Yes, we are all living in the Future. Now that the future date from Back to the Future Part II has come and gone, and I reflect on the past 30 years, my attitude about time travel has changed. I used to think it would be great to go back and fix all the bad decisions in my life... but now I would be afraid to do so. What if some different choice I make has a butterfly effect that causes one of my nieces or nephews not to be born? I'd never forgive myself. The only way I would do it is if I could exist in the past for short bits as a phantom, unseen and unheard, so I couldn't muck things up.
15 comments:
Would that arc of your life become known as "Rosspoint"?
Haha, works for me!
The old DC Comics had a time travel rule that if people traveled back into a time period where they already existed that they would be a phantom in order to preserve the timeline. I never like that rule because you don't have to interact with yourself to alter the timeline. Superboy regularly met with historical figures during his time travels, which could have severely alter the timeline.
That's a nice sentiment, Ross. But, wasn't it some anthropologist who said even observers cause change to the observed?
@Anonymous: actually, I think that was a physicist named John Stewart Bell. But, I could be wrong.
About four decades ago the Flash went through his lifetime as a "phantom" in his quest to escape a place called Limbo.
Hmm, I can see this being an interesting mini-series. Of course, if Batman did save his parents in the past, he would not have become Batman. That would leave Gotham in an awful state once the supervillains start to take over the streets. On the good side, the Joker would never have existed since it was his fight/flight with Batman while as the Red Hood that he fell into the vat of chemicals which turned him into the Joker. That would also mean there would be no Harley Quinn. There would also be no Deadshot and maybe no Catman. I think most of the rest of the Batman villains would exist though. And Commissioner Gordon and the police force would not be able to take them down without a Batman around. Also without Batman, there would be no Robin, no Batgirl, and no Batwoman, or even an Ace, the Bat-Hound. Or a Bat-Mite.
Yep, Doc Brown and Marty would have to tell Batman they have a no-hitchhikers policy.
Ordinaryguy2
Dear Ross: have you ever considered Blade vs. post-Red Rain Batman?
Interesting thought, but that Kelly Jones artwork is tough to merge with other artists.
The Answer Man said...
"Superboy regularly met with historical figures during his time travels, which could have severely alter the timeline."
However at least some of those meetings, such as the time when he saved President Lincoln's life, turned out to have happened in alternative realities rather than in his own Earth's past...
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Anonymous said...
"I think most of the rest of the Batman villains would exist though."
Probably not Killer Moth, though, because he originated as a sort of anti-Batman.
I do not think Batman would attempt to change his history since he of the league knows most of the story of Flashpoint. He might go back in time to see his father however if his father had information of critical importance lost needed to solve current day crisis. Think Captain Kirk and Edith Keeler.
Many Batman villians were inspired by Batman and this is the argument of Batman's civil foes and they are right on thos matter. Penguin, Riddler, etc probably would not have their exotic outfits and gimmicks. Gotham City despite what Fox series may show had few if any costumed types. They did have terrible corruption and powerful gang bosses reduced in power by Batman and his allies.
Dave sez,
;)
Awesome cover! Now that Archie Meets Batman '66 is becoming a reality - I could actually see this happening!
Ross, isn't your time travel theory what Project: Quantum Leap was supposed to be...?
;)
@Cathy and Dave: Yeah! Sort of like Project Tic-Toc. Only on a slightly smaller scale. To wit; changing individual lives, for the better, rather than trying to alter whole world events!
@Anonymous: don't forget "Journeyman" and "Timeless." *
*Although, personally, I liked the former a lot more than the latter.
I was recently reading some Golden Age stories and came across Miss Victory whos real name is Joan Wayne and it got me to thinking....
Love what you do here.And a new one every day? You Are a Super Hero!
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