Resources for Writers #15
A frequent blog where I share ideas and resources for writers of all genres. Each issue is imagined independently and is intended to invoke inspiration.
Hello Writers,
In this issue, I decided to go with a superhero theme as I feel I’ve been neglecting this subgenre despite my interests in it. I’ve shared a bit about the superhero project I tried to “manage” titled, The Cy-Man Project.
Needless to say, I’m a big fan. I had a sizeable comic book collection back in the day that got stolen, but some of my favorites were Spider-Man, The Maxx, Spawn, and X-O Manowar.
Superhero Ideas
Superzero — The idea for this character, is someone who’s at the bottom of the barrel in their life. They’re a nobody and they know it, and don’t have the means with which to do any better in life.
At some point a catalyst moment occurs, forcing them to want to take action/revenge, only, like Batman, they don’t have any superpowers nor any particularly useful skills. Despite this, they are full of determination, and possibly lots of luck and/or fortitude like Rocky.
This could lead them to eventually become strong and tough enough, but they won’t have the finances to succeed as a vigilante superhero/antihero. I feel like this kind of story would do well without other supers in the setting. I’m thinking more real life types of antagonists like crime/gang bosses, or even corrupt government officials or rogue agents.
My thoughts for this character if you want to go the full super route, is that they either get some help from a retired superhero(es), or even a villain, or depending on the antagonist(s) of the story, it could be from a super-powerful galactic being where they’re destined to become great kind of thing.
In the end, this type of character would most likely get more out of earning their way through the journey as opposed to having unwanted responsibilities thrust upon them, or even just gifted abilities they can use to complete their objectives.
Redemption stories are good, but growth-of-character stories often do better, especially when they include redemption.
Ohmega — Originally, Ohmega was to be a superhero in The Cy-Man Project. However, after some consideration, I’ve realized that sound-based superpowers — once fully developed — are the most powerful. Technically, everything is sound, and thus these powers would allow this person to become a god, whereas, supers are really meant to be more like demi-gods.
I then realized that this character could be good, bad, or even neutral, and that, as a stand-alone super, this story is much more interesting. Especially if you were to do a turnover like The Grinch, where in the end they have a change of heart and decide not to do a universal reset or some other type of diabolical plan.
It would also be interesting to have them become corrupted by the powers, ultimately turning into a Thanos, or like Doctor Manhattan in Watchmen. This could be what catalyzes their counterpart into existence, perhaps even while attempting a new extremely powerful sound-based superpower, where the universe heeds the call and answers with someone or something that is worthy of being their arch-nemesis.
This person would need superpowers like anti-resonance and temporarily making others deaf among others. They could also have twin superpowers, but they use them to cancel out the frequencies of the other. Since no energy is lost, this could have some unforeseen side effects that could ultimately have them need to team up to beat it.
Writing Prompts
First is a story premise I thought of, however, I couldn’t seem to get a good image for it. AI didn’t want to stop giving me little green people, lol.
The Super-Martians — A united effort from Earth has finally put a large habitat on Mars and has sent a group of 20–30 scientists to do a two year stint. They soon discover that Mars is hollow and that there is an entire civilization of what look like smaller humans living on this inner surface. There is even a tiny star, but no night as a result.
With a lighter gravity and superior size, we would be superhuman to them, but the star’s radiation is mutagenic and causes most — if not all — of the Mars crew to gain one or more superpowers. It’s kind of like a reverse Krypton/X-Men kind of story. However, they would only be powerful there, and while under that star’s radiation. Or, maybe there’s a way to make it permanent.
Batman could’ve easily been written as a supervillain.
What if the MCU was gender-swapped/mixed?
A.I. Images for You
As always, the images I use in my posts come mostly from using AI models on NightCafe. If you consider joining, please use my referral link. I’m including nine more images, all of which are free for you to use, and they can be enlarged if needed.
Super Names
Velocimax
X-S
Vector
The Zengineer
Megavex
The Voidwalker
Vyro
Retroblade
Trickophant
The Goremonger
The Grim Sleeper
Thank you so much for reading. Please consider recommending my substack. I hope you imagine having a wonderful day….[[|:-)