Why it Would Suck to Live in a World in Which Superheroes Existed

[Saltyk]

Pretty self explanatory. Why do you think it would suck to live in a world full of superheroes?

I'm going with the taxes. Yes, taxes. Why?

Okay, so in that clip, the town is actually empty of people. But just the sheer amount of property damage is astronomical. To put things right would cost millions. Or more. Imagine if that happened with the frequency it tends to happen in a superhero universe.

And it's not just a DC thing. In the old Power Rangers series, they would fight giant monsters in giant robots in the middle of a city. Often times someone would get thrown through a building.

And even without giant robots the Swat Kats universe managed to have an entire city turned into a swamp covered in plants and with water up a couple of stories. The water damage alone is that situation would be enormous. For that matter, you couldn't rob a bank without a tank it seemed. And, there actually were the occasional giant robot attack. One enemy could even summon dinosaurs. The heroes themselves weren't above causing quite a bit of destruction. No wonder the city had it's own personal military complete with fighter jets and helicopters.

If every city could expect at least one giant monster attack, or meta-human slug-fest each month (maybe more in New York), half the budget would be ate up for repairs. The court systems would need a whole branch for superhero related grievances. And even then, it would probably be a couple of years behind. And, don't even get started on the death tolls and the associated expenses. The average tax rate would probably be in the range of 50% or better even in areas with low tax rates. You didn't want your money anyway, right?

So, Escapists, why would it suck to live in a world full of superheroes?

 

[JustJuust]

maybe if superheroes exist, and they have their own organizations, people like batman or ironman would pay for the damages done needlessly at least.

 

[knight steel]

I would have to go with all the super villains created by/attracted the superheroes, i mean with out the batman the joker would have never existed and we all know how bad he is. Really at the moment it's just common thugs but as soon as superheroes show up you know it's going to get worse.

 

[woodaba]

Watchmen pretty much explains it all. Theres a whole mess of reasons why it would suck.

 

[rickytan]

I agree the taxes. With all that destruction its bound to be high. Then again if I were a hero lol

 

[Sariteiya]

You think you have an inferiority complex now? Imagine a world where there are tons of people who are undeniably, unequivocally better than you, that you can never in your wildest dreams hope to be like. We can all think maybe someday we could be great authors or actors or scientists whatever. But Superheroes? Usually they're made by birth or accident, (Batman and Ironman aside)

 

[Murais]

Read "The Boys".

That is why a world with "real" superheroes would be a pretty shitty place. But, y'know, deliciously humorous and dark.

 

[FFHAuthor]

I'd say the fact that there are people out there with a flagrant disregard for any kind of law and order and who only answer to themselves, not to the Law. Sure, you have heroes who are selfless and bound by honor to uphold the law...but deep down, they only answer to themselves, and to hell with what the people want. Most modern Superheroes are driving very firmly in that direction of viewing the government as misguided and the people's decisions as 'short sighted' (i.e. Batman or Iron Man). Or are reaching the point where they're completely abandoning any kind of loyalty to governments and ideologies they held a religious devotion. (i.e. Superman or Captain America)

They'll just slowly get to the point of being much like Fascists or totalitarian rulers, they are superheroes, they are superior and they are making the 'right decisions' in fighting the flavor of the week opponent (crime, war, terrorism, global warming, etc.) while the people and government make mistakes that only they can fix.

Eventually, every hero is going to become a villain, and every superhero is going to become a supervillian...and frankly, that just makes me cringe at the thought of living in one of those 'superhero' worlds.

 

[Saltyk]

To be fair, Lex Luthor manipulated Superman and CM into fighting for the specific reason that they would destroy the empty city. I'm not sure if that makes it better or worse. But I would make sure I was a hero or villain.

Well, I was using the clip as an example. There are tons of similar situations I could have used. I just thought of that clip when writing this. Also, I'm pretty sure Lex said that even he didn't expect them to actually fight.

You think you have an inferiority complex now? Imagine a world where there are tons of people who are undeniably, unequivocally better than you, that you can never in your wildest dreams hope to be like. We can all think maybe someday we could be great authors or actors or scientists whatever. But Superheroes? Usually they're made by birth or accident, (Batman and Ironman aside)

To be fair, Batman and Ironman are kind of both birth and accident. There's no way they could bewho they are without their money and genius and they wouldn't have the motivation to do so without what happened to them.

Though, I agree with the inferiority complex. Isn't that what created many Supervillains?

 

[TheScientificIssole]

Yes. If your talking main justice league type crap.
Okay, so some people are dicks. If people get the ability to become heroes, Some people will continue their trend and just become dicks who have a doom's day device.
The world would be put up for ransom every month by multiple people at once. Their'd be continuities and alternate dimensions and death and BLAH! It'd be a mess. But, the scientific advancements spawning out of it would be alright.
Edit: For forgot to insult the "Joker was created because of Batman" argument because superheroes don't create super-villains. Villains create super-villains if given the ability. Though the other statement is completely possible.

 

[Sariteiya]

You think you have an inferiority complex now? Imagine a world where there are tons of people who are undeniably, unequivocally better than you, that you can never in your wildest dreams hope to be like. We can all think maybe someday we could be great authors or actors or scientists whatever. But Superheroes? Usually they're made by birth or accident, (Batman and Ironman aside)

To be fair, Batman and Ironman are kind of both birth and accident. There's no way they could bewho they are without their money and genius and they wouldn't have the motivation to do so without what happened to them.

Though, I agree with the inferiority complex. Isn't that what created many Supervillains?

That's true, Ironman and Batman aren't Superpowered, but they were mega privileged to begin with, and also geniuses.

In relation to Supervillains, imagine the legal nightmare some of them present as well. You'd have to make up new laws just for certain villains. Is it a crime to read someone's mind? What about controlling them? What about Fear Gas? You'd need to make a new law for that one as well.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

Watchmen pretty much explains it all. Theres a whole mess of reasons why it would suck.

Quoted for truth. Since most superheroes wouldn't actually have any powers, and the ones that did might be assholes about it...

 

[Mysticgamer]

You think you have an inferiority complex now? Imagine a world where there are tons of people who are undeniably, unequivocally better than you, that you can never in your wildest dreams hope to be like. We can all think maybe someday we could be great authors or actors or scientists whatever. But Superheroes? Usually they're made by birth or accident, (Batman and Ironman aside)

Batman still counts. He had wealthy parents who were killed. All the tech and skills he got to avenge them were because he was rich. It'd be hard to concentrate on mastering over 10 types of martial arts and sciences if he had to work in a warehouse or Target to get through college like poor people do.

 

[Johnny Impact]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_Come_%28comics%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratpack_%28comics%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_%28comics%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruins_%28comics%29

Hatred and fear on a whole new level
Escalation of violence beyond our imagination
The few supers who obey the law will be rendered impotent, leaving the ones who don't to wreak havoc unchecked
Inability to confine malcontent supers in any meaningful way
Corruption of power leads to there being no such thing as superheroes, only supervillains
Regular tendency of Earth's human population to be reduced to slaves/food by aliens/secret societies
Political sponsorship of supers -- imagine a creature like Martian Manhunter in the direct employ of, say, Kim Jong Il
Given the mortality of the real world, the average super's career would be about two weeks long

Edit: Also, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7Nf-m6WGl4 Take a look at the battlefield. Imagine all of Earth's major cities looking like that. Supers would be fighting over wreckage and bleached bones, nothing left to save or destroy.

 

[Harbinger_]

I would have to have any sort of superheroes exist in a world I live in simply because superheroes have supervillains. We have enough evil in our world without the word super beside it.

 

[Marcosn]

The main reason i think it would suck would be because they have powers and i dont!!! I'd be so disappointed... unless i had powers in which case i'd be happiest guy ever!

 

[Saltyk]

I'd say the fact that there are people out there with a flagrant disregard for any kind of law and order and who only answer to themselves, not to the Law. Sure, you have heroes who are selfless and bound by honor to uphold the law...but deep down, they only answer to themselves, and to hell with what the people want. Most modern Superheroes are driving very firmly in that direction of viewing the government as misguided and the people's decisions as 'short sighted' (i.e. Batman or Iron Man). Or are reaching the point where they're completely abandoning any kind of loyalty to governments and ideologies they held a religious devotion. (i.e. Superman or Captain America)

They'll just slowly get to the point of being much like Fascists or totalitarian rulers, they are superheroes, they are superior and they are making the 'right decisions' in fighting the flavor of the week opponent (crime, war, terrorism, global warming, etc.) while the people and government make mistakes that only they can fix.

Eventually, every hero is going to become a villain, and every superhero is going to become a supervillian...and frankly, that just makes me cringe at the thought of living in one of those 'superhero' worlds.

Wow. This is a really good point. And not one I had thought of. But you're right. A super powered being that holds no loyalty to a higher purpose would be hard pressed to keep doing the "right thing". They would have no real standard to judge. And suddenly, storylines like the Justice Lords are much more valid and more frightening.

 

[SilentCom]

maybe if superheroes exist, and they have their own organizations, people like batman or ironman would pay for the damages done needlessly at least.

You would seriously need people like Batman or Ironman to pay for the damages, but I doubt all superheroes are that rich.

A world with superheroes would be kind of cool, but all hell would break loose with super-powered people. Not everyone wants to be the hero after all.

 

[MercurySteam]

Anyone else see Megamind? The fights would be a damn inconvenience to everyday life and would only be endurable with proper presentation: