Torchwood: Ten Reasons Why Captain Jack is a Superhero..

[fajrdrako]

I see Captain Jack Harkness as a superhero. He isn't billed as such, but he acts like a superhero, and has the characterists and/or abilities of others. His powers aren't innate, but that's nothing unusual in the superhero community - in fact, it's a characteristic he shares with many established superheroes. I posted these comments earlier today in chatting with 51stcenturyfox. On thinking it over, I thought I'd elaborate here.

Reasons for considering Captain Jack a superhero:

1. He has powers: healing powers. He can recover from any wound. This is the same power as Wolverine, minus the claws. I was going to say he was prettier than Wolverine, but that's only true of comic-book Wolvie - Hugh Jackman isn't bad either. This comes with the power to not age at all, or to age very slowly.
   
   Other powers include:
   
   
   • the power to revive after death
     
   • the power to make certain aliens glow yellow when he kisses them
     
   • marksmanship and general physical prowess
     
   • the ability to absorb vast quantities of Abaddon's energy
     
   • the ability to resist alien mind-probes (in "Greeks Bearing Gifts")
     
   • the ability to stay underground for two thousand years - and to remain frozen for another century.
     
   • he doesn't sleep
     
   • his beard and hair don't grow, even over centuries
     
   • if 'charm' can be listed as one of Gambit's superpowers (and it is), it's a power Jack has for sure - along with the long coat
   
   
2. He has a collection of alien tech which he can adapt to his use as necessary. This puts him in the class of heroes who use alien gadgetry, like Professor X of the X-Men or Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. Carrying a humumgous big alien gun, he looks like Cable.
   
   
3. He has knowledge of the future and future technology - information that other humans don't possess. He can jury-rig and engineer hybrid gadgets using scraps of alien tech. He also has unusual knowledge of the past, of alien races, of elementals (like the fairies), and of secret or paramilitary organizations like UNIT.
   
   
4. He has the ability to travel in time (when his vortex manipulator works) and to teleport (ditto).
   
   
5. His 'vintage military' style is a kind of costume - a distinctive outfit which he wears consistently any by which he can be recognized.
   
   
6. He never reveals his true name.
   
   
7. He has a team, which he trains in his methods for his purposes.
   
   
8. He lurks and broods on rooftops like Batman, Nightwing, Spider-Man, Gambit, or Nightcrawler.
   
   
9. He has his own special headquarters - underground. Including an Invisible Lift and a pet pteranodon. No giant penny, but a giant fountain instead. Running water.
   
   
10. When he can, he hangs out with the other superhero of his universe - the Doctor.

Comments

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

Okay, I completely buy your rationale. Completely. Lurks and broods, excellent point. AND: he has more than one nemesis, though that's not the right word, since he always wins.

AND: Odd/traumatic origins/past/childhood? That's fairly common for superheroes, isn't it?

Actually, I'm glad Jack doesn't wear tights, or a codpiece or something. That would be a bit much.

Now I am pondering a Wolverine/Captain Jack crossover. Or... Batman.

/bunk

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Okay, I completely buy your rationale.

Hee!

Lurks and broods, excellent point.

With style, too.

Odd/traumatic origins/past/childhood? That's fairly common for superheroes, isn't it?

Yup. I might add: he started out as someone's sidekick, then left his mentor and worked independently or as a leader now. Also typical.

I'm glad Jack doesn't wear tights, or a codpiece or something. That would be a bit much.

Agreed. Unless it was a one-time thing for costume night at the local gay club. His greatcoat is the perfect hero-wear.

I am pondering a Wolverine/Captain Jack crossover.

I wrote one once. It was fun. I figured they'd get along well.

As for Jack/Batman... Mmmm. I've thought about that, but haven't come up with a good storyline yet.

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

What about the power of doing CPR in a non-standard way?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

the power of doing CPR in a non-standard way?

I wondered about that. But I think that might be simple lust. I wonder if "seduction" could be considered a superpower.

[cionaudha.livejournal.com]

I wonder if "seduction" could be considered a superpower.

In his case it is.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

And a powerful one, too!

[topgeargirl2.livejournal.com]

Well he's charming, flirts with everyone. um also mysterious.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

So many great characteristics.

[toraks.livejournal.com]

hunh. one word: duh!

(meaning, you've covered it so completely, he is absolutely a superhero!!!) :-D

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Let's her it for time-travelling superheroes!

[seanchaidh.livejournal.com]

He has an awesome butler, just like Batman.

Except this butler can also kick ass. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Except this butler can also kick ass. :)

I imagine Alfred also has a hockey stick.

Love these guys.

[andreth47.livejournal.com]

OMG, you are so right! And we still haven't really gotten his Secret Origins episode!

Jack is so similar to Batman, esp. with the gadgets and the rooftop brooding and the secret underground base and the butler and...and...

But I really loved the parallels you drew with Gambit. Mmm, Gambit.

Why do I have this sudden urge to write fic? *g*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

we still haven't really gotten his Secret Origins episode!

Quite right! We know about the Game Station and we have bits and pieces of his past, but no more than that. There are many, many gaps. There are parts of it, too, that we only know from hearsay, or other people's points of view.

Jack is so similar to Batman, esp. with the gadgets and the rooftop brooding and the secret underground base and the butler and...and...

And though Ianto isn't so much like Robin, he has the smart-ass jokes.

Mmm, Gambit.

Oh yes, Gambit. Mmm.

Why do I have this sudden urge to write fic? *g*

I don't know, but I don't think it's something you should fight. Do it!

[luniasta.livejournal.com]

He lurks and broods on rooftops like Batman, Nightwing, Spider-Man, Gambit, or Nightcrawler.

This point made it for me :D

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

This point made it for me :D

Yes. He does it so... naturally.