One versus many.
Today I had a little epifiwhatsit about myself: specifically, what I like in my reading material.
Stand alone badass.
Swiss army knife of the zombie apocalypse.
56 flavors of weapon all in one.
That’s right. I like the reluctant hero who doesn’t play well with others. I like the mystery of why the character is anti-social and I also like to watch them blunder through work picnics, balls, and the ever-so-simple water cooler chat. Often I find that the author has put a lot of thought into this rogue, delving into her/his past, and using their psychology to explain their motives.
Team spirit is all well and good, and it works OK in the movies. But for the Posse Poke to work on paper, the author really has to develop each character individually, and then build the structure that brings them all together. Not every author will bother to do that, and that is when the Troop Tango fails to work for me.
Sigh.
For me, when a book has some lovable gang trying to save the world. I usually find myself relating to one character more than the rest and wanting the rest of the gang to become disabled or have an interesting death so the rest of the book can focus on the the important stuff: the character I want to know more about. Selfish, I know. But I feel better for having communicated it in public.
So, do you need one of those shirts warning others that you do not play nice? Or are you a Mates-R-Us kind of ballcap?
What’s a epifiwhatsit? Is that like WiFi?
Lessee…. The Avengers is all about team building, and actually most of what Joss Whedon does is Team Conquers The Situation. Firefly, especially.
I like the way that Dresden has built his team over a dozen books.
In Redemption in Indigo, the main character wields it alone but hers is not a violent path. No Swiss army knives and the asses are figuratively kicked. So that’s a loner character. Liked that story.
In Throne of the Crescent Moon, the characters are a team.
In Who Fears Death, the character believes she is alone in the fight but comes to realize that she can’t ultimately defeat Bad Guy on her own.
Star Wars is a team.
The Doctor cannot work alone, gets into trouble without his companions. Team, there.
Dracula…Team.
However in Fable series, no one defeats monsters except for the main player character…well, no. There’s the dog.
Where do I get my ballcap?
A lot of mysteries or PI type stories are loner characters. Many of those I like, that, as you say in the post, the only way they can solve the problem is to work alone and in secret. These characters often get help (taxi cab driver, the ME, the bartender) but the secondary characters are supportive and not integral to the unfolding of the mystery.
Arkady Renko works like this, early Dresden worked alone and in secret, the silly book with the foil font that I’m reading now utilizes this trope, what others?
First and second Alien movies, definitely the loner ass kicker character. The third had Joss Whedon involved so we see his team builder thing going on in that film. (also that’s my favorite)
Was that Alien Resurrection? That’s my favorite. Intense.
“when a book has some lovable gang trying to save the world… I usually find myself relating to one character more than the rest and wanting the rest of the gang to become disabled or have an interesting death”
That was where I snarfed my tea.
Apologies. I hope you did not suffer any serious nasal burns.
nrlymrtl, you make me LOL.
Lone Wolf all the way. prolly cuz I am one. i also run with scissors.
And I bet you don’t let anyone else play with your hair, cook your eggs, or paint your toes. Lone Wolf Badge carrier unite!
Yeah, like they could ever get my over easy eggs just perfect.
Peeps can play with my hair, but if someone tries to cut it? i will END THEM.