware of the true nature and abilities of the denizens of the Marvel Universe.
That one set of old Handbooks was very good on strength along with some detail regarding powers in general. But it lacked in psychic, mystical and most other energies as far as how powerful or any useful rankings.
I think that 2 is supposed to be average intelligence, but it always looks so low when the scale is only maxed a 7. I find I have never agreed with these charts for any character over the years. Look at his speed, come on. He's not Silver Surfer, but Namor is pretty damn fast.
Holy cow. FIVE would have been awful.
And yes, that's one of my complaints about these 'grids.'
Exactly. And Namor has outsmarted the smartest people in the MU multiple times. Granted that a different sort of intelligence than Big Brain Science, but it is still above average intelligence. Heck, he's language skills alone should give him a boost on that "grid."
I've also found the Fighting Skills and Speed categories awful low, also.
I agree. Part of the problem is that the editors / writers tend to disregard stuff that hasn't happened in the last ten years. That's fine if you're Spider-Man and have had multiple solos over the last ten years, but if you are interpreting Namor on the last ten years of guest appearances inconsistently written and abused, you get a very incomplete picture of Namor.
But as for the "grids" and handbooks ... I don't know what their excuses are.
They just put out a nice hardcover edition of the original Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. I'm pretty sure I have the original issues, but they are packed away some place. I'm trying to decide if I need to get this. It's a bit overpriced at $75, but of course, I'd get it at Instock Trades for 45% off. Though I really need to save my money for the second Timely Greatest Bill Everett Namor Omnibus, which comes out in April, I think.
Originally Posted by advertisement
Namor's speed has been remarked on repeatedly in battles over the years, and underestimated. Writers should consider, if Namor is incredibly fast UNDERWATER, and that's been demonstrated repeatedly, then outside of water, where he is moving without the weight of tons of water restricting him, he should devastatingly fast. Seriously. Just time how fast you can run in water up to your hips and compare it to running out of the water.
Namor the Sub-Mariner, Marvel's oldest character, will have been published for 85 years in 2024. So where's my GOOD Namor anniversary ongoing, Marvel?
Namor the Sub-Mariner, Marvel's oldest character, will have been published for 85 years in 2024. So where's my GOOD Namor anniversary ongoing, Marvel?