Sounds to me like you've got an excellent start. Unique concept, a planned setting, and distinct rules on how the main point of the series will work...this could indeed go far if you're dedicate enough time and effort into it.
I suppose that, on the topic of noticability, I'd suggest one of two ways. Either have the powers appear in a young adult/teenager in some dramatic burst when they need it the most, or have limited powers at a young age that they can grow accustomed to. I think that responsibility, or at least the capability to become responsible, is a key component; if a rowdy kid is going to get bullied for being a weirdo, unless they plan on becoming a villain, it's probably a bad idea to retaliate by attempting to turn them into ash.
As for a name, if the majority of people associate superpowers with certain phenomenon, perhaps the name should reflect this connection (ex. "Starblazers" for causing 'the best fireworks ever'). Or, if superpowerful people are admired rather than feared, think about what your first 'team' of supers would want the public to call them. As the first recorded instance of a super calling him/herself a particular label, it's bound to catch on and apply for generations to come.
The Odd Lad
Although Clara (calling herself "Starblazer" thanks for the name) was operating as a superhero within a few months of her arrival, that affect much? Also, as of 1967 the Colliers' (Clara's family) have formed a supra national organization of superheroes. Partly due to Clara having a bigger exposure to the time machine's explosion, the Colliers are among the most powerful super people.
edited 29th Sep '11 5:31:01 AM by Zolnier
Life's Gonna Suck When You Grow Up... But Is It That Great Now?... Also I'm Skylark2 now.
As with most Mass Empowering Events people ask for advice on, a lot depends on what sort of powers we're talking about. How powerful, how weird, and how varied are the supers' abilities?
The Odd Lad
Very varied, variable on the weird and pretty powerful.
Life's Gonna Suck When You Grow Up... But Is It That Great Now?... Also I'm Skylark2 now.
The Mod with the Migraine
Is it only children who get empowered? This will have a much greater effect than if it's random people of all ages. Random* powered children, with normal parents, I will expect to become bullies/villains, because unless their powers are Blessed with Suck, it will be exceedingly difficult for their parents to discipline/punish them. Random adults suddenly gaining powers will be affected more by their life to date, than by their sudden powers.
What I do expect is that, if powers started appearing in 1900, then by the 1960's the empowered families should be fairly well-off - wealthier, more powerful, because they have an extra edge from their powers that would have helped them weather events like WW 1, WW 2, the Great Depression, etc. How much wealthier/powerful depends on how open they can be when using their powers.
That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
The Odd Lad
Kids born after the blasts.
Life's Gonna Suck When You Grow Up... But Is It That Great Now?... Also I'm Skylark2 now.
Basically a woman from an alternative future is testing a time machine; and it malfunctions, exploding in multiple parts of the year 1900. She escapes, and has discovered she has gained superpowers. Later she discovers the blast has also granted natives to the time, and her descendants also have superhuman abilities. Basically the justification for the power is that all super people actually have reality warping, that their subconscious molds into very specific roles.
Things I need advice on. Assuming aside form Clara (the name the time traveller adopts) all the supers were born after the blast(s), how long would it take for the effects to become noticeable. And since people will probably make a connection, what could supers be called? All most people know was that every four months for a year various parts of the world got the best fireworks ever and it messed with the clocks. And a few years later kids started displaying superpowers. The story takes place in the sixties.
edited 29th Sep '11 12:26:36 AM by Zolnier
Life's Gonna Suck When You Grow Up... But Is It That Great Now?... Also I'm Skylark2 now.