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The Superman and Batman Sequels
May. 7th, 2015 12:44 amA basic establishment of the two superheroes established, it's time to establish their chief respective nemeses and put the two heroes into a new kind of pressure.
Both sequels will have a similar theme.
Superman's sequel will start with an initial emergency. Superman will respond, as he does, with humility but swift action to save as many lives as possible. In meeting this emergency, he will meet Lex Luthor, who will offer Superman a place in Lexcorp. Superman will, of course, refuse.
For characterization, we'll see some of Luthor's perspective. Mr. Luthor isn't offended by the refusal. In fact, that simply confirms thoughts on Superman. Superman doesn't want to be under another person's control. So, Lex Luthor will see Superman as someone much like himself.
However, Clark Kent, based in part around things that Superman noticed in responding to the emergency, will investigate and expose some of Lex Luthor's activities, without being able to establish with clarity that it is Lex Luthor behind it all. (Clark will strongly suspect, perhaps even know, but good journalistic ethics will require corroboration.)
That journalism will be a threat to Mr. Luthor. Even if it doesn't eventually connect to him, it will be a thorn in his side. So, he'll attempt to, through intermediaries and keeping his hands clean, attempt to discredit Clark, buy him out, even attempt to buy The Daily Planet. None of these will be successful.
Eventually, the journalism of Clark, as well as others working with (not for, with, Clark doesn't demand the lead any more than Superman) him, will become a threat that forces Lex Luthor into a desperation move. This time, the engineered emergency doesn't just help Luthor make his escape to a non-extradition treaty country, but it threatens the Daily Planet and Superman must respond.
Lex Luthor doesn't fear Superman, in fact he fully expects Superman to let him get away, even assist. It would be just one small courtesy, one Ubermensch to another.
Lex Luthor in prison re-evaluates. No, Clark Kent is just one reporter who can be distracted with other matters. His true enemy is Superman.
In Batman's sequel, Batman is not alone in his crusade. He not only allows, but welcomes others using his sigil and acting like him. His Bat-acolytes wouldn't be violent, but the people taking the risks to video tape police or the wealthy of Gotham's business men or the mafia.
One result is that the bat sigil makes both the police and the organized crime afraid. Batman isn't just one man, but a set of insurgent eyes, always watching when you don't know.
Another result is that Batman, between fighting organized crime and police crime, has to spend some time policing the use of his sigil. The Bat is supposed to be a symbol that makes the corrupt fear, not to make everybody fear.
One person kills a cop and uses the sigil. Batman's response is to find said person, tie said person up, and leave them for the police with a message that The Bat is not a murderer. Additional evidence provided
That person finds the whole thing very amusing. Batman thinks that his methods can make things better? Oh, ho ho. No, everything is breaking down and he can prove what a joke the effort really is. He just needs a different symbol, something else that people tend to fear.
The Joker, much like Batman, doesn't mind people using his symbol. The sigil of The Bat makes the corrupt slow down, take more care, as a result fewer people die in the crossfire. The Joker's just makes people afraid of each other. Batman is a symbol that allows for an easy easing of tension, simply by avoiding corruption. The Joker is a symbol that everybody you know is, potentially, looking to kill you.
This is how the fight for Gotham's soul begins. You can capture The Joker, but, much like The Bat, he's no longer just one man.
And, the stage is set for the two superheroes to clash.
Both sequels will have a similar theme.
Superman's sequel will start with an initial emergency. Superman will respond, as he does, with humility but swift action to save as many lives as possible. In meeting this emergency, he will meet Lex Luthor, who will offer Superman a place in Lexcorp. Superman will, of course, refuse.
For characterization, we'll see some of Luthor's perspective. Mr. Luthor isn't offended by the refusal. In fact, that simply confirms thoughts on Superman. Superman doesn't want to be under another person's control. So, Lex Luthor will see Superman as someone much like himself.
However, Clark Kent, based in part around things that Superman noticed in responding to the emergency, will investigate and expose some of Lex Luthor's activities, without being able to establish with clarity that it is Lex Luthor behind it all. (Clark will strongly suspect, perhaps even know, but good journalistic ethics will require corroboration.)
That journalism will be a threat to Mr. Luthor. Even if it doesn't eventually connect to him, it will be a thorn in his side. So, he'll attempt to, through intermediaries and keeping his hands clean, attempt to discredit Clark, buy him out, even attempt to buy The Daily Planet. None of these will be successful.
Eventually, the journalism of Clark, as well as others working with (not for, with, Clark doesn't demand the lead any more than Superman) him, will become a threat that forces Lex Luthor into a desperation move. This time, the engineered emergency doesn't just help Luthor make his escape to a non-extradition treaty country, but it threatens the Daily Planet and Superman must respond.
Lex Luthor doesn't fear Superman, in fact he fully expects Superman to let him get away, even assist. It would be just one small courtesy, one Ubermensch to another.
Lex Luthor in prison re-evaluates. No, Clark Kent is just one reporter who can be distracted with other matters. His true enemy is Superman.
In Batman's sequel, Batman is not alone in his crusade. He not only allows, but welcomes others using his sigil and acting like him. His Bat-acolytes wouldn't be violent, but the people taking the risks to video tape police or the wealthy of Gotham's business men or the mafia.
One result is that the bat sigil makes both the police and the organized crime afraid. Batman isn't just one man, but a set of insurgent eyes, always watching when you don't know.
Another result is that Batman, between fighting organized crime and police crime, has to spend some time policing the use of his sigil. The Bat is supposed to be a symbol that makes the corrupt fear, not to make everybody fear.
One person kills a cop and uses the sigil. Batman's response is to find said person, tie said person up, and leave them for the police with a message that The Bat is not a murderer. Additional evidence provided
That person finds the whole thing very amusing. Batman thinks that his methods can make things better? Oh, ho ho. No, everything is breaking down and he can prove what a joke the effort really is. He just needs a different symbol, something else that people tend to fear.
The Joker, much like Batman, doesn't mind people using his symbol. The sigil of The Bat makes the corrupt slow down, take more care, as a result fewer people die in the crossfire. The Joker's just makes people afraid of each other. Batman is a symbol that allows for an easy easing of tension, simply by avoiding corruption. The Joker is a symbol that everybody you know is, potentially, looking to kill you.
This is how the fight for Gotham's soul begins. You can capture The Joker, but, much like The Bat, he's no longer just one man.
And, the stage is set for the two superheroes to clash.
