Why We Love the Mary Sue

 I'm going to catch flack for this. 

What is a Mary Sue? 

The term "Mary Sue" refers to a character that can in their own fiction essentially do no wrong. Everything they do is right the first time and everyone either admires them, loves them, fears them or whatever the narrative needs them to be. Mary Sues typically show up in comic book characters though they appear frequently in video game characters and in children's cartoons. Mary Sues in general are thought to be the result of bad writing and are constantly being criticized by the geek community at large. 

And yet we love them. 

Why? 

Rampant Hypocrisy

I've gone on record stating how much I dislike Wolverine (Wow that was ten years ago and I still haven't run out of things to whine about...) and I've hinted at my dislike of Batman, not only for their portrayals of toxic masculinity but for their overall Mary Sue qualities, and yet there's plenty of other Sues I adore. I was thinking about this while replaying The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and realizing how much I love Geralt yet how big of one he is. He always knows how to kill every monster (Even if the player doesn't), he's constantly flexing lore at everyone he comes across, and everyone is either terrified of him or madly in love with him (Seriously, every female character is in love with this guy). 

I'm the same way with Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the titular Sherlock, arguably the first recorded Mary Sue (Okay maybe Odysseus) his super power is to always be right, which while if we were roommates I would crack his head on the pavement outside of 221B Baker Street, I absolutely love watching that show. Truth be told I probably wouldn't be great roommates with Geralt either since he seems like the kind of guy that would take over the TV for some stupid documentary on aliens while I'm trying to get my Golden Girls on. 

That's where my question comes in though: If Mary Sues would be insufferable to be around in real life and if they are a sign of bad writing, why do we love them so much? 

Ultimate Power Fantasy

The appeal to me is in the power fantasy. No matter how bad things are Geralt never loses his cool, even in situations where I would be running aimlessly flapping my arms and screaming incoherently. That effortless confidence in knowing that he has a perfect handle on every situation is something to be admired, even if it is unobtainable. Sherlock is the same way, dripping with confidence with no time to deal with anything inconsequential. 

The truth is Mary Sues have built in plot armor, meaning that because they're the heroes they are automatically meant to succeed. The difference between them and a more flawed character is that the Mary Sue almost knows that no matter what happens they are the main characters in their own stories, and act like they know they have the everything proof plot armor. In a world where things can be incredibly unsure, it's nice to project into a character that has control of their surroundings. 

Mary Sue Vacuum

The best Mary Sue stories to me put the characters into a vacuum where they don't have to interact with other characters that I like. Most Mary Sues charisma only extends to seducing romantic interests. Like I said, living in a house with Geralt, Sherlock and Guts, another Mary Sue I love, it would be a nightmare. Half the time everyone would be arguing over which quests to go on and the other half they'd be trying to outwit the others in a cunning-off. 

Or fight to the death. 

When Batman is alone tracking the Joker with just his inner monologue to accompany him ala the Hush comic arc he's pretty cool. When he's acting like he's the baddest thing in the Justice League with Wonder Woman and Superman standing right next to him and they AGREE with him then that's a character that just thinks too much of himself. Where the Mary Sue finds the most appeal is in a solo setting, where they're only better than the situation and aren't trying to prove to everyone that they're the best at everything and instead are just out being the best at everything. In the former they look insecure and in the latter we get that confidence that we love so much. 

Where Nobody Loves a Mary Sue

I can't go a post without mentioning my favorite thing of all time Dungeons and Dragons. For those who want to extend their Mary Sue persona into the realms of D&D my advice is DON'T. Remember that D&D is not meant to have a main character, it's a cooperative experience, and Mary Sues only exist to annoy everyone else at the table. Even if you were imitating Sherlock, Guts or Geralt I would have your character drawn and quartered if they tried to show Mary Sue traits. 

-JOE

10 New Cosplays We Look Forward To Seeing

With the world on temporary pause, new cosplay has been hard to find. Without conventions or even Halloween, the most wonderful day of the year, happening at their regular capacity, the cosplay community just doesn't have the chance to strut their stuff. That hasn't stopped new media from coming out, some of which we can't wait to see at the next Comic Con, whenever that may be. 

Here's a few. 

10: Live-Action Mulan

Say what you will about Disney's Mulan, the costuming was on point. From Mulan's red combat uniform accented with armor to the villain Xian Lang's incredible makeup, this film gives a lot to the cosplay community. Seeing someone bring one of the film's outfits to life will be a true sight to see, plus all the costumes are modest so there's no worry about having to compromise standards to be the warrior you were truly meant to be. 

9: Netflix's The Witcher

While Henry Cavill's Geralt of Rivia looks torn straight from the video game, the rest of the cast have unique costuming for this live action take on the beloved book and game series. His traveling minstrel Jasker alone has enough outfits to keep any seamstress busy for weeks, and Yennafer is perfect for any cosplaying lady who wants something elegant but doesn't want to go back to Disney princess. 

8: Doctor Who

Now Comic Con has never been lacking for Doctor. Who cosplays, from versions of the Doctor himself to his wide cast of villains right down to the TARDIS itself. However recent years gave us the first female Doctor and the Fugitive Doctor, and both are ripe for cosplay. Given the popularity of the series, it won't be surprising at all to see plenty of these versions of the Doctor running around the panels at the next convention. 

7: The Mandalorian

Remember how The Mandalorian was all anyone could talk about? Just wait for the resurgence once we can get our geek on and start dressing as our favorite Star Wars show. Mando and Grogu aside, as epic as their cosplays will certainly be especially with daddy/baby matching cosplays, let's not forget the wide range of other characters the show gave us. This includes a sand-beaten Boba Fett, grown up Asoka and the poor longsuffering Frog Lady. 

Bonus points will be given if Frog Lady cosplays include edible eggs. 

6: Justice League Snyder Cut Joker

That's a long title. 

Joker cosplay is never thin on the ground but with the new uber dark Joker from the Snyder Cut trailers of Justice League, you can bet that we're going to see more Jared Lito impersonators running around. The butcher's apron and gloves hints that he's going to do something messy, and the bulletproof vest, reminiscent of the opening cut scene in DC Universe Online means that there's going to be danger. You know someone's already chomping at the bit to find the perfect wig to make this Joker come to life. 

5: Onward

This film does not get it's just due in my humblest of opinions. Debuting at the unfortunate start of the pandemic, its theatrical run was hampered by it no longer being safe to go out. That being said, those who did see it and loved it can't wait to cosplay as one of the blue elves from the film, becoming the true Dungeons and Dragons/Disney nerds they've always wanted to be. Even if it's just Barley's cool ripped jean vest covered in D&D-esque pins, we want to see this on the convention floor. 

4: Pokemon Sword and Shield Gym Leaders

Released late 2019 we didn't get a chance to see these characters shine. With the game's graphics and characterizations of each gym leader, I won't be surprised to see a few of them pop up in the cosplay list. At the very least, someone needs to show up in a giant cape with Pokemon related sponsors sewn into it like some cross between a NASCAR driver and Liberace.

3: Wonder Woman 1984

Another derisive release, nobody can argue that once again the costuming was done right. Cosplayers can go with the 80's looks, to Cheetah's terrifying transformation, all the way to Wonder Woman's golden eagle armor. The wings might be a bit of a pain to deal with in crowds, but let's face it, that's never stopped cosplayers before. 

2: Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Can we just take a minute to thank Animal Crossing: New Horizons for getting us through parts of this last year? It's a major contributing factor to why yours truly didn't go into a depressive spiral sooner than I eventually did. To honor this game, let's see some people dressed up as their favorite townsfolk. They could even set aside a space in the convention where they can wander around aimlessly and talk to people as though they were player characters. I know I'd love to give Ozzie the Koala and Raymond the Cat big hugs for being there for me. 

1: WandaVision

You know this would end up on the list. 

What is there to say? Each episode had a pile of period costume choices plus superhero outfits PLUS Agatha. It's a cosplayers goldmine, and we still won't see the true depth of this deposit until Friday when the last episode is released and supposedly Scarlet Witch's final form is revealed. I can't wait to see adorable couples dressed as Wanda and the Vision, posing for photos and breaking our hearts all over again. 

What cosplays do you want to see? 

-JOE