The JLKbox

[jensaltmann]

Spinning out of an e-mail conversation with Michael.

If the K-Box regulars were the JLA (any incarnation), who would be who? For the purposes of this, I'm defining as a regular anyone who has more than 100 posts. And please --no duplicates (no two Green Lanterns, for example).

Michael = Martian Manhunter (the team's heart & soul)

Kirk = Guy Gardner (full of rage, which hides a soft head heart, and dependable when it comes down to it)

Paul = Green Arrow (part-time crusader)

Jesse = Plastic Man (mostly tolerated for the comedy value)

Anders = Booster Gold (deeper than he seems on the outside)

Jard = Hawkman (can't really say why, it simply feels right)

Joe Helfrich = Metamorpho (again, can't say why, it just feels right)

Johann Chua = Starman (frequently a bit on the bizarre side, but not in a bad way)

Mario = Oracle (Master of Google-Fu)

And yes, I'm leaving myself out on purpose.

[michaelpaciocco]

I'll also leave myself out, as it's much more fun to see yourself from another's POV than your own ego biases

I view our little circle this way.

Jard = Hawkman (damn Jens, that's good - and yes it works because Jard's first and best reaction to something he doesn't like is to hit it head-on full-force).

Paul Pogue - Batman - smart, knowledgable - likes his women in fetishwear and fishnets.

Kirk - Orion of the New Gods - Because when he gets angry, he goes all-out and is absolutely terrifying to behold.

Jens - Actually, I tend to view Jens as our Martian Manhunter - He Who is Always the Rational One.

Jesse - Guy Gardner - can be depended on for anger and showmanship, often at the expense of everyone else.

Anders - Wally West/Flash - the guy who gets along with most everyone and makes it work.

Joe - Steel (John Henry Irons) - A man of deep convictions who is often at odds with participating with the group, but does so to everyone's eventual benefit.

Johann - Mister Miracle - the guy who comes at the problem from the most unconventional method, and finds a way out.

Mario - Vic Sage/The Question - the guy who always knows the answers, even if we didn't really want to ask in the first place

[jarddavis]

Since I'm probably the most conservative on the forum as well, it fits, yeah.

Michael = Batman.
Paul Pogue = The Atom
Kirk = Hal Jordan

Two analytical thinkers and a someone who doesn't ever strike me as being all that afraid of much.

Jesse = Guy Gardener. Because, well, Jesse's kind of the hot headed one of the group. Bear in mind, I hate thinking of Gardener as the Giffen era Gardener. I never liked the interpretation that much. And yes, I know, two green lanterns and all that, but still

Jens - J'onn J'onzz.

Anders - I agree with Wally.

Joe - Elongated Man, Smart and flexible.

Johan - I agree with Mister Miracle

Mario - Oracle. Definitely Oracle.

[michaelpaciocco]

Being the most conservative member of this forum requires you to be to the right of Dennis Kuccinich. Just saying - yes, it is true, but it's also not a feat. I prefer the fact that you're a hard headed fighter in your own right who chooses these battles.

Batman? Given that I'm probably one of the few people in all of comic fandom who doesn't think Batman is all that, that's an interesting choice.

And I tend to think of Mario more as JLU Question as opposed to Objectivist Ditko Question or O'Neill Zen Question.

But otherwise, all good picks Jard.

[jensaltmann]

That's pretty much why I too had pegged Jard as Hawkman. Not just for the conservative attitudes, but also because of his hard-headedness when he had decided on a course.

It's also, as I mentioned, why I chose Green Arrow for Paul. Not for the political leaning, but for the crusading inclination he displays on occasion. Plus, yes, if Paul and Jard ever meet in person and start discussing politics, they'll probably sound a lot like Ollie and Carter. (Friends who disagree, but enjoy the debate too much to agree to disagree.)

Anders as Flash makes me slap my head. D'uh. Of course. I join the choir here. Wally just hadn't occurred to me.

[jensaltmann]

Oh, by the way, the only reason why I come across as rational here is that we don't discuss anything here tha pushes my buttons. It's just fandoms and stuff, nothing that has me emotionally invested.

If we hit my buttons, you'd see me become irrational so fast and so hard it'd scare the Hulk.

[michaelpaciocco]

What, so now YOU want the Orion handle? Is that what I'm hearing?

Well, I'm waiting to see what happens when Kirk or Paul or Anders or someone post up their responses/thoughts.

Michael

[jensaltmann]

Dec 28, 2010 8:56:44 GMT -8 michaelpaciocco said:

What, so now YOU want the Orion handle? Is that what I'm hearing?

Nah. It's just that it amuses me to be considered the rational one.

[Anders]

I'm honestly very flattered. I'm not sure I can put together a list of my own. Mostly I just don't know the JLA well enough and most of what I've read of DC are fringe interpretations of the characters rather than their core titles, meaning my views on them are pretty fractured. However...

I'd put Jesse as Plastic Man rather than Gardner: he's crazy but occasionally brilliant and mostly harmless.

Jens would be Batman: troubled, a bit cynical, smart-as-fuck and always one step ahead (of me, at least).

Paul is Superman: huge heart and fearless when fighting for what he believes in.

Kirk would be... hm. One of the Flashes? A bit hyper, but when he wants to do something it damn well gets done fast, somewhat immature from some angles but always there when you need him.

Jard as Hawkman is spot on in that he's a straight ahead, pulling no punches kind of guy. A real straight shooter, or mace-basher as it were.

That's all I've got, I'm afraid. Good thread by the way!

[michaelpaciocco]

Actually, those are pretty good picks Anders.

[Anders]

Thanks. I'm sorry I haven't got one for you, but honestly I don't have a good enough fix on you (or the remaining JLA).

Edited to add: Other than Wonder Woman, and I don't think she's a good match for you, gender issues aside.

[paulpogue]

I'm not really the best at this sort of thing, but I'm happy to take a stab at things .

Kirk: Ollie Queen/Green Arrow -- the heart and soul of the endeavor, even if his personal views aren't in line with the mainstream. And like Ollie, he has his own distinct thing but closely connected he's doing over on his blog. And admit it -- every time he goes off on Dan Slott, can't you see one of those classic Neal Adams poses from a low angle where Ollie is giving someone hell and has his finger pointed all the way out?

Jens: J'onn J'onzz -- Serious and somber, with his highest standards reserved for himself.

Mike Paciocco: Kyle Rayner Green Lantern -- his artwork belies a certain idealism that is really a driving force for him. He really wants things to be the best they can, and is still idealistic enough to expect that they can be.

Jesse Baker: The toughest one to call, really, because Jesse is possibly the most unique creature in the history of fandom. Fiery nerdrages are a dime a dozen, but Jesse has a particular panache that makes it readable over time. Plus I think he's much more self-aware than people realize. The combination of "wacky clown" and "possibly actually criminally insane" makes the Plastic Man comparison the most apt one.

Anders: Wally West is, I agree, the sole choice here. "Enthusiastic but rational enough not to go overboard" is what I was looking for.

Patty: Oracle. Because she's mom .

Jard: Hawkman is good, but I'd also go with Barry Allen Flash -- a guy who's certainly conservative and buttoned-down, but isn't necessarily an all-out Tool of The Man like Hawkman. I may be biased here by a certain dislike of Hawkman .

Johann Chua: Orion as written by one of the people who makes him intelligent, or possibly Scott Free. Nuts, but uses it in unconventional ways.

[michaelpaciocco]

Well, it definitely appears that Jens is a pretty solid lock on J'onn, Jesse on Plastic Man, Anders on Wally West, and Jard on Hawkman, with the rest of us all over the place...

I find that your comment on "artwork" amusing because while I know you're talking about my posters, IRL I have zero ability to draw anything without CAD software or a lot of tools - I have worse penmanship than a frickin' doctor.

[jarddavis]

Have to admit, I like the Hawkman comparison a lot. If only because I've always liked the character since JLA 200. I mean, the guy goes after Superman with a bunch of gladiator weaponry. He loses, but damn if that didn't take balls. Joe Kubert drawing it didn't hurt, either. ;D

[michaelpaciocco]

Yeah, that was a great scene.

I'm just kind of curious how some of the rest of us settle out. On one hand, I like the Kyle Rayner comparison because I do like the character, and while Jens is definitely a better MM than me, that's a cool comparison too.

As for Batman, eh, I've never been that crazy about the guy, but I appreciate it as a compliment.