Merchandise

A way for civilians to feel closer to capes, one of the ways teams can draw revenue.

Description

A significant section of the economy on Earth Bet in the United States comes from merchandising capes lives and appearances. It is a common source of funding for PRT departments.<ref name="PRT47 e1">“I have a very low tolerance threshold,” Snaptrap says. He kicks back his chair, forming a small ball of gravity behind him, which catches the back of the chair and keeps it from tipping over. “I try to play ball, but I’ve been doing this a while, and every single time I get shunted over to a new department, I see them doing it wrong. One guy doesn’t listen to the capes. The other guy focuses too much on the merchandising. The next guy geeks out and focuses on the powers. Now we’ve got Mr. Meeting-” - Department Sixty Four, PRT Quest thread i p47</ref>

Examples

Trading Cards

The PRT has a series of trading cards that they use to popularize their heroes, as well as affiliated approved heroes.<ref name="II2.1">“I spent most of my childhood watching my mom balance the books, I did the events, the photoshoots, the merchandising as a PRT-acknowledged team. I have something of a sense of what you’re probably going for.”

“Ah, the merchandising. I think I have your PRT trading card from that time period in a binder in my office.”

I smiled. “Which one? I had one that was holographic, which you could swipe through the controller for the video game to have me as a polygon-rendered helper, and the higher quality one that had the bio on the back.”

“I think it was the second one. My office is through this door.” - Excerpt from Flare 2.1</ref>

There are card collectors and similar.

Apparel

Armsmaster underwear

Miscellanea

Alexandria lunchbox
Action figures <ref name="I21.y e1"/>
Nail Art<ref name="II4.1">She paused at a manicurist’s, looking within. There were rows of comfortable looking chairs with small tables beside them and foot baths below each seat. Ads in the window showed a variety of nail art.

Ashley held out her hand in front of her, her black nail polish contrasted with the colorful ‘Chevalier’ pattern, mimicking the delicate gold flourishes on a silver background. She moved her hand to compare to the ‘Alexandria’ image. - Excerpt from Shade 4.1</ref>
Video games where you can kill endbringers.<ref>Interlude 12.5</ref>

Parahuman examples

Vista - see below
Glory Girl - Several variations exist.
Flechette talked about the plans set up for her included action figures and similar.<ref name="I21.y e1">“Yeah,” Lily murmured. “Before I came here, everything was on track. I could see my future ahead of me, straight as an arrow. Career path, eventual Flechette action figures. Every single one of my teachers and superiors seemed to know I had potential. One of the only people who could hurt an Endbringer…” - Excerpt from Interlude 21.y</ref>
Armsmaster - He has action figures (with interchangeable Halberd parts!) and clothing that features his personal symbol.<ref name="1.6">Gestation 1.6</ref>
Alexandria multiple variations exist.
"Legendberry Electrolyte Sports Drink"<ref>Eclipse x.8</ref>

Fanart Gallery

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Semi canonical image by Wildbow

References