Would you want paid superheroes?

[Eskana]

So, I'm sure this question has come up before... It certainly does in comics...


If superheroes existed in the same way they do in DC (meaning, they've been around a while, and are just kinda part of the "way things are," as opposed to some new, sudden development), what would you prefer?
Superheroes who acted on their own moral code (whatever that may be)?
Superheroes who acted as part of the government or military?
Superheroes who were paid per job, although they may throw in some jobs for free when needed?
Some other option?


Reading the new "Blue and Gold" made me think of it, plus reading the solicit for DC's new "One-Star Squadron," a team doing pretty much the same thing as Blue and Gold are (not sure if there needs to be more communication in the DC offices, or it's on purpose...)

Anyway, your thoughts?

[Jabare]

[SJNeal]

The Boys is a perfect example of what metahumans would be like if they existed. As big a nerd as I am, I do not want to live in a world where my fellow shitty human beings have the powers of Superman (aka Homelander IRL).

[Ascended]

The Boys is a perfect example of what metahumans would be like if they existed. As big a nerd as I am, I do not want to live in a world where my fellow shitty human beings have the powers of Superman (aka Homelander IRL).

This.

I mean, I consider myself far less selfish and greedy than most people, I have little interest in forcing my own views on people, but if I had powers? I know damn well I'd eventually burn everything to the ground. To imagine that kind of power in someone with less scruples than me is truly a terrible thought.

I don't even think the Boys has the right of it. The supes are a bunch of twisted bastards, but all they're interested in is fame and fortune and satisfying whatever vice/s they have. Scary, but easy to manipulate if you find the right motivator. No, much more terrifying would be the real world people, the ones with convictions, given that kind of power.

I mean, just imagine some Q moron who could blow up buildings.

Not a world I wanna live in.

Of the options the OP listed, I vote for "heroes for hire." I have no trust in politicians or in the restraint of regular (super powered) people. But I do believe in the power that money has over folks, and that seems to be the most viable leash on the list.

[SJNeal]

This.

I mean, I consider myself far less selfish and greedy than most people, I have little interest in forcing my own views on people, but if I had powers? I know damn well I'd eventually burn everything to the ground. To imagine that kind of power in someone with less scruples than me is truly a terrible thought.

I don't even think the Boys has the right of it. The supes are a bunch of twisted bastards, but all they're interested in is fame and fortune and satisfying whatever vice/s they have. Scary, but easy to manipulate if you find the right motivator. No, much more terrifying would be the real world people, the ones with convictions, given that kind of power.

I mean, just imagine some Q moron who could blow up buildings.

Not a world I wanna live in.

Of the options the OP listed, I vote for "heroes for hire." I have no trust in politicians or in the restraint of regular (super powered) people. But I do believe in the power that money has over folks, and that seems to be the most viable leash on the list.

Well said!

Maybe an Amanda Waller type with their finger on the buttons wouldn't be so bad either...

[Captain Nostalgia]

Of the three options let's see....

1. Superheroes who acted on their own moral code (whatever that may be)?

I like this option the best, because traditionally superheroes are supposed to represent ideal goodness and morality..... that we don't usually get in the real world.

They help others out of the goodness of their heart, not for profit.

Sure there are a few bad apples out there (The Punisher's moral code) but for the most part they are the good guys for a reason.

Superheroes who acted as part of the government or military?

For me this is the second best option (Captain Atom ect), and realistically if superheroes were living in our reality many of them would probably be getting some sort of government salary to subsist on for their services.

Superheroes who were paid per job, although they may throw in some jobs for free when needed?

To me this is my least favourite option, but if your a B lister hero like Booster Gold, it may be the only option if he wants to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Superheroes are supposed to rise above the real world selfishness of working for profit.

In the real world I would hate to see superheroes working for big corporations like Monsanto or Exxon, as its only a matter of time before you start serving private interest over the public good.

[Vakanai]

So, I'm sure this question has come up before... It certainly does in comics...


If superheroes existed in the same way they do in DC (meaning, they've been around a while, and are just kinda part of the "way things are," as opposed to some new, sudden development), what would you prefer?
Superheroes who acted on their own moral code (whatever that may be)?
Superheroes who acted as part of the government or military?
Superheroes who were paid per job, although they may throw in some jobs for free when needed?
Some other option?


Reading the new "Blue and Gold" made me think of it, plus reading the solicit for DC's new "One-Star Squadron," a team doing pretty much the same thing as Blue and Gold are (not sure if there needs to be more communication in the DC offices, or it's on purpose...)

Anyway, your thoughts?

All of the above. I like heroes being heroes for various unique reasons, makes it more interesting. Besides, manga like My Hero Academia, One Punch Man, and anime like Tiger & Bunny make paid "pro" heroes work just fine. My biggest problem is if DC or Marvel tried doing the paid hero thing like Japanese superhero fiction does they wouldn't be able to resist screwing it up in some big event...

[Stanlos]

So, I'm sure this question has come up before... It certainly does in comics...


If superheroes existed in the same way they do in DC (meaning, they've been around a while, and are just kinda part of the "way things are," as opposed to some new, sudden development), what would you prefer?
Superheroes who acted on their own moral code (whatever that may be)?
Superheroes who acted as part of the government or military?
Superheroes who were paid per job, although they may throw in some jobs for free when needed?
Some other option?


Reading the new "Blue and Gold" made me think of it, plus reading the solicit for DC's new "One-Star Squadron," a team doing pretty much the same thing as Blue and Gold are (not sure if there needs to be more communication in the DC offices, or it's on purpose...)

Anyway, your thoughts?

A la The Conglomerate? Seems unethical

[king81992]

So, I'm sure this question has come up before... It certainly does in comics...


If superheroes existed in the same way they do in DC (meaning, they've been around a while, and are just kinda part of the "way things are," as opposed to some new, sudden development), what would you prefer?
Superheroes who acted on their own moral code (whatever that may be)?
Superheroes who acted as part of the government or military?
Superheroes who were paid per job, although they may throw in some jobs for free when needed?
Some other option?


Reading the new "Blue and Gold" made me think of it, plus reading the solicit for DC's new "One-Star Squadron," a team doing pretty much the same thing as Blue and Gold are (not sure if there needs to be more communication in the DC offices, or it's on purpose...)

Anyway, your thoughts?

Not a fan of heroes as part of the government/ military. With the exception of a few, they're usually compromised and written as lapdogs.

I don't have a problem with heroes getting paid.

[RobinGA]

It depends what their moral code looks like.

If we are talking Superman than yes.
If we are saying someone amoral who just does whatever pops in their head then no.

I don't like the idea of a superhero who is working for the government.
Considering what we have seen from our government lately it doesn't inspire a lot of trust.

[phonogram12]

I can't point out why, exactly, but for some reason superheroes working on commission just seems like a terrible idea.

That said, if they existed in the real world (not the comic one where if government agencies can be massively corrupted, they will), some regulation probably wouldn't be a terrible idea. As we saw with the last president, there were at least a few that weren't willing to play his corrupt games.

[Marvell2100]

Someone will eventually start paying the villains.

[Jabare]

If Heroes get paid, especially with taxpayer money they'll have to disclose their identities and make some of their information public.

They'll have to pay taxes and we can sue them for damages. Somebody tears up a street, destroys a car or a building they better lawyer up

Someone will eventually start paying the villains.

well if everyone is getting paid who is a hero or a villain will be subjective

[Riv86672]

Reading the new "Blue and Gold" made me think of it, plus reading the solicit for DC's new "One-Star Squadron," a team doing pretty much the same thing as Blue and Gold are (not sure if there needs to be more communication in the DC offices, or it's on purpose...)

Anyway, your thoughts?

So, is One Star Squadron a spiritual successor to Hero Hotline?