Best Hero: Batman (Batman)
I keep thinking to myself "nah, MB's gonna get a ton of nominations for this, even though he types out a novel's worth of text. He doesn't need my nod too. Give this one to the Flash or the Atom, who are equally deserving." But,
dammit, MB suckered me into his trap of Ultimate Batman. Seeing the character at his highs (beating on a giant monster in Metropolis and doing his part to stop Sta'rro) and lows (his very first post in the IC thread, letting Bane escape, and his very last post in the IC thread) are all so enthralling that MB deserves this, even if my eyes need a break after reading his stuff.
Best Villain: Lex Luthor (Andy C.)
All season long I was anticipating when the s**t would finally hit the fan with the story that Andy came up with for our characters, so there might be some bias in this, but
taking over the world while forcing his two most hated enemies to watch helplessly?
Damn, son. Even if I weren't involved in that storyarc, credit where credit is due.
Best 'Walking The Line': Superboy/Lor-Zod (Bounce)
Even though I've gone on record numerous times about how overrated I think General Zod is, and how hesitant I was about having a Superboy so soon in Superman's career, Lor's character quickly became very appealing to me and adds a whole new possible angle to Superman's views of Krypton. The little bastard has just the right amount of arrogance and innocence that you just don't know which way the kid will turn. One second he's talking about how humans don't deserve to be saved, the next moment he's napping in front of the TV with his dog. And strangely enough,
it's all believable!
Best "Ultimized" Character: Wonder Woman (Andy C.)
Like the "Best Hero" category, this was really friggin' tough to decide. Two
very close runners up were the Atom and Nygma, but I had to go with Andy's Diana in the end. She's recognizable as being Wondy, but with just the right kind of twists on her character and origin to be new and fresh to read while still maintaining who she should be. Revealing that she knows Bruce Wayne is sure to be great for future stories, and the death of Steve Trevor was actually the closest I've ever come to shedding tears while reading an IC post in any game.
Best Character Development: Edward Nygma (Byrd Man)
Seeing Nygma transform from this generally sleazy guy at the beginning of the game, but not really
evil per se, into the sick monster he is now was freakin' nuts! We buy into his rationalization of even the sickest of his actions, and this is a very sick man. We come to understand him more and more as the season goes on, realizing just how f**ked up he is, and how f**ked up he's always been, as we catch him fantasizing about teenage Barbara Gordon, chopping up a body and dumping it, and finally killing Sal and torching Dent's house. Nygma's character progression was
never boring (and it helps that Byrd's posts are always quick and to the point, just the way I like 'em
).
Best Story Arc: Sta'rro/The Formation of the Justice League
Took freakin' long enough.
Best Post: B**ch, please.
MVP (Most Valuable Player): Byrd.
I mean, Jesus Christ, do I even need to get into why he should get this one?
Best Fight: Batman vs. Bane as the Wedding Goes Bats**t Crazy (Eddie, Byrd, and MB will hereby share this nomination)
Yeah, I'm adding this category. Not because I was involved in it or because a lot of other games' award seasons have/had it, but because I honestly think it was the most intense and thrilling battle of the season. I think the pacing and interactions were tight and fun to read, as I've actually gone back and read through that scene several times since we wrote it (all right, so there is a bit of me tooting my own horn there, but I honestly would have given this scene its own award even if I weren't playing Bane). With these two crazy martial artists flipping around rooftops and going apes**t against one another as stuff's blowing up around them, what's not to love?
Plus, it was without a doubt the most fun I've had writing a fight scene since the Parasite's big climactic showdown with Superman in
World of Heroes, way back in the day. And that's saying something.