Stalemate

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Current revision as of 18:03, 28 February 2010

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Stalemate is a chronicle of events as pertaining to a hero. It takes place in the prestigious Marigold City, a sprawling urban mass with a number of quirks and little pleasantries, the least of which being that the city is located a a crossroad of several, well-established superhero territories. It centers around one Dennis Farmer—who is alternately known as Hero—and his two roommates Bradley and Amy—who just so happen to also be the villains he finds himself fighting on a day to day basis. Dennis must navigate a life in a turbulent society that expects much of its empowered members, a friendship with his disguised enemies, and all the wonderful adventures that come with being a fledgling superhero.

General Storyline

Chronologically, Dennis' story begins with his decision to leave the countryside where he grew up and venture into the city, where he has every intention of setting himself up as a professional masked hero. He quickly selects the perfect location after several failed attempts in already spoken-for towns. Marigold City offers a fresh start and a slew of interesting villains who are undeterred by the passing efforts of superheroes with no time to devote to their activities. Within his first day, he manages to put out a massive fire, round up a particularly nasty gang, and help an old lady cross the street. The city accepts the chance at a resident hero with open arms, and Dennis is all to happy to take up the mantle—until he realizes he has nowhere to live.

Far from discouraged, Dennis checks the local newspaper and hits jackpot: a three-room apartment with two tenants seeking a third, and a spectacular deal on the rent and utilities. He shows up to speak with the current occupants and is quickly welcomed into the flat by Bradley and Amy, two odd and seemingly friendly civilians.

Until they find out he's a superhero.

Unrevealed to Dennis (but quickly apparent to the viewer), Bradley and Amy are in fact Breaker and Seethe, a criminal duo that is mostly under the radar but very competent in their own right. Their chagrin at having to room with a hero comes both from the threat to their plans and general frustration with the bumbling but well-meaning personality. The fact that they actually rather like Dennis makes it rather hard to disintegrate him, even if he is trying to take them to jail.

The storyline continues much in that respect, and introduces Dennis to a slew of other characters, including a lovely reporter (who is not what she seems), a group of government agents (who are not what they seem) and a famous hero-mentor (who is exactly what he seems, being an asshole).

Trivia

• Stalemate's name was selected from a very short list; it was almost named Stand-off instead. The name was chosen due to the 'fact of life' Breaker spoke of at one point in the beginning of the story: the world they live in is filled with heroes and villains, and every superpowered person has a even match somewhere amid the populace. Once that hero and villain find each other, they are stuck in a limbo for the rest of their career. The hero will never let the villain succeed in his plans and the villain will never quite be outdone. It is scale of victory and defeat that is inescapable. And it drives them all insane.

• The Data Collectors seen throughout Stalemate are often comparable to the human members of the Asylum from imPerfect and the contracted employees of the Institute. It is implied several times that the Data Collectors are more dangerous than they initially appear, but as they have made no move against anyone with documented superpowers most simply go about their business.

Cameos

Several copywritten heroes have parodies that make appearances, as often as other characters from the Blockhouse projects show up. Ser Justice is a mock of both Captain America and Captain Marvel, Cipher is a portrayal of all noir detective heroes, and Bruiser is very much a mix of the Hluk and the Thing.

Tie-Ins

Under Construction