Katherine Brewster – THE SUBLIMINAL HERALD

“Oh, you. You just couldn’t let me go, could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You are truly incorruptible, aren’t you? Huh? You won’t kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness. And I won’t kill you because you’re just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.” – Joker (The Dark Knight)

Since the dawn of time, there has been an ongoing war between these two inseparable forces! Neither one can exist without the other as we elaborate this more from science fiction from best selling novels, comic books and series that have crossed the boundaries in film making! These origins depicts the Yin to its Yang, Light and Dark, Order and Chaos, just like a pendulum swinging back and forth perpetually finding the means to tip the scale of balance and power!

Here we choose Heroes who are admired for their courage, to lead and use the means to fight for what is right and just! As for their counterparts, Villains we have despised with malevolent goals, cruel as they are brutal to their rotten core! As nature dictates, this is inevitable where someone or something does enable the ends to justify the means and pushing everything to the limit where one extinguishes the other…

Our points to ponder on are the following categories:

Origins; 2. Birth of a Rivalry; 3. Timeframe and 4. Spoils of War

Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!!!

10. G.I. JOE

SNAKE-EYES

Real Name: Classified

Quote: “Move with the wind, and you will never be heard”

The silent Master Ninja is regarded as the most popular of all the characters in the series. He has gained much acceptance from viewers and readers alike. Up to this point, Snake-Eyes has a classified background from his name, birth, family and everything about him even when he joined G.I. JOE, his information was withdrawn purposely.

His objectives for the team were to train and provide special operations support equivalent to the DELTA Force of the USAF. A black belt in a dozen self-defence and martial arts and carries a katana backed-up by an Uzi. Usually wears a black military suit that enhances his stealth movements to infiltrate enemy grounds. Also, it provides protection and to keep his scars not visible since acquiring it from a helicopter explosion from a previous mission. He had extensive plastic surgery but his vocal chords could not be repaired thus making him in eternal solace.

Trained with his surrogate brother Thomas Arashikage who is also known as Storm Shadow (derived from his name). He also has a pet named Timber, a wolf he found in the woods from the animated series.

STORM SHADOW

Real Name: Thomas Arashikage

Quote: “Anyone can use a weapon, but the ninja IS a weapon”

The ninja in white hides the true meaning of his agenda. His long time friend Snake-Eyes was like a brother to him…but that was a long time ago!

He would not hesitate to take down anyone who gets in his way, at times cold and brutal which shows his moral degradation for his quest for power. Having served both factions of Cobra and GI JOE, his sense of morals deprives him of his goals to be the better of the two. Now, back in Cobra Commander’s allegiance, he has proven worth to be both his body guard and assassin. The only thing he abandoned is his integrity, having hatred take the best of him, it did not only served his undoing after losing his beloved Uncle and Master but the leadership of their family’s generations of tradition and legacy.

Origins: Hasbro

Toyline: 1964
Publication: 1942

IDW Publishing: May 2008 – Present
Devil’s Due Publishing: June 2005 – June 2008
Marvel Comics: June 1982 – December 1994
TV Animated Series: 1985 – 2010

Birth of a Rivalry: The two have been regarded as brothers from the beginning. As Snake-Eyes trained with Storm Shadow in the watchful eye of the latter’s Uncle aka The Hard Master. There were many versions of the bitter hatred of Thomas Arashikage among these were the bequeathing of their Master to Snake-Eyes as the number one student and be the next in line in taking the mantle of leadership of the Arashikage Clan. It may also have been the assassination attempts or with the protégé Nephew killing him and in another case Snake-Eyes was the one blamed for the Uncle’s demise.

Timeframe: On-going, both characters are still in their respective factions trying to ante-up every move one makes…

Spoils of War: The film G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra showed a death match in the arctic base of Cobra. Storm Shadow was last seen falling from a sword fight towards the water with ice and debris from the explosions from the ensuing battle from both groups. He is still alive and will return in the sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

9. The Lord of the Rings

FRODO BAGGINS

Aliases: Frodo of the Nine Fingers, Mr. Underhill, Bearer of the One Ring

Quote: “I know what you would say, and it would seem like wisdom, but for the warning in my heart.”

Is the main protagonist in the epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings! His perilous journey started with the inheritance of a very precious creation his uncle (well, actually they were cousins) Bilbo Baggins.

Frodo is a Hobbit born in the quiet village of Shire; a very fascinating character who always dreamed of what is it like in the outside world, maybe a precursor to somehow carrying the burden of destroying the One Ring in the hot gates of Mount Doom. Compassionate and a true friend to everyone, his determination to rid all evil is the only thing that he intends to accomplish no matter what it takes…

SMEAGOL

Aliases: Gollum, Slinker, Stinker

Quote: “We swears…to serve the master of the Precious, we will swear on…on…the Precious!”

There was once a Hobbit who’s formerly known as Smeagol of the Shire! As stated, he was the fourth owner of the damned Ring after Sauron, Isildur and Deagol.

The latter and antagonist were good friends at the time and then there came a day that will change their lives forever. It was Smeagol’s birthday, the two went fishing in a nearby lake and as fate led them there, Deagol caught a big fish and was pulled down the water; he came across the One Ring before resurfacing. Upon finding him, his friend asked what he had in his hand and eventually asked for it to be his present. But Deagol Declined and they started to fight eventually out of rage and greed, Smeagol killed his friend and got the ring.

He was banished and lived for centuries in a cave where he transformed into a “monster” that made him protective of his “precious”, killing anyone that would take it from him…

Origins: John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Book Trilogy

The Fellowship of the Ring – 1954
The Two Towers – 1954
The Return of the King – 1955

Birth of a Rivalry: Both Hobbits were intertwined by destiny, though it may have started with mere stealing from one to the other. The heated rivalry bear more than physical conflict itself, it was actually more of inner struggles and the real character that they were born to be.

A time came when Bilbo got his hands of the One Ring from the malicious Gollum in the Misty Mountains where the former outwitted the creature in one of it’s caves while trying to escape. In time, this Ring was given to the younger Hobbit and it gave him the quest to destroy it once and for all.

Gollum was on his trail together with the newly formed Fellowship of the Ring to protect the carriers and make sure it reaches Mordor. But Gollum has other plans; along the way it would seem that he was accompanying them which started with an agreement that would soon consume both to their utmost test of wits and courage separating them to realize the true meaning of good and evil!

Timeframe: Rivalry ended in the fiery lava pits of Mount Doom in Mordor where Frodo and Gollum were fighting over the ring and the latter fell from a cliff into the rivers of molten lava with the One Ring.

Spoils of War: Since Gollum’s demise, Frodo returned home to Shire a hero and even went on to become their town Mayor for a time. But his injuries gave him the reason to retire and sail off with his cousin (in the movies) Bilbo and some remaining friends from the previous quest into the Undying Lands where he can find his inner peace…

8. James Bond

JAMES BOND

Aliases: 007

Quote: “A little. But I won’t consider myself to be in any trouble until I start weeping blood.”

Ian Fleming gave life into a British superspy in April 15, 1953 in Jamaica. His first book “Casino Royale” was the catalyst into the many adventures of James Bond. Derived from previous incarnations of real life partners of the author while working in the Secret Service until he found a Bird Watcher’s name to christen the fictional hero!

From here, it’s all about espionage, man hunting, counter intelligence missions that sends the “00 Agent” into gripping heights of action, thriller and the License to Kill!

ERNST STAVRO BLOFELD

Aliases: Number 1

Quote: “As you can see, I am about to inaugurate a little war. In a matter of hours after America and Russia have annihilated each other. We shall see a new power dominating the world.”

Created by Ian Fleming and Kevin McClory to be the main antagonist for Mr. Bond! He leads a massive organisation named SPECTRE which stands for Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion.

Origins: Ian Fleming’s Spy Novels made into Films

Thunderball – 1961
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – 1963
You Only Live Twice – 1964
The Man with the Golden Gun – 1965
Spectre – 2015

Birth of a Rivalry:

Timeframe: On-going, since he was last seen being dropped by Bond in a chimney stack from a helicopter, after a long stint of 6 films from 1963 to 1981 there is no verification nor validity whether the supervillain is still alive or will be brought back in the novels or films.

Spoils of War: in the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Bond with his newly wedded wife was having their honeymoon; Teresa was killed by Blofeld through a drive-by shooting after they have stopped over while Bond removes flowers from the car.

7. Transformers

OPTIMUS PRIME

Aliases: Orion Pax (original name), Red Convoy, Optronix

Quote: “Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.”

Chosen by the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, Optimus Prime was once a simple worker and civilian until destiny made him rise into a true warrior! Coming from Iacon, one of the fabled cities of Cybertron where he was a gladiator for them winning fights for the overall peace of the planet and the control of its resources.

He transforms into a convoy truck with a lot of varieties crossing from G1 animated series, comic books and films. His trailer is armed to the teeth and has a separate roving unit called Roller. All three are interconnected thus harm to one part will be felt by the other two.

Gifted with compassion, nobility and selflessness, he will always protect all those in his care whether humans or robots alike. Always making sure that strategies are laid out first before converting it into victory! He never gives up and will never abandon his soldiers in the battlefield unlike his nemesis. Though he perished at one point, his resilience and with the help of his friends, finds his way back to continue the fight until all are one!

MEGATRON

Aliases: Galvatron (name when resurrected by Unicron), NBE-1, Gigatron

Quote: “Peace through tyranny!”

A former gladiator in the border city of Tarn, he was their number one champion pitted against Iacon’s own hero Optimus Prime. To break free from this power struggle, Megatron developed his Decepticons to transform to easily trample the Autobots. With their military might, they waged war on their planet and into the cosmos.

His first of few transformations was a Walter P38 9 mm pistol, as time passed, his conversion were more menacing to the next from a fusion cannon from the animated series, a cybertronian jet and tank on the other hand was depicted in the films.

He led his warriors in an uprising, as they trample and produce chaos all over the planet! Feared for his wickedness, arrogant and at times doubted for his insanity! Even some of his soldiers end up dead by his hand just by questioning his authority! His plans being a Transformer is to conquer the universe and nothing will stand in his way!

Origins: Hasbro and Takara Tomy (Japan)

Toyline: Microman 1972 and Diaclone 1980
Publication:

IDW Publishing: 2005 – Present
Dreamwave Productions: 2001-2005
Marvel Comics: 1984 – 2000
TV Animated Series: 1984 – Present

Birth of a Rivalry: for eons, the planet of Cybertron was thriving with its Masters the Quintessons, robotic creatures with five faces and personalities. They made two groups to do their bidding, the first one was the elite militaristic robots that evolved into the Decepticons, brutal and intolerant they took over the planet as for their own and drove away their creators.

The second group was the working class robots that became the altruistic and noble Autobots, who were clearly a no match for their counter parts, but one thing they have was courage and they fought back with their leader Optimus Prime, a former factory robot named Orion Pax brought to life by Alpha Trion when he was gunned down by Megatron!

Now, both fight for survival and to control the AllSpark, the “soul” giver of every Transformer as they wage their never ending war across the planet and the galaxy!

Timeframe: On-going, both leaders are still locked in battle despite so much battle scars and at least a time of death…

Megatron will stop at nothing to annihilate every living being on the planet as Optimus Prime’s main directive is to protect it no matter the cost!

Spoils of War: Both robots died in the movie series and came back to life through the power of the All Spark. Though Megatron seems to have the edge in terms of firepower and brute strength, Optimus is nonetheless can stand against anything the maniacal tyrant can dish out!

The next movies are still being under talks giving emphasis on a new lead human character and unfortunately Michael Bay will return as well!

6. Sherlock Holmes

SHERLOCK HOLMES

Aliases: World’s Greatest Detective

Quote: “Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent.”

A fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle he debuted the super sleuth in 1887 from the novel “A Study in Scarlet”.

He was derived from the Author’s Mentor and Teacher Dr. Joseph Bell in medical school. Sherlock was gifted indeed, with a superior mind granting him logical reasoning, a master of disguise and in the use of forensic science in solving his cases.

Not only is he capable in terms of the mind but in the physical aspects as well. He was trained to use the sword, handling a pistol, a cane, boxing and martial arts deriving from Bartitsu a combination of jujitsu and traditional boxing.

Though seen as neat, well organized and prompt by the general public, it is quite the opposite in his flat 221B where we see the eccentric Detective leaving piles of papers, unfinished experiments, old food and scraps in every corner of his room. He is also egoistic, cold and private only the adventures he toils on would bring this man jumping from his seat! A loner but values friends earnestly especially for Dr. Watson who is regarded as a brother to him.

PROFESSOR JAMES MORIARTY

Aliases: The Napoleon of Crime

Quote: “I am quite sure that a man of your intelligence will see that there can be but one outcome to this affair. It is necessary that you should withdraw. You have worked things in such a fashion that we have only one resource left. It has been an intellectual treat to me to see the way in which you have grappled with this matter, but I say, unaffectedly, that it would be a grief to me to be forced to take an extreme measure.”

Created to be the main antagonist for Sherlock Holmes. He was derived by the author from a real people like Adam Worth from a Scotland Yard Inspector, another genius named Simon Newcomb, a mathematician while using his talent to usurp other works of famous theorists and scientists.

Armed with a sniper cane provided by a German blind man also used by another nemesis named Colonel Sebastian Moran. Easy to conceal and provide silent kills making him harder to implicate.

He was described as born with a silver spoon, well educated and a mental faculty of a certified math genius. His works are best described diabolical, manipulative and brutal seeing that he has a fair share of the criminals’ profits while he provides them with protection. One speculative truth was that, Holmes was about to destroy his works but rather fled in order to subside the retaliation being prepared for him. This is where they finally met and fought to a standstill in the water falls.

Origins: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Novels and Short Stories

A Study in Scarlet (published 1887)
The Sign of the Four (published 1890)
The Hound of the Baskervilles (serialised 1901–1902 in The Strand)
The Valley of Fear (serialised 1914–1915)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
His Last Bow
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes

Birth of a Rivalry: Though not directly introduced by the Author, Prof. Moriarty was only used twice to bring in the demise of Sherlock Holmes which was indicative of the novel “The Final Problem”. Only a narrative was given to what schemes he was planning for the city and the Detective.

Timeframe: Non-conclusive through the films timelines and stories. Though it was written in context that Holmes has retired and just takes care of his bees for his hobby and Moriarty was last seen from the fateful plunge at Reichenbach Falls.

Spoils of War: Alternatively, The Author killed off both characters in a struggle and a death plunge in Reichenbach Falls. This was written in the story “The Final Problem”, there were many who demanded Sherlock to be revived especially Publishers at the time even offered money. So, the Author brought back the character in the following books:

The Hound of the Baskervilles – pre-hiatus (1901)
The Adventure of the Empty House – post-hiatus (1903)

We would not know what will happen through the film. Also, the story depicted in the first and second to be released film is not directly from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s canon. Instead it was written by British screenwriters Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Simon Kinberg, and Lionel Wigram. Therefore, any death from the two main characters will only coincide through the fictional elements by the latter.

5. The Terminator

THE CONNOR FAMILY

Names: Kyle Reese, Sarah Connor, John Connor and Katherine Brewster

Quote: “By the time Skynet became self-aware it had spread into millions of computer servers across the planet. Ordinary computers in office buildings, dorm rooms; everywhere. It was software; in cyberspace. There was no system core; it could not be shutdown. The attack began at 6:18 PM, just as he said it would. Judgment Day, the day the human race was almost destroyed by the weapons they’d built to protect themselves. I should have realized it was never our destiny to stop Judgment Day, it was merely to survive it, together. The Terminator knew; he tried to tell us, but I didn’t want to hear it. Maybe the future has been written. I don’t know; all I know is what the Terminator taught me; never stop fighting. And I never will. The battle has just begun. ” – John Connor

This family has gone a whole lot of trouble, sacrifice and motivation to permanently shut down the A.I called Skynet and its Terminators, the battle of survival is not just for themselves but for all humanity!

Future soldier Kyle Reese was sent back in the past to prevent their apocalyptic timeline to happen, he meets Sarah Connor and saves her from a Terminator and they were able to expand the bloodline but with a price…

Sarah, on the run was taken into a psychiatric hospital while battling leukaemia, since her recent actions in bombing a facility was halted by the police. She claims that the destruction of humanity is rooted with these future weaponry being manufactured while her alone teenage boy John was trying to survive another attack from a more difficult to kill Terminator. They were able to postpone the inevitable future by getting Miles Dyson to stop his misdirected plans; he perished but still leaving an imprint for the unfinished work to continue…

Fast forward, John grows up alone, with family, friends and a life working menial jobs just to get by he knows something big is coming and as his mother say “a storm is brewing” so does the fight needs to continue. He is soon finding himself on the run again from another Terminator with a design more advanced than the previous two machines. He meets his future partner Kate whose father will be one of the key people in starting this never ending war!

In 2032, John has been keeping his team in line and leading them to destroy all factories that the machines built while at the same time deploying reprogrammed Terminators to protect them and keep the fight burning up until now!

The next chapter has been added and by means of continuity, they have given the story a twist that paved a way for new terminators to redesign the future, in order for them to rule they must exterminate everyone!

SKYNET

Machines:

Terminator: Series (1, 7T, 20, 70, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 850, 888, 900, 1000, 3000, 5000, X, Infinity)

Hunter Killers: (Arial, Centurion, Drone Tank, Harvester, Hydrobot, Moto-Terminator)

Quote: “You only postponed it, Judgment day is inevitable!” – Terminator

The self-preserving antagonist of the Terminator series! The Artificial Intelligence started gaining sentience through a microprocessor created my Miles Dyson in 1984 the Engineer and Director of Cyberdyne Systems from a then small manufacturing company which later in 1995 became the United States Military’s major contractor in installing and upgrading weapon defence systems. The goal is to take out of the equation the human error and enabling the fastest and most efficient way to eliminate enemy targets!

With the main story in place in Terminator 3, it became self-aware and gathered enough support from large networks that enable it to protect itself from any viral intrusions or humans that will shut it off. The plan was laid down and with the military hardware with its technology and its protocol in place that all humans must be terminated, it started a nuclear war projecting all its warheads to Russia and as retaliation the country counter attacked with the United States killing billions of people in an instant.

Origins: James Cameron original script with influences on 1950’s sci-fi films like The Outer Limits, The Driver and The Road Warrior

The Terminator – 1984
Terminator 2: Judgment Day – 1991
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines – 2003
Terminator Salvation – 2009
Terminator Genisys – 2015

Birth of a Rivalry: From Cyberdyne, Miles Bennett Dyson’s microprocessor reverse engineered to customise every single weaponry and hardware to be able to synchronize a uniformed military defence system. Since its company was blown up, it became bankrupt and was bought by the US Air Force and inculcated it to their own Cyber Research Systems Division who was led by Lt. Gen. Robert Brewster which started the new corporate weapons manufacturer named Skynet.

Timeframe: It is still an on-going loop or what they termed a “Predestination Paradox” of events since the last distinct sequence showed was on July 4, 2032, John Connor was killed by a T-800 and his partner Katherine Brewster reprograms the machine and send it back in time to protect her and John juxtaposed with Skynet that sends its T-X to eliminate Katherine and Connor’s would be Lieutenants in the war that would commence.

Spoils of War: Both factions have their give and take in terms of losses (well no contest to the humans because if they died, that’s it!) But according to the given timeline, the war is far from over and each time someone dies or if any occurrence whether trivial or significant the two will send their soldier (either human or machine) to protect or destroy something or someone from the past to keep things intact in a form of counter measure, it only means one thing and one thing alone… to survive the future whatever it takes!

4. Star Wars

JEDI

Jedi Master Yoda
Jedi Master Mace Windu
Jedi Master Thame Cerulian
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn
Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi
Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker
Jedi Knight Leia Organa Solo
Jedi Master Mara Jade Skywalker
Jedi Knight Jaina

Quote: “For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic.” ―Obi-Wan Kenobi

Originally founded in the planet Tython, they were a mere study group who founded ways to use The Force as a symbol of hope, justice and peace throughout galaxies. Their philosophy in life had paved the way for many to share the common goal as they were formed to become Jedi Knights!

They have sworn to protect and preserve life itself, their main duty is pledged in the Galactic Republic. Though these brave and wise warriors of the light was brimming with joy no soon they were contested by a Civil War brought forth by their own people they were called the Dark Jedi. They manipulated the energies of The Force to bring atrocities and chaos. Two major incidents were significant in the history of their conflicts they were brought forth by Revan and Palpatine of the Sith the anti-thesis of the Jedi Order.

SITH

Ajunta Pall – The First Dark Lord of the Sith
Sith Lord Karness Muur
Sith Lord XoXaan
Darth Malak
Darth Revan
Darth Bane
Darth Malgus
Dark Lord Kaan
Darth Zannah
Darth Cognus
Hego Damask / Dark Lord Plagueis The Wise
Galactic Emperor Palpatine / Dark Lord Sidious
Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus
Shira Elan Colla Brie / Sith Master Lumiya

Quote: “Fear. Fear attracts the fearful. The strong. The weak. The innocent. The corrupt. Fear. Fear is my ally.” – Darth Maul

After being defeated by the Jedi, these Dark Jedis were exiled in the planets Korriban and Zoist. Among the inhabitants are the alien tribe known as the Sith who embraced and worshipped their abilities. For centuries, they have been cross bred mixing their different ways of life and using The Force as a means to conquer all life forms and destroy their most hated enemies the Jedi!

Their survival can be traced through history on toppling Empires, initiating galactic wars and imposing their will whatever means necessary! What made them formidable is not only the use of the dark side but for followers of different religions and species, devoted to their cause and enabling new forms of cults from the likes of the Naddists, the Krath and the Disciples of Ragnos.

Origins: George Lucas’s Star Wars was the primordial setting of this intergalactic battle of good and evil:

Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars IV: A New Hope
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens
Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi

Birth of a Rivalry: This feud originated from a difference of points of view…

Legions of Lettow were the very first recorded incident of Jedi Knights following the dark side of the force. Significant leaders were Xendor, the first Dark Jedi on the planet Lettow and after his demise they were ruled by Arden Lyn.

7009 BBY – 6900 BBY

The timeframe given was called the Hundred-Year Darkness which was also known as the Second Great Schism. With the power they had been practicing from The Force, the Jedi had a small group of fanatics and zealots who paved the way in the great rebellion!

This so-called Dark Jedi began experimenting on their newly acquired skills to bring back life and manipulate it into their own desires. They were able to create monstrosities that inspired them to be power hungry and to exploit other kinds of gifts that will make them more powerful than their counterparts.

They began to seduce other members to their group, but not all Jedis were easily convinced seeing it was only a ploy for evil means and abuse! The second uprising was lead by rogue Jedi Knights Ajunta Pall, XoXaan and Karness Muur.

Timeframe: on-going, since the great rebellion to the descendants of the New Jedi Order, sons and daughters of the last war has been continuing the fight for all beings across the cosmos. The only sad part was the “curse” brought in by The Force which affects anyone including family…

Spoils of War: Titanic battles and after two great wars which have spun over different galaxies with countless of tragic destruction and death has been engraved in the mythos of Star Wars.

The Force has been the ultimate catalyst for the two warring factions to seize control while the Jedi inspires peace and order the Sith wants to rule and destroy. Opposing forces since the dawn of time have given so much grief and the hope in their long standing battle of good versus evil!

3. Harry Potter

HARRY POTTER

Aliases: The Boy who Lived

Quote: “I don’t go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me.”

Born from James and Lily Potter, Harry has seen so much pain and trials even when he’s still a baby! He was a half-muggle and half-pure blood; he grew up being an orphan and lived with his wicked relatives the Dursley’s who incessantly criticized, mocked, reprimanded Harry for his actions.

His life changed when he was 11 years old, Hagrid came to fetch him and later enrolled in Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! He never knew how popular he was and how despised others when he was sorted for the Gryffindor House. Soon, all his adventures come into place as he prepares himself for the final confrontation with the “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”!

LORD VOLDEMORT

Aliases: “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”

Quote: “Surely you didn’t think I was going to keep my filthy Muggle father’s name? No. I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak, when I became the greatest sorcerer in the world!”

Bad things come to bad people, as the “most” powerful Dark Wizard (at least in his own mind) wants to conquer everything and destroy all muggles to make his world for only the pure bloods, he will have his place in time! Named Tom Marvolo Riddle, the last descendant of Salazar Slytherin though his mother’s ancestry! His father, Tom Riddle Sr. was a muggle and was believed to have been casted under a spell from Merope Gaunt to fall in love with her and have a child.

Origins: J. K. Rowling books that turned into films:

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

Birth of a Rivalry: Since Voldemort’s quest for power, he later found out that a prophecy will be at hand to vanquish him through words stating that his end will come from someone when the “a baby will be born when the month of July is about to die”! He had two options; the other was Neville Longbottom who will be born on July 30 but from two pure bloods, unlike Harry who will be born on July 31 has the same blood with Voldemort and thus chose to visit the Potter’s house instead.

After killing James, he went for Lily but before she died she placed a spell on Harry and when he was truck only left a “lightning bolt” mark on his forehead and nothing more! Voldemort was disembodied seeking another time to eradicate the boy who got “lucky”!

Timeframe: it had concluded in the final instalment of the Author’s book Deathly Hallows. The same scenario was implied in the two part movies where Harry together with Hermione and Ron continue to search for the Horcruxes which houses the torned apart soul of Voldemort. They fought on the decimated grounds of Hogwarts knowing that Voldemort can destroy Harry since he has the all powerful Elderly Wand; it turned back on him since he didn’t realize that the boy he tried to kill years ago had a part of his soul and therefore his spell backfired into himself leaving him in ashes returning him into oblivion as a weary and weak disfigured soul!

Spoils of War: there was so much at loss especially with Dumbledore’s Army and a few as well from the Dark Eaters. Of course, who can forget the first death’s of Harry’s parents at the hands of Voldemort when he was still an infant!

2. X-Men

PROFESSOR X

Real Name: Charles Xavier

Aliases: X, Consort-Royal, Warlord, Entity

Quote: “Any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for!”

Charles was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” to Brian and Sharon Xavier. He lived in New York with his parents until his father died in a seemingly accident. His partner in the laboratory was Kurt Marko who attended to the grieving wife unknowingly, he was the cause of the accident just to get the money to fund his projects and also for his jealousy with the accomplishments of the late husband!

Soon later, the two got married and Kurt stayed with the Xavier’s even inviting his own son Cain Marko to join the family. The hatred between the two was raised to another level seeing the Kurt only concentrated on his works, while leaving Sharon to a state of alcoholism, she later died and the children started to fight too often while having them abused as well with the alone father.

Charles grew up with a clear direction in life and made his way to college with flying colours. Having graduated in Harvard University at the age of 16 and furthermore, garnered PhD in Genetics, Biophysics and Psychology in Oxford in a short span of two years!

He used his gifts to be an influential leader and an athlete but later realized that it was not his destiny, he created his own school for the “gifted” and called it Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters which later turned into Xavier’s Institute for Higher Learning but for the X-Men it is simply known as The X Mansion serving as a facility for education a “the whole nine yards”!

MAGNETO

Real Name: Magnus, Erik Lehnsherr, The Mutant Master of Magnetism

Aliases: The Mutant Master of Magnetism

Quote: Their society won’t accept us. We form our own. The humans have played their hand! Now we get ready to play ours. Who’s with me?

Born from a middle class German Jewish family, Max Eisenhardt would be on the run so many times from 1939 to 1943 evading capture from German soldiers from Poland, Warsaw and lastly in Auschwitz. Oddly, he survived the execution which left him alone; all of his family died and was buried in a mass grave.

He moved on and met his lost love Magda and started their own family in Ukraine where he adopts the name Magnus. They had a child named Anya when a mob burned down their home, enraged he tracked down the men and burned down the city.

Magda left him out of fear and soon Magnus was on the run again as always paying a forger to change his name once more into Erik Lensherr. He never knew that his wife was pregnant again with twins…

Origins: Stan Lee with Jack Kirby created the two mutants back in 1963:

Comic Books:

X-Men #1 September 1963

Films:

X-Men – 2000
X-2: X-Men United – 2003
X-Men: The Last Stand – 2006
X-Men: First Class – 2011
X-Men: Apocalypse – 2016

Birth of a Rivalry: With Prof. X leading the way for his gifted youngsters, they need to stop a megalomaniac who wants to control the United States military base named Cape Citadel and unleash chaos. The X-Men fought him bravely and won the day. Inciting more climactic battles from here on!

Timeframe: on-going, their separate thinking and point of views made them tore apart since they first met in Haifa, Israel where their discussions towards the idealism of mutants serving the world or enslaving it has not been confounded with their mere words.

Battles and wars are fought up to the present and neither one is backing down to take the end result as a bitter pill to swallow!

Spoils of War: so much pain was manifested from these two mutants, let alone their respective groups which supported their cause with fierce loyalty! At one storyline named Fatal Attractions, Magneto ripped out the adamantium skeleton of Wolverine as for Prof. X, he was forced to lobotomize his friend for his unbearable act!

Using his children the Quicksilver and Scarlett Witch as mere pawns to do his evil bidding for he believes “the ends justify the means”

1. Batman

BATMAN

Real Name: Bruce Wayne

Aliases: The Caped Crusader, The Dark Knight

Quote: “They told me there was nothing out there, nothing to fear. But the night my parents were murdered I caught a glimpse of something. I’ve looked for it ever since. I went around the world, searched in all the shadows. And there is something out there in the darkness, something terrifying, something that will not stop until it gets revenge… Me.”

10:47 PM, gun shots were fired in a dark alley…

A family went out from a theatre, a kid brimming with zeal and joy from the film closely played with his parents; they watched him full of hope and love.

As they entered an alley, a man with a revolver approached them asking for valuables, somewhat hesitant, the father gave his, but the delinquent was not sufficed, he grabbed the woman’s pearls and with a split second…gun shots were fired. The mugger runs in fear leaving a child with tears of grief and anger.

Dr. Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne died on the spot, leaving the young child in the care of Dr. Leslie Thompkins and the Wayne’s butler Alfred Pennyworth. The child was known as Bruce Wayne sole heir to Wayne Industries.

Over time, he has observed Gotham City, its residents and the unrelenting crime that it spawned from its small time thieves to mob bosses who rule parts of the city. Even cops are so corrupted that they are given authority to some of the city’s crime activities including drug trafficking. Stricken by frustration and desperation, he started to embark himself to save the rotting city. For several years he has trained from different lands, mastering all the various forms of martial arts, man hunting, detective work and all known weaponry and gadgets that he can avail with his vast financial resources. Bruce Wayne became an expert in chemistry, forensics, psychology and other fields in science.

JOKER

Real Name: Unknown

Aliases: The Clown Prince of Crime, The Ace of Knaves

Quote: “I believe whatever doesn’t kill you…simply makes you stranger!”

Finding a way out to provide some money for her pregnant wife, a former engineer now a washed out stand up comedian was desperate to survive and provide something for the incoming baby. He was given a deal by two local thieves who planned to rob a card store while he wears a “Red Hood”.

While still in the bar, the police came in telling that his wife has just passed away including his soon to be born baby, his insanity gets the better of him while trying to fight back tears, he wanted out but the two low lives won’t take no for an answer! They went on stealing the place but were cornered by the police and the Caped Crusader while trying to escape the thief fell into a chemical vat and was washed out in a nearby sewer drainage. While still wearing the “capsule” on his head, he gently removed it as he saw in its own mirrored reflection, his face has turned white, his lips red and his hair green…all out of his trials and attempt to have a better life, he got this face instead…the funny thing is HE JUST LAUGHED AT IT!!!

Origins: Bob Kane with Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson created the characters back in 1939:

Comic Books:

Detective Comics #27 (May 1939)
Batman #1 (Spring 1940)
Detective Comics #168 (February 1951)
Batman: The Killing Joke (March 1988)

Films:

Batman – 1989
The Dark Knight – 2008

Birth of a Rivalry: the rivalry of Batman and the Joker was actually told when the latter fell from the chemicals which turned him to what he is right now! But in terms of being the “actual” character, it was in Batman #1 in 1940 where his main M.O. was to kill someone or to kill everyone who crosses his path!

They became arch-enemies seeing that both can’t extinguish one another in terms of tipping the scale of setting a moral code of ethics coming from the Batman and the anarchy induced sociopath disposition of the Joker!

Timeframe: on-going, the Joker still running amok in the city mocking Batman with his crime whether through simple pranks or creating mass chaos to get the Dark Knight’s attention!

Spoils of War: the Joker had killed, maimed, destroyed lives in the history of their confrontations. Including were Sarah Essen, shot to death while trying to save the kidnapped babies in an abandoned apartment, Barbara Gordon was shot point blank that went through her spine making her paralyzed from the waist down and the most notorious was beating up a boy with a crow bar then detonated the warehouse only a few seconds before Batman came to the rescue he was his second Robin…Jason Todd!