How can a character be really powerful but very interesting?

Ok as most of you know is there a way a character can be powerful and at the same time very interesting.

Or can a character be average and be able to be a character like an omipotent.

Power is irrelevant to an interesting character.

Huh?

.....anyway....

Sure. Surfer's powerful and interesting.

Sometimes. 😐

So's Thanos. 2nd best villian ever, imo (Doom being #1).

I like the Smallville idea of a character being powerful but not really having a clue as to just how powerful he actually is ... plus it lets you see how characters learn to cope with these powers without accidentally killing everyone around them and also how it alienates them from "normal" people.

Create for him/her interesting and powerful challenges.

The Authority. 😎

The premise behind them was "over the top powers, over the top challenges". So sometimes you don't need intricate character development....if you're badass and have epic storylines, it works.

They've gotten away from that some, but that was the idea back in the beginning.

Conflict is what makes a character interesting, they need to have some challenges that are difficult for them to accomplish... and not necessarily power wise.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
The Authority. 😎

The premise behind them was "over the top powers, over the top challenges". So sometimes you don't need intricate character development....if you're badass and have epic storylines, it works.

They've gotten away from that some, but that was the idea back in the beginning.

Authority is amazing stuff. 😄

Anyway, it's all in the hands of the writer. Certain writers can make uber characters interesting. Look at just about any Surfer writer, or most of the work Oeming has done.

All the above is true (except for whatever Srank said) ermm

Especially Digi's example about The Authority

However, the opposite can be true.

A character can be very unpowerful, and be very uninteresting.

Why, just look at Wolverine Jubilee

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
The characters in themselves are pretty interesting though - even setting aside the powers. Particularly Jenny Sparks. Sure she's 100 years old... but Jenny floats my boat.

I'd hit it. 😐

And we all know how I quickly became a Doctor fanboy back before he died ( 🙁 )...still the worst desicion in their run. He was actually starting to develop intricacy and compassion to his character. At least his swan song (Revolution) was a good arc.

P.S. Jubilee's the sh*t. 😠

Originally posted by DigiMark007
I'd hit it. 😐

Originally posted by DigiMark007
And we all know how I quickly became a Doctor fanboy back before he died ( 🙁 )...still the worst desicion in their run. He was actually starting to develop intricacy and compassion to his character. At least his swan song (Revolution) was a good arc.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
P.S. Jubilee's sh*t. 😠

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
He was okay... but he's no Jenny Sparks.

...or Quantum. Barely legal > Grandma.

😛

Two Good examples from DC:

Joker: No Super powers. Extremely Evil and Interesting.

Darkseid: Great Power. Extremely Evil and very Interesting.

Villains despite the power they or may not hold. Are always interesting. That is why most people have an interest on the bad guy more than the good guy.

Originally posted by DigiMark007
So's Thanos. 2nd best villian ever, imo (Doom being #1).

Originally posted by srankmissingnin
Conflict is what makes a character interesting, they need to have some challenges that are difficult for them to accomplish... and not necessarily power wise.

absolutely

what makes a good character a lot of the time is that the conflict isn't always man against man

Usually more poweful characters become boring faster because:
1. Character itself is neglected.
2. They are harder to relate to on a normal basis.

Originally posted by Tha C-Master
Usually more poweful characters become boring faster because:
1. Character itself is neglected.
2. They are harder to relate to on a normal basis.

I agree, but he is one of the exceptions, and he has a good personality and good conflict. How many high-level characters can have their own series, especially in Marvel, and be successful in it?

Originally posted by Tha C-Master
I agree, but he is one of the exceptions, and he has a good personality and good conflict. How many high-level characters can have their own series, especially in Marvel, and be successful in it?