What makes a character a good character?

Originally posted by Bad Ash231
The fight between Apocalypse and the High Evolutionary pretty much sums up the character of Apocalypse.

This page gives an interesting light on Apocalypse.

During his discussion with Hulk, Apocalypse shares a rather tragic (and unusual) view of himself.

Louise Simonson wrote Apocalypse best. Other writers misunderstand Apocalypse's perversion of the Darwin's evolutionary theory. Apocalypse has been miswritten for several years now (he does NOT want to conquer the world, dammit), but his true shining moments in comics was back in X-Factor. Read any Louise Simonson X-Factor (1986) story. Apocalypse is far more menacing because it appears any short term goal--even losing to X-Factor--fits into his plans. Like Mister Sinister, short term setbacks mean nothing to Apocalypse because he largely works from the shadows through his pawns in the Alliance of Evil & the Horsemen of Apocalypse.

Apocalypse has always stood out more as a villain. He doesn't join some team consisting of master bad guys nor he is part of the "supervillain community". He did not want to partake in Loki's "Acts of Vengeance." Sure, Apocalypse is primarily an X-Men foe, but two of his minions, Moses Magnum and the Harbinger, have shown to be serious threats to the Avengers.

I am glad someone finally understands Apocalypse's character, its a shame how he was changed for the worse down the line, but at least someone remembers the real Apocalypse.

Apoc sucks. 😐

Originally posted by WrathfulDwarf

- A very unique origin.

- Some sort of spirituality or chi.

So i'm guessing you're not a big fan of Invincible then 😛

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
Rob Liefeld Captain America ftw?

droolio

Originally posted by Master-Borg
that must've been a stretched image. right?

Nope, your not familar with Mr.Liefield are you?

Cool personality and badass looks.

Loki is a pretty good character when written properly. I liked his recent depiction in Ragnarok.

Originally posted by xmarksthespot
Read it a while back. Added a semi-interesting origin story; I'm still not seeing oodles of character development though. He simply doesn't strike me as a particularly complex or intricate character - something I generally prefer in characters if I'm to remain interested in them. 😬

Also this thread isn't "Is Apocalypse a good character?" it's what makes a good character... 😬

Does a character HAVE to be complex?

What Villain can you think of that is so great because of his incredible complexity and has developed a lot as well? You really seem to focus a lot of the negative parts about Apocalypse, more specifically the cases where is portrayed as a guy who gets his kicks off by dictating others.

Originally posted by Estacado
Cool personality and big muscles.

Fixed 131

Originally posted by llagrok
Lame outfit and raping skills.

Originally posted by Estacado
hmm

Dr.Light has the coolest outfit ever

**** you! 😠

For me, first and foremost, the character has to have a cool, preferably original look. Comics are, after all, a visual medium, and personally, I'm getting tired of spandex.

Secondly, cool powers. Not too much leeway with originality on this one. Still, in combination with a cool character design, even the most basic and common powerset can work very effectively.

Thirdly, an original and interesting origin / backstory. And as a corollary to this: like Symmetric Chaos said, not every character needs a tragic childhood. That's becoming about as overdone as opera gloves and thighhighs on female characters.

Originally posted by llagrok
What Villain can you think of that is so great because of his incredible complexity and has developed a lot as well?

Doom, Magneto, Galactus to name a few.

The Authority was great!!!! back in the day when they were not in the main stream and with great writers/artist. Now look what happened to them, the Morrison/Ha run was cancelled and the new Prime run sucks IMO (I stopped collecting it). I am a fan of the swearing but when they changed that....that was their down fall IMO but they can still be good without it if they have better writer like Brubaker...but not like what it use to be.

Originally posted by Citizen V
Doom, Magneto, Galactus to name a few.

Magneto's so called complexity is just borderline inconsistency...

Also, did I ask you?...

Originally posted by llagrok
Magneto's so called complexity is just borderline inconsistency...

Also, did I ask you?...

No it's not.

It's an open forum, don't post questions if you don't want them answered.

Originally posted by King_Mungi
droolio

Nope, your not familar with Mr.Liefield are you?

I am aware of Mr. Liefield's artistic 'talent', but I don't remember his anatomy as ridiculous as that pic of Captain America...it's almost unfathomable how any editor would allow that picture to pass.

Originally posted by Master-Borg
I am aware of Mr. Liefield's artistic 'talent', but I don't remember his anatomy as ridiculous as that pic of Captain America...it's almost unfathomable how any editor would allow that picture to pass.

It was the 90s, common sense decided that it deserved a decade long vacation.

Originally posted by Master-Borg
I am aware of Mr. Liefield's artistic 'talent', but I don't remember his anatomy as ridiculous as that pic of Captain America...it's almost unfathomable how any editor would allow that picture to pass.

Have you seen some of the art out there these days? like Wolverine Origins...how thew Hell did that pass?

Originally posted by Mindship

Thirdly, an original and interesting origin / backstory. And as a corollary to this: like Symmetric Chaos said, not every character needs a tragic childhood. That's becoming about as overdone as opera gloves and thighhighs on female characters.

Have to agree, for once I'd like to see someone become evil just for the hell of it.

"Why am I blowing up this Orphanage Stupendous man ? Why because it makes me feel good , that's why !"

Screw neglect and 'My parent are deeeeeeeead !!!!' , lets have a villain whose a dick just for the sake of it !

Originally posted by grey fox
Have to agree, for once I'd like to see someone become evil just for the hell of it.

"Why am I blowing up this Orphanage Stupendous man ? Why because it makes me feel good , that's why !"

Screw neglect and 'My parent are deeeeeeeead !!!!' , lets have a villain whose a dick just for the sake of it !

yeah but that kinda motivation gets old real fast...just look at Carnage

not saying their must be a tragic underpinnning, but it's nice for a villain to have some more complex reasons for their motivation

Originally posted by grey fox
Have to agree, for once I'd like to see someone become evil just for the hell of it.

"Why am I blowing up this Orphanage Stupendous man ? Why because it makes me feel good , that's why !"

Screw neglect and 'My parent are deeeeeeeead !!!!' , lets have a villain whose a dick just for the sake of it !

That's surprisingly difficult to do if you want the character to be believable at all (I've tried) but it can be a lot of fun when it works.

Originally posted by Master-Borg
yeah but that kinda motivation gets old real fast...just look at Carnage

not saying their must be a tragic underpinnning, but it's nice for a villain to have some more complex reasons for their motivation

No, the problem with Carnage was overexposure and poorly explained reasoning.

If they used him rarely and came up with something with a bit more weight then 'I'm Batshit Insane ! Deal with it !'. Then perhaps his fanbase would be larger and based more on the character then his appearance.