Interesting replies, also didn't know the vocabulary was that big here on the mighty JC.
I should have added Tolkien.
Like I said, I know Stan Lee didn't create all those characters, I just used his name because all the titles in their intro dialogue read "Stan Lee presents:" as if to imply he came up with them. Not really the discussion here, /i just thought it was the easiest way to include the Marvel Universe, though I guess I should have included DC , but I'm not aware if DC has a Stan Lee.
I like Star Trek. But, to me, the universe can only exist if World Peace has taken over Earth. I just don't see that as possible. I'm not overly familiar with what Earth is like in the ST universe, if there are still wars and the like, but the outward appearance is that the Earth is one big happy family. I like the idea of following the flagship vessel of the Federation going places no man has gone before, but at the same time, it's hard to see what the universe is like from the point of view of the top (and crew) of the top ship.
One thing I've always liked about Marvel over DC is that it takes place in our world. Spiderman swings through New York, not Metropolis, they visit Chicago, not Gotham. This, to me, make the MU more relateable. There are plenty of humans in the MU, Punisher, Tony Stark, Nick Fury, they rely on their skill and/or reinforcement of their human body. There are mutants like the X-men, who have abilities that they have from being different than humans. There are the folks who were human, but were given "powers" like Spiderman and the Fan Four through some strange event in their life. There are also aliens and characters from other dimensions. But these characters all exist in out world. AS I understand it, Superman was created by a person who had a dream after seeing his mom get mugged. In his dream, he became a man with super-human strength and was able to protect his mom. These "superheroes" all a reflection of who we want to be and what we can be, they are also a great escape from reality some sometimes.
For the most part, Larry Hama was handed a figure or a basic description or a drawing and from that he was able to come up with personalities and whole back stories regarding the character. He tapped into his own military experience and thought about the men he had known so the Joe-verse could have some basis in reality. He wrote a continuing story based on these characters. Like the MU, the Joe-verse is based in our own world, but the heroes are human with no superhuman qualities (SE and SS not withstanding). We could have just ended up with a bunch of boring figures and characters, like the 21st or bbi figures, but he gave the world some heart. Not only did he make these great military heroes, he made what could be considered one of the best groups of bad guys ever created. Cobra is not some generic bad guy, they, like the Joes, are full of people with various personalities and their own intricate back stories. As big a part of the Joe-verse that Snake Eyes is, I've always felt that the Joe-verse revolved around Cobra Commander, like the way the SW universe revolves around Anikan/Vader, Snake Eyes just became popular and his story nicely intertwines with CC's.
Much as most older fans cringe at the Prequel trilogy, they, combined with the Original Trilogy make for one heckuva story. Like I said above, with a story that follows the tale of a child, then teenager and adult who turns to evil then his redemption. It's a great tale. Putting that aside though, take a look at the way the galaxy far, far away was shown. Coruscant is this big, modern world, the hub of the galaxy, where everything happens, then there's Tatooine, a backwater, hick "planet." Naboo, a lovely world that is cool, calm and clean. Kamino and Geonosis, industrial worlds. Whule it might be odd to find a planet that has only one kind of topographical feature, these world represent different cities you might find in the States. And the people fit their surroundings. Then there's the "tech." The beautiful, pristine Royal Yacht that Queen Amidala cruises around in. The small, sleek fighters the Jedi use. The walking machines the Clone Troopers use in their battle. Then the Emperor takes over and things are groovy at first, but then the universe starts to go to pot. George Lucas mentioned on many occasions that he wanted the SW universe to look used. And it does. The Falcon, while a cool ship, is kinda run down. Luke's land speeder is the type of car a teenager would have. Something to cruise around in, but needs work. Then there's the Jedi. Someone compared them to a religion, not to mention they are referred to a religion. I tend to think of them as people with finely tuned powers of ESP, psychic, psyonic or telekinetic powers. The whole universe is something different than, yet very similar to what we know in our own world.\
So which is my favorite? Hard to say, I like them all, but it's a toss up between SW and G.I.*JOE. And I'd say probably Star Wars, the universe is just to unique over the others and the possibilities are really endless as to where it could have and can still go. While I'm sure there are parts of the Joe-verse Mr. Hama had no control over, as I understand it, he was no fan of Serpentor, there was only so much he could do with it and going outside that realm would just seem too odd (Lunamatrix Empire anyone? Cobra-La?) and out of place with where the story started. Heck, I like SE and SS, but the ninja thing got a bit out of hand...
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Some people, when trying to avoid thinking about those things that cause them pain, turn to drink, food, or drugs...I turn not to any of those...I collect action figures. Over the years, I've found that alcoholism is much more socially acceptable by far.
