I think I've said it before elsewhere: This is a character whose position below the A-List I simply cannot understand. He's DC's Tony Stark/Captain America fusion in an era obsessed with technological innovation and physical action. This is the Doc Savage for our times.
Last edited by The Cool Thatguy; 08-03-2021 at 03:13 PM.
I don’t think being an atheist is a character flaw necessarily Holt’s flaws are that he’s very ego driven, and has a tough time forming emotional bonds with others. He also can get lost in his own head since he’s more intelligent than all but two other people and he knows that, which can cause him to treat others condescendingly. He’s also stubborn and doesn’t change his mind easily.
But people don’t read heroes just for their flaws, they read them to see the heroes overcome obstacles and do cool ****, and Holt is great at that
For when my rants on the forums just aren’t enough: https://thevindicativevordan.tumblr.com/
He already has it. It isn't like he's presented as the most perfect guy in the world. Superman's closest to that and there's a significant resistance to portraying him as flawed sometimes. Frankly, I'd say "not being flawed enough" isn't an actual obstacle for Holt so much as a lack of consistent use.
We had remarkably different takeaways from Doc Savage, who I found flawed up, down, left, right and sideways. He's arrogant. He's self-righteous. He's been taught to view himself as Above and Beyond, which sets him up for all kinds of humbling stories.
Mr. Terrific's struggle with those characteristics lend themselves to that. Much like Iron Man's did when they got tired of talking about his wiggledly heart.
The "hero must be flawed" is an outdated way of thinking. Just give him good characterization and a personality. The rest takes care of itself. You all are talking like he's a cookie-cutter hero.
His portrayal in the Terrifics was perfect. He's been great in his cameos and animated appearances the last few years.
I don't see the need to make extra goalposts for Michael. Treat him like you would another character. A genius comic character is not a new concept. He's got a good background and a decent origin. DC only needs to keep writing him in good stories.
and I don't want to hear anything about him being overpowered in a world with Batman, Lex Luthor, Superman etc. etc. I'm not even going to bring up the ludicrous stuff Marvel's geniuses get up to. Holt's rather mild by comparison
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If anything Holt should be getting more feats. Frankly I think it’s idiotic that Batman is supposed to be smarter than him, but I realize that’s a lost cause so whatever. Still, if they ever rebuild the Watchtower, I would love to see Holt be the guy who builds the new and improved version. Frankly I wish he was on the League more often if he’s not leading the Terrifics (which would be my ideal status quo for him).
For when my rants on the forums just aren’t enough: https://thevindicativevordan.tumblr.com/
Has he ever been definitively depicted as smarter? I mean, besides when they treat Batman as the smartest person in the room without him, but I think in practice Holt's a super-genius and Batman just has very good instincts and knowledge base.
I'd like to see him back with the JSA but I don't know how feasible that is now.
Yep Doomsday Clock made it definitive that Lex is #1 and Batman is #2. King though has been implying that Holt is actually smarter than both, but he’s keeping that to himself so they underestimate him. Holt is portrayed as smarter than Batman in Strange Adventures at least.
For when my rants on the forums just aren’t enough: https://thevindicativevordan.tumblr.com/
I felt the early early 2000s and prior Batman was not considered the smartest in the DCU; however, that changed. Heck, the writer of Mr. Terrific's first solo considered Batman top 5 or 6. It's an interesting interview I'll post it.
I think ranking for intelligence is a little dumb. DC's genius characters are all exceedingly brilliant, with different fields and areas they excel in over others. Nevertheless, the very notion that Holt is supposedly number 3 means there is a ranking, and it makes you wonder who numbers 1 and 2 are. Who the top 10 are, honestly.
Last edited by Jabare; 08-04-2021 at 02:05 AM.
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