Superheroes. Human, altered or alien. by lwaves

OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

Superheroes. Human, altered or alien.

POSTED BY: LWAVES
UPDATED: Monday, January 26, 2009 12:00
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Sunday, January 25, 2009 1:32 PM

In another thread about Iron Man and Batman I stated that I never saw Batman as a superhero coz he was just a human in a suit, whereas whilst Iron Man was human he had his chestplate that modified him.
So I thought if all the comic fans could post up the differences between the superheroes/crimefighters. Mainly to show me if there are any other purely human superheroes in the world or any like Iron Man who inhabit a 'grey area'.

I thought of four categories:
Human
Technology modified human
Genetically altered human (incl. those by birth)
Alien

So to start.

Human:
Batman

Tech modified human:
Iron Man

Genetically altered human:
Spider-Man
Hulk
X-Men
Fantastic Four

Alien:
Superman

My knowledge is limited so feel free to add to the list.

"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."

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Sunday, January 25, 2009 2:08 PM

BLUESUNCOMPANYMAN

If you're looking for more "humans" try the entire cast of the Watchmen.

With the exception of Dr. Manhattan of course.

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Sunday, January 25, 2009 3:03 PM

CYBERSNARK

A limited selection from the DCU. Some of these characters are actually the same characters, just counted multiple times (I'm counting "legacies," not individuals).

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:
Human:
Batman

Robin (all versions)
Spoiler
Nightwing
Batgirl (both versions)
Azrael
Catwoman (depending on one's definition of "hero")
Batwoman
The Huntress
The Question (both versions)
Blue Beetle 1
Ravager (again, for certain definitions of "hero")
Green Arrow
Speedy (both versions)
Arsenal
Red Arrow
The Vigilante
Mr. Terrific
Katana
Captain Boomerang 2 (The first CB was a human too, but he certainly wasn't a "hero")

Quote:

Tech modified human:
Iron Man

Booster Gold
Oracle (well, more of a "super hacker skillz" than actually "modified," but she fits)
Cyborg
Steel
Green Lantern (all versions, except when they're tech-modified aliens)
Adam Strange
Star-Spangled Kid
S.T.R.I.P.E.S.
The Atom (both versions)

Quote:
Genetically altered human:
Spider-Man
Hulk
X-Men
Fantastic Four

The Flash (all versions --two chemically, one genetically)
Beast Boy
Plastic Man
Black Canary
Black Lightning
Firestorm
Jericho
Red Star
Mas y menos

Quote:
Alien:
Superman

Supergirl 3 (Kara Zor-El)
Possibly Supergirl 1 (a genetically-altered clone of Superman)
Possibly Superboy (a genetically-altered clone/merging of Superman & Lex Luthor)
Starfire
Hawk Girl
Martian Manhunter
Miss Martian
Power Girl

You forgot Magic-powered entity (human or otherwise):
Zatanna (human)
Zatara (human)
Blue Devil (former human, now demon)
Red Devil (former human, now demon)
Raven (half-angel, half-demon)
Zauriel (angel)
Dr. Fate (who knows anymore)
Supergirl 2 (Earth-Born Angel)
Wonder Woman (clay doll brought to life by Greek Gods)
Wonder Girl (both versions)
Captain Marvel (former human)
Mary Marvel (human)
Captain Marvel Jr. (human)
Blue Beetle 2 (linked to a mystical scarab)
Aquaman (Atlanteans are magically-modified homo sapiens)
Vixen (uses a magic amulet)
Manitou Raven/Manitou Dawn (Dawn inherited her husband's powers when he died, so I count them as a "legacy")
Hawk & Dove (powered as avatars of Aggression & Peace, respectively)

and Robots:
Red Tornado
The Metal Men
Kelex, b*tch

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Monday, January 26, 2009 7:39 AM

KYRA

Who we are depends on the outcome of the struggle between who we were and who we want to be

In the Human category, one that sprung to mind instantly was The Punisher.
However I've never read the comics so I don't know if theres something otherworldly in his back story

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Monday, January 26, 2009 7:42 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:

Human:
Batman

Tech modified human:
Iron Man

I would put them in the same human category- it's just that Wayne leans less on technology than brains, and Stark uses all of his brains on his technology.

The precise Chrisisall

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Monday, January 26, 2009 7:57 AM

KELKHIL

The old Marvel RPG had it broken down kinda like this. Only it was Mutant, Altered-Human or Alien.

Ironman fell under altered human because of the suit. Plus I also believe (might be wrong wasn't a fan) at one point he needed the suit because he became paralized after an automobile accident.

It also put Wolverine as a mutant because of his adamantine skeleton. I always thought that was a bit off. It was his regeneration that was his mutant ability and the adimantine made him an Altered-Human(mutant).

Unfortunately Batman was DC so not included in this (and that RPG sucked the big one).

Zombie Killing, Ninja in Training Kelkhil
The Shirtless Forsaken

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Monday, January 26, 2009 9:07 AM

CYBERSNARK

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Wayne leans less on technology than brains, and Stark uses all of his brains on his technology.

Exactly.

Without the armour, Tony Stark doesn't seem like he'd be a match for even an unarmed Batman (hell, based on the amount of hand-to-hand chops he showed in the film, I could probably take him).

"Natural" human crimefighters should be dangerous even without their toys. "Tech modified" heroes can be rendered "powerless" simply by breaking their toys (Steel being an exception, because he's a six-foot-something giant who worked on skyscrapers for a living and can wield a sledgehammer one-handed. Even Superman doesn't want to p*ss him off).

"What is a warrior without a weapon?"
". . . A warrior still." --Megatron & Dinobot (BW: "Code of Hero")

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Monday, January 26, 2009 12:00 PM

LWAVES

Wow.
Thanks all. There appears to be far more than I imagined and there's a good portion of Cybersnarks list that I've never even heard of.
Although I'm kicking myself for not getting Green Arrow, Batgirl or Catwoman as human as Batman was the only real comic I ever read as a kid.

I realise my knowledge is now very limited in this area, too much reading of horror novels and not enough comics as a kid.

Thank you all for showing me the truth.
Much appreciated.

And Cybersnarks comment above is a major reason why Batman and Iron Man should be in different categories. It's not just about the gagdets they have and the tech they use. Both have them.
Take the stuff away and Wayne could still fight without them, far less effectively of course, but he could still fight.
Stark on the other hand wouldn't be able to do much as it stands, he'd be no different from the average joe and his chestplate wouldn't be helping him.
And I've always loved that last quote that, a true warrior uses weapons but doesn't need them, he/she themselves IS a weapon.

"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."

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