Originally posted by xmarksthespot
Characters tend to be around a while before they receive an OHOTMU entry, which aren't written by actual comic authors. The comic is pretty much always the primary source, at least on KMC.
The key world is 'tend' as this isn't always the case.
You must know that some handbook writers are indeed comic writers (or were) and that the original writers of a character is sometimes consulted (over the comic). Meaning, the original writers give a lot of input to the handbooks.
There are character's that had absolutely no strength feats prior to their entry in OHOTMU. But the handbook gave them a specific strength (I'm referring to under class 100 characters) for that character. This info on that character's strength had to come from the original writers (not the comic). Thus that stat is the primary source.
Comics are wrong sometimes. They have errors, contradictions, and other things. Handbooks sometimes even average the feats (trying to negotiate the contradictions) which in itself is sound.
Let's not get off track now. I'm in no way am arguing that handbooks>>comics.
My point is that there exist instances when handbooks are just as valid as or overrule comics.
These instances are:
1. A Handbook piece of info is valid if it doesn't contradict the same info in the comics and the comics doesn't contradict themselves on that info. Meaning, the handbook is wrong only if it contradicts the non-contradicting evidence in comics.
2. If the comic contains an error or contradiction then the handbook is
the deciding judge of what's what. Meaning, since the comic can't be right and we need a deciding factor to continue the debate the handbook is that factor since it is the closest (and only) thing we have
to the truth.
3. If the comic fails to explain a character in completion (or at all) or fails to show all the powers and limits (if they exist) of that character then if the handbook list those things then the handbook info is valid. As doing this doesn't really contradict the comic (but adds on to it).
With that said,
1. says that handbook info can be used
if it doesn't disagree with the soundness of the comics. So I guess you would translate that to comics>>> or equal to handbooks.
2. shows the only way that handbooks>comics
3. shows that handbooks can add to comics and thus the added info wasn't secondary from the comic but from the writers.
If you disagree with any of the numbers state which one and why.