All right generic Superhero Team, I’ve gathered you here today to for a very important discussion. You all have the powers, you all have the costumes, you have the training…
Uh… I came for the accountant job.
That’s your superpower, keeping these rascals on a budget.
Welcome to Comic Theory, the blog segment that goes into how something in comic books apply in the real world
Now when it comes to superhero comics, one way or another teams are a crucial part of how they develop. DC has the Justice League(s) and young and old Titans. Marvel has the Avengers and several other groups like the X-Men. A few other companies have stuff that just don’t have the history to back them up. But pushing comic book mythology aside it’s time to get down and examine what would make a functional superhero team.
Superhero Team Fundamentals
Some of you are thinking: “Dude, everybody knows you need a guy who can fly, a beefcake, someone with cheesecake, and a nerd who handles the tech”. Well get those infectious parasites of ideas out of your brains! The point of theories is to find explanations that are plausible not pander to fantasies.
Think about it, to be anything similar to the Justice League; you’d need a member to be stupidly rich like Batman or Iron Man. Either that or getting a sponsor. Mansions, Towers, and Halls of Justice aren’t cheap you know!
But more importantly; you have to look at a Superhero team as something other than a ragtag bunch of misfits with strange powers. In terms of the profession, superheroes are like a private security (or military) company. The security companies alone are a growing market that will continue to rise in the next few years. The whole business in security involves security guards, patrols, bodyguards, and when push comes to shove Special Operations. This composes of law enforcement, military, and information gathering.
Legal Boundaries of a Superhero Team
Now that we’ve got the job description out of the way, it’s time for the legal sides. For the main selling points or security; scouts and patrolmen are often needed. Speedsters are plausible in this scenario; but patrols will have to be limited to at most sub-sonic sprints less the broken sound barrier destroys public property. But even then, speeding tickets can even be given to cyclists in some areas. Even law enforcers aren’t above the law without calling in. I wonder if parkour has any laws against super speed.
Vehicles are also optional, just as long as they’re licensed; meaning no batmobiles without filling out the paperwork for insurance. Also anybody who can somehow move through the air has to get a permit and deal with no flying zones. Frankly, it’d be less paperwork just to use drones, but there are no drone zones too. Yeah expect a lot of gray areas in this field; you’d be surprised how little use superpowers have in real life.
Combat
For combat however, it’s always good to have someone who can take a hit, especially if they’re bullet proof. Doesn’t mean they can’t fight more efficiently, especially if they don’t have powers. There are practical fighting styles like Krav Maga for simplified neutralization, disarming, and using anything as a weapon. Brazilian Jujitsu, Judo, and Jujutsu are good for grappling and ground fights. Filipino weapon styles are very good when handling weapons. But just remember to pressure test these techniques, not just do the exercise.
Weapon Loopholes
However, weapon usage is a bit of a grey area. Because of the settings; it is preferable to use knives that can be hidden, or more natural weapons like Wolverine’s claws. Small staffs and clubs are also useful. Firearms on the other hand require registration. Explosives meanwhile are not meant to be used in the field save for extreme circumstances due to domestic terrorism laws. Airsoft guns or slingshots with proper modifications can also be used to great effect, especially since there are no laws against them. Just be mindful of assault laws.
Formations
On a related note, combat comes in the form of defense, offense, and support. Durability and endurance are a must so supers built like tanks are game changers; just as long as they don’t rely on just their powers, even invulnerability has its limits including concussions. Using shields like Captain America (or police riot shields) and armor are also viable. Offense requires fire power from several ranges. Fighters with enough tenacity and protection from opposing forces for combat is essential. And despite the name, support isn’t just for sidekicks or D-Listers; they’re for anyone who can provide assistance. Like snipers who can provide cover or lethal blows (with guns or arrows). Medics, tech support, operators, and supply runners are also viable. It’s best to know that all of these roles are interchangeable.
Education
To make things a little easier superheroes should have a basic knowledge of criminal justice including investigation, criminology, and administration. While not everyone can be detectives like Batman, working with other law enforcers are a good way to solve cases. As for the administration, well the superhero gig and law enforcement technically is a business. Somebody’s gotta know how to run it and how the legal system works. Preferably someone with very good communication skills (but not mind control).
No Limits to Roles in a Superhero Team
Tacticians are definitely a must in any of these fields. On the business side are strategists who look for ways to profit and work something out. In the field tracking down criminals and field tactics can save employees. Lawyers meanwhile are necessary in terms of defense and offense. It’s also good to have someone in this field as interrogators to find discrepancies. No lassos of truth or telepathy without consent though; that’s a dark gray area bordering on breach of privacy.
Equipment and Other Fields
The technology that superheroes tend to be seen with have to be worked on by someone. A regular mechanic, an IT technician, an inventor, or even a technopath would all be viable. Heck the inventors could even work with developing new equipment for the heroes, with a shared sponsor of course.
Magic is also a viable venture for the more supernatural cases, unless you wanna be one of those guys from ghost searching reality shows. But there are many other fields in Superhero settings. The oceans, international exploits, or even outer space if you’re rich enough. But getting past those boundaries are difficult.
You see a superhero team should be as balanced as possible; even the comics and media admit that the team needs to be small enough to manage. If just one agency had enough people to cover all bases, it would just be too difficult to keep under the same roof. Unless it is Justice League Unlimited.
Branching Out a Superhero Team
In other words to get around all this stuff; there would have to be a bureaucratic route to navigate these areas. The organization that is the superhero team if having enough resources would have specialized groups. One group can cover magic, another can cover outer space. But smaller hero companies are better off just keeping to their home turf. Although occasional collaborations are good have too. Helping out focused charities can get the general message across.
Does Anybody get the Idea?
A couple comics that goes into this kind of idea includes Super! by Unlikely Heroes Studio. Another is Kickman a webcomic with a focus on how freelance heroes make their money through bounty systems and algorithms.
Just remember to like, comment, share, and as always look between the panels.