The importance of a nemesis
There are many reasons that a person needs a rival, or in the case of certain superheroes a nemesis. For one, a rival often brings out the best in a person, challenging them to rise to new levels. In the realm of literature or cinema, a worthy opponent makes for better drama and more interesting storylines. It is of course important that the adversary is close to the skill level of the hero or star, otherwise, there wouldn’t be much point in the battles between the two forces.
Some creators of characters have a good sense of how to bring about tension in a story. Geoff Johns, the executive producer of the new series Stargirl, is one such example. For more about this exciting character and her nemesis, please read below.
A superhero and her main rival
Superheroes are known for having dangerous, evil rivals who challenge the supremacy of the hero, and Stargirl is no exception. Like other heroes, Stargirl, aka Courtney Whitmore, has an impressive arsenal of superpowers, toys, and weapons:
- She has a cosmic staff and cosmic converter belt
- She zips around on her Star-Rocket Racer
- She can fly at amazing speeds
- She can control solar energy
With all of these attributes, Stargirl needs a foe, and she has at least two. Her primary nemesis is Shiv, or Cindy Burman. She is the daughter of an evil scientist and war criminal and he is known as the Dragon King. He died going up against Stargirl, and Shiv, who wears an armored costume equipped with sharp blades, is out for revenge. Her second source of rivals come from members of the Injustice Society.
A sports star and his rival
Magic Johnson was an NBA basketball star in the 1980s who had a long rivalry with Larry Bird, another famous NBA star. What made their rivalry so epic is that they were often more or less evenly matched, and they alternated winning the biggest championships in their sport. It first began in college in 1979, when Magic’s team, Michigan State, met Bird’s team, Indiana State. Magic won this famous game, and then the two went into the NBA.
During this time, the two stars met several times in the finals. Magic played for the Los Angeles Lakers, while Bird played for the Boston Celtics. These two players were the leaders of their teams, though they each had many important supporting players. The games were very close, making them extremely exciting, and it was often in doubt who would win the games. Quite often, the games came down to the heroics of these two stars.
A similarity between sports and comics
The battles between superheroes and sports stars are similar in many ways. While Stargirl battles for the fate of mankind, the sports stars try to win for their cities. Each uses their unusual abilities to gain an advantage. Stargirl uses her Cosmic Staff to shoot out bolts of solar energy, while Magic Johnson uses skyhooks, between-the-legs dribbles and no-look passes.
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