# You've got the power of Captain Marvel. Do you ever go back to being Billy Batson? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 26, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232 "2014-12-26T20:25:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/21 "2014-12-29T23:38:20Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > I don’t need or want to empathize with the “normies”, I’m leaving my old life behind! I think saying that to Athena will cost you the gig, dude. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/22 "2014-12-29T23:46:12Z")
Heh. Anyone remember this [turkey ?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7TR4ixOkhM) That outfit and cape are too cheezy even for the 70’s. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/23 "2014-12-30T03:34:14Z")
I assume Athena would know of my arrangement with One-Eye and Red Beard, and probably chose not to approach me with this offer. That noted, if I was somehow given the choice, I’d likely opt to use my non-super form as a secret identity to the extent reasonably convenient and possible. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/24 "2014-12-30T03:37:31Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I assume Athena would know of my arrangement with One-Eye and Red Beard, and probably chose not to approach me with this offer. > > That noted, if I was somehow given the choice, I’d likely opt to use my non-super form as a secret identity to the extent reasonably convenient and possible. As I’ve told you before: the Thunderer is cool (hell, he doesn’t really care if you worship him; if you need a hand he’ll give it) but Old One-Eye is not to be trusted. ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/25 "2014-12-30T06:25:25Z")
It’s probably more appropriate to revert to Billy Batson when you feel the need to crawl under the covers & whack-off to a Wonder Woman comic book. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/26 "2014-12-30T07:01:52Z")
Never cared for the Greco-Roman dieties and their feuding with each other through human proxies…mostly to the great sorrow of said proxies. I’d turn down the offer just because I wouldn’t knowingly help any of them. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/27 "2014-12-30T12:30:12Z")
Isnt that the problem with many super heroes? When would Superman go back to being Clark Kent? Really being a super hero isnt a weekend job. Its really a full time, always on call type of thing. I remember once in Spiderman 2 when Peter’s schoolwork suffered because he spent too much time as Spiderman and he had to back off. I think Superman eventually quits being a reporter. And then their is the issue of sometimes wanting to do normal things. One cannot just go to a restaurant or the movies wearing your red suit and cape. So good question. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/28 "2014-12-30T16:47:41Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I think saying that to Athena will cost you the gig, dude. I won’t say it then. She can’t read minds can she? ---
**Author:** ![dream-scraper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@dream-scraper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dream-scraper)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/29 "2014-12-30T19:27:18Z")
Considering Billy was homeless, I would have remained Captain Marvel for fame & fortune reasons (taking over the world, if necessary). If superheroes did exist in the real world, I suspect most, if not all, would try to take over the world eventually because they can… ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/30 "2014-12-30T19:35:34Z")
> [@dream-scraper](#): > > Considering Billy was homeless, I would have remained Captain Marvel for fame & fortune reasons (taking over the world, if necessary). If superheroes did exist in the real world, I suspect most, if not all, would try to take over the world eventually because they can… No they wouldn’t. Not simply because that’s generally against their character, but because few have the power to do so even in the worlds, like TV adaptations, in which they’re the only super. And, of course, in terms of the hypo, trying to take over the world is stupid. Athena is gonna smack you down with ease. And really, if you’re, say, Superman, why would you want to rule the world? What does it actually get you? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/31 "2014-12-30T20:13:05Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > And really, if you’re, say, Superman, why would you want to rule the world? What does it actually get you? Your beloved Athena and her kin are, in effect, Superman. What does it get them? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/32 "2014-12-30T20:21:03Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Your beloved Athena and her kin are, in effect, Superman. What does it get them? [evil skald] What means this word “beloved”? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/33 "2014-12-30T20:22:46Z")
Obligatory mention of _women of kleenex getting spasmed to death_ here. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/34 "2014-12-30T20:43:35Z")
Impress the chicks with the superhero schtick, then go back to human form to avoid the “Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex” problem. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/35 "2014-12-30T20:44:06Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > And really, if you’re, say, Superman, why would you want to rule the world? What does it actually get you? A better world for everyone, if you do it right. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/36 "2014-12-30T20:45:45Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > A better world for everyone, if you do it right. Really? Are you saying that you, personally, are wise & incorruptible enough to conquer the world and rule it wisely, or just that Martha & Jonathan’s kid is? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/37 "2014-12-31T07:03:49Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Really? Are you saying that you, personally, are wise & incorruptible enough to conquer the world and rule it wisely, or just that Martha & Jonathan’s kid is? Me, yes. And if I were Superman, with all his powers (Silver Age, specifically), I wouldn’t need to _conquer_ most of it. After I’ve constructed and spent five minutes to fully-stock my Prison Asteroid for Asshole Dictators, Theocratic Slime and Corporate Scum, I expect to be welcomed with open arms as the GodKing I would _de facto_ be, by most of the world’s downtrodden masses. Anyhow, I’d be quite content to let people be self-governing, as long as they follow my human rights precepts. It’s not like I need their money, their love or their labour. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/38 "2014-12-31T20:58:54Z")
Well about the third time someone looks at “me” and says disappointedly “oh it’s you”, I’d probably stay Marvel all the time. Unless I needed a little privacy. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/39 "2014-12-31T23:08:46Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Me, yes. And if I were Superman, with all his powers (Silver Age, specifically), I wouldn’t need to _conquer_ most of it. After I’ve constructed and spent five minutes to fully-stock my Prison Asteroid for Asshole Dictators, Theocratic Slime and Corporate Scum, I expect to be welcomed with open arms as the GodKing I would _de facto_ be, by most of the world’s downtrodden masses. Anyhow, I’d be quite content to let people be self-governing, as long as they follow my human rights precepts. It’s not like I need their money, their love or their labour. Least surprising post of the year. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232/40 "2015-01-01T05:03:45Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Me, yes. And if I were Superman, with all his powers (Silver Age, specifically), I wouldn’t need to _conquer_ most of it. After I’ve constructed and spent five minutes to fully-stock my Prison Asteroid for Asshole Dictators, Theocratic Slime and Corporate Scum, I expect to be welcomed with open arms as the GodKing I would _de facto_ be, by most of the world’s downtrodden masses. Anyhow, I’d be quite content to let people be self-governing, as long as they follow my human rights precepts. It’s not like I need their money, their love or their labour. Ah, yes, the G.W.Bush theory of political good and evil. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-got-the-power-of-captain-marvel-do-you-ever-go-back-to-being-billy-batson/708232.md?page=3)