The Achilles' Heel

Many of famous literary characters had but one single flaw. It could be a weakness, a medical condition, a bad habit, a catch phrase, a fetish, or an outstanding physical feature, something that would always give them away if they were trying to act undercover, or harm them in the case of a superhero. This "Achilles' Heel" makes the character more human.

I am going to strart with some superheroes, your job is to tell me each one's "Achilles' Heel". Then think of other characters and give a name and have people name theirs. OK? Robin will love this first one:

1.) Superman

2.) Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz)

3.) Lobo (DC)

4.) Batman

5.) Thor

6.) Human Torch

7.) Hulk

8.) Spiderman

9.) Wolverine

10.) Rogue

This may not go anywhere, then again, who knows? You may pick a character from any part of literature, who has an identifible weakness of some sort. Just wait until the first is finished. Happy hunting! :brow: ;) :nod:

1) As Kevin Spacey delivered it, "Krrrrryp-tonite!!"

2) Fire

4) Err...that tragedy with his parents?

7) The...adverse side effects of anger.

9) Two words: Berserker. Rage.

10) Her inability to be touched without some unfortunate effects.


I'm mostly guessing with these...

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Originally Posted by RobinHood3000

1) As Kevin Spacey delivered it, "Krrrrryp-tonite!!"

2) Fire

4) Err...that tragedy with his parents?

7) The...adverse side effects of anger.

9) Two words: Berserker. Rage.

10) Her inability to be touched without some unfortunate effects.


I'm mostly guessing with these...

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As usual, mon ami, you're doing fine. #4 is correct but there is a side effect of it that comes into play from time to time, and another that's pretty much there ALL the time.

#9 is correct also, but there is one way to kill him, healing factor or not! :nod:

The first three (and indeed, the whole thread) came to mind after reading a book called DC Universe: Last Sons. A malevolent entity has captured Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Lobo and imprisoned them in cells set to their only weakness. I thought of how many other characters had but one flaw that kept giving them away, or kicking in at the wrong time. The list is very long. :brow:

4) Well, he's psychotic. Not sure how closely that relates to what you're looking for, but it's true nonetheless. :p

9) Ahh, yes. The ubiquitous drowning.

"You hear that? That's the sound of your brain cells popping. It's a wonder why nobody thought of it before. Even if you survive, you're just gonna be a vegetable."
<SNIKT>

Ok, I'm guessing we can carry on naming characters. I've just finished reading Harry Potter 5 so here is another person to add to the list:

11) Harry Potter

Can I give the weakness???
Well here it is anyway (I got this from Chapter 35 page 690):

11) Harry Potter –‘He has a great weakness for heroics; the Dark Lord understands this about him. Now give me the prophecy, Potter. ’ (Lucius Malfoy is talking here :sick: )

Very cool, Whimsy, although it's more of a pose-and-guess game.

6.) Human Torch ...water?? ( just a guess)
I didnt know batman was psychic

Im no good at super heros... I only new superman and rouges on and the elasticky guy from the fantastic 4.
Although I seem to rember an episode when the green goblin discoverd how to kill spiderman but for the life of me Im drawing a blank I know it wasnt water.
:D

No no...not psychic -- psychotic.

Yes, Batman is psychotic, that is his Achilles' heel. It manifests itself most of the time by making him never a real "team player". He quit the Justice League once to form the Outsiders, then quit them also, and has told Robin and the other members of the Bat Squad to stay out of his way more than once. He also sometimes develops a split-personality. Then Bruce Wayne tries to destroy Batman. He is as nuts as the criminals he brings in, he's just on the right side of the law!

Everyone wasn't discovered, but people are interested in the game, so I will tell, and we will go on. Great, that people are interested!

1.) Superman-- (As Robin said: Kryptonite.)

2.) Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz)-- (As Robin said: Fire)

3.) Lobo (DC) (This Hero/Villain with Wolverine like powers can't handle electricity)

4.) Batman-- (Again, from Robin: He's psychotic)

5.) Thor-- (The comic book version cannot loose his hammer for 60 seconds on the Midgaurd (Earth) plane, without reverting to human form)

6.) Human Torch: (Night was correct about water, but also sand, chemicals, or plain keeping him in a container where there is just enough oxygen to breathe will do it. Fire requires oxygen, if he can't get enough, he can't flame on.)

7.) Hulk: (Robin again: The anger issue. He used to run into problems like turning back into Dr. Banner at the wrong moment or vice versa)

8.) Spiderman: (Spidey's webs are not in his body, movies be hanged! He uses web-shooters. And he runs out of fluid at the wrong time a lot. That and his body tends to want to mutate further.)

9.) Wolverine: (Robin brought up the rage. Wolfie goes feral a lot, and has to be hunted down and brought back to his senses. I suppose drowning might kill him, but it's removal of his head that is the constant threat.)

10.) Rogue: (Robin got it in one: She cannot touch people or be touched, and she's in love with Gambit.)

Now. What is Sherlock Holmes' Achilles' Heel? :confused:

Hmm...for Wolverine, I never realized removal of his head was an issue. Is his spinal cord not adamantium-plated?


Ahh, yes, the externally-mounted web-shooters. Forgot about those, although in all fairness to the movies, doing it the internal way makes things a lot simpler.

What is Sherlock Holmes' Achilles' Heel
what the drugs? The inability to stand women ? or the obsession with his violin.
Wait the fits of depresssion!!

:D http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/co...smiley-004.gif

Sherlock Holmes' Achilles' Heel is the drug that he takes. Maybe without them he goes nuts !!!

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Originally Posted by RobinHood3000

Hmm...for Wolverine, I never realized removal of his head was an issue. Is his spinal cord not adamantium-plated?

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Yes, it is. But Amanda Voght, Proffesor X's old flame, who can teleport all or part of your body has threatened to remove Wolvie's head before, and he almost lost it to Proteous, who can alter matter. In the Days of Future Past saga, Wolvie is killed when a Sentinel shreds the flesh completely from his skeleton. I guess any way where he cannot regenerate would do it. My bad. The Achilles Heel would be to keep him from regenerating. :nod:

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Originally Posted by Shakira

Sherlock Holmes' Achilles' Heel is the drug that he takes. Maybe without them he goes nuts !!!

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Yes and no. Sherlock is an admitted cocaine user. And if he's taking a seven-per-cent solution three times a day, as stated in The Sign of the Four, he's addicted. But his real Achilles Heel is his reason for taking the drug in the first place: Ennui. If he has no case upon which to employ his mind, he cannot deal with it. So he turns to the drug. All of this is found in The Sign of the Four.

Note to Night: His aversion to women is strange, since he calls Irene Adler "The Woman". There was no other woman to him. The violin he played to help him think, just as he used to smoke shagg tobacco all night. The depression I already covered.

Does anyone else have a character? I don't want to hog the thread. :)

What about Professor Charles Xavier? Does he have an Achilles' Heel ?

He is only as strong as his mind?
ANd cant he be infected with bad thoughts or somthing.??

How about Hamlet?

Here's one: GREEN LANTERN (Kyle Rayner excepted)

Okay, these ones are too simple, but they are the only ones who we can remember:
Venom
Kastchei the Deathless

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Originally Posted by Shakira

What about Professor Charles Xavier? Does he have an Achilles' Heel ?

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Professor X will not use his power to its full potential because he thinks it is unethical to invade people's minds without their permission. Magneto doesn't wear the helment for comfort or looks, but to protect him from Charles Xavier's mind should he decide to use his power. That would be his Achilles Heel, I think.

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Originally Posted by RobinHood3000

Here's one: GREEN LANTERN (Kyle Rayner excepted)

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The color yellow. The Lantern Corps Rings do not work against anything colored yellow. ;) Kyle, of course, became too powerful.

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Originally Posted by Taliesin

Okay, these ones are too simple, but they are the only ones who we can remember:
Venom
Kastchei the Deathless

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Venom cannot take loud sounds or flame, I believe, the sounds for sure. It's how Spidey broke free from the symbiont. The other I don't know. ;)

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Originally Posted by Nightshade

How about Hamlet?

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Hamlet... insanity?

Let's see here:

1.) Ironman (actually he has two.)

2.) Arsenal-- One of several. His daughter, Lian. Another, try as he will, he still has a weak spot for her mother, Cheshire. He still has to fight to not go back on drugs as well. (Herion additcion.)


3.) Azreal (from The Bat-Squad)

4.) Gambit

5.) Captain Marvel (DC Version) He is only a little kid. And if SHAZAM is uttered at the wrong moment, back to the kid he goes! It's happened. Or if he forgets the word as Mr. Mind made happen once, where's his power?

6.) The Punisher

7.) Daredevil --A tendacy to blur what makes justice. He even took up with Typhoid Mary once. Kingpin exposed his idenity for another. Lastly, his radar senses can be jammed (the fight with Bullseye in the Movie was just one example), leaving him really blind!


8.) Aquaman

9.) Green Arrow (Oliver)--Ego. Women and the good life. He neglected Speedy so badly that Speedy, now Arsenal, actually became a drug addict for a while. He also had ego problems when teamed with Green Lantern, leading him further away from being all he could be as a Superhero to enjoy a playboy life as Oliver Queen, hang the consequences.


10.) The Shadow (Yeah, even my hero has a weakness. Think. Why is he always someone different all the time?)

2. I'm not sure what Arsenal's weakness would be, although I know he has a soft spot for Lian.

4. I doubt if it's right, but goodness knows the accent gives Gambit away every time.

8. Ego? (Heehee...)

9. Ollie has a weakness?? Hmm...could it be...women? (cough cough)

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Originally Posted by RobinHood3000

2. I'm not sure what Arsenal's weakness would be, although I know he has a soft spot for Lian.

4. I doubt if it's right, but goodness knows the accent gives Gambit away every time.

8. Ego? (Heehee...)

9. Ollie has a weakness?? Hmm...could it be...women? (cough cough)

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#2) One of several. His daughter, Lian. Another, try as he will, he still has a weak spot for her mother, Cheshire. He still has to fight to not go back on drugs as well.

#4) No. Dō de accent give Remy away ev' time, I tink, but dat not de ting da make Remy have problem, I tink, me.

#8) No. He does have a big ego, for sure, but this will kill him.

#9) Actually, yes. Women and the good life. He neglected Speedy so badly that Speedy, now Arsenal, actually became a drug addict for a while. He also had ego problems when teamed with Green Lantern, leading him further away from being all he could be as a Superhero to enjoy a playboy life as Oliver Queen, hang the consequences.

Hints:

1.) Ironman (actually he has two.) Why does he wear the armor in the first place? What about his private life?

2.) Arsenal--(COVERED)

3.) Azreal (from The Bat-Squad) What makes him sometimes unreliable?

4.) Gambit- (NTP--What does that stand for?)

5.) Captain Marvel (DC Version) (What makes him become who he is?)

6.) The Punisher (What is his superpower?)

7.) Daredevil (Did you see the movie?)

8.) Aquaman (One thing people from Atlantis cannot do without)

9.) Green Arrow (Oliver) (COVERED)

10.) The Shadow (Yeah, even my hero has a weakness. Think. Why is he always someone different all the time?) (Think about why someone would need to be a master of disguise; not as a skill, as dependence.)

2. DOI!! The heroin addiction -- I can't believe I forgot that!! :mad:

4. Does he have a gambling problem, or does he simply take too many risks?

5. He's a kid, for cryin' out loud.

7. Daredevil's blind, and occasionally blurs his definition of "justice."

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Originally Posted by RobinHood3000

2. DOI!! The heroin addiction -- I can't believe I forgot that!! :mad:

4. Does he have a gambling problem, or does he simply take too many risks?

5. He's a kid, for cryin' out loud.

7. Daredevil's blind, and occasionally blurs his definition of "justice."

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#2) Yes, I thought that might jog your memory!

#4) No, Gambit doesn't gamble, if he did, he'd be rich. He was head of the Theives Guild, so he could stack the deck well enough. Think about those initials NTP.

#5) Yep. And if SHAZAM is uttered at the wrong moment, back to the kid he goes! It's happened. Or if he forgets the word as Mr. Mind made happen once, where's his power?

#7) Um. OK. I'll give you that, since I forgot his tendacy to blur justice. He even took up with Typhoid Mary once. Kingpin exposed his idenity for one. For two, his radar senses can be jammed (the fight with Bullseye in the Movie was just one example), leaving him really blind!

Keep going, mon ami. You're doing fine! :nod:

Let's just finish this up, shall we?

Let's see here:

1.) Ironman (actually he has two.) Tony Stark built the armor in the first place because he has a bad heart, and the armor helps keep it going. Secondly, he's an alcoholic.

2.) Arsenal-- One of several. His daughter, Lian. Another, try as he will, he still has a weak spot for her mother, Cheshire. He still has to fight to not go back on drugs as well. (Heroin addiction.)


3.) Azreal (from The Bat-Squad) Besides being currently dead (Trick question!) His conditioning from the Order of St. Dumas made Jean-Paul Valley homicidal and insane

4.) Gambit-- NTP (Not a Team Player) Gambit tends to bend the rules to suit himself and you never know what he will pull next. Usually, there is method in his madness, but the others have trouble trusting someone who has betrayed them a few times ( as it turns out, always as a plan, but known only to Remy himself).

5.) Captain Marvel (DC Version) He is only a little kid. And if SHAZAM is uttered at the wrong moment, back to the kid he goes! It's happened. Or if he forgets the word as Mr. Mind made happen once, where's his power?

6.) The Punisher-- He has only one thing on his mind: Revenge. It doesn't matter who gets in the way of those guns, revenge is all he wants!

7.) Daredevil --A tendency to blur what makes justice. He even took up with Typhoid Mary once. Kingpin exposed his identity for another. Lastly, his radar senses can be jammed (the fight with Bullseye in the Movie was just one example), leaving him really blind!


8.) Aquaman-- People from Atlantis must touch water ever two hours, at least in his first incarnation. Now that his hand is made of enchanted water, he may be free from that weakness.

9.) Green Arrow (Oliver)--Ego. Women and the good life. He neglected Speedy so badly that Speedy, now Arsenal, actually became a drug addict for a while. He also had ego problems when teamed with Green Lantern, leading him further away from being all he could be as a Superhero to enjoy a playboy life as Oliver Queen, hang the consequences.


10.) The Shadow (Yeah, even my hero has a weakness. Think. Why is he always someone different all the time?) Lines from The Black Master a Shadow Magazine/Novel "Ah, the secret of The Shadow. At last, it is understood. A man of many faces, with no face of his own." The Shadow was a secret agent known as The Dark Eagle, assigned to Russia during WWI. He was a pilot, and caught in an exploding airplane, had his face destroyed. He has to depend on disguise to pass in society at all, and at least once was caught in his masquerade by the person he was masquerading as. He is supposed to be Flying Ace Kent Allard, but we know that the face, anyway, is false.

We all know Tarzan, Lord Greystoke, either from film or from the books by ERB. He appears to be fairly invincible, right? Now the movie Tarzan is a departure from the books by a great deal, leaving a highly intelligent man with lines like: "Me Tarzan, you Jane!" But all through the series of books there is a reoccurring theme, a Achilles' Heel that plagues Tarzan as though the Grim Reaper stood beside him with scythe ensnaring his throat. What is that weakness that even Jane can do nothing about, that rises again and again to ensnare the Jungle Lord, which he cannot see coming and has no defense against?

On an abstract level, I'm thinking the disparity between genetics and upbringing that leaves him wondering where he belongs.

That, or the strange lack of body hair.

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Originally Posted by RobinHood3000

On an abstract level, I'm thinking the disparity between genetics and upbringing that leaves him wondering where he belongs.

That, or the strange lack of body hair.

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A reasonable thought, but no. He will, of course, never really be comfortable in clothing from Salvile Row, but he knows he is human (perhaps more than human since due to several factors he does not age, nor does Jane and Korak, or Tarzan's extended family). When the German army occupies Africa and Tarzan believes they have killed Jane, he reacts as any man would, revenge is on his mind and he exacts a fearsome payment for that pain they put him through. This something comes from without Tarzan and causes a reaction within him, over and over.

He's not allergic to peanuts, is he?

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Originally Posted by Taliesin

Okay, these ones are too simple, but they are the only ones who we can remember:
Venom
Kastchei the Deathless

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Kastchei's death is hidden in the needle that is hidden inside the egg that is inside something else (a duck, as far as I remember)

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Originally Posted by RobinHood3000

He's not allergic to peanuts, is he?

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No, no. Ma amigo, now you are having fun at my expense! I seem to be the only one who has read the entire series. In the first book, Tarzan is involved in a horrible fight as a youth with a gorilla, right after he first discovers that he is not an ape, but a man. He has taken his dead father's hunting knife, and manages to kill the gorilla, but almost dies from the wounds. Then in the battle to become King of the Apes, further damage is inflicted on his skull.


As a result, when Tarzan actually gets struck on the head and becomes unconscious, he awakens with amnesia and madness. Until this wears off, he knows nothing of who he is or what; he becomes a raging primitive. This has allowed some look-alikes to pass themselves off as Tarzan, while the real Lord of the Jungle is off somewhere foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog. That's why Tarzan always prefers his enemies in front of him; his weakness is in the back of his skull, a wound that healed improperly. :thumbs_up

My apologies -- I've never read the Tarzan series.

I never knew that about him -- cool!

Hummm. Lee Falk's creation, The Phantom, aka The Ghost Who Walks. What would you say is his Achilles' Heel?