Your favorite "non-super" heroes

[cruggero]

This pertains to heroes outside the genre of what would be your a-typical superhero universes.

What made them amazing in your eyes? What are the qualities, actions, or any other traits that cast them from the typical superhero mold, and made them "super" in a strictly human fashion?

Do you favor superheroes or heroes? If so or not, then why?

 

[Metryq]

Heroes come in all sizes. Whether or not they are endowed with super-human strengths of one kind or another, it is a character's weaknesses that define him as a hero to me. Perhaps I am reading Lord of the Rings incorrectly (I'm sure there are plenty of people on a forum like this who could set me straight), but one of the things that turned me off from the start was the "externalization" of evil. That is, evil was in the ring that had to be tossed into a volcano, or otherwise hidden away from polite society. People themselves were not weak, or responsible for "evil." If that is the case, there is no heroism in overcoming it, and no accountability, either.

Kick-Ass is a fantastic study. The main character decided to become a masked hero for the glamor of helping others. After getting stomped, he repeatedly turned away from the hero business, but was lured back in again for different reasons. In the end, the character became a true hero for someone else, and at great cost to himself.

The live action Space Battleship Yamato (2010) was a very dazzling tale of heroes. The central character repeatedly faced no-win "Kobayashi Maru" situations throughout the film and grew as a human being from each encounter. The final situation demanded the highest price, and the hero paid it to rid the world of "evil."

A hero can still be a hero even if he does not die, or otherwise "pay a price" for his actions. If the potential for loss is there, then the actions are heroic.

 

[cruggero]

What are some of the more captivating weakness? Are we talking internal or external struggles? Would a inner conflict make the hero more appealing to the human condition?

And I can agree with you in some part to the statement on the LOR series. No one object is inherently evil unless used by a person's will towards enacting evil, is that the gist you're moving towards? Kind of like a dissuasion of guilt? Or "oh no, it wasn't me, it was the ring."

 

[Connavar]

I favor human peek ability superhero. Batman,Daredevil,Nightwing, Red Robin,Bucky Barnes for examples. I dont favor superpowered superheroes.

I do have many heroes i like who are not in regular superhero universes. Manga series like Fullmetal Alchemist have science,magical ability, martial arts heroes like Ed and Al Elric. Their human flaws, their personality makes them stand out. They were trained as fighters. I care most about personality, can i sense something really human.

Same as a fantasy adventure hero fav Guts from the manga Berserk. He is one of my fav literary,comics heroes. His will, drive is insane , inspiring.

It depends on what kind of heroes you mean. You mean only superhero genre heroes that are in other universes than the regular ones ?

 

[cruggero]

I'm referring to the core superheros, aka the "superman" types. I'd put captain america in there as well, but really just any who'd be considered nearly invulnerable in some way or method.

The reason I bring the subject up is purely for random sampling. I'm trying to see what qualities readers typically admire in their heroes for the purposes of comparing them with the protagonist from my graphic novel series.

In short, although the protagonist has a unique visual ability, I've been very careful as not to construe it as a infallible "power". The ability was modeled after the human visual process which is then altered at a biological level, but kept within the bounds of what is realistically possible for the human body to "handle". More or less it's a theory rooted in the field of quantum physics. Just for an example, the human eye sees things in a framework of milliseconds whereas the ability I speak of would have them working in a framework of nanoseconds.

Lastly, connavar; I'd be trying to make a "batman like" hero if you were to place it in those confines. Subtracting the costume, awesome gadgets, secret lair, tons of money, good versus evil premise, lone hero dependency, or any other extravagant possession that would make a character marquee or overtly symbolic. My symbolism is more towards the genre of human psychology and morality; I use emotions like guilt, remorse, self-hatred, getting over these inner conflicts/denials and accepting them to revision a purpose in helping your fellow man/woman without a strict right vs. wrong ideology. I've made a hero that bleeds inside and out, so to speak.

 

[Connavar]

Look at Batman as fine example then. He has becomes the biggest superhero in the world because of his psychological depth, his inner conflict, his dedication, paranoia take on the superhero. He doesnt have superman like powers, he is just a man that uses his mind, body to be a big superhero. Psychology, morality is one of the big appeals of Batman. The gadgets,money is just the bonus.

If you want to know what readers admire its important to remember its the man in the suit, behind the mask or the woman. There are many godlike powered superhero who are forgotten by the readers for Batman,Daredevil, Captain America like heroes.

Unique ability or not its not important.

 

[cruggero]

I agree. So far, what I've been reading, tells me that I've created a hero readers can connect with. The story is written in a manner by which the reader can actively grow with the character; learns about the world alongside him, sees how his interpersonal relations change, and can feel the connections he establishes with the characters he comes into contact with.

The ability isn't built up, it's explained and's important to the story, but of marginal influence in comparison to the characters' development.

 

[bookemist]

Heroes come in all sizes. Whether or not they are endowed with super-human strengths of one kind or another, it is a character's weaknesses that define him as a hero to me. Perhaps I am reading Lord of the Rings incorrectly (I'm sure there are plenty of people on a forum like this who could set me straight), but one of the things that turned me off from the start was the "externalization" of evil. That is, evil was in the ring that had to be tossed into a volcano, or otherwise hidden away from polite society. People themselves were not weak, or responsible for "evil." If that is the case, there is no heroism in overcoming it, and no accountability, either.

Kick-Ass is a fantastic study. The main character decided to become a masked hero for the glamor of helping others. After getting stomped, he repeatedly turned away from the hero business, but was lured back in again for different reasons. In the end, the character became a true hero for someone else, and at great cost to himself.

The live action Space Battleship Yamato (2010) was a very dazzling tale of heroes. The central character repeatedly faced no-win "Kobayashi Maru" situations throughout the film and grew as a human being from each encounter. The final situation demanded the highest price, and the hero paid it to rid the world of "evil."

A hero can still be a hero even if he does not die, or otherwise "pay a price" for his actions. If the potential for loss is there, then the actions are heroic.

are you talking about Kick-Ass the book or movie. I love them both, but very different messages IMO.

 

[rch1313]

Batman all the way. Then Nightwing. They are my favorite non super heroes by far.

 

[Quokka]

The Phantom would be a similar one where I think his longevity is down to him being a human character, intelligence and knowledge are his primary skills backed up by strength and weapons.

The generational aspect of the phantom was also very cool and he's one of the few superheroes I know of that is a family man and the family know about and are involved in his adventures, a true superdad .



Btw thanks for mentioning Space Battleship Yamato (2010) Metryg, I hadn't heard of it but as a huge fan of Starblazers as a kid I'm looking for it right now.

 

[THX-1138]

Batman. If Iron Man counts he's second.

 

[jim2012]

Well, as far as my opinion goes, my favorite hero outside the genre of superheroes would be James Courtney of the 'Blue Horizon' by Wilbur Smith. This guy James(Jim) is a normal carefree, young man. But then after he meets his true soul mate Louisa on the slave ship his life undergoes a drastic change and he is ready to risk everything for her. Even when she says that it is impossible for her to love any man, he does not abandon her but is always there for her.


So, all in all this character James Courtney is my favorite unsuperhero-ish hero.

 

[cruggero]

Oh wow, quite the bit of action on this thread from last I'd seen it. I suppose I must give my favorite non-super, super-human hero. Ah rats, someone took The Phantom... hmm...

Okay, dare I say Sherlock Holmes? His pipe may as well be the bat-signal mirroring on the underbellies of clouds in the night sky, far as I'm concerned. And there is arguably no greater power than what the human mind is capable of. Holmes has that bit down patently.

Should we put it to a vote? Well knowing that voting on the American presidential race is worse than choosing between eating glass, or having your fingernails removed one by one with a pair of pliers; such democratic processes are better spent elsewhere.

 

[Heck Tate]

John Hartigan from Sin City. That man is the definition of a non-super hero. After him there's Batman definitely and I'd throw in John Constantine too if he counts as non-super. What's great about these characters is that they take a beating pretty often but they always persevere. I think this helps shape the characters psychologically and lets the readers empathize with them more. Superman may have the liberty of always being able to uphold truth, justice, and the American way, but only because Superman's never really in much danger. For the non-super heroes, mortality is always both a driving force and a constraint, so they're forced to bend or break the rules in order to uphold some greater, often more abstract, good.

 

[psychotick]

Hi,

Batman and The Phantom I think. Both achieve their goals through will and dedication, not magic powers. I think Bat's is cooler especially with his gadgets, but I'd still give the round to The Phantom, simply because as a lineage where all his forefathers have died in the role, he is truly facing his own mortality all the way.

Cheers, Greg.

 

[Rodders]

No love for Judge Dredd?

 

[CyBeR]

Does Spider Jerusalem count?
If so...yeah, Spider's the man. To Heck with the Bat, with the Green Hornet or whoever else...Spider Jerusalem's the little guy's hero.

 

[Connavar]

No love for Judge Dredd?

Judge Dredd is awesome but i have only read Gart Ennis written collection.

The volumes is hard to find here.

 

[cruggero]

I have to ask, Spider Jerusalem? I have no idea what or who that is. Lend a little clarity my way. It sounds hilarious if it's real.

 

[Moonbat]

Spider Jerusalem is from Transmetropolitan, he is a reporter, but definitely not mild mannered

I like Conan, he's a hero (and a villain) and not got any real super powers even in a world of magic, he's just hard.
I like Roland the gunslinger too, before he lost half his shooting hand he was pretty cool.

Not sure if these count.