Pied Piper: Criminal, Hero, or Civilian?

[Mahou Otaku]

Which version of the Pied Piper's character do you like the best? Criminal technical genius, reluctant hero, assistant to hero, or just plain civilian?

He seems to have played all these parts in one way or another at times. Which do you think is closest to his "true self"? Which would you rather read about?

I kind of can't decide. He's a great villain, but I tend to like him better when he's doing the right thing.

[MetalWoman]

I love Piper best as portrayed by Geoff Johns and as written in Countdown. As an outlaw that truly wants to do good, but keeps screwing up or being screwed over. Actually, Rogue's Revenge is my perfect Piper portrayal.

Metal Woman

[NexusTenebrare]

Criminal turned hero.
I thought he looked great in the recent Flash issues where he tried to be a hero in Flash's absence.

What I'd love is for DC to take a chance and give him a solo.
A book like that would have some interesting draws. Not just the gay male lead (DC already has the first gay female lead, why not get another one over on Marvel), but also the whole criminal to hero angle which I don't think they have yet in any of their current books.

[dupersuper]

Villain turned hero.

[Prisoner 6655321]

I love Piper best as portrayed by Geoff Johns and as written in Countdown. As an outlaw that truly wants to do good, but keeps screwing up or being screwed over. Actually, Rogue's Revenge is my perfect Piper portrayal.

Metal Woman

Yeah I agree here, and while I hated Countdown the Piper parts were the best.

[Power Torch]

Villain turned hero. I really like Piper and want him to take a bigger role as a hero, or anti-hero maybe. I would say he could get his own arc in DC presents, but thats ending...

[PennyDreadful]

Villain turned hero. Enough said.

And I have to say that I don't care for Johns' portrayal of Piper, mainly because he kept writing Piper as someone who could not catch a break. Then, after Rogues' Revenge, he tossed Piper into comic book limbo and never mentioned him in the pages of the Flash again. I'd love it if writers wouldn't keep writing Piper as a hero who keeps getting his butt handed to him. He's an ex-villain who went up against the freaking Flash. He's anything but incompetent. And stories written during the Messner-Loebs/Waid years always showed him as a tech wizard and BFF to Wally. Wish DC would remember that, but, Johns notwithstanding, the Rogues are not favorites of DC editorial, and I get the impression that Johns never cared for Piper.

Seriously, I was ticked off that Piper was beaten up AGAIN in the current Flash book, after fighting the Rogues AGAIN. Haven't we been there before? Either do something new, or leave him in comic book limbo. Geez.

[PennyDreadful]

Villain turned hero. I really like Piper and want him to take a bigger role as a hero, or anti-hero maybe. I would say he could get his own arc in DC presents, but thats ending...

Too bad. A one-shot or a miniseries would also be good. Hey, they did it with Phantom Lady and Doll-man, yes?

[gwangung]

Villain turned hero. Enough said.

And I have to say that I don't care for Johns' portrayal of Piper, mainly because he kept writing Piper as someone who could not catch a break. Then, after Rogues' Revenge, he tossed Piper into comic book limbo and never mentioned him in the pages of the Flash again. I'd love it if writers wouldn't keep writing Piper as a hero who keeps getting his butt handed to him. He's an ex-villain who went up against the freaking Flash. He's anything but incompetent. And stories written during the Messner-Loebs/Waid years always showed him as a tech wizard and BFF to Wally. Wish DC would remember that, but, Johns notwithstanding, the Rogues are not favorites of DC editorial, and I get the impression that Johns never cared for Piper.

Seriously, I was ticked off that Piper was beaten up AGAIN in the current Flash book, after fighting the Rogues AGAIN. Haven't we been there before? Either do something new, or leave him in comic book limbo. Geez.

Hm. Never thought about this before, but you're right.

[Power Torch]

Too bad. A one-shot or a miniseries would also be good. Hey, they did it with Phantom Lady and Doll-man, yes?

Ya, I guess they could still do a miniseries, but I think it would have had a better chance in DC Presents. But I would so read a Piper miniseries!

[PennyDreadful]

I just hope that they don't bring back his godawful 1990s paramilitary costume.

Personally, a Secret Six-type book starring assorted Rogues would be cool. Perhaps one day there'll be better management open to such an idea.

[Power Torch]

I just hope that they don't bring back his godawful 1990s paramilitary costume.

Personally, a Secret Six-type book starring assorted Rogues would be cool. Perhaps one day there'll be better management open to such an idea.

Ya and Poison Ivy can be on the team....we need to work for DC....NOW lol.

[PennyDreadful]

Ya and Poison Ivy can be on the team....we need to work for DC....NOW lol.

Has Piper done anything anywhere in the DCU since Flash 12?

[the4thpip]

Criminal turned hero.
I thought he looked great in the recent Flash issues where he tried to be a hero in Flash's absence.

What I'd love is for DC to take a chance and give him a solo.
A book like that would have some interesting draws. Not just the gay male lead (DC already has the first gay female lead, why not get another one over on Marvel), but also the whole criminal to hero angle which I don't think they have yet in any of their current books.

The Midnighter ongoing series was first, though.

[MetalWoman]

Has Piper done anything anywhere in the DCU since Flash 12?

He was in one of the alternate futures dreamed up by Flash in Flash #15. He was among the five people who attached Grodd's stronghold, and fired off a rather impressive sonic cannon.

Metal Woman