Crazy question about Superhero "clubs"... isn't there an obvious downside?

[ZMOQ]

I still have our old late Silver Age/Early Bronze Age comics collection. So, my perception of superheroes is still pretty much molded by the way they were depicted back then, when Flash was Barry Allen, and Green Lantern was Hal Jordan, etc. and Thor didn't have a beard. You know what I mean...

So, I'm musing about the various superhero "clubs". like the Justice League of America, or the Defenders, or the Avengers, etc. Some of my JLA issues even had them manning phones for a Super-Thon (a kind of telethon) while Snapper Carr was being held hostage. So, my question is... while the heroes are hanging out together in their various clubs and wasting their time answering telephones, why aren't the villains taking advantage of the situation and starting a big crime wave back in the heroes' hometowns?

For example, while Batman is out with the JLA against Anakronus, Korge and the Equalizer, etc. why isn't the Joker causing chaos in Gotham City? Why isn't Lex Luthor or Mr. Mxzplik causing trouble in Metropolis?

If the JLA is defending America (or at least being a justice league for/in America), then who's defending the rest of the planet? Are other, friendly countries like the U.K. supposed to fend for themselves while Superman is occupied with an exclusively America-focused club?

While Dr. Strange, Hulk, Valkyrie, Son of Satan, etc. are in meetings deciding what to do when KISS' transformation into superheroes puts a blip on their radar, why aren't their respective nemesis enjoying a hero-free crime spree or yet another chance for world domination while the cat's away?

There's only 24 hours in a day, and superheroes are limited to being in one place at one time, just like the rest of us. You'd THINK that defending their hometowns is a 7 x 24 job. So, while they're off clubbing with their pals, do they arrange for other superheroes to cover their towns?

[Relic]

You do know that super heros only exist in comics and the movie, not real life.

[Timothy2251]

I always figured the groups only met every so often (once a week, once a month, etc.). Plus, plenty of back-up heroes to cover things while the big guys are otherwise tied up (Batman pretty much as his own army of sidekicks and Bat-themed folks, Superman has Supergirl and Superboy, etc. On the Marvel side, plenty of X-Men to go around, a bunch of lone wolf superheroes to pick up the slack, etc.).

[johnnystorm]

First of all, the villains require exact planning to carry out a bank heist or jewelry store robbery that involved setting up a giant working model of a typewriter,a man-sized working boomerang with stratospheric launch capabilities, or massive flying umbrella vehicles. Timing was critical, so you didn't want to just attack without the possibility of the hero being there, otherwise what was the point of investing 30 mil in props to steal a rare Egyptian coin worth 100 grand?

Secondly, this also falls under the same category as to why you would continue to attack Gotham City or Metropolis banks, instead of robbing a bank in downtown Pittsburgh or Cincinnati where there are no heroes at all. Is money worth more in Gotham? Are Metropolitan diamonds more valuable than the ones in Peoria?
I dunno.

[PNGwynne]

^ Too true, and very funny.

[PNGwynne]

We shouldn't expect superheroes to be too "realistic"--otherwise we end up with Nolanesque abomin...er, abberations. ;-)

[BlackKnight]

You do know that super heros only exist in comics and the movie, not real life.

Ya ..., And U can Buy em at BigLots too !

[thunderbolt]

Ya ..., And U can Buy em at BigLots too !

20 percent off this weekend at big Lots!! Maybe even the ones in Minnesota.

[jwyblejr]

First of all, the villains require exact planning to carry out a bank heist or jewelry store robbery that involved setting up a giant working model of a typewriter,a man-sized working boomerang with stratospheric launch capabilities, or massive flying umbrella vehicles. Timing was critical, so you didn't want to just attack without the possibility of the hero being there, otherwise what was the point of investing 30 mil in props to steal a rare Egyptian coin worth 100 grand?

Secondly, this also falls under the same category as to why you would continue to attack Gotham City or Metropolis banks, instead of robbing a bank in downtown Pittsburgh or Cincinnati where there are no heroes at all. Is money worth more in Gotham? Are Metropolitan diamonds more valuable than the ones in Peoria?
I dunno.

And with most baddies,how many just had to send a letter to the police station telling the cops when and where they were going to commit said crime and dare them to stop them?

[ctc]

>You do know that super heros only exist in comics and the movie, not real life.

....wait.... what....? You're kidding, right? RIGHT?!?!?!

>We shouldn't expect superheroes to be too "realistic"--

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=160

Don C.