My first article posted to The Artifice is live and can be found at: http://the-artifice.com/top-5-dc-villains-that-need-to-be-on-cws-arrow/. In it I list my Top 5 DC Villains That Need To Be On CW’s Arrow (as it says in the title) mentioning a brief biography, how they’d work on the show, and possible storylines they can be involved in. This will probably be Part 1 of a 3 part series with Part 2 (Green Arrow’s supporting cast from the comics that deserve to be on the show) and Part 3 (DC Heroes that need to appear) coming at you at a later date. I’ll also continue to post on this blog everytime an Artifice article appears!
The Speech Bubble 
I particularly like the ideas you developed for Black Mask. I always like when a superhero faces mobsters instead of freaks, because those clashes are less predictable.
When a superhero meets a freak, he seizes him by the scruff of his neck, he gives him some punches, and then he takes him to Arkham Asylum, or a similar place.
When a superhero meets a mobster, things are not so simple. The hero is forced to use his mind instead of his brute force,if he wants to beat the villain. Also, the hero must have hugely developed detective skills to make him go to prison, because mobsters perfectly know how to cover their tracks.
Talking about mobsters, in that post where we discussed about intriguing anti – heroes I forgot to mention an anti – hero I absolutely adore, the Punisher. He’s so outside of the norms that I hadn’t remembered him until now.
Fury is another good example, but he’s not like the Punisher. Frank Castle is a so interesting character that it’s very easy to build a good story around him; Fury, on the contrary, is much more difficult to handle. I’ve read a lot of terribly boring stories starring him, and some others that will always have a special spot in my heart. I don’t know why a lot of writers can’t manage him, he’s like a crazy horse that only a very skilled horseman can ride.
Thanks for reading my first article on the Artifice!
I agree wholeheartedly regarding your assessment of the superhero VS mobster dynamic. Spot on indeed.
I’ve never read much Punisher besides Punisher: War Journal from Fraction (2007). Sure I’ve seen him in regards to guest spots in other books. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen either of his live-action movies either. Have you? Were they any good? True to the character?
“I don’t know why a lot of writers can’t manage him, he’s like a crazy horse that only a very skilled horseman can ride.” Perfect for Fury. That would be a great opening line for an article on him!
“I haven’t seen either of his live-action movies either. Have you? Were they any good? True to the character?”: The Punisher was taken to the screen 3 times, once in the 80s and 2 in the last years. I’ve seen only the 2nd and the 3rd movie.
The 2nd one was inspired from the best Punisher story arc ever written, but it wasn’t good anyway. The reason is simple: the screenplay included the facts that happened in that story arc, but without the ironic touch that made those facts enjoyable.
I can barely remember the 3rd movie, but I’m sure it was a bit better.
Both the Punisher movies I saw were true to the character, and the hatred surrounding them definitely is overblown, but in both cases even the most understanding Punisher fan will never tell you to watch it. And I’m sure of it, because probably I am the most understanding Punisher fan. I’m not a very exacting reader.
Thank you for your compliments about Fury and your reply! : )
Good to know. Thanks!