TM 167: Write about disappointment or disillusionment.
OOC: This post contains spoilers for Civil War 7.
The following was published in the Wundagore Weekly and then picked up by the European Voice:
Whatever Happened to the Heroes?
an editorial by Wanda Maximoff
What defines a super hero?
There are an undisclosed number of mutants in our world. People born with extraordinary abilities. Erik Lensherr and his Brotherhood consider them to be superior. Though they would claim otherwise, the various "X" teams effectively work under his same belief system. These are super heroes born.
Steve Rogers. Peter Parker. Bruce Banner. Henry Pym. The Fantastic Four. And others like them were genetically enhanced or altered by science. They were given great power and changed from ordinary individuals to beings with remarkable ability. These are super heroes made.
Anthony Stark is an exceptional man but he has no inherent talent beyond his intelligence and vision. He developed a suit of armor, became a modern day knight. This is a super hero built.
Clint Barton. Stephen Strange. Frank Castle. Elektra Nachios. And others. Normal people with specialized skills. Proof that purpose and perseverance can win the day. These are super heroes learned.
A super hero, born, made, built, learned or chosen, is someone with special powers, abilities, talents, skills, gadgets or what have you and who uses said for good. Otherwise they would be super villains, though the line is often blurred. Good is, of course, a relative term.
And therein lies the difficulty.
According to CNN.com the recent battle of the heroes on the streets of New York City has ended with the unequivocal surrender of Steve Rogers, formerly known as Captain America. This battle was fought over the Super Hero Registration Act. It is a uniquely American solution to the problem of what defines a hero. America, the land of bureaucracy and classification. The Super Hero Registration Act requires any person with extraordinary powers, skills or other means to be registered with the government as a “Super Hero”. Any super person who does not register and continues to act as a super person is a villain. Steve Rogers did not register and now, he’s in prison.
Mr. Rogers’ motivations are unknown. There are many others who fought by his side in the conflict and are still at large. It’s unclear what action will be taken against them. It is even more unclear what action should be taken against them.
What defines a super hero? Is it simply extraordinary power, talent, skill or means? If, for example, Magneto were to attempt to register with the American government would he then be considered a Super Hero or would his prior acts of villainy be held against him? Would he be put on trial? Would his actions outside the United States be considered? Will Mr. Rogers be put on trial? Will his prior acts of good be considered?
Who defines a super hero? A collective of already defined Super Heroes? A United States’ congressional committee? Should we here in Europe trust the Americans to define our heroes and villains for us? Should we take a stand against them? Should we condemn them? Should we commend them? Should we follow their example and institute registration of our own?
I realize these are not questions anyone here in Transia wants to consider. We are a simple people. But if we do not we have no right to complain when the answers are determined for us. Therefore I beseech you, decide for yourself what defines a super hero. Do not let them change your mind.
Wanda Maximoff is a long time admirer of the Avengers and in particular Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Anthony Stark (Iron Man). She believes both to be super heroes and hopes for a quick and peaceful resolution to this traumatic situation.
The following was published in the Wundagore Weekly and then picked up by the European Voice:
Whatever Happened to the Heroes?
an editorial by Wanda Maximoff
What defines a super hero?
There are an undisclosed number of mutants in our world. People born with extraordinary abilities. Erik Lensherr and his Brotherhood consider them to be superior. Though they would claim otherwise, the various "X" teams effectively work under his same belief system. These are super heroes born.
Steve Rogers. Peter Parker. Bruce Banner. Henry Pym. The Fantastic Four. And others like them were genetically enhanced or altered by science. They were given great power and changed from ordinary individuals to beings with remarkable ability. These are super heroes made.
Anthony Stark is an exceptional man but he has no inherent talent beyond his intelligence and vision. He developed a suit of armor, became a modern day knight. This is a super hero built.
Clint Barton. Stephen Strange. Frank Castle. Elektra Nachios. And others. Normal people with specialized skills. Proof that purpose and perseverance can win the day. These are super heroes learned.
A super hero, born, made, built, learned or chosen, is someone with special powers, abilities, talents, skills, gadgets or what have you and who uses said for good. Otherwise they would be super villains, though the line is often blurred. Good is, of course, a relative term.
And therein lies the difficulty.
According to CNN.com the recent battle of the heroes on the streets of New York City has ended with the unequivocal surrender of Steve Rogers, formerly known as Captain America. This battle was fought over the Super Hero Registration Act. It is a uniquely American solution to the problem of what defines a hero. America, the land of bureaucracy and classification. The Super Hero Registration Act requires any person with extraordinary powers, skills or other means to be registered with the government as a “Super Hero”. Any super person who does not register and continues to act as a super person is a villain. Steve Rogers did not register and now, he’s in prison.
Mr. Rogers’ motivations are unknown. There are many others who fought by his side in the conflict and are still at large. It’s unclear what action will be taken against them. It is even more unclear what action should be taken against them.
What defines a super hero? Is it simply extraordinary power, talent, skill or means? If, for example, Magneto were to attempt to register with the American government would he then be considered a Super Hero or would his prior acts of villainy be held against him? Would he be put on trial? Would his actions outside the United States be considered? Will Mr. Rogers be put on trial? Will his prior acts of good be considered?
Who defines a super hero? A collective of already defined Super Heroes? A United States’ congressional committee? Should we here in Europe trust the Americans to define our heroes and villains for us? Should we take a stand against them? Should we condemn them? Should we commend them? Should we follow their example and institute registration of our own?
I realize these are not questions anyone here in Transia wants to consider. We are a simple people. But if we do not we have no right to complain when the answers are determined for us. Therefore I beseech you, decide for yourself what defines a super hero. Do not let them change your mind.
Wanda Maximoff is a long time admirer of the Avengers and in particular Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Anthony Stark (Iron Man). She believes both to be super heroes and hopes for a quick and peaceful resolution to this traumatic situation.