The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore might be the most successful villains in the history of comic books. In 1986 and 1987, as they published their epic serial The Watchmen, they essentially destroyed the notion of superheroes. The Watchmen - a group of six generally well-intentioned super-powered individuals - certainly have their own archetypal catastrophe to fight against, as New York is under siege from an alien threat.

If I were a super villain who hurt people, what would my super villain power be?” Enzo said.

At first it had been paralyzing rays that shot from her index fingers. Then it had been a third eye that traveled about her body and could shoot paralyzing rays at will. Then a secret sonic vehicle that could shoot paralyzing rays from its headlights.

“I thought you’d already decided,” Joseph said. “Some form of paralyzing rays.”

Enzo tapped her mechanical pencil against her palm. She referred to it as her clickster.