Sir,
We have a few possible answers to your questions, and while not as accomplished as you are, we've been around the blocks once or twice. If we may be so bold, please see the explanations, and if you care to, stop by our offices in King's Row for some of the legal briefs regarding property destruction ordinances in the city.
1) Hero 1 was very respected by heroes, but by the City in general even more. According to PC Statute 103.25.4 (since amended and revised to allow any over 20lvl to honor 1 by wearing a cape): In respect of the sacrifce made by Hero 1 protecting the this great city, no hero or heroine doing business with, providing aid to or receiving assistance from the city is allowed to wear a cape, defined by any accoutrement or accessory draping from the back or collar of the uniform. Any device or wearable accessory which is prominent in the rear of the hero attire must be solid or fitted in such a way that it does not flutter or flap in breezes or due to flight. Crey also has a specialized quick-tab design that tears away under pressure, or their proprietary "Everslick" model that is covered in a zero friction material making grabbing or snagging almost impossible.
Addressing the villain aspect, there have been several explanations provided to the court. The most likely is the exact reasons you gave for not wearing one, mainly the danger of entanglement or use against the wearer. CoT members have been seen wearing robes which resemble capes, but generally were quickly arrested, and perhaps unseen by the mass public.
2) The press in this dimension have learned a hard lesson. During the Rikti invasion, over 70% of the investigative reporters, and 56% of the photo journalists died on assignment. Sniping of civilians by the villains was a major cause, and the fact that the Rikti do not pose for interviews well. Heroes were also sorely tested to keep the civilian press out of harms way, most especially due to reporters sneaking into crash sites for information.
There was word that some heroes were killed in action attempting rescues on the ignorant reporters (ignorant of the implications of their actions), and this led to the commonly held "Reporters get last priority in battle" belief. Their numbers are climbing again, and a few can be found in King's Row or Steel Canyon, but we avoid them. Secret Identities are hard enough to hide without the attention.
3) A hero friend of ours, Phayzed, routinely throw objects (and receives bills for) forklifts, manhole covers, LP tanks, pianos and pool tables. As a controller, they make higher instant damage items than fists, but likely the heavier duty heroes have stronger weapons at their disposal. Find a hero with telekinesis and ask them to demonstrate. We have been hit with lumber and myriad trash bins by villains, and sometimes wish the city would simply clear the streets of such props, but the public needs them.
For legal opinion, feel free to contact our offices. Cliff is the Lawyer, Angela the Psychiatrist.
And welcome!
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2) The press in this dimension have learned a hard lesson. During the Rikti invasion, over 70% of the investigative reporters, and 56% of the photo journalists died on assignment.
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I have heard from various sources that they are still digging out "emedded" journalists from certain locations in Peregrine Island. Seems that a few higher-ups in the City Council thought it would serve the public to send media personalities along on missions with heroes. This proved fatal in some instances. Videocam operators would get too close and aggro certain mobs. It was an embarrasment and quickly fell out of practice.
SweetThang
Channel 6 News (Equipment mover.)
Reporting from downtown Brickstown
Back to you Sibling.
Ahh... I see, capes are made out of a slick non-stick super science fabric. All right. Fair enough. I figured there some sort of law prohibiting the use of capes.
I teamed with controllers with the ability to pull forklifts out of thin air and throw them at foes. I always wondered where they get a pool table from in the middle of the street. Optical illusion? They teleport it from some distant location? I'm not sure
Oh before I forget..
I would be amiss if I didn't point out some good examples of journalism. Two immediate examples come to mind:
1) Bob Larson
Bob Larson is an old fashioned reporter who takes the craft of journalism seriously. He's one of the few reporters that people of all political stripes respect. It doesn't hurt that he's mystically connected to the Norse God of Truth and Justice: Tyr. This means that anyone who interviews him HAS To tell the truth. NO spin and NO BS. Politicians hate him as you'd imagine. He's been attacked and threatened numerous times but has always survived and never compromised his journalistic integrity. I don't mind the guy personally but I'm always worried what questions he will ask.
2) SuperHype magazine: SuperHype Magazine (and Cable channel) is famous for 2 things:
a) First class and rock solid investigation
b) The story selection of a tabloid.
That means they're likely to have stories about...
ELVIS CAPTURED BY GORILLA ALIENS
that are absolutely true.
In the above story it turns out a group of shapechanging aliens was playing games one day. Long story.
SuperHype is hated and loved depending on who they pick on each week. They don't seem to have a particular political agenda and have been known to pick on everyone equally. They've been sued for Libel AND slander numerous times and have always won.
Hmmm...
As to embedded journalists being killed in battle? Well, a law was passed that Journalists can't sue Superhero organizations if they die in the midst of a superbattle. Also forcefield belts, cloaking screens and other technological defenses are available, at great cost, to journalists. So for the most part they survive super battles.
For myself, I pick on the Press corps but I'm biased because my whole family are mutant superheroes I get press coverage whether I want it or not. So keep that in mind. Its real nice being relatively unknown for a change.
OOC: OK this is a chance to earn No-Prizes of sorts. This is where you explain why certain in-game oddities arent actually a problem and provide an explanation as to why they occur. This is all In character. THis post is part to lightly vent about strange things in this game and part to see what other people think.
In character:
Hello. My name is Doctor Blasto and Ive gained about 30 security levels so far and have managed to collect about 14 souvenirs from various adventures I have done. Im sure you folks have a similar stack of souvenirs so I wont bore you with my story. But as a visitor from a similar but relatively distant Earth dimension I was wondering a few things:
1) Ok Hero 1 was so respected a hero that all heroes (and heroines obviously) took off their capes in honor. Ok I can accept that, I have no idea who Hero 1 is other than the stories of him Ive read about but Im willing to go along. Although I have to admit Ive never liked capes and think their tactical disadvantages outweigh how cool they might make you look. But I ask you, why didnt the Hellions or the Freakshow (for instance) not wear capes to piss off heroes? Huge Mind-control? Secret Cape-police? I dont understand this. Sure my fellow heroes would respect the law but why would your standard Super powered gang member? Its not like they respect authority. Also I dont understand why Telekinetic villains dont use a heros cape to strangle him with or hoist him by his (or her) cape and dangle him/her there. Sure there are people on my world who like capes and think theyre looks outweighs theyre tactical disadvantages. I suppose you could have specially magically enchanted capes that prevent it from being grabble by foes but I havent seen any evidence that this is common.
2) Where is your press corps? I dont care which political party you belong to but where Im from the press constantly harasses you. I play nice, I dont blow them off but it doesnt matter. I dont care which side youre on. You finish a big fight and there they are asking questions.
Isnt it true that you lost due to your bungling and poor marksmanship?
What about the allegations that youre Unamerican?
Isnt it true that you ruthless attacked that person without reason at all?
And so on
Its awful. One of the reasons I volunteered to check out this dimension was to get away from the press. So where are they? Am I just unknown? (Thank the Gods) or just lucky?
3) Everyone seems remarkably respectful of property damage here. I mean, no one uses manhole covers for Frisbees or Telephone poles for baseball bats. Obviously you have heroes that are strong enough. I can understand why conservative Law and order heroes dont, but your standard Anti-hero vigilante? It doesnt make sense. Im not superstrong by any means but my sister is. Shes well known for youre her deadly Frisbee throwing. Only costs 500$ a throw too. (They charge her for every manhole cover she uses.) Ok I have seen certain tankers throw rocks and parts of the ground but thats it? Very strange
Now Im sure there are good reasons for these things that Im simply unaware of. I look forward to your replies.