Some questions about the Megalodons...

[Vanguard01]

Man, how weird is my brain? Yesterday morning, I'm in my bathroom, shaving, of all things, when this question hits me. Yeah nothing like having a disracting thought while you're scraping at your face with a bunch of razor blades, huh? :wink:

But seriously, I really began to ponder the megs and I gotta ask: what do those beasties eat? I mean, look at the size of them. Most fish would probably be too small to be worth their time. I can't see anything short of other large sharks or even whales as being a decent meal for them. And if they DO eat other sharks and whales, what does that say about their impact on the ecosystem? Most large sharks and a lot of whales are endangered after all. Otherwise, what else is there for them to eat?

Also, the megs are around Themiscyra to protect it from seafaring threats. We saw in Countdown that they'll even devour any humans attempting to approach the island. Well, what does that mean for the long-standing tradition of the Amazons' helping people who washed up on their island? Let's say some poor bastard gets shipwrecked and drifts toward Themiscyra. Do the megs eat him? Or are they more intelligent than the average shark and have some special ability to recognize that this guy is neither a valid meal nor a threat to the Amazons and leave him alone?

Don't get me wrong, I love the megs. Swiftmaw the Wonder Shark rocks. But these are thoughts that have just plagued my brain of late.

What do you all think?

[aegisbearer]

And don't forget Razortooth and Stealthfin (if Gail's really going to add those in). ;-)

I think since it's a new addition to the WW mythos, we should probably expect to see an explanation by the time the next Crisis hits. :evilsmile:

[Vanguard01]

And don't forget Razortooth and Stealthfin (if Gail's really going to add those in). ;-)

I think since it's a new addition to the WW mythos, we should probably expect to see an explanation by the time the next Crisis hits. :evilsmile:

Let's hope it'll be sooner than that. There's really no need for a huge explanation about how they came to be. i can simply accept that the Gods decided that Themiscyra needed some extra security and thought that a force of giant sharks would do nicely. I'd just like some clarification about how they're not slaughtering endangered animals and/or killing innocent people for the crime of being too close to Themiscyra.

[mgs]

But seriously, I really began to ponder the megs and I gotta ask: what do those beasties eat?
couldn't, like, the powers that be who sent them there, also (maybe magically) send them food creatures to feast upon as well?

but, I honestly dunno. :confused:

[Vanguard01]

couldn't, like, the powers that be who sent them there, also (maybe magically) send them food creatures to feast upon as well?

but, I honestly dunno. :confused:

It's possible. That's why I wanted to have this discussion. To hear other people's ideas on the matter.

[Gail Simone]

Well, the area around Themyscira does tend to have its share of mythological stuff to eat...

And the megs were in Countdown? I had no idea!

[Wulfmir]

Poor castaway...

They were supposed to eat whales I believe, says National Geographic or Discovery, can't recall where I watched it.

[Free-Man]

Aegis and I already agreed that the Megs subsist on sea life and prisoners who refuse to reform on Transformation Island.:wink:

[LightningRider]

This does so not explain why Themyscira was invaded by Nazis. :(

Anyway, they feed off... invaders lol, and unreformed prisoners. Mostly men. :tongue:

[ShaunN]

Historically, megalodons ate the ancient whales, which were smaller then than they are now. One of the reasons that the megs died out is that the whales' migratory patterns changed and they moved into colder water. Megs need warm, shallow water in which to breed.

As to what they are eating around Themyscira - well, I guess it depends, in part, on where Themyscira is. It's out of phase with our dimension, so maybe its ocean is full of mythological creatures. Or maybe the megs are primarily magical creatures, who don't need much food to survive.

Re: the tradition of the Amazons helping those lost at sea: I would hazard a guess that the megs just don't eat people who fall into that category. They are clearly intelligent, so they can probably distinguish between genuine threats to the island and lost seafarers.

[trypr]

Also, the megs are around Themiscyra to protect it from seafaring threats. We saw in Countdown that they'll even devour any humans attempting to approach the island. Well, what does that mean for the long-standing tradition of the Amazons' helping people who washed up on their island? Let's say some poor bastard gets shipwrecked and drifts toward Themiscyra. Do the megs eat him? Or are they more intelligent than the average shark and have some special ability to recognize that this guy is neither a valid meal nor a threat to the Amazons and leave him alone

Hmm, well the Megs are certainly intelligent: you only have to look at Swiftmaw, the fact the Amazons can communicate with them, and that they were capable of self sacrifice in defence of the island. They aren't prehistoric, so much as mythical beasts.

Themiscyra itself seems to sit in a grey area between myth and reality, as others have said, so I suspect that the Megs exploit that grey area when it comes to hunting for food and go after more than just whales. It also seems likely that the DCU ocean is not in the same direct peril ours is, never mind all the crazy stuff hiding in it.

Also the Megs, I suspect, don't automatically eat people on site: they seem capable of exercising judgement (they didn't like Alkyone, Amazon or not) and I suspect they'd leave people in genuine distress alone: I suppose Posiedons followers in the surrounding waters might mark them for protection in some way. It's all to do with magic in the end, I guess ^^

[Free-Man]

Hmm, well the Megs are certainly intelligent: you only have to look at Swiftmaw, the fact the Amazons can communicate with them, and that they were capable of self sacrifice in defence of the island. They aren't prehistoric, so much as mythical beasts.

Themiscyra itself seems to sit in a grey area between myth and reality, as others have said, so I suspect that the Megs exploit that grey area when it comes to hunting for food and go after more than just whales. It also seems likely that the DCU ocean is not in the same direct peril ours is, never mind all the crazy stuff hiding in it.

Also the Megs, I suspect, don't automatically eat people on site: they seem capable of exercising judgement (they didn't like Alkyone, Amazon or not) and I suspect they'd leave people in genuine distress alone: I suppose Posiedons followers in the surrounding waters might mark them for protection in some way. It's all to do with magic in the end, I guess ^^

I guess it depends. Would the Amazons themselves be all that kind to someone in distress near their waters? I know pre-retcon Donna Troy was a good example, but have there been any more recent ones?

I just mean if the Amazons aren't too kind on letting strangers near the place, the Megs might not be either.

[trypr]

I guess it depends. Would the Amazons themselves be all that kind to someone in distress near their waters? I know pre-retcon Donna Troy was a good example, but have there been any more recent ones?

I just mean if the Amazons aren't too kind on letting strangers near the place, the Megs might not be either.

Well, there's the Perez history of helping people in distress at sea: Julia Kapatelis, for example, was saved by them as a child and it was implied that hundreds of others had been.

[Vanguard01]

Well, the area around Themyscira does tend to have its share of mythological stuff to eat...

And the megs were in Countdown? I had no idea!

Yeah, when Granny Goodness's fake Amazons came to Themiscyra, they had to fight past the megs. That was the first time I was like "There are giant sharks around Themiscyra? Since when?" Unfortunately, they killed a few of them. Harley was holding one of their heads above her head on a spear and asking if anyone wanted sushi.

[knowwonder]

Yeah, when Granny Goodness's fake Amazons came to Themiscyra, they had to fight past the megs. That was the first time I was like "There are giant sharks around Themiscyra? Since when?" Unfortunately, they killed a few of them. Harley was holding one of their heads above her head on a spear and asking if anyone wanted sushi.

Paradise Island has had Megaladons surrounding it since the Silver Age. Along with giant octopi (sp?), overgrown clam and many, many enormous birds.

[3D Master]

But seriously, I really began to ponder the megs and I gotta ask: what do those beasties eat? I mean, look at the size of them. Most fish would probably be too small to be worth their time. I can't see anything short of other large sharks or even whales as being a decent meal for them. And if they DO eat other sharks and whales, what does that say about their impact on the ecosystem? Most large sharks and a lot of whales are endangered after all. Otherwise, what else is there for them to eat?

Giant squid. It's been their food since before history began.

[Gail Simone]

This is so weird...I have no idea how I missed this.

Were they specifically the guardians of the shoreline like they are now?

[knowwonder]

This is so weird...I have no idea how I missed this.

Were they specifically the guardians of the shoreline like they are now?

No, not at all.

They were usually menacing Merboy and getting into tangles with Diana. Lotsa whales around the island back then, too.....

[Vanguard01]

This is so weird...I have no idea how I missed this.

Were they specifically the guardians of the shoreline like they are now?

They were guarding the shoreline in Countdown, though. Or they seemed to be. Since you hadn't introduced them yet, all I saw were giant sharks trying to eat a bunch of fake Amazons swimming for Themiscyra. Then you introduced them as Themiscyra's guardians and I was like "Oh, I get it. So Themiscyra is protected by giant sharks now? That's kinda cool."

Then you went ahead and named one of them and showed Diana befriending one as a child and now I think they just rock! :biggrin:

[Gail Simone]

Even the people that WROTE Countdown didn't read all of Countdown! ;)

[Burning Manazon]

Lucky people.