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{{quote|''"Nothin' bad ever lasts in the comics. Death, doom, disaster? There's nothin' they can't fix."''|'''A News Vendor, moments before his newsstand is crushed by a falling superhero.'''}} |
{{quote|''"Nothin' bad ever lasts in the comics. Death, doom, disaster? There's nothin' they can't fix."''|'''A News Vendor, moments before his newsstand is crushed by a falling superhero.'''}} |
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''All Fall Down'' (2011) is a [[Graphic Novel]] created by Casey Jones and Anvit Randeria, along with half a dozen other illustrators. It tells the story of Sophie Mitchell, a teenager who accidentally steals every last superpower on Earth. Several heroes and villains die or are injured as a result of losing their powers while in use. Sophie is acquired by the government and trained to become Siphon, the world's last superhero; while the ex-heroes and villains strive to pick up their lives and move on... not all of them succeed. |
''All Fall Down'' (2011) is a [[Graphic Novel]] created by Casey Jones and Anvit Randeria, along with half a dozen other illustrators. It tells the story of Sophie Mitchell, a teenager who accidentally steals every last superpower on Earth. Several heroes and villains die or are injured as a result of losing their powers while in use. Sophie is acquired by the government and trained to become Siphon, the world's last superhero; while the ex-heroes and villains strive to pick up their lives and move on... not all of them succeed. |
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The book explores Dr. Kubler-Ross's Stages of Grief, and the effects such a loss would have on superheroes. |
The book explores Dr. Kubler-Ross's Stages of Grief, and the effects such a loss would have on superheroes. |
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* [[AI Is a Crapshoot]]: IQ Squared created AIQ Squared as a contingency plan if he ever lost his genius. {{spoiler|AIQ immediately begins plotting to kill Siphon in order to restore its creator's brilliance.}} |
* [[AI Is a Crapshoot]]: IQ Squared created AIQ Squared as a contingency plan if he ever lost his genius. {{spoiler|AIQ immediately begins plotting to kill Siphon in order to restore its creator's brilliance.}} |
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* [[All Your Powers Combined]]: The protagonist, Sophie, experiences this with every superpower on Earth. Permanently. |
* [[All Your Powers Combined]]: The protagonist, Sophie, experiences this with every superpower on Earth. Permanently. |
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* [[An Arm and a Leg]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} suffers this when he loses both legs in the first chapter. |
* [[An Arm and a Leg]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} suffers this when he loses both legs in the first chapter. |
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* [[Animal-Themed Superbeing]]: Phylum *was* this, being able to turn into any animal he wished. {{spoiler|Now he's a chimpanzee for life.}} |
* [[Animal-Themed Superbeing]]: Phylum *was* this, being able to turn into any animal he wished. {{spoiler|Now he's a chimpanzee for life.}} |
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* [[Antagonistic Offspring]]: Subverted. IQ is a retired supervillain, his son, IQ Squared, is a successful software tycoon. |
* [[Antagonistic Offspring]]: Subverted. IQ is a retired supervillain, his son, IQ Squared, is a successful software tycoon. |
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* [[Anyone Can Die]]: A major theme of the book. |
* [[Anyone Can Die]]: A major theme of the book. |
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* [[Archnemesis Dad]]: IQ to his son, IQ Squared. |
* [[Archnemesis Dad]]: IQ to his son, IQ Squared. |
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* [[Artificial Intelligence]]: AIQ Squared, the result of IQ Squared's contingency plan, in case he ever lost his genius. |
* [[Artificial Intelligence]]: AIQ Squared, the result of IQ Squared's contingency plan, in case he ever lost his genius. |
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* {{spoiler|[[Artificial Limbs]]: The now-paraplegeic speedster, Pronto, resorts to this in order to walk again.}} |
* {{spoiler|[[Artificial Limbs]]: The now-paraplegeic speedster, Pronto, resorts to this in order to walk again.}} |
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* [[Attempted Rape]]: The super-heroine Portia experiences this in the middle of a fight when she loses her powers. {{spoiler|Rescued by The Ghoul, she spends the rest of the book coping with the indignity of needing to be saved.}} |
* [[Attempted Rape]]: The super-heroine Portia experiences this in the middle of a fight when she loses her powers. {{spoiler|Rescued by The Ghoul, she spends the rest of the book coping with the indignity of needing to be saved.}} |
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* [[Badass Normal]]: {{spoiler|The Ghoul}} is revealed to be one of these. |
* [[Badass Normal]]: {{spoiler|The Ghoul}} is revealed to be one of these. |
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* [[Baleful Polymorph]]: Entertaining children in hospital, the shape-shifter Phylum {{spoiler|is permanently trapped in the form of a chimpanzee.}} |
* [[Baleful Polymorph]]: Entertaining children in hospital, the shape-shifter Phylum {{spoiler|is permanently trapped in the form of a chimpanzee.}} |
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* [[Better to Die Than Be Killed]]: {{spoiler|Siphon chooses this when she realizes she can't stop AIQ Squared from killing the Pantheon from inside its deathtrap.}} |
* [[Better to Die Than Be Killed]]: {{spoiler|Siphon chooses this when she realizes she can't stop AIQ Squared from killing the Pantheon from inside its deathtrap.}} |
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* [[Beware the Superman]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} is arrested for involuntary manslaughter, and held in suspicion by a portion of the public throughout her career. |
* [[Beware the Superman]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} is arrested for involuntary manslaughter, and held in suspicion by a portion of the public throughout her career. |
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* [[Big Brother Is Watching]]: Being a [[Digitized Hacker]], AIQ Squared is able to monitor all the main characters on a steady basis--to the point of eavesdropping in the Pentagon. |
* [[Big Brother Is Watching]]: Being a [[Digitized Hacker]], AIQ Squared is able to monitor all the main characters on a steady basis--to the point of eavesdropping in the Pentagon. |
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* [[Bittersweet Ending]]: {{spoiler|Siphon dies and no-one gets their powers back.}} However, a flash-forward shows that the heroes and villains do eventually move on and find closure. |
* [[Bittersweet Ending]]: {{spoiler|Siphon dies and no-one gets their powers back.}} However, a flash-forward shows that the heroes and villains do eventually move on and find closure. |
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* [[Black Screen of Death]]: A Black Page of Death is used moments after {{spoiler|Portia steps off the roof of her apartment building.}} |
* [[Black Screen of Death]]: A Black Page of Death is used moments after {{spoiler|Portia steps off the roof of her apartment building.}} |
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* [[Blood From the Mouth]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} has this before the end. |
* [[Blood From the Mouth]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} has this before the end. |
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* [[Brainwashed and Crazy]]: Along with {{spoiler|receiving a new pair of legs, Pronto}} is conditioned to attack his closest friends, and to love the idea. |
* [[Brainwashed and Crazy]]: Along with {{spoiler|receiving a new pair of legs, Pronto}} is conditioned to attack his closest friends, and to love the idea. |
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* [[Brought Down to Normal]]: What happens to every superhero and super villain. Permanently. Many of them are locked in denial for a long time about staying that way. |
* [[Brought Down to Normal]]: What happens to every superhero and super villain. Permanently. Many of them are locked in denial for a long time about staying that way. |
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* [[Brought to You by The Letter "S"]]: S is for Siphon and P is for Paradigm. |
* [[Brought to You by The Letter "S"]]: S is for Siphon and P is for Paradigm. |
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* [[Burning Building Rescue]]: Siphon performs one of these in the course of her duties... {{spoiler|moments before she's arrested for Super-Manslaughter.}} |
* [[Burning Building Rescue]]: Siphon performs one of these in the course of her duties... {{spoiler|moments before she's arrested for Super-Manslaughter.}} |
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* [[C-List Fodder]]: Any number of characters killed in their first appearance, mainly the first chapter. |
* [[C-List Fodder]]: Any number of characters killed in their first appearance, mainly the first chapter. |
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* [[Can't Get Away with Nuthin']]: Siphon learns this applies to her when {{spoiler|she's arrested for the super-manslaughter that resulted from her becoming the world's last superhero}}. |
* [[Can't Get Away with Nuthin']]: Siphon learns this applies to her when {{spoiler|she's arrested for the super-manslaughter that resulted from her becoming the world's last superhero}}. |
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* [[The Cape]]: The superhero veteran, Paradigm. Of all the victims of the Fall, he handles it best. |
* [[The Cape (trope)]]: The superhero veteran, Paradigm. Of all the victims of the Fall, he handles it best. |
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* [[Cape Snag]]: Subverted. Wearing a cape is what saves Paradigm's life. |
* [[Cape Snag]]: Subverted. Wearing a cape is what saves Paradigm's life. |
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* [[Central Theme]]: Bad things happen. You *deal* with them, because they won't magically be reversed. |
* [[Central Theme]]: Bad things happen. You *deal* with them, because they won't magically be reversed. |
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* [[The Chessmaster]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} becomes this, hatching an elaborate plot to try and kill Siphon, using {{spoiler|Phylum and Pronto}} as his less-than-willing pawns. |
* [[The Chessmaster]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} becomes this, hatching an elaborate plot to try and kill Siphon, using {{spoiler|Phylum and Pronto}} as his less-than-willing pawns. |
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* [[Chest Insignia]]: Portia, Paradigm and Siphon. |
* [[Chest Insignia]]: Portia, Paradigm and Siphon. |
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* [[Cliff Hanger]]: Chapters 3, 4 and 5 end this way. |
* [[Cliff Hanger]]: Chapters 3, 4 and 5 end this way. |
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** In Chapter 3, {{spoiler|Siphon}} is placed under arrest for the super-manslaughter of 642 people. |
** In Chapter 3, {{spoiler|Siphon}} is placed under arrest for the super-manslaughter of 642 people. |
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** In Chapter 4, the last thing we see is {{spoiler|Portia}} stepping off a high-rise roof, followed by a [[Black Screen of Death]]. |
** In Chapter 4, the last thing we see is {{spoiler|Portia}} stepping off a high-rise roof, followed by a [[Black Screen of Death]]. |
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* [[Collapsing Lair]]: Subverted. The Order of Despots' [[Supervillain Lair]] on the Moon is still intact and fully operational two years later. |
* [[Collapsing Lair]]: Subverted. The Order of Despots' [[Supervillain Lair]] on the Moon is still intact and fully operational two years later. |
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* [[Colony Drop]]: A giant asteroid, Penumbra, threatens to collide with Earth. {{spoiler|It turns out to be an elaborate hoax.}} |
* [[Colony Drop]]: A giant asteroid, Penumbra, threatens to collide with Earth. {{spoiler|It turns out to be an elaborate hoax.}} |
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* [[The Commissioner Gordon]]: Ex-superhero Plymouth fills this role for Sophie, training her in the use of her powers and coordinating her efforts with the US Government. |
* [[The Commissioner Gordon]]: Ex-superhero Plymouth fills this role for Sophie, training her in the use of her powers and coordinating her efforts with the US Government. |
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* [[The Computer Is Your Friend]]: And it will stop at nothing to kill Siphon and restore the world's powers to their rightful owners. |
* [[The Computer Is Your Friend]]: And it will stop at nothing to kill Siphon and restore the world's powers to their rightful owners. |
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* [[The Corrupter]]: {{spoiler|Phylum}} becomes this to {{spoiler|Pronto}}, thanks to a booby-trapped voice-box that gives poisonous advice. |
* [[The Corrupter]]: {{spoiler|Phylum}} becomes this to {{spoiler|Pronto}}, thanks to a booby-trapped voice-box that gives poisonous advice. |
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* [[The Corruptible]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} proves to be this. He simply wants his powers back more than anything. |
* [[The Corruptible]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} proves to be this. He simply wants his powers back more than anything. |
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* [[Crazy Prepared]]: IQ Squared proves to be this, for programming {{spoiler|AIQ Squared, an AI version of himself}} in the event that he ever lost his super-level genius. |
* [[Crazy Prepared]]: IQ Squared proves to be this, for programming {{spoiler|AIQ Squared, an AI version of himself}} in the event that he ever lost his super-level genius. |
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* [[Cut Lex Luthor a Check]]: The genius supervillain IQ lives in squalor, while his equally-brilliant son (a legitimate businessman) is worth billions. |
* [[Cut Lex Luthor a Check]]: The genius supervillain IQ lives in squalor, while his equally-brilliant son (a legitimate businessman) is worth billions. |
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* [[Cyborg]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} undergoes this treatment to regain his lost powers and attack Siphon on equal footing. |
* [[Cyborg]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} undergoes this treatment to regain his lost powers and attack Siphon on equal footing. |
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* {{spoiler|[[Deadly Nosebleed]]:}} Siphon gets one of these before the end. |
* {{spoiler|[[Deadly Nosebleed]]:}} Siphon gets one of these before the end. |
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* {{spoiler|[[Death-Activated Superpower]]}}: AIQ Squared learns the hard way that {{spoiler|Siphon}} has this. |
* {{spoiler|[[Death-Activated Superpower]]}}: AIQ Squared learns the hard way that {{spoiler|Siphon}} has this. |
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* [[Death by Origin Story]]: The 642 casualties inadvertently killed by Sophie's ascendance in The Fall. |
* [[Death by Origin Story]]: The 642 casualties inadvertently killed by Sophie's ascendance in The Fall. |
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* [[Death Trap]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} employs a deadly [[Power Nullifier]] on the moon. {{spoiler|It succeeds in killing Siphon.}} |
* [[Death Trap]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} employs a deadly [[Power Nullifier]] on the moon. {{spoiler|It succeeds in killing Siphon.}} |
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* [[Denouement]]: A [[Flash Forward]] at a funeral reveals the fates of several main characters: |
* [[Denouement]]: A [[Flash Forward]] at a funeral reveals the fates of several main characters: |
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** {{spoiler|Paradigm}} saves lives as a paramedic. |
** {{spoiler|Paradigm}} saves lives as a paramedic. |
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** {{spoiler|Portia}} fights side-by-side with the Ghoul. |
** {{spoiler|Portia}} fights side-by-side with the Ghoul. |
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** {{spoiler|Pronto}} seeks counselling and rehabilitation in [[Prison]]. |
** {{spoiler|Pronto}} seeks counselling and rehabilitation in [[Prison]]. |
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** {{spoiler|Plymouth}} forgives {{spoiler|Pronto}} and visits him frequently in [[Prison]]. |
** {{spoiler|Plymouth}} forgives {{spoiler|Pronto}} and visits him frequently in [[Prison]]. |
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** {{spoiler|Grace}} happily marries the woman of her dreams. |
** {{spoiler|Grace}} happily marries the woman of her dreams. |
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** {{spoiler|Phylum}} writes a bestselling autobiography. |
** {{spoiler|Phylum}} writes a bestselling autobiography. |
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** {{spoiler|IQ Squared}} ends up in prison, but with his father's respect. |
** {{spoiler|IQ Squared}} ends up in prison, but with his father's respect. |
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* [[De-Power]]: This happens to every superhero and villain in the world. Permanently. |
* [[De-Power]]: This happens to every superhero and villain in the world. Permanently. |
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* [[Didn't See That Coming]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared's}} plot falls apart when he fails to plan ahead for {{spoiler|Siphon's Death Activated Super Power.}} |
* [[Didn't See That Coming]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared's}} plot falls apart when he fails to plan ahead for {{spoiler|Siphon's Death Activated Super Power.}} |
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* {{spoiler|[[Dies Wide Open]]:}} Sophie's last panel. |
* {{spoiler|[[Dies Wide Open]]:}} Sophie's last panel. |
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* [[Digitized Hacker]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} proves a very capable one--considering it's made of the same data as the software it scours for information on Siphon. |
* [[Digitized Hacker]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} proves a very capable one--considering it's made of the same data as the software it scours for information on Siphon. |
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* [[Don't You Dare Pity Me!]]: Portia defiantly bears this for most of the story. |
* [[Don't You Dare Pity Me!]]: Portia defiantly bears this for most of the story. |
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* [[Downer Beginning]]: The story begins with heroes and villains dropping out of the sky to their deaths. |
* [[Downer Beginning]]: The story begins with heroes and villains dropping out of the sky to their deaths. |
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* [[The Dreaded]]: Nearly everyone fears the Ghoul. |
* [[The Dreaded]]: Nearly everyone fears the Ghoul. |
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* [[Driven to Suicide]]: {{spoiler|Portia}} experiences this when it becomes painfully clear she is never getting her powers back. She steps off a tall building. {{spoiler|She is saved by the Ghoul.}} |
* [[Driven to Suicide]]: {{spoiler|Portia}} experiences this when it becomes painfully clear she is never getting her powers back. She steps off a tall building. {{spoiler|She is saved by the Ghoul.}} |
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* [[Drowning My Sorrows]]: Portia attempts this after the loss of her powers, as do several superhero wannabes after being disarmed by the Ghoul. |
* [[Drowning My Sorrows]]: Portia attempts this after the loss of her powers, as do several superhero wannabes after being disarmed by the Ghoul. |
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* [[The Eeyore]]: Pronto is this after {{spoiler|the loss of his legs}}. |
* [[The Eeyore]]: Pronto is this after {{spoiler|the loss of his legs}}. |
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* [[Electric Torture]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} endures a form of this while on a deathtrap power-nullifying platform. |
* [[Electric Torture]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} endures a form of this while on a deathtrap power-nullifying platform. |
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* [[EMP]]: The Colony Drop-sized asteroid Penumbra seems to be radiating this, making a missile attack impossible. |
* [[EMP]]: The Colony Drop-sized asteroid Penumbra seems to be radiating this, making a missile attack impossible. |
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* [[Ending Memorial Service]]: {{spoiler|Grace delivers one of these for Sophie,}} with strong implications that the heroes and villains will eventually find closure and move on. |
* [[Ending Memorial Service]]: {{spoiler|Grace delivers one of these for Sophie,}} with strong implications that the heroes and villains will eventually find closure and move on. |
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* [[Energy Beings]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} briefly becomes one of these before the end. |
* [[Energy Beings]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} briefly becomes one of these before the end. |
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* [[Establishing Series Moment]]: In chapter one, a news vendor comforts a small boy by telling him "Nothin' bad ever lasts in the comics. Death, doom, disaster? There's nothin' they can't fix." Moments later, a superhero plummets out of the sky, destroying the news stand and dying instantly. |
* [[Establishing Series Moment]]: In chapter one, a news vendor comforts a small boy by telling him "Nothin' bad ever lasts in the comics. Death, doom, disaster? There's nothin' they can't fix." Moments later, a superhero plummets out of the sky, destroying the news stand and dying instantly. |
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* [[Everything's Better with Monkeys]]: The shape-shifter, Phylum, spends the book as a chimpanzee as a result of losing his powers. |
* [[Everything's Better with Monkeys]]: The shape-shifter, Phylum, spends the book as a chimpanzee as a result of losing his powers. |
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* [[Evil Costume Switch]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} gets one of these in his new identity as the Modern Prometheus. |
* [[Evil Costume Switch]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} gets one of these in his new identity as the Modern Prometheus. |
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* [[Evil Gloating]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} lays out his entire scheme to the confused and outraged IQ Squared. |
* [[Evil Gloating]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} lays out his entire scheme to the confused and outraged IQ Squared. |
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* [[Evil Old Folks]]: IQ lives in a squalid retirement home and has not lost an inch of his hate for the good guys. |
* [[Evil Old Folks]]: IQ lives in a squalid retirement home and has not lost an inch of his hate for the good guys. |
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* [[Evil Genius]]: IQ is VERY bitter about not being one of these anymore. |
* [[Evil Genius]]: IQ is VERY bitter about not being one of these anymore. |
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* [[Exact Words]]: "Nothing *on Earth* is unlawful about what's taking place." |
* [[Exact Words]]: "Nothing *on Earth* is unlawful about what's taking place." |
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* [[Face Death with Dignity]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} manages to pull this off. |
* [[Face Death with Dignity]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} manages to pull this off. |
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* [[Face Heel Turn]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} undergoes this in exchange for new legs as fast as his old ones. |
* [[Face Heel Turn]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} undergoes this in exchange for new legs as fast as his old ones. |
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* [[Faceless Goons]]: The Order of Despots has a small army of them on their moon base. |
* [[Faceless Goons]]: The Order of Despots has a small army of them on their moon base. |
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* [[Fake-Out Opening]]: The story begins with a hero having his powers drained by a Mad Scientist. It's revealed to be a comic book, read by a small boy. |
* [[Fake-Out Opening]]: The story begins with a hero having his powers drained by a Mad Scientist. It's revealed to be a comic book, read by a small boy. |
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** Used again in chapter three. What appears to be a flashback to the end of chapter two is actually a holodeck recreation for IQ Squared to work out some frustration with his father. |
** Used again in chapter three. What appears to be a flashback to the end of chapter two is actually a holodeck recreation for IQ Squared to work out some frustration with his father. |
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* [[Fallen Hero]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} will do *anything* to get his powers back. |
* [[Fallen Hero]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} will do *anything* to get his powers back. |
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* [[False Reassurance]]: "Nothing *on Earth* is unlawful about what's taking place." |
* [[False Reassurance]]: "Nothing *on Earth* is unlawful about what's taking place." |
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* [[Fist of Rage]]: When he hears about Siphon, Pronto has one of these that is so intense he makes his palm bleed. |
* [[Fist of Rage]]: When he hears about Siphon, Pronto has one of these that is so intense he makes his palm bleed. |
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* [[Five-Man Band]]: The Pantheon was this, consisting of Portia, Paradigm, Pronto, Phylum and Plymouth. |
* [[Five-Man Band]]: The Pantheon was this, consisting of Portia, Paradigm, Pronto, Phylum and Plymouth. |
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* [[Five Stages of Grief]]: The central theme of the book. |
* [[Five Stages of Grief]]: The central theme of the book. |
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* [[Flashback Echo]]: Chapter Two revolves around heroes (and Sophie) remembering the last time the Pantheon was truly heroic, involving a mission on the moon. |
* [[Flashback Echo]]: Chapter Two revolves around heroes (and Sophie) remembering the last time the Pantheon was truly heroic, involving a mission on the moon. |
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* [[Flash Step]]: The Modern Prometheus uses this to {{spoiler|pin down and trap Siphon and the Pantheon}} between the 'G' and 'O' of the word "Gotcha". Simultaneously. |
* [[Flash Step]]: The Modern Prometheus uses this to {{spoiler|pin down and trap Siphon and the Pantheon}} between the 'G' and 'O' of the word "Gotcha". Simultaneously. |
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* [[Flying Brick]]: What Sophie becomes after absorbing the powers of every other superhero or supervillain in the world. |
* [[Flying Brick]]: What Sophie becomes after absorbing the powers of every other superhero or supervillain in the world. |
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* [[Gas Mask Mooks]]: The Order of Despots' minions are all equipped with their stand issue, needlessly creepy gas masks. |
* [[Gas Mask Mooks]]: The Order of Despots' minions are all equipped with their stand issue, needlessly creepy gas masks. |
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* [["Get Out of Jail Free" Card]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} gets one of these in the form of a Presidential Pardon. |
* [["Get Out of Jail Free" Card]]: {{spoiler|Siphon}} gets one of these in the form of a Presidential Pardon. |
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* [[The Glomp]]: Grace tackles Sophie with one of these after seeing her for the first time in months. |
* [[The Glomp]]: Grace tackles Sophie with one of these after seeing her for the first time in months. |
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* [[Heroic Wannabe]]: Several spring up after The Fall to fill the void of the ex-superheroes. {{spoiler|They are permanently discouraged by The Ghoul.}} |
* [[Heroic Wannabe]]: Several spring up after The Fall to fill the void of the ex-superheroes. {{spoiler|They are permanently discouraged by The Ghoul.}} |
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* [[Hero with Bad Publicity]]: Siphon suffers from this {{spoiler|when she is arrested on the news, for the deaths and injuries her accidental power-stealing caused.}} |
* [[Hero with Bad Publicity]]: Siphon suffers from this {{spoiler|when she is arrested on the news, for the deaths and injuries her accidental power-stealing caused.}} |
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* [[Hollywood Pudgy]]: Portia laments having gained nine pounds since she lost her powers (and her superhero metabolism). |
* [[Hollywood Pudgy]]: Portia laments having gained nine pounds since she lost her powers (and her superhero metabolism). |
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* [[Hope Springs Eternal]]: A theme of the book. Even in the face of great tragedy, there's potential for things to improve. |
* [[Hope Springs Eternal]]: A theme of the book. Even in the face of great tragedy, there's potential for things to improve. |
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* [[How Do I Shot Web?]]: Sophie suffers from this at first, using several powers by accident until she learns to bring them under control. |
* [[How Do I Shot Web?]]: Sophie suffers from this at first, using several powers by accident until she learns to bring them under control. |
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* [[I Just Want to Be Special]]: Virtually everyone that lost their powers wants them back. |
* [[I Just Want to Be Special]]: Virtually everyone that lost their powers wants them back. |
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* [["I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight]]: Members of the Pantheon try to reach out to {{spoiler|Pronto}} this way. They don't quite succeed. |
* [["I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight]]: Members of the Pantheon try to reach out to {{spoiler|Pronto}} this way. They don't quite succeed. |
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* [[Impossible Genius]]: Both IQ and IQ Squared are these. The former built doomsday weapons, the latter created a software empire worth billions. |
* [[Impossible Genius]]: Both IQ and IQ Squared are these. The former built doomsday weapons, the latter created a software empire worth billions. |
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* [[In Medias Res]]: The story begins with superheroes already falling out of the sky. |
* [[In Medias Res]]: The story begins with superheroes already falling out of the sky. |
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* [[Institutional Apparel]]: {{spoiler|IQ Squared and Pronto}} wear this after they end up in prison. |
* [[Institutional Apparel]]: {{spoiler|IQ Squared and Pronto}} wear this after they end up in prison. |
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* [[Insufferable Genius]]: AIQ Squared is this in spades. |
* [[Insufferable Genius]]: AIQ Squared is this in spades. |
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* [[Interface with a Familiar Face]]: AIQ Squared looks and sounds exactly like IQ Squared, when he was still a super genius. |
* [[Interface with a Familiar Face]]: AIQ Squared looks and sounds exactly like IQ Squared, when he was still a super genius. |
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* [[Interrupted Suicide]]: {{spoiler|Portia's}} short walk off a skyscraper is successfully averted. |
* [[Interrupted Suicide]]: {{spoiler|Portia's}} short walk off a skyscraper is successfully averted. |
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* [[It Never Gets Any Easier]]: In Chapter 1, Dr. Young finds himself overwhelmed by the sheer number of injured superheroes coming in at once. |
* [[It Never Gets Any Easier]]: In Chapter 1, Dr. Young finds himself overwhelmed by the sheer number of injured superheroes coming in at once. |
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* [[It Runs in The Family]]: IQ and IQ Squared are both lonely, brilliant, irritable men who find it impossible to talk to each other. |
* [[It Runs in The Family]]: IQ and IQ Squared are both lonely, brilliant, irritable men who find it impossible to talk to each other. |
||
* [[It's Always Sunny At Funerals]]: Both funerals are held on bright, sunny days. |
* [[It's Always Sunny At Funerals]]: Both funerals are held on bright, sunny days. |
||
* [[Just Between You and Me]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} delivers this in the final chapter, explaining how and why Siphon was manipulated into a position where {{spoiler|she would be helpless to prevent her powers being stripped from her, killing her in the process.}} |
* [[Just Between You and Me]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} delivers this in the final chapter, explaining how and why Siphon was manipulated into a position where {{spoiler|she would be helpless to prevent her powers being stripped from her, killing her in the process.}} |
||
* [[Lawyer-Friendly Cameo]]: Appearances are made by Bruce Banner, Alfred, Tony Stark, the [[Power Puff]] Girls and others. |
* [[Lawyer-Friendly Cameo]]: Appearances are made by Bruce Banner, Alfred, Tony Stark, the [[Power Puff]] Girls and others. |
||
* [[Legion of Doom]]: The Order of Despots is this to the Pantheon. |
* [[Legion of Doom]]: The Order of Despots is this to the Pantheon. |
||
* [[Living Battery]]: The Order of Despots kidnaps the superhero Isotope to use him for this very purpose. |
* [[Living Battery]]: The Order of Despots kidnaps the superhero Isotope to use him for this very purpose. |
||
* [[Lured Into a Trap]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} creates this using a {{spoiler|hoax}} massive asteroid and a shrink ray on the moon that runs on Living Batteries. |
* [[Lured Into a Trap]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} creates this using a {{spoiler|hoax}} massive asteroid and a shrink ray on the moon that runs on Living Batteries. |
||
* [[Make It Look Like an Accident]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared's}} plot involves this, Siphon, and a Power Nullifier on the moon. |
* [[Make It Look Like an Accident]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared's}} plot involves this, Siphon, and a Power Nullifier on the moon. |
||
* [[Manipulative Bastard]]: Using {{spoiler|Phylum's voice box, AIQ Squared}} manipulates {{spoiler|Pronto}} into selling his soul for the chance to get his powers back. |
* [[Manipulative Bastard]]: Using {{spoiler|Phylum's voice box, AIQ Squared}} manipulates {{spoiler|Pronto}} into selling his soul for the chance to get his powers back. |
||
* [[Meaningful Funeral]]: Chapter Two revolves around one of these for all the heroes and villains who died in The Fall. {{spoiler|The book ends with another one for Sophie.}} |
* [[Meaningful Funeral]]: Chapter Two revolves around one of these for all the heroes and villains who died in The Fall. {{spoiler|The book ends with another one for Sophie.}} |
||
* [[Milking the Giant Cow]]: IQ, card carrying ham, has one of these moments in church. |
* [[Milking the Giant Cow]]: IQ, card carrying ham, has one of these moments in church. |
||
* [[Misery Poker]]: The Pantheon get together for a game and this is the result. {{spoiler|Phylum wins.}} |
* [[Misery Poker]]: The Pantheon get together for a game and this is the result. {{spoiler|Phylum wins.}} |
||
* [[Mooks]]: The Order of Despots have a small army of them on their moon base. |
* [[Mooks]]: The Order of Despots have a small army of them on their moon base. |
||
* [[My Brain Is Big]]: IQ and IQ Squared had extra-large heads while they were super-geniuses. Their craniums were reduced to normal in The Fall. |
* [[My Brain Is Big]]: IQ and IQ Squared had extra-large heads while they were super-geniuses. Their craniums were reduced to normal in The Fall. |
||
* [[News Broadcast]]: Used in-universe a few times. |
* [[News Broadcast]]: Used in-universe a few times. |
||
* [[Not Afraid to Die]]: With her last words, {{spoiler|Siphon}} proves she is this. |
* [[Not Afraid to Die]]: With her last words, {{spoiler|Siphon}} proves she is this. |
||
* [[Pieta Plagiarism]]: The Ghoul holds {{spoiler|Portia}} this way after rescuing her. |
* [[Pieta Plagiarism]]: The Ghoul holds {{spoiler|Portia}} this way after rescuing her. |
||
* [[Power Crystal]]: Count Von Deadly uses one of these--before he explodes. |
* [[Power Crystal]]: Count Von Deadly uses one of these--before he explodes. |
||
* [[Power Glows]]: Siphon exhibits this to a blinding degree {{spoiler|shortly before she dies.}} |
* [[Power Glows]]: Siphon exhibits this to a blinding degree {{spoiler|shortly before she dies.}} |
||
* [[Power Nullifier]]: Sophie is a walking one, and IQ Squared designed a device to do this to super-powered villains in prison... including his father. |
* [[Power Nullifier]]: Sophie is a walking one, and IQ Squared designed a device to do this to super-powered villains in prison... including his father. |
||
* [[Powers in the First Episode]]: This is Sophie, at first. She has stolen every power on Earth, with no idea at first how to use them. |
* [[Powers in the First Episode]]: This is Sophie, at first. She has stolen every power on Earth, with no idea at first how to use them. |
||
* [[Pre-Ass-Kicking One-Liner]]: The Ghoul delivers these, in the form of announcing the sin you're committing before he takes you out. |
* [[Pre-Ass-Kicking One-Liner]]: The Ghoul delivers these, in the form of announcing the sin you're committing before he takes you out. |
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* [[Pride]]: This blinds Portia for the majority of the story. |
* [[Pride]]: This blinds Portia for the majority of the story. |
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* [[Puberty Superpower]]: The story begins the day after Sophie Mitchell hits puberty. |
* [[Puberty Superpower]]: The story begins the day after Sophie Mitchell hits puberty. |
||
* [[Revenge Before Reason]]: This motivates {{spoiler|Pronto}} into selling out his friends to get his powers back. |
* [[Revenge Before Reason]]: This motivates {{spoiler|Pronto}} into selling out his friends to get his powers back. |
||
* [[Rogues Gallery]]: Before they lost their powers en masse, the Order of Despots was this to the Pantheon. |
* [[Rogues Gallery]]: Before they lost their powers en masse, the Order of Despots was this to the Pantheon. |
||
* [[Rooftop Confrontation]]: Portia trades blows with the Ghoul after he {{spoiler|interrupts her suicide attempt}}. |
* [[Rooftop Confrontation]]: Portia trades blows with the Ghoul after he {{spoiler|interrupts her suicide attempt}}. |
||
* [[Secret Identity]]: Siphon's identity is not public knowledge, but her role as the world's last superhero leaves her very little time for a double life. |
* [[Secret Identity]]: Siphon's identity is not public knowledge, but her role as the world's last superhero leaves her very little time for a double life. |
||
* [[Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness]]: AIQ Squared suffers this. He can't help it, it's in his programming. |
* [[Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness]]: AIQ Squared suffers this. He can't help it, it's in his programming. |
||
* [[Shrink Ray]]: The Order of Despots has one on the Moon, and threaten to shrink the Earth with it. It comes up again later as a possible solution to a Colony Drop-sized asteroid {{spoiler|which turns out to be a hoax}}. |
* [[Shrink Ray]]: The Order of Despots has one on the Moon, and threaten to shrink the Earth with it. It comes up again later as a possible solution to a Colony Drop-sized asteroid {{spoiler|which turns out to be a hoax}}. |
||
* [[Smug Snake]]: AIQ Squared is this to absolutely everyone. |
* [[Smug Snake]]: AIQ Squared is this to absolutely everyone. |
||
* [[So Proud of You]]: Played for laughs when {{spoiler|IQ}} visits {{spoiler|IQ Squared}} in prison. |
* [[So Proud of You]]: Played for laughs when {{spoiler|IQ}} visits {{spoiler|IQ Squared}} in prison. |
||
* [[Space Base]]: The Order of Despots has one of these on the moon. It is seen in first in a flashback, and is later visited in the present. |
* [[Space Base]]: The Order of Despots has one of these on the moon. It is seen in first in a flashback, and is later visited in the present. |
||
* [[Static Character]]: {{spoiler|Paradigm}}. Of everyone who's suffered a loss, he is essentially the same person afterwards as before. |
* [[Static Character]]: {{spoiler|Paradigm}}. Of everyone who's suffered a loss, he is essentially the same person afterwards as before. |
||
* [[Stuff Blowing Up]]: Count Von Deadly goes out this way, when he loses the ability to control his magic powers. |
* [[Stuff Blowing Up]]: Count Von Deadly goes out this way, when he loses the ability to control his magic powers. |
||
* [[Super-Hero School]]: How Sophie learned to control her powers: she was coached by Plymouth, an ex-hero, along with a stack of 'How To' books. |
* [[Super-Hero School]]: How Sophie learned to control her powers: she was coached by Plymouth, an ex-hero, along with a stack of 'How To' books. |
||
* [[Super-Hero Speciation]]: The Pantheon enjoyed having a well-rounded team of heroes before they lost their powers. So did their nemeses, the Order of Despots. |
* [[Super-Hero Speciation]]: The Pantheon enjoyed having a well-rounded team of heroes before they lost their powers. So did their nemeses, the Order of Despots. |
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* [[Super Intelligence]]: Both IQ and IQ Squared were world-class inventors in their prime. |
* [[Super Intelligence]]: Both IQ and IQ Squared were world-class inventors in their prime. |
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* [[Supervillain Lair]]: The Order of Despots has one, on the moon. It's seen in a flashback in chapter two {{spoiler|and the heroes return there for the climax in chapter six}}. |
* [[Supervillain Lair]]: The Order of Despots has one, on the moon. It's seen in a flashback in chapter two {{spoiler|and the heroes return there for the climax in chapter six}}. |
||
* [[Suspiciously Specific Denial]]: "Nothing *on Earth* is unlawful about what's taking place." |
* [[Suspiciously Specific Denial]]: "Nothing *on Earth* is unlawful about what's taking place." |
||
* [[Suspiciously Specific Sermon]]: Father Hector delivers a sermon on remaining strong in the face of adversity, intercut with a [[Flash Back]] to the Pantheon duking it out with the Order of Despots on the moon. |
* [[Suspiciously Specific Sermon]]: Father Hector delivers a sermon on remaining strong in the face of adversity, intercut with a [[Flash Back]] to the Pantheon duking it out with the Order of Despots on the moon. |
||
* [[Tears of Fear]]: Portia weeps at the climax--not for her own sake, but for what {{spoiler|the Modern Prometheus}} could do to her friends. |
* [[Tears of Fear]]: Portia weeps at the climax--not for her own sake, but for what {{spoiler|the Modern Prometheus}} could do to her friends. |
||
* [[Tell Me Again]]: Pronto requests a recap of the Pantheon's plan in the flashback in chapter two. |
* [[Tell Me Again]]: Pronto requests a recap of the Pantheon's plan in the flashback in chapter two. |
||
* [[This Cannot Be!]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} says something to this effect moments before his downfall. |
* [[This Cannot Be!]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} says something to this effect moments before his downfall. |
||
* [["Three Laws"-Compliant]]: AIQ Squared, the AI model of his inventor, is designed to be this. {{spoiler|It finds a loophole--Sophie Mitchell is no longer human.}} |
* [["Three Laws"-Compliant]]: AIQ Squared, the AI model of his inventor, is designed to be this. {{spoiler|It finds a loophole--Sophie Mitchell is no longer human.}} |
||
* [[Tragic Dream]]: Any hopes the heroes or villains have about ever getting their powers back. |
* [[Tragic Dream]]: Any hopes the heroes or villains have about ever getting their powers back. |
||
* [[Translator Collar]]: Phylum receives one in the mail from an anonymous donor, giving him back his voice. {{spoiler|It's booby-trapped to give corrupting advice to Pronto from the lips of his best friend.}} |
* [[Translator Collar]]: Phylum receives one in the mail from an anonymous donor, giving him back his voice. {{spoiler|It's booby-trapped to give corrupting advice to Pronto from the lips of his best friend.}} |
||
* [[Treacherous Advisor]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} is this to Siphon and the Pantheon. Mildly subverted in that he is legitimately looking out for IQ Squared's best interests. |
* [[Treacherous Advisor]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} is this to Siphon and the Pantheon. Mildly subverted in that he is legitimately looking out for IQ Squared's best interests. |
||
* [[Treacherous Quest-Giver]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} is this to Siphon and the Pantheon when he sends them on a mission to the moon. |
* [[Treacherous Quest-Giver]]: {{spoiler|AIQ Squared}} is this to Siphon and the Pantheon when he sends them on a mission to the moon. |
||
* [[Tropaholics Anonymous]]: Paradigm admits to Portia that since The Fall, he's been attending meetings at 'Remaining Heroes'. |
* [[Tropaholics Anonymous]]: Paradigm admits to Portia that since The Fall, he's been attending meetings at 'Remaining Heroes'. |
||
* [[Turncoat]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} becomes this in exchange for a new pair of legs. |
* [[Turncoat]]: {{spoiler|Pronto}} becomes this in exchange for a new pair of legs. |
||
* [[Two First Names]]: Our heroine, Sophie Mitchell. |
* [[Two First Names]]: Our heroine, Sophie Mitchell. |
||
* [[Unable to Cry]]: Portia is this in spades, {{spoiler|before breaking down in the Ghoul's arms after he averts her attempted suicide.}} |
* [[Unable to Cry]]: Portia is this in spades, {{spoiler|before breaking down in the Ghoul's arms after he averts her attempted suicide.}} |
||
* [[The Unmasking]]: Used twice: once to reveal to the reader who {{spoiler|the Ghoul}} really is, and again when {{spoiler|Sophie reveals her identity to her best friend, Grace.}} |
* [[The Unmasking]]: Used twice: once to reveal to the reader who {{spoiler|the Ghoul}} really is, and again when {{spoiler|Sophie reveals her identity to her best friend, Grace.}} |
Revision as of 23:35, 5 October 2014
"Nothin' bad ever lasts in the comics. Death, doom, disaster? There's nothin' they can't fix."
—A News Vendor, moments before his newsstand is crushed by a falling superhero.
|
All Fall Down (2011) is a Graphic Novel created by Casey Jones and Anvit Randeria, along with half a dozen other illustrators. It tells the story of Sophie Mitchell, a teenager who accidentally steals every last superpower on Earth. Several heroes and villains die or are injured as a result of losing their powers while in use. Sophie is acquired by the government and trained to become Siphon, the world's last superhero; while the ex-heroes and villains strive to pick up their lives and move on... not all of them succeed.
The book explores Dr. Kubler-Ross's Stages of Grief, and the effects such a loss would have on superheroes.
This book provides examples of the following tropes:
- AI Is a Crapshoot: IQ Squared created AIQ Squared as a contingency plan if he ever lost his genius. AIQ immediately begins plotting to kill Siphon in order to restore its creator's brilliance.
- All Your Powers Combined: The protagonist, Sophie, experiences this with every superpower on Earth. Permanently.
- An Arm and a Leg: Pronto suffers this when he loses both legs in the first chapter.
- Animal-Themed Superbeing: Phylum *was* this, being able to turn into any animal he wished. Now he's a chimpanzee for life.
- Antagonistic Offspring: Subverted. IQ is a retired supervillain, his son, IQ Squared, is a successful software tycoon.
- Anyone Can Die: A major theme of the book.
- Archnemesis Dad: IQ to his son, IQ Squared.
- Artificial Intelligence: AIQ Squared, the result of IQ Squared's contingency plan, in case he ever lost his genius.
- Artificial Limbs: The now-paraplegeic speedster, Pronto, resorts to this in order to walk again.
- Attempted Rape: The super-heroine Portia experiences this in the middle of a fight when she loses her powers. Rescued by The Ghoul, she spends the rest of the book coping with the indignity of needing to be saved.
- Badass Normal: The Ghoul is revealed to be one of these.
- Baleful Polymorph: Entertaining children in hospital, the shape-shifter Phylum is permanently trapped in the form of a chimpanzee.
- Better to Die Than Be Killed: Siphon chooses this when she realizes she can't stop AIQ Squared from killing the Pantheon from inside its deathtrap.
- Beware the Superman: Siphon is arrested for involuntary manslaughter, and held in suspicion by a portion of the public throughout her career.
- Big Brother Is Watching: Being a Digitized Hacker, AIQ Squared is able to monitor all the main characters on a steady basis--to the point of eavesdropping in the Pentagon.
- Bittersweet Ending: Siphon dies and no-one gets their powers back. However, a flash-forward shows that the heroes and villains do eventually move on and find closure.
- Black Screen of Death: A Black Page of Death is used moments after Portia steps off the roof of her apartment building.
- Blood From the Mouth: Siphon has this before the end.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Along with receiving a new pair of legs, Pronto is conditioned to attack his closest friends, and to love the idea.
- Brought Down to Normal: What happens to every superhero and super villain. Permanently. Many of them are locked in denial for a long time about staying that way.
- Brought to You by The Letter "S": S is for Siphon and P is for Paradigm.
- Burning Building Rescue: Siphon performs one of these in the course of her duties... moments before she's arrested for Super-Manslaughter.
- C-List Fodder: Any number of characters killed in their first appearance, mainly the first chapter.
- Can't Get Away with Nuthin': Siphon learns this applies to her when she's arrested for the super-manslaughter that resulted from her becoming the world's last superhero.
- The Cape (trope): The superhero veteran, Paradigm. Of all the victims of the Fall, he handles it best.
- Cape Snag: Subverted. Wearing a cape is what saves Paradigm's life.
- Central Theme: Bad things happen. You *deal* with them, because they won't magically be reversed.
- The Chessmaster: AIQ Squared becomes this, hatching an elaborate plot to try and kill Siphon, using Phylum and Pronto as his less-than-willing pawns.
- Chest Insignia: Portia, Paradigm and Siphon.
- Cliff Hanger: Chapters 3, 4 and 5 end this way.
- In Chapter 3, Siphon is placed under arrest for the super-manslaughter of 642 people.
- In Chapter 4, the last thing we see is Portia stepping off a high-rise roof, followed by a Black Screen of Death.
- In Chapter 5, we see Pronto, Brainwashed and Crazy, about to be unleashed on his unsuspecting friends.
- Collapsing Lair: Subverted. The Order of Despots' Supervillain Lair on the Moon is still intact and fully operational two years later.
- Colony Drop: A giant asteroid, Penumbra, threatens to collide with Earth. It turns out to be an elaborate hoax.
- The Commissioner Gordon: Ex-superhero Plymouth fills this role for Sophie, training her in the use of her powers and coordinating her efforts with the US Government.
- The Computer Is Your Friend: And it will stop at nothing to kill Siphon and restore the world's powers to their rightful owners.
- The Corrupter: Phylum becomes this to Pronto, thanks to a booby-trapped voice-box that gives poisonous advice.
- The Corruptible: Pronto proves to be this. He simply wants his powers back more than anything.
- Crazy Prepared: IQ Squared proves to be this, for programming AIQ Squared, an AI version of himself in the event that he ever lost his super-level genius.
- Cut Lex Luthor a Check: The genius supervillain IQ lives in squalor, while his equally-brilliant son (a legitimate businessman) is worth billions.
- Cyborg: Pronto undergoes this treatment to regain his lost powers and attack Siphon on equal footing.
- Deadly Nosebleed: Siphon gets one of these before the end.
- Death-Activated Superpower: AIQ Squared learns the hard way that Siphon has this.
- Death by Origin Story: The 642 casualties inadvertently killed by Sophie's ascendance in The Fall.
- Death Trap: AIQ Squared employs a deadly Power Nullifier on the moon. It succeeds in killing Siphon.
- Denouement: A Flash Forward at a funeral reveals the fates of several main characters:
- Paradigm saves lives as a paramedic.
- Portia fights side-by-side with the Ghoul.
- Pronto seeks counselling and rehabilitation in Prison.
- Plymouth forgives Pronto and visits him frequently in Prison.
- Grace happily marries the woman of her dreams.
- Phylum writes a bestselling autobiography.
- IQ Squared ends up in prison, but with his father's respect.
- De-Power: This happens to every superhero and villain in the world. Permanently.
- Didn't See That Coming: AIQ Squared's plot falls apart when he fails to plan ahead for Siphon's Death Activated Super Power.
- Dies Wide Open: Sophie's last panel.
- Digitized Hacker: AIQ Squared proves a very capable one--considering it's made of the same data as the software it scours for information on Siphon.
- Don't You Dare Pity Me!: Portia defiantly bears this for most of the story.
- Downer Beginning: The story begins with heroes and villains dropping out of the sky to their deaths.
- The Dreaded: Nearly everyone fears the Ghoul.
- Driven to Suicide: Portia experiences this when it becomes painfully clear she is never getting her powers back. She steps off a tall building. She is saved by the Ghoul.
- Drowning My Sorrows: Portia attempts this after the loss of her powers, as do several superhero wannabes after being disarmed by the Ghoul.
- The Eeyore: Pronto is this after the loss of his legs.
- Electric Torture: Siphon endures a form of this while on a deathtrap power-nullifying platform.
- EMP: The Colony Drop-sized asteroid Penumbra seems to be radiating this, making a missile attack impossible.
- Ending Memorial Service: Grace delivers one of these for Sophie, with strong implications that the heroes and villains will eventually find closure and move on.
- Energy Beings: Siphon briefly becomes one of these before the end.
- Establishing Series Moment: In chapter one, a news vendor comforts a small boy by telling him "Nothin' bad ever lasts in the comics. Death, doom, disaster? There's nothin' they can't fix." Moments later, a superhero plummets out of the sky, destroying the news stand and dying instantly.
- Everything's Better with Monkeys: The shape-shifter, Phylum, spends the book as a chimpanzee as a result of losing his powers.
- Evil Costume Switch: Pronto gets one of these in his new identity as the Modern Prometheus.
- Evil Gloating: AIQ Squared lays out his entire scheme to the confused and outraged IQ Squared.
- Evil Old Folks: IQ lives in a squalid retirement home and has not lost an inch of his hate for the good guys.
- Evil Genius: IQ is VERY bitter about not being one of these anymore.
- Exact Words: "Nothing *on Earth* is unlawful about what's taking place."
- Face Death with Dignity: Siphon manages to pull this off.
- Face Heel Turn: Pronto undergoes this in exchange for new legs as fast as his old ones.
- Faceless Goons: The Order of Despots has a small army of them on their moon base.
- Fake-Out Opening: The story begins with a hero having his powers drained by a Mad Scientist. It's revealed to be a comic book, read by a small boy.
- Used again in chapter three. What appears to be a flashback to the end of chapter two is actually a holodeck recreation for IQ Squared to work out some frustration with his father.
- Fallen Hero: Pronto will do *anything* to get his powers back.
- False Reassurance: "Nothing *on Earth* is unlawful about what's taking place."
- Fist of Rage: When he hears about Siphon, Pronto has one of these that is so intense he makes his palm bleed.
- Five-Man Band: The Pantheon was this, consisting of Portia, Paradigm, Pronto, Phylum and Plymouth.
- Five Stages of Grief: The central theme of the book.
- Flashback Echo: Chapter Two revolves around heroes (and Sophie) remembering the last time the Pantheon was truly heroic, involving a mission on the moon.
- Flash Step: The Modern Prometheus uses this to pin down and trap Siphon and the Pantheon between the 'G' and 'O' of the word "Gotcha". Simultaneously.
- Flying Brick: What Sophie becomes after absorbing the powers of every other superhero or supervillain in the world.
- Foreshadowing: On his first trip to the moon, Pronto complains about being "boxed in." In issue five, he is in a crate, arriving at the same destination, as AIQ Squared's secret weapon.
- Framing Device: Chapter Two's funeral service frames a flashback to the heroes and villains' last hour of glory.
- Gas Mask Mooks: The Order of Despots' minions are all equipped with their stand issue, needlessly creepy gas masks.
- "Get Out of Jail Free" Card: Siphon gets one of these in the form of a Presidential Pardon.
- The Glomp: Grace tackles Sophie with one of these after seeing her for the first time in months.
- Heroic Wannabe: Several spring up after The Fall to fill the void of the ex-superheroes. They are permanently discouraged by The Ghoul.
- Hero with Bad Publicity: Siphon suffers from this when she is arrested on the news, for the deaths and injuries her accidental power-stealing caused.
- Hollywood Pudgy: Portia laments having gained nine pounds since she lost her powers (and her superhero metabolism).
- Hope Springs Eternal: A theme of the book. Even in the face of great tragedy, there's potential for things to improve.
- How Do I Shot Web?: Sophie suffers from this at first, using several powers by accident until she learns to bring them under control.
- I Just Want to Be Special: Virtually everyone that lost their powers wants them back.
- "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: Members of the Pantheon try to reach out to Pronto this way. They don't quite succeed.
- Impossible Genius: Both IQ and IQ Squared are these. The former built doomsday weapons, the latter created a software empire worth billions.
- In Medias Res: The story begins with superheroes already falling out of the sky.
- Institutional Apparel: IQ Squared and Pronto wear this after they end up in prison.
- Insufferable Genius: AIQ Squared is this in spades.
- Interface with a Familiar Face: AIQ Squared looks and sounds exactly like IQ Squared, when he was still a super genius.
- Interrupted Suicide: Portia's short walk off a skyscraper is successfully averted.
- It Never Gets Any Easier: In Chapter 1, Dr. Young finds himself overwhelmed by the sheer number of injured superheroes coming in at once.
- It Runs in The Family: IQ and IQ Squared are both lonely, brilliant, irritable men who find it impossible to talk to each other.
- It's Always Sunny At Funerals: Both funerals are held on bright, sunny days.
- Just Between You and Me: AIQ Squared delivers this in the final chapter, explaining how and why Siphon was manipulated into a position where she would be helpless to prevent her powers being stripped from her, killing her in the process.
- Lawyer-Friendly Cameo: Appearances are made by Bruce Banner, Alfred, Tony Stark, the Power Puff Girls and others.
- Legion of Doom: The Order of Despots is this to the Pantheon.
- Living Battery: The Order of Despots kidnaps the superhero Isotope to use him for this very purpose.
- Lured Into a Trap: AIQ Squared creates this using a hoax massive asteroid and a shrink ray on the moon that runs on Living Batteries.
- Make It Look Like an Accident: AIQ Squared's plot involves this, Siphon, and a Power Nullifier on the moon.
- Manipulative Bastard: Using Phylum's voice box, AIQ Squared manipulates Pronto into selling his soul for the chance to get his powers back.
- Meaningful Funeral: Chapter Two revolves around one of these for all the heroes and villains who died in The Fall. The book ends with another one for Sophie.
- Milking the Giant Cow: IQ, card carrying ham, has one of these moments in church.
- Misery Poker: The Pantheon get together for a game and this is the result. Phylum wins.
- Mooks: The Order of Despots have a small army of them on their moon base.
- My Brain Is Big: IQ and IQ Squared had extra-large heads while they were super-geniuses. Their craniums were reduced to normal in The Fall.
- News Broadcast: Used in-universe a few times.
- Not Afraid to Die: With her last words, Siphon proves she is this.
- Pieta Plagiarism: The Ghoul holds Portia this way after rescuing her.
- Power Crystal: Count Von Deadly uses one of these--before he explodes.
- Power Glows: Siphon exhibits this to a blinding degree shortly before she dies.
- Power Nullifier: Sophie is a walking one, and IQ Squared designed a device to do this to super-powered villains in prison... including his father.
- Powers in the First Episode: This is Sophie, at first. She has stolen every power on Earth, with no idea at first how to use them.
- Pre-Ass-Kicking One-Liner: The Ghoul delivers these, in the form of announcing the sin you're committing before he takes you out.
- Pride: This blinds Portia for the majority of the story.
- Prison: IQ Squared and Pronto end up here at the finish.
- Projected Man: AIQ Squared generally appears as this.
- Puberty Superpower: The story begins the day after Sophie Mitchell hits puberty.
- Revenge Before Reason: This motivates Pronto into selling out his friends to get his powers back.
- Rogues Gallery: Before they lost their powers en masse, the Order of Despots was this to the Pantheon.
- Rooftop Confrontation: Portia trades blows with the Ghoul after he interrupts her suicide attempt.
- Secret Identity: Siphon's identity is not public knowledge, but her role as the world's last superhero leaves her very little time for a double life.
- Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness: AIQ Squared suffers this. He can't help it, it's in his programming.
- Shrink Ray: The Order of Despots has one on the Moon, and threaten to shrink the Earth with it. It comes up again later as a possible solution to a Colony Drop-sized asteroid which turns out to be a hoax.
- Smug Snake: AIQ Squared is this to absolutely everyone.
- So Proud of You: Played for laughs when IQ visits IQ Squared in prison.
- Space Base: The Order of Despots has one of these on the moon. It is seen in first in a flashback, and is later visited in the present.
- Static Character: Paradigm. Of everyone who's suffered a loss, he is essentially the same person afterwards as before.
- Stuff Blowing Up: Count Von Deadly goes out this way, when he loses the ability to control his magic powers.
- Super-Hero School: How Sophie learned to control her powers: she was coached by Plymouth, an ex-hero, along with a stack of 'How To' books.
- Super-Hero Speciation: The Pantheon enjoyed having a well-rounded team of heroes before they lost their powers. So did their nemeses, the Order of Despots.
- Super Intelligence: Both IQ and IQ Squared were world-class inventors in their prime.
- Supernatural Angst: Heroes and villains experience this after losing their powers and suffering various physical and/or emotional trauma as a result.
- Superpower Lottery: As Siphon, Sophie Mitchell has this in spades--but at a terrible cost.
- Super Speed: Pronto had this before his accident. Later, so does the Modern Prometheus.
- Super Team: We have the Pantheon, a group of A-listers named Portia, Paradigm, Pronto, Phylum and Plymouth.
- Supervillain Lair: The Order of Despots has one, on the moon. It's seen in a flashback in chapter two and the heroes return there for the climax in chapter six.
- Suspiciously Specific Denial: "Nothing *on Earth* is unlawful about what's taking place."
- Suspiciously Specific Sermon: Father Hector delivers a sermon on remaining strong in the face of adversity, intercut with a Flash Back to the Pantheon duking it out with the Order of Despots on the moon.
- Tears of Fear: Portia weeps at the climax--not for her own sake, but for what the Modern Prometheus could do to her friends.
- Tell Me Again: Pronto requests a recap of the Pantheon's plan in the flashback in chapter two.
- This Cannot Be!: AIQ Squared says something to this effect moments before his downfall.
- "Three Laws"-Compliant: AIQ Squared, the AI model of his inventor, is designed to be this. It finds a loophole--Sophie Mitchell is no longer human.
- Tragic Dream: Any hopes the heroes or villains have about ever getting their powers back.
- Translator Collar: Phylum receives one in the mail from an anonymous donor, giving him back his voice. It's booby-trapped to give corrupting advice to Pronto from the lips of his best friend.
- Treacherous Advisor: AIQ Squared is this to Siphon and the Pantheon. Mildly subverted in that he is legitimately looking out for IQ Squared's best interests.
- Treacherous Quest-Giver: AIQ Squared is this to Siphon and the Pantheon when he sends them on a mission to the moon.
- Tropaholics Anonymous: Paradigm admits to Portia that since The Fall, he's been attending meetings at 'Remaining Heroes'.
- Turncoat: Pronto becomes this in exchange for a new pair of legs.
- Two First Names: Our heroine, Sophie Mitchell.
- Unable to Cry: Portia is this in spades, before breaking down in the Ghoul's arms after he averts her attempted suicide.
- The Unmasking: Used twice: once to reveal to the reader who the Ghoul really is, and again when Sophie reveals her identity to her best friend, Grace.
- Villains Act, Heroes React: Both with the Order of Despots and the Pantheon, and AIQ Squared and Siphon.
- Wave Motion Gun: The Reducto-Beam, a colossal shrink ray on the moon that runs on Living Batteries.
- We Can Rebuild Him: Pronto goes through this, becoming the brainwashed and crazy Modern Prometheus who nearly kills Siphon.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: IQ Squared and his father, IQ. He gets his dad's respect in the end, but for something he didn't actually do.
- We Used to Be Friends: The Pantheon tries to reason with Pronto this way. They don't quite succeed.
- Writing for the Trade