Hmmm, sounds like a silly thing to do in writing. I don't read fan fiction and I haven't really run into it in other areas. Well other than some authors I've read. Aaryanna is right, sometimes, a really bad character in a series will just ruin it for you. XP
While I don't really see enough stuff to really count for a Mary Sue issue (though Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: TNG always stands to be a high example), this made me think of another funny thing that's going on right now - basically, the problem with the Purity Sue is that she's too perfect, right? Not enough flaws?
Marvel's "Ultimate" universe pretty much takes the "one fatal flaw" to an extreme now, and while the stories are great, the characterisation bits are almost hilarious now. For example:
-Captain America is strong, agile, the peak of human athletic perfection and then some . . . he's also super-conservative, comfortable with lethal force, and is a jerkass.
-Nightcrawler was a young, adventurous mutant with a tough militaristic upbringing, amazing powers and a joy for roleplaying . . . he also turned into a creepy stalker/kidnapper when he got a crush on Dazzler.
-Colossus is a Russian mutant who joined the X-Men after getting out of mafia contracts and is practically the strongest being in the Ultimate Marvel universe . . . . . oh yeah, he's gay too (not a flaw per se, but just sayin').
What would you call that, exactly? This kind of "Crazy powerful, BUT" thing?
How about encountering it in rpg's? >_> Where another player's character is what you described as the "God Mode Sue" type? I wouldn't name names, but it's annoying as hell to have them constantly constrict your character just so their's will be "better" XP
Running into those kind of characters in a story often kills it for me. >_> Seriously, I had one author that I loved, but one character just ruined it for me and I no longer read his stuff since I want to drown that character. lol
I always like it whenever I read a novel and find a Sue. It irks my brain and makes me wonder how on earth it got published. Then again...well, nevermind.
Sabrina
Otaku Archangel | Posted 08/15/08 | Reply
Hmmm, sounds like a silly thing to do in writing. I don't read fan fiction and I haven't really run into it in other areas. Well other than some authors I've read. Aaryanna is right, sometimes, a really bad character in a series will just ruin it for you. XP
-Sabrina
SomeGuy
Canadian Liaison (Team) | Posted 08/15/08 | Reply
TV Tropes is totally my new online obsession.
While I don't really see enough stuff to really count for a Mary Sue issue (though Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: TNG always stands to be a high example), this made me think of another funny thing that's going on right now - basically, the problem with the Purity Sue is that she's too perfect, right? Not enough flaws?
Marvel's "Ultimate" universe pretty much takes the "one fatal flaw" to an extreme now, and while the stories are great, the characterisation bits are almost hilarious now. For example:
-Captain America is strong, agile, the peak of human athletic perfection and then some . . . he's also super-conservative, comfortable with lethal force, and is a jerkass.
-Nightcrawler was a young, adventurous mutant with a tough militaristic upbringing, amazing powers and a joy for roleplaying . . . he also turned into a creepy stalker/kidnapper when he got a crush on Dazzler.
-Colossus is a Russian mutant who joined the X-Men after getting out of mafia contracts and is practically the strongest being in the Ultimate Marvel universe . . . . . oh yeah, he's gay too (not a flaw per se, but just sayin').
What would you call that, exactly? This kind of "Crazy powerful, BUT" thing?
Aaryanna
Otaku Legend | Posted 08/14/08 | Reply
How about encountering it in rpg's? >_> Where another player's character is what you described as the "God Mode Sue" type? I wouldn't name names, but it's annoying as hell to have them constantly constrict your character just so their's will be "better" XP
Running into those kind of characters in a story often kills it for me. >_> Seriously, I had one author that I loved, but one character just ruined it for me and I no longer read his stuff since I want to drown that character. lol
~*Aaryanna*~
Katana
Goggalor (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 08/14/08 | Reply
I always like it whenever I read a novel and find a Sue. It irks my brain and makes me wonder how on earth it got published. Then again...well, nevermind.
Points for using TV Tropes.
"In Kat's wor we trust."