The Favorite Legion Member Thread brought to mind one of my pet peeves in comics. And since Ultra Boy and Sunspot (from the New Mutants) epitomize the problem...
Basically, it's this. Both are powerful guys who have an array of super-powers, but can only use one of those powers at a given time. Ultra Boy is a Daxamite, IIRC, with all the powers of Superman, and Sunspot is super strong and has some sort of heat-themed power.
So when they go into a fight, the storyteller has to find a way to let new readers know of the character's powers and limitations. In order to do this, bad writers always resort to one team mate yelling:
"Look out, Ultra Boy! You aren't invulnerable when you're using your super strength!"
or
"Look out, Sunspot! You're really strong, but you're not invulnerable!"
I am so far out of collecting that there's no way I can bring up issue numbers to back this up, but it happened so often that I quit reading the books.
Why in the world would someone announce out loud their friends weakness and limitations for the bad guys to hear?
And I don't think this is some sort sort fanboy nitpick on the order of how does Tony Stark go to the bathroom in his Iron Man suit.
I'll bet JB could write a scene with Ultra Boy (if he hasn't already)that shows the guy's power and vulnerability without resorting to that stupid move. Heck, I'm pretty sure I could.
(Although I'd probably have to use the narrator, or have the bad guys know that he's a Daxamite.)
"Watch Ultra Boy! When he uses his super strength, blast him with your plasma ray!"
And I don't think this is some sort sort fanboy nitpick on the order of how does Tony Stark go to the bathroom in his Iron Man suit.
I'm guessing he has a similar set up as fighter pilots.
Relief Bag
Though pilots also carry a supply of plastic bags for collecting drinking water in case they are downed, this particular bag serves another purpose. Using the zipper on the front of his uniform, a pilot can urinate into this bag in mid-air during long hauls. The plastic bag contains highly absorbent sponges.
Why in the world would someone announce out loud their friends weakness and limitations for the bad guys to hear?
This is where thought balloons come in handy. However, the "cinematic" qualities of comics contrast with the use of thought balloons, and they are beginning to die off.
Okay,I'll guive you thought balloons....but I believe that there is a much more dramatic and dynamic way of getting the point across without a character or the narrator just out and out telling us every freakin issue that Ultra Boy can only use one power at a time.
