By [ad_1]
Today, we discuss the “Specialist Rule” and how it applies to comparison between superheroes and why it means that Flash should always be able to outrun Superman.
This is the Cronin Theory of Comics, a collection of various “rules” and theories that I’ve noticed over the years that I think are worth sharing. I haven’t actually done one of these on this site for over a decade, but a recent column (and a comment in response to that column) made me think that this one is worth sharing (as an aside, I had another bit called Comic Dictionary and I think that there was some unfortunate overlap, in that some of the bits labeled “Comic Dictionary” really ought to have been Cronin Theories of Comics).
HOW THE SPECIALIST RULE DECIDED WHO IS FASTER – FLASH OR SUPERMAN
When Flash debuted in Showcase #4 in 1956, DC’s superheroes were very much in their own little worlds, with the noted exceptions of Batman and Superman in World’s Finest Comics (and even there, those two had only JUST started teaming up with each other).
The two heroes did not meet each other until 1959’s Brave and the Bold #28 (by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs), which was the first appearance of the Justice League of America.
Obviously, whenever you have two major characters who are known for something big, like strength or speed, it is only natural for fans to wonder, “Who is stronger/faster?” And that clearly occurred to comic book fans of the era. However, despite both being in the Justice League, Superman and Flash still did not share much panel time together during the 1960s. The early days of the Justice League specifically downplayed Superman and Batman’s involvement in the team and even once those restrictions were relaxed, Gardner Fox still would often come up with some reason why Superman couldn’t be involved in that issue’s adventure.
However, as the 60s came to a close, DC began to slowly but surely add some new writers to the mix. Mort Weisinger, in particular, was basically FORCED to find new voices once he lost a few of his key contributors with Edmond Hamilton retiring and Jerry Siegel becoming persona non grata after rumors leaked that he was threatening to contest DC’s copyright on Superman again. Weisinger found work for two very young writers, Jim Shooter and Cary Bates, both still teenagers in 1967 (Bates was 19 and Shooter was 16).
The “second generation” of writers at DC was also pushed by Carmine Infantino, who had recently been named Art Director of DC (and would soon become Editorial Director). It was Infantino (who famously co-created the Barry Allen Flash and drew his adventures for a number of years) who had the idea of finally giving the fans what they wanted and have Superman race the Flash, it was little surprise that one of these young fans turned writer, Shooter, was the guy who wrote the first race between Superman and Flash in Superman #199 (art by Curt Swan and George Klein),
The problem was that DC wouldn’t actually let either hero WIN the race! They kept on doing stuff like, “We have to tie for some reason” or “You decide, readers, who finished first?” After a number of years of readers complaining, the Flash finally was able to win a third race, but only in a ridiculous way (both lost their powers and were injured, so Flash “won” basically dragging himself). However, in the years since, the Flash has typically won the races when there is an answer, and that comes down to the Specialist Rule of Comics, which is that the character who is solely known for one thing should be better at that one thing than a character who is known for a LOT of things.
Superman has LOT of superpowers, while the Flash, well, you know, runs really fast. If Flash can’t run faster than Superman, what is even the POINT of the Flash? So obviously he has to be the fastest man alive (reader Jason L. wrote in to note that if Superman was faster, it would also suggest that most Kryptonians would be faster than the Flash, as well, making him even LESS special).
HOW THE SPECIALIST RULE APPLEIS TO OTHER INSTANCES IN COMICS
This whole topic came up because I referenced it in a recent column about the greatest geneticists in the Marvel Universe and my friend Alonso asked if I had ever specifically written about the Specialist Rule like I have for other stuff, and I had not, but I told him I would! And this is that.
It came up in that column because when it came time to count down the best geneticists in the Marvel Universe, and I noted that there are so many general geniuses in the Marvel Universe, that I couldn’t compare them against the character who were more specialized as geneticists.
Furthermore, when it comes to someone like the High Evolutionary, when his whole DEAL is that he is the best geneticist in the world, then he pretty much has to be the best geneticist in the world. It doesn’t really work for the High Evolutionary’s entire being to be based around him being the best geneticist and then say, “Oh, but actually, he’s not really all that great.”
I didn’t coin this rule, it’s been a generally accepted thing for a number of years (I have no idea where I read it first, though. Perhaps Roger Stern?), but I think it is a good one.
Where the rule falls apart a bit, of course, is when your specialty is so, well, generalized. For instance, lots of characters’ specialty is “being a great martial artists.” They can’t, therefore, all be the best at it. At that point, you just make sure that they’re not losing fights to NON martial artists and pretty much flip a coin beyond that point. Is Bronze Tiger a better martial artist than Black Canary? Or is Lady Shiva the best? Maybe Richard Dragon? Or Connor Hawke? It really doesn’t matter once you get to the top echelon of people who are all known for the same thing.
Now, if the topic is, like, escaping from something, then Mister Miracle has to be your guy. It can’t be Batman because he’s great at everything. There has to be people who are specalists that are better at things than Batman, even if he’s really great at LOTS of things. Although, I recently asked if “detective” should be the thing that Batman IS “the best at,” and there was support on both sides of that particular position.
Thanks for the suggestion that I “codify” this one, Alonso!
About The Author
[ad_2]
