Observation about superhero universe.....

aktarian · Nov 28, 2015

Anybody noticed how cities where superheroes live and work seem pretty much self contained worlds with little interaction with country and world beyond city limits? Take for example Arrow. In latest season criminal wiped out city leadership and threatened to kill anbody who runs for office. Then somebody kidnapped candidate's daughter. You'd think FBI would send at least some junior agent to take a look. Sophisticated weapons dissappear by truckloads on regular basis yet ATF's response seems to be "meh". New and dangerous synthetic drugs are developed ever few months yet DEA seems prett much dead in the water. Shady groups with criminal backgrounds and links to violent and dictatorial regimes come and go as they please without CIA and NSA rising an eyebrow. Banks get robbed so often it's pretty much background noise yet nobody bats an eye. SCPD station (which seems to be their only one) was shot up so often it's a wonder it's still standing and budget for repairs must be astronomical. Yet it's seen as slightly odd event but nothing earth shattering

Gotham isn't different. GCPD officers are gunned down on reuglar basis, you have criminal organisations involed in murder, smuggling, extortion etc but FBI just ignores it.

Granted lately shows give a nod to wars in Iraq and/or Afghanistan but only in passing, as character background

Simeon · Nov 28, 2015

But still, land values remain high in Manhattan.

Nivek · Nov 28, 2015

you can consider either 1) those federal agencies are bribe to not do something by the bad guys(either money or a twist they've a friend in high goverment) 2) are so scarred to do something.

Patukov · Nov 28, 2015

I always figured that this happened because if thw government deals with the problem there will be nothing for the hero to do

aktarian · Nov 28, 2015

Patukov said:
I always figured that this happened because if thw government deals with the problem there will be nothing for the hero to do

Then you'd expect this to be mentioned. Like SCPD mentioning they've contacted DEA about Vertigo but were told DEA doesn't give a shit about it. Or that FBI showed up after candidate's daughter was fidnapped but couldn't be arsed to actually do anything.

But it's almost like federal agencies don't exist and XXPD is only law enforcement in entire country.

Patukov · Nov 28, 2015

aktarian said:
Then you'd expect this to be mentioned. Like SCPD mentioning they've contacted DEA about Vertigo but were told DEA doesn't give a shit about it. Or that FBI showed up after candidate's daughter was fidnapped but couldn't be arsed to actually do anything.

But it's almost like federal agencies don't exist and XXPD is only law enforcement in entire country.

They probably do but the hero has to save the day and its easier to simply not bring up the feds?

aktarian · Nov 28, 2015

Patukov said:
They probably do but the hero has to save the day and its easier to simply not bring up the feds?

There is difference between focusing on our resident superhero when he does the work while law enforcement looks incompetent and not acknowledging they even exist.

DG Valdron · Nov 28, 2015

I've tended to see Superhero dominated universes as devolving towards feudalism.

Blue Moon · Nov 28, 2015

aktarian said:
Anybody noticed how cities where superheroes live and work seem pretty much self contained worlds with little interaction with country and world beyond city limits?

aktarian said:
Gotham isn't different. GCPD officers are gunned down on reuglar basis, you have criminal organisations involed in murder, smuggling, extortion etc but FBI just ignores it

This seems to be especially true of Gotham-in several different iterations of it. But less so of Metropolis right -although haven't seen Supergirl which is spending the most time there I imagine ?