Ok bizarre question...

[phage2004]

Im working on a comic strip which is making fun of a lot of the older super hero ideas out there. The first issue will be about how Aquaman managed to join the Justice League, despite his super power being the ability to talk to fish.

As part of the first episode, I want to introduce a superhero that actually made sense (relatively speaking), seemed competent and made more sense as a potential member of the Justice League, but instead got a job as their secretery. Does anybody have any DC superhero characters that they liked, that would fit this role, passed up talent as it were? Bonus points if he/she is a minority, it would just fit...

[Ariella]

. . .

I know practically nothing about the DC universe, so... the Flash?

[phage2004]

Well, the Flash is already in the Justice League but thanks for replying. I guess I could just make up sort of character and cast them as a secretaery. Someone who wanted to be a superhero but couldn't make the cut. Hmm....

[AXJ]

That sounds like a really fun concept. :D I wish I knew more about DC so I could help you.

Maybe you could have a hero move over from another universe, and s/he gets shafted to the secretary role because s/he's not "a DC OG" or somesuch? Might be an amusing way to poke fun at the hardcore purists out there.

[Ariella]

That'd be awesome. Hardcore purists are such FUN to mock.
and so easy to, as well!

[vampindelibleink]

What about a Wonder Woman type character of any racial background (or species) who insists on wearing more practical clothing than a female superhero normally wears (also, in the skimpy version, there aren't enough pockets)

[phage2004]

I like the superheroine in a costume idea. Recently though I found out about a character I thought was kind of funny.

I was looking around on the web, and I found out that there was a period in the 70's where DC had an attack of 'political correctness.' Whereas before all the heroes were caucasion they suddenly started bringing in minorities but it was kind of obvious that they had brought them in as well, tokens.

On the Justice League they brought in a whole bunch of characters all at once. There was "Black Vulcan," "Apache Chief", "El Dorado", and "Samurai." You can probably figure out the races of each by their names. Handy huh?

Anyway, it turns out that Black Vulcan was based on another character created in a comic called Black Lightning. Black Lightning had a big afro and wore pants, and had a slightly better defined personality. However, they apparently didn't want to pay the originator of the hero royalties, so they created Black Vulcan.

I was thinking I could take one of the new "diversity" heroes, and say he only worked as a secretary. At some point somebody could make the comment that they needed to fill a quota, but it wasn't specified exactly what the new heroes would be doing. The secretary would be really annoyed with the incompetence of the blonde haired, blue eyed caucasion with little personality and no useful powers...

I don't know, maybe it's too personal but I think its funny. I think parodying superhero comics is actually a good way to make fun of a lot cultural stereotypes.

[AXJ]

On the Justice League they brought in a whole bunch of characters all at once. There was "Black Vulcan," "Apache Chief", "El Dorado", and "Samurai." You can probably figure out the races of each by their names. Handy huh?

I remember Apache Chief and Samurai- they made frequent guest appearances in Superfriends! :D

http://www.pearl-jam.com/suprfrnd/suapcha.jpg http://www.pearl-jam.com/suprfrnd/susamur.jpg


Although, honestly, I think you're probably playing with fire, with your current idea. Having them be so directly racist is more likely to get your readers angry at the characters, rather than getting them laughing. It might be more elegant (and less offensive) to make Samurai the secretary, as there are some semi-positive stereotypes you can play with there, eg, everyone assuming that he'll be good at math since he's asian.

[Kail]

I remember Apache Chief and Samurai- they made frequent guest appearances in Superfriends! :D


Yeah, so did Black Vulcan (http://www.seanbaby.com/superfriends/bvulcan.htm) and El Dorado (http://www.seanbaby.com/superfriends/eldorado.htm) (links NSFW). I can't think of any DC characters who weren't, at some point, in the Justice League or the Justice Society, or the Teen Titans, or some supergroup or other. Maybe the Blue Beetle, or some other acquired character? I dunno...

[AXJ]

Yeah, so did Black Vulcan (http://www.seanbaby.com/superfriends/bvulcan.htm) and El Dorado (http://www.seanbaby.com/superfriends/eldorado.htm) (links NSFW). I can't think of any DC characters who weren't, at some point, in the Justice League or the Justice Society, or the Teen Titans, or some supergroup or other. Maybe the Blue Beetle, or some other acquired character? I dunno...

Hrm. I don't remember them at all. But then, I guess the last time I saw an ep of superfriends was (erm) over 20 years ago. (checks calendar) Damn! Yeah. That long. But I totally remember Apache Cheif. He's the one that turned into a giant, yes?

[Aimless]

I remember Apache Chief and Samurai- they made frequent guest appearances in Superfriends! :D


Yeah, so did Black Vulcan (http://www.seanbaby.com/superfriends/bvulcan.htm) and El Dorado (http://www.seanbaby.com/superfriends/eldorado.htm) (links NSFW). I can't think of any DC characters who weren't, at some point, in the Justice League or the Justice Society, or the Teen Titans, or some supergroup or other. Maybe the Blue Beetle, or some other acquired character? I dunno...

But "El Dorado" means something like golden man or the gilded one or whatever :|

[phage2004]

Your probably right. At this point I do have some ideas for how to write up the comic, I should just get off my butt and do it, the secretary doesn't need to be a huge part of it.

________

Although, honestly, I think you're probably playing with fire, with your current idea. Having them be so directly racist is more likely to get your readers angry at the characters, rather than getting them laughing. It might be more elegant (and less offensive) to make Samurai the secretary, as there are some semi-positive stereotypes you can play with there, eg, everyone assuming that he'll be good at math since he's asian.