this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2025

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Middle Man (media.piefed.world)

submitted 1 week ago by The_Picard_Maneuver@piefed.world to c/comicstrips@lemmy.world

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[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 131 points 1 week ago (7 children)

That could be a fantastic superpower. Imagine a superhero called Middle Man. What would his powers be? He would have to have powers relating to connecting and engaging with people.

In my head canon, Middle Man has a form of psychic power. Come to him with any problem, no matter how strange or obscure. He will instantly be able to know the most qualified person on the planet to help with that problem and how to get in contact with them. And using his super power of persuasion, he'll be able to contact them up and always be able to convince them to help or advise you.

[–] Rhaedas@fedia.io 54 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That was my take from the comic. He did his job flawlessly.

Until you learn that previously someone had come to him asking how to get revenge on their boss and company in that building for firing them, and Middle Man got the world's best arsonist on the job.

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 19 points 1 week ago

Maybe the arsonist was recruited by Middle Man's arch nemesis. They're basically the same abilities-wise; the only real difference is alignment. Middle Man uses these powers to help the innocent, his nemesis uses them to obtain power and wealth.

Not sure what his nemesis should be named though. Maybe Middle Manager, and he uses his powers for petty control? Middle Man once convinced a cosmetic surgeon for rich celebrities to fly to a war-torn country and help land mine victims. Middle Manager once convinced Martha Stewart do his laundry for a season.

[–] SethranKada@lemmy.ca 14 points 1 week ago

I love this

[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 1 week ago

Sounds like the perfect premise for a "monster of the week" type serial TV show.

[–] TheHotze@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago

Absolute King.

[–] NaibofTabr 5 points 1 week ago

"I'm a people person... I have people for that."

[–] NoForwadSlashS@piefed.social 5 points 1 week ago

That sounds like a middle manager but actually useful.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I'm imagining them not so much as a super hero. More like someone who switches the line.

Sometimes good, if it benefits them. Sometimes evil, if it benefits them.

The key here is, they don't give a shit if the job gets done. They know that anyone coming to them for help is already desprate to know HOW to fix things.

So superman might ask how to overcome kryptonite. And Batman might ask who would have the answer to a riddle (as in, Batman knows the answer, but the answer requires additional materials to complete, and thats where Middle Man could come in.)

But also, Catwoman might ask where she could obtain blueprints for the building of city hall. And the penguin would ask where he could find the best bomb making materials. Because despite his whole thing is that he's a penguin, he uses an awful lot of bombs. And nobody ever assosiates that with him. Most people think The Joker.

[–] Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world 59 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The version we got IRL:

[–] Jankatarch@lemmy.world 16 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

(He then proceeded to charge $10K in fees nonetheless.)

[–] QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 53 points 1 week ago

Sometimes it’s who you know and not what you know.

[–] mental_block@lemmy.wtf 26 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

"Was the least I could do. Now.. I prefer cash but Venmo or Bitcoin works too"

[–] jaybone@lemmy.zip 12 points 1 week ago

This guy hangs out with Captain Hindsight in the League of Mediocrity.

[–] brown567@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

You forgot the part where Middle Man charges the citizen for That Guy's work, then proceeds to not pay That Guy a single red cent

[–] manny_stillwagon@mander.xyz 11 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

1000003137

The Middleman: You know how in comic books there's all kinds of mad scientists and aliens and androids and monsters, and all of them either want to destroy or take over the world?

Wendy: In comic books, sure.

The Middleman: Well it really does work like that.

https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/15147-the-middleman

[–] How_do_I_computah@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago

"I used to fly into burning buildings all the time. Back then things burned hotter too. I get it. If you keep at it I'll absolutely put in a good word for you when I'm done with this position. Until then just keep knocking it out of the park, ok?"

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 7 points 1 week ago

I bet there's a JLU episode about the guy at the Justice League headquarters responsible for coordinating all the members and sending them out to assignments.

[–] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 1 week ago

Another job well dispatched. He can be proud of himself today!

[–] TomMasz@piefed.social 7 points 1 week ago

Oh, and I get 15% off the top.

[–] Allero@lemmy.today 6 points 1 week ago

Actually useful

[–] Sidhean@piefed.social 4 points 1 week ago

If Middle Man hadnt sent Okay Hero to help an old lady cross the street, That Guy might not have been available. I get the feeling, however, that Middle Man knows who started that fire

[–] TipsyMcGee@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

”I deal with the customers”

[–] original_reader@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 week ago

https://www.doublefine.com/games/middle-manager-of-justice