Category talk:Fictional shapeshifters
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This category is awfully crowded. A lot of the characters are from comic books. Maybe there should be a smaller subcategory of Shapeshifters in comics. 89.139.230.110 00:36, 24 April 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Category vagueness
Where did the definition of "shapeshifter" that we're using come from? It's so broad that I wonder about its usefulness. The Hulk had been here, since Bruce Banner grows into him, but Captain Marvel is not, though Billy Batson changes into him, albeit in a different manner but with the same result. Same with Dr. Donald Blake and Thor. The Thing has at times, including at least one long period, possessed the ability to grow from Ben Grimm and back. Does that make him a shapeshifter, too? And Spider-Man made himself look like a hospital orderly in a room with the Vulture in a 2007 comic. (Remember, these encyclopedia articles are about the totality of character, not just the latest incarnation.)
We need an etymology on the word to divine something exact and therefore more useful than this imprecise catch-all. Additionally, we need to consider if what we mean is characters whose primary super-ability is to assume different forms (a la Mystique). Thoughts? --Tenebrae 14:45, 15 September 2007 (UTC)
- This maybe a fundamental problem in the category. At a fundamental level, shapeshifters are characters that can alter their physical for by means of an internal power without the use of external "props". And generally as a recurring aspect of the character. Characters/groups that are good examples off this include:
- Mystique
- Plastic Man
- Martian Manhunter (and all DC Martians)
- Skrulls
- Durlans
- Transformers
- T-1000
- The Hulk can fit into this group since the character does physically change from Banner to Hulk and back without the use of external props.
- There are also characters that use a set mechanic to change between forms. These include:
- Marvel's Thor
- DC's Captain Marvel
- The Wonder Twins
- Man-Bat
- Doctor Jekyll
- But it doesn't include characters that have, either by skill or luck, used disguises such as Batman, Sherlock Holmes, or, as in the above example, Spider-Man. - J Greb 20:30, 15 September 2007 (UTC)
- Addendum or two: Shapeshifting is a physical act. It should in no way be confused with the ability to create an illusion that one thing is another. The "glamour" ref should be pulled from cat header. Also, there is likely to be some debate on some of the characters listed because their abilities are akin to a puffer fish or various animals that have skin flaps or sacks that distend for various affects. - J Greb 06:18, 18 September 2007 (UTC)
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- Both excellent points. --Tenebrae 17:22, 18 September 2007 (UTC)
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