Amanda
Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
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« on: February 20, 2007, 04:01:30 AM » |
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Is there a story or reason behind the double L's used for the names of many people Superman encounters?
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Permanus
Superman Squad
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« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2007, 08:06:53 AM » |
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Good question! I don't think there is, but Superman is certainly aware of it, since he mentions it in "Superman's Return to Krypton": http://superman.nu/returntokrypton/srtk/?page=9"Every girl who ever meant anything to me has always had those initials", he muses, forgetting about his deadliest enemy for a while. |
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Between the revolution and the firing-squad, there is always time for a glass of champagne.
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crispy snax
Superman Family
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« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2007, 09:38:36 AM » |
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Mort weisenger claimed that he invented the whole LL thing, but he claims alot of things. however i dont think the LL thing was ever explained as having some sort of explaination, it was just another bit of weridness in supermans world
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dto
Action Ace
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« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2007, 04:05:35 PM » |
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It's been said that many comic book character names are alliterations so young readers can remember them easier. Consider:
Billy Batson, Boston Brand, Bruce Banner, Freddie Freeman, Kathy Kane, Matt Murdock, Peter Parker, Reed Richards, Sheira Sanders, Susan Storm (Richards), etc.
In the case of Superman's "L.L.", it possibly began innocently enough, following much the same reasoning. Then somebody noticed that both Lois Lane AND Lana Lang shared "L.L." initials, and then the overkill began, ultimately sinking into self-parody. Remember that Luthor was originally identified by one name -- he got the "Lex" after the "L.L" craze was already underway.
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DTO
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Superman Squad
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« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2007, 09:46:47 PM » |
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I love the way you put them in alphabetical order!
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Between the revolution and the firing-squad, there is always time for a glass of champagne.
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Lee Semmens
Last Son of Krypton
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« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2007, 11:03:06 AM » |
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I've always thought that the use of the "LLs" was a cliche-ridden, vastly over-used gimmick.
It was particularly tiresome when readers used to write in to Mort Weisinger, listing double Ls in characters names, even when the writer of the story hadn't intended making a point of it, for instance: James Bartholomew Olsen and Abraham Lincoln!
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Great Rao
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Council of Wisdom
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« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2007, 01:50:14 AM » |
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"The bottom line involves choices. Neither gods nor humans have ever stood calmly in a minefield forever. Good or evil, they are bound to choose. And when they do, you will see the truth of all that motivates us. As a thinking being, you have the obligation to choose. If the fate of all mankind were in your hands, what would your decision be? As a writer and an artist, I've drawn my answer." - Jack Kirby
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Genis Vell
Last Son of Krypton
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« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2007, 05:41:22 PM » |
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The LL thing is one of the funniest elements in the Superman history.
Just now, thinking to how many "LL characters" have been introduced in the post-Crisis years, I remembered the most recent: Lupe Leocadio. I never thought it before...!
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 Captain Marvel - Italian Earth-Prime Superman ...it'll be a job for Superman! |
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