Eric, you are too sensible for the internet!

I have no idea what’s going on either, but I’m sure Joss Whedon is not consciously ripping anybody off.

I think the initial reaction of Dr. Steel fans was of an over-zealous nature, feeling the pinch of ‘too close for comfort’ when a big-named producer makes a show that in many ways does mirror Dr. Steel’s. That is not to say that Joss Whedon ripped him off, most of the elements are nothing new, but to put them all together in a similar fashion does raise the eyebrows.
But that’s neither here nor there. I doubt Joss is a theif.
Really now, there’s room enough on this big old planet of ours to enjoy BOTH mad scientists, and I figure there will be a lot of cross-over fans who love both, or who personally prefer one over the other.
That’s human nature - to have a preference.
So while hasty words and mis-applied zeal may have been the initial reaction, I think most everyone realizes that there is no need for any sort of ‘fan-war’ over this. Growing pains, and nothing more.
Be that as it may, Dr. Steel will always be my first love - … Mind Control Cookies… mmmmmmm..

I, too, had a pang of “gosh, this Dr. Horrible is a Dr. Steel wannabe” when I saw Whedon’s work, which, I must say is engaging and worthwhile. The shout out to Ben Edlund (creator of “The Tick”) was nice to see.

I realize that Dr. Horrible was intended as an experiment in producing content during a writer’s strike, a sort of nose-thumbing at the TV-making “machine”. As such, it is still rough around the edges and somewhat weak at the seams in terms of writing and execution. Not to knock this attempt too hard, but it feels to me that a couple more rewrites and some critical self-assessment of the show as a whole would have made for a tighter final project. To me, it seems to bolster the idea that “the machine” can and sometimes does do a more circumspect job.

I’m surprised that Whedon, who dabbles in the fanboy universe, hadn’t run across Dr. Steel’s take on the iconic mad doctor character. But if his people say they never heard of Dr. Steel I hope it’s true - and I hope that this somewhat forced introduction at the hands of over ten thousand registered Dr. Steel supporters might give Steel a little commercial limelight in the national geek media.

Dr. Steel has a heckofalot better costuming than Dr. Horrible had even when he made it to the big time. I think that, if nothing else, any future Dr. Horrible projects could include costuming by Dr. Steel’s most excellent costumer who does commercial costume work including work for Tim Burton’s past and upcoming projects.

There’s room for more than one mad doctor out there. As long as they’re all trying to take over the world, we fanboys will be there to pledge our unswerving alliegance.

I’m a little late, but I still think it’s worth noting that Dr. Horrible’s coat was a left-over “Serenity” prop.

Steel, schmeel.

Come on the mad scientist is a CLASSIC sterotype character thats been used a million times so its pointless saying they ripped off one another. Sadly no story is orignal but both character are a lot of fun

I often think of Neil Patrick Harris not as Doogie Howser, but as Toby from Sweeney Todd.
Yep. That sexy beast’s gots pipes. Pipes of gold.