First, a little comic book history.

The fastball special first appeared in X-Men #100 (1963) by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. It was a tactical manoeuvre whereby Colossus (big, strong, shiny) picked up Wolverine (tiny, spiky, indestructible) and threw him at their enemies.

Wolverine was a brilliant fighter, but was only effective at close quarters, Colossus was powerful but slow. By combining their abilities, both mutants became greater than the sum of their parts. They made the other one look good.

Later, writer Jonathan Hickman developed this idea during the Krakoan age - a years long story arc whereby all the mutants in the world banded together to become the most powerful nation on Earth. Hickman reasoned that if Colossus and Wolverine could combine their abilities so seamlessly, couldn’t other mutants? This technique became known as mutant circuits - where two or more heroes combined their powers to create something new and incredible.

So if there was one mutant who could shoot chocolate out of her hands, and another who could do the same for milk, and also Pyro, the mutant who can control fire, was there - their mutant circuit would create HOT CHOCOLATE. A way better result than any of their individual powers.

That’s not a real example, I just made that one up.

Anyway, you can all probably see where I’m going with this (and if you can’t then look at the title above) IMPROV CIRCUITS!

I think this concept explains why there are certain improvisers who work particularly well together. A simple reading of that phenomenon might be that they have qualities in common - that they have the same sense of humour or similar cultural references. But actually circuits are more about complimentary differences.

So an improviser who plays big, fun characters might particularly benefit from a scene partner who can anchor all that exuberance in a grounded emotional truth. Or a genius verbal performer will enjoy greater success playing with someone who has a gift for physical comedy. Some combinations will work, and some won’t.

To go back to the fastball special for a moment, Colossus can’t just toss anyone around. Gambit, for example, is also a great close-quarters fighter but lacking Wolverine’s indestructible Adamantium skeleton means that he’d be instant Gambit jam if he was ever thrown across the battlefield.

So when you find someone who mirrors and accentuates your own improv superpowers perfectly, know how special, and how rare, that is. And when you do find someone like that, take note because they may well be capable of taking your improv to previously undreamed of heights.

Just like a big metal Russian throwing a short hairy Canadian at a killer robot.

Who are the improvisers that complete your improv circuit? What skills do they have that compliment your own? I’d love to know. You can reach me at [email protected].

<aside> 💡 Hey, my name’s Chris Mead. I write an article about improv almost every week. You can get the latest in your inbox by subscribing to my newsletter. Or check out the archive.

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