The Viper! Real world issues for gaming

[Joseph Kerr]

This has sorta been explored along with the fact that Vigilantism is illegal.

The Keene Act in Watchmen. The Registration Act in Marvel.

- Joseph.

[Stone Gargoyle]

The simple answer is "yes". There are many examples of it in comics.

[Steeler49er]

OH... The Viper!!! As in a super hero...
Mkay

I thought you ment 'Zee Viper', like as in "Zee Vindow Viper"

[Sir_Spirit]

Enough supers are rich enough that they would likely just sue en mass that wearing a mask ;in public is a matter of self expression covered by the first amendment. Though they might just bribe the ACLU into taking on a Muslim women's righto were the full face Burkha{sp?}, or a KKK persons right to wear the costume during legal activities. Both of which this would seems to prevent[In fact it's possible that one of those two is likely the real target of this law rather than superheroes....]. PErhaps you could have a fictional lankmark case in the 60-80's or something that reached the supremem court which sided withe mask wearing person. 'Louise v. Garfunkle' or something mundane sounding....

IN fact, looking at how supercan change politics, if RFK sand MLK survived to due one or more "physchics " or sueprhealers or what not. perhaps the make up of the SCOTUS shifts ab it othe left and the ruling has a huge effect of bannign/overturnign ALL city/state ordinance/laws banning not jsut masks but public nudity or other modes of "experssion" related to clothing.

COmbine this with a "mutant school scare" ala X-men2, which leads to bannign privates chools and and you could get some interesting situations......

[Rallan]

Enough supers are rich enough that they would likely just sue en mass that wearing a mask ;in public is a matter of self expression covered by the first amendment. Though they might just bribe the ACLU into taking on a Muslim women's righto were the full face Burkha{sp?}, or a KKK persons right to wear the costume during legal activities. Both of which this would seems to prevent[In fact it's possible that one of those two is likely the real target of this law rather than superheroes....]. PErhaps you could have a fictional lankmark case in the 60-80's or something that reached the supremem court which sided withe mask wearing person. Louise v. Garfunkle or something mundane sounding....

If it's set in America you don't need fictional examples. There are plenty of real life mask bans which've been struck down over the years on first amendment grounds, either because the intent was clearly to target a particular group or because anonymous speech is an important and constitutionally protected form of political expression.

[PapaMambo]

Another interesting film to check out with mundanes playing super-hero's is 'Defendor' "That's Defend DOOR! Not Defender!" starring Woody Harrelson. It's a story about a regular guy who has a diminished mental capacity, and is unable to differentiate between Reality and Fiction, and thus tries to fight crime. Not as popular as Kick-Ass was, but a really excellent movie nonetheless. Defendor get's his ass handed to him, winds up in therapy and trouble with the law, but is released as the cops feel he is not a threat to anyone. Little does anyone realize that he has actually stumbled upon an organized crime ring that he tries to break up, with the help of a drugged out prostitute..

He fights crime with various homemade gadgets and weaponry - but refuses to use firearms. Look for things like a fist full of marbles, a glass jar filled with angry hornets, a WWI era trench club, and an old camcorder strapped to his helmet so he can record crimes in progress.

Excellent viewing, and a nice take on the whole "Crazy Hero" archetype.. Honestly, I can say this could be one of the most realistic portrayals of an average joe type schizophrenic who fights crime. Woody Harrelson is definitely underrated in this one, and portrays Defendor well. Check it out! Highly recommended!

[Steeler49er]

Man that movie was sad at the end. Wood did an excellent job and gave the film some real feeling. Very nicely done.