In the very first story arc of the “Girl Genius” web comic, it’s shown that non-Sparks barely comprehend devices invented by a Spark even if they have access to the blue prints and formulae. Thus, while heroes and villains alike horde their knowledge and technology, Xander can be “open source” about his innovations as he’s only person able to use it properly. I got the idea from Ezekiel Stane, son of “Iron Man” villain the Ironmonger, quote: “A post-national businessman and open source ideological terrorist, the antithesis of Tony Stark’s closed source rigidity.”
While LexCorp and Wayne Enterprises use patients, copyrights, and licensing to build his empire, Xander can throw the world into chaos simply by not caring who has access to his ideas.
Possible line: “I don’t want to drive you out of business. I want to make you obsolete.”
See “Reed Richards is Useless” on TV tropes where a brilliant inventor doesn’t share his inventions or try to change the status quo.
Examples: the Justice League has access to causal space flight and FTL travel, artificial gravity, teleporters, etc., while real life NASA hasn’t gone to the Moon in nearly thirty years. Comic-Amazons of Themyscira have a Purple Healing Ray that can repair wounds and cure diseases, yet keep it to themselves just because they don't like male-dominated society.
Comments from author:
That's an interesting idea. I might use it. Thanks for the review and the link.
Review By [dorkmoon] • Date [1 May 13] • Not Rated
This mixes my favorite Buffy character with my favorite online comics. I hope there will be more of this good fic :)
Comments from author:
Xander Harris is definitely one of the most underused characters on TV. The sheer number of fanfictions with Xander Harris as the main character out there... Whoever was in charge of writing the character on the show was one unimaginative, vampire obsessed %$#¥π√|€.
Review By [DrDamage] • Date [1 May 13] • Rating [10 out of 10]
I enjoy reading Girl Genius myself. And good GG fanfictions can be hard to find. This one? This one here is amusing. Although I'd swear this was crossing with Gen 13 from the descriptions so far, which I thought is Image comics?
Could be wrong about the Gen 13 publisher though.
Comments from author:
Considering I never read Gen 13 that's unlikely. Thanks for the review.
I love GG and your Alexander Hetrodyne is quite marvelous. I can't wait until he starts making clanks. Thanks for the update and I hope the next one is sooner than this.
Comments from author:
I can't wait either. There may be one or two proto clanks on the next chapter. Thanks for the review.