| Higher Powers | |
|---|---|
| |
| The Higher Powers, at Tricky's call, resurrecting Hank at the start of Madness Combat 7 | |
| Debut: | Madness Combat 3: Avenger |
| Appearances: | 2 |
| Role(s): | Neutral |
In Madness Combat, there is known to be a supernatural medium that keeps watch over Hank J. Wimbleton and Jesus called the Higher Powers. Krinkels has said it (or they) finds the Earthly conflict amusing, and the Powers are responsible for Hank's constant resurrection most of the time. Many people speculate that the Auditor is a/the Higher Power, and this is not unlikely because of his powers and control of the Improbability Drive. Some think it is a character that has yet to appear. Some even think that the fans of Madness Combat are the Higher Powers, as Krinkels said that if it weren't for the praise, the series would've stopped at Madness Combat 2 Redeemer.
For a comparable reason Krinkels might have chosen the title of 'Higher Powers' for himself, as he is the animator and has control of whatever happens in his animation and controls what every character does. Krinkels has also stated that Tricky was revived in Madness Combat 3: Avenger by the Higher Powers, not Jesus.
In MADNESS: Project Nexus, the Higher Powers play a pivotal role in both Story Mode and Arena Mode. The Employers are a group of sentient dimensions that serve as "Servants of the Machine", according to Doc's notes on them. They seem to play the role as gods or overseers of Nevada, with their jobs rarely if ever directly interfering with it, with the exclusion of one of their members, the Auditor. They originally created the Nexus Charter and passed it to Director Phobos, in order to create Project Nexus, a project aimed to recycle S3LFs from the Other Place. Unfortunately, Phobos' egomaniacal and godhood seeking tendencies placed him at odds with the Lead Scientist of Project Nexus, Jebediah Christoff. Jebediah after being betrayed by Hank J. Wimbleton, encounters the Employers themselves, who both chastise him for meddling in their affairs, as well as telling him that Project Nexus' charter has been revoked, with the Auditor telling Christoff they have their own project of theirs for him.
In Arena Mode, The Machine is revealed to be a Higher Power, and sibling to the Maker, the "Highest Power", implying the Maker is the creator of Nevada. After a second imprint, you finally meet the Maker himself, who gives vague answers to the player's questions, with him finally telling you that their meeting has come to an end, and that it wasn't even for the player's benefit. Before the player could ask about that ominous statement, the Maker vanishes, and the fight with the Grand Steward starts as normal.
Trivia
- Krinkels feels like the Higher Powers are better answered with demonstration via the game or further cartoons (mostly the game).
- The Higher Powers are the overarching antagonists of the Madness series, being the ones who are responsible for it ever taking place.