What's Your Type of Fictional Hero?

[RookieBatman]

I've been thinking a lot lately about the popular depiction of heroes in modern media. Take Star Trek (2009), for instance, where the depiction of Kirk was markedly different from the Kirk of the series. He was more Han Solo than Horatio Hornblower, and it seems that a lot of people think that's fantastic.

I certainly don't intend to argue that it's not fantastic; that's not the purpose of this thread. After all, it's completely subjective, based on personal tastes. Me, I'm a traditionalist. One of the TV heroes I consider to be highly representative of my ideal type of hero is the Lone Ranger (as depicted in the old show, with Clayton Moore). Most people, I'm guessing, would consider that character very stuffy and boring compared to the likes of Jack Bauer and Leonidas.

Again, I'm not going to try to argue that such opinions are wrong. I'm just curious about what the trends are in heroism these days, so I thought it would be informative if people could describe what appeals to them in fictional heroes, and then give some examples of characters that you find especially heroic.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I'm all over the map. Straight shooters, lovable rogues, hard asses, smart asses... dont care as long as I'm entertained.

 

[RookieBatman]

Any one in particular really stick out at you? Like maybe you thought as you watched it, "Now that's the type of hero I like to see!"

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I've been thinking a lot lately about the popular depiction of heroes in modern media. Take Star Trek (2009), for instance, where the depiction of Kirk was markedly different from the Kirk of the series. He was more Han Solo than Horatio Hornblower, and it seems that a lot of people think that's fantastic.

If he stalls out at Han Solo, then that's not a good characterization. Han Solo is fine as the starting point, but I'm expecting a character arc for ole Jimmy T over the next couple of movies. They need to add three vital elements to the mix, taken from the original Kirk characterization: Den Mother (who genuinely cares about his people); True Believer (who genuinely cares about Federation ideals and stresses out about living up to them); and Bill Frakkin' Adama (the calculated, strategic-minded risk-taker - not the loose cannon).

So one quality I expect from a fictional hero is a good, solid character arc. He can be any type of guy. Two of my favorite lead characters on TV now are Dexter Morgan and Chuck Bartowski. You can't get more different and stay within the human species. Even then, I obviously don't demand a good character arc, since Chuck's has made no frakkin' sense.

No, to be brutally honest about it, what I want is a character played by a good looking and talented actor who, although he might not be written wonderfully, isn't being actively undermined by crap writing.

On the female side, I like Ellen Ripley, Kara Thrace, Juliet Burke, etc. The common thread there is complex, intelligent ass-kickers who don't have a whiff of the whiney girly girl type who makes me sick to my stomach.

Not to much to ask, right?

 

[Nerys Myk]

Any one in particular really stick out at you? Like maybe you thought as you watched it, "Now that's the type of hero I like to see!"

Not really. Its all about context and presentation. I like Joe Friday and Dirty Harry. I like Chris Reeve's Superman and Christian Bale's Batman.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I've been thinking a lot lately about the popular depiction of heroes in modern media. Take Star Trek (2009), for instance, where the depiction of Kirk was markedly different from the Kirk of the series. He was more Han Solo than Horatio Hornblower, and it seems that a lot of people think that's fantastic.

If he stalls out at Han Solo, then that's not a good characterization. Han Solo is fine as the starting point, but I'm expecting a character arc for ole Jimmy T over the next couple of movies. They need to add three vital elements to the mix, taken from the original Kirk characterization: Den Mother (who genuinely cares about his people); True Believer (who genuinely cares about Federation ideals and stresses out about living up to them); and Bill Frakkin' Adama (the calculated risk-taker - not the loose cannon).

So one quality I expect from a fictional hero is a good, solid character arc. He doesn't have to be the same type of person at all. Two of my favorite lead characters on TV now are Dexter Morgan and Chuck Bartowski. You can't get more different and stay within the human species. Even then, I obviously don't demand a good character arc, since Chuck's has made no frakkin' sense.

No, to be brutally honest about it, what I want is a character played by a good looking and talented actor who, although he might not be written wonderfully, isn't being actively undermined by crap writing, and has some goal I can root for.

On the female side, I like Ellen Ripley, Kara Thrace, Juliet Burke, etc. The common thread there is complex, intelligent ass-kickers who don't have a whiff of the whiney girly girl type who makes me sick to my stomach. Even then, would I like a female Dexter Morgan just as much as a female Chuck Bartowski? Probably. (And I think the lead of Covert Affairs is going to turn out to be a female Chuck Bartowski, so I guess it's going to be put to the test soon.)

 

[Spot's Meow]

I can't stand arrogance in a hero, even if they truly are badass. Humility is very attractive. So I really don't like bad boy types or cocky risk takers who think they can do anything. I prefer more rational, intelligent, and confident yet humble heroes. I really like Picard, Atticus Finch, Indiana Jones, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Frodo, etc.

 

[Kegg]

Really I like a hero to be a strongly defined character. I want them to have interesting quirks, ideas; ways of talking about themselves - they have to be the sort of character that I'll be interested in watching in the quiet moments of their day.

This definition cats a wide net that includes strongly ethical and serious minded men like Jean Luc Picard and wry serial killers like Dexter Morgan, admittedly, but I guess it's a trait I like the most.

I can't stand arrogance in a hero, even if they truly are badass. Humility is very attractive.

This is true. It can work, but it can also come off as unbearably insufferable (cf: every Whedon thing ever).

 

[Kirkman1987]

Different stories call for different heroes, and I love every type if it's well done.

I will say that Ellen Ripley is the gold standard for a female action hero. I've been rewatching the Alien films and Weaver is just amazing.

 

[Cicero]

The Horatio Hornblower type is my favorite. I don't like arrogant or reluctant heroes. (While my parents loved Han Solo, I was never a fan.)

It's interesting that Star Trek's two most famous captains were very much of the Hornblower series: Kirk was similar to Hornblower himself, and Picard was strikingly like the literary Sir Edward Pellew.

 

[Nowhere Man]

I like all types, but one of my favorites is Jack Sparrow, I'm sorry, Captian Jack Sparrow. I like him becouse he's crazy of course, but you don't know if he's making it up as he goes or if theres always been a plan. You also don't know for sure if he's just looking out for his own ass or if he really does care about his crew. The one thing you know for sure is he loves the Pearl.

With Kirk and Picard you obviously got two different Captians. Kirk is the rule breaker who changes the game, but gets the job done and Picard stands firmly on the porime directive, but is always has an invintive, mostly diplomatic solution. You know for certian that niether one of them will sacrifice any member of the crew for any reason unless it is to save a larger population. Both are willing to blow up the dam ship.

Danny Ocean and Hanibal Smith are both simular in that the put the right man in the right spot at the right time. They always have a plan and just when you think the chips are down, they pull through. They always have the upper hand

Superman/Batman, while I love most comic book heroes and Batman comes in at number 2 on my list, Superman takes the cake. While the world is a shitty place and I tend to think like Bruce, I like Clarks wholesomeness and "Boy Scout " mentality. I was in the Scouts as a kid and I was raised with the same convictions as Clark. I still believe in those old school values and I do believe in second chances. Clark has those leadership qualities that inspires the people around him. No offense, but Bruce can't pull that off in the Justice Leage. Besides, Clark still has that corny nerdiness and nievety about him, I like that, it keeps him from becoming jaded.

I could go on and, but I won't although I will say I always liked Obiwan over Luke and Yoda. I can't really explain why, but I just do.

 

[RegFan]

I like complexity and moral ambiguity in both heroes and villains, but all types of fictional heroes can be well written.

 

[Jack Bauer]

As long as they're entertaining it doesn't really matter. Unless they whiney douchebags like Eric Stiles in Star Trek Red Sector by Diane Carey. That guy whined and whined for an entire novel.

 

[tau136]

I'm just curious about what the trends are in heroism these days, so I thought it would be informative if people could describe what appeals to them in fictional heroes, and then give some examples of characters that you find especially heroic.

Seems to me to be two competing trends » dark, gritty Hellblazer-Movie style & sunny, sassy. Hannah-Montana style.

 

[captcalhoun]

i like heroes to be Heroic, i don't like them to fail and i don't like them to look incompetent. if they suffer setbacks, fine, i just don't want them getting totally ass-whupped and looking like pussies.

heroines i like to be kick-ass, capable and confident.

 

[DevilEyes]

No, to be brutally honest about it, what I want is a character played by a good looking and talented actor who, although he might not be written wonderfully, isn't being actively undermined by crap writing, and has some goal I can root for.

I could almost quote that as what I want, except that I don't think a hero(ine) must be good-looking, and I don't see why he/she must be. Talent and charisma, however, are a must.

I want characters to be convincing and complex; I don't want stereotypes and one-dimensional boy/girl scouts. But, while I like many flawed heroes and anti-heroes, they must have at least some likable or admirable quality. (The best villains also have those.)

However, ultimately a lot of its rest on the actor; if he/she has talent, presence, charm... they can even overcome bad writing, easier than a really awful, wooden actor will deal with good writing.

 

[RookieBatman]

If he stalls out at Han Solo, then that's not a good characterization. Han Solo is fine as the starting point, but I'm expecting a character arc for ole Jimmy T over the next couple of movies. They need to add three vital elements to the mix, taken from the original Kirk characterization: Den Mother (who genuinely cares about his people); True Believer (who genuinely cares about Federation ideals and stresses out about living up to them); and Bill Frakkin' Adama (the calculated, strategic-minded risk-taker - not the loose cannon).

I wholeheartedly agree with this.

So one quality I expect from a fictional hero is a good, solid character arc. He can be any type of guy. Two of my favorite lead characters on TV now are Dexter Morgan and Chuck Bartowski. You can't get more different and stay within the human species. Even then, I obviously don't demand a good character arc, since Chuck's has made no frakkin' sense.

I haven't watched Dexter, but I'm a rabid Chuck fan, and I agree too about his character arc.

I really like Picard, Atticus Finch, Indiana Jones, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Frodo, etc.

Atticus Finch! Excellent choice! I was thinking more along the lines of action/adventure characters, but the fact is, you can really see that Atticus could've been quite dangerous if he'd wanted to be. The scene of him shooting the dog, and then diffusing the lynch mob (even though the kids help with that, he's the one that's initially staring them down) are both great examples of the quiet strength this character has. I, too, love such characters that prove that meekness is not the same as being a wuss.

Superman/Batman, while I love most comic book heroes and Batman comes in at number 2 on my list, Superman takes the cake. While the world is a shitty place and I tend to think like Bruce, I like Clarks wholesomeness and "Boy Scout " mentality. I was in the Scouts as a kid and I was raised with the same convictions as Clark. I still believe in those old school values and I do believe in second chances.

I am more of a Batman fan in general (because I find myself more drawn to non-powered superheroes), but I do agree about the Boy Scout quality. That's part of the reason that I love the Lone Ranger so much.

Clark has those leadership qualities that inspires the people around him. No offense, but Bruce can't pull that off in the Justice Leage.

Well, the Post-Crisis Batman never should've been in the League in the first place.

I want characters to be convincing and complex; I don't want stereotypes and one-dimensional boy/girl scouts.

What about someone like Michael Weston from Burn Notice (if you watch that)? I think that he fits the "unflaggingly noble Boy Scout" mold in many ways, but is also convincingly complex, with a lot of personal issues and hang-ups that have an effect on his life, if not necessarily his work. I'll try to think of another example if you haven't seen that, but I find him to be one shining example of a perfect balance between Boy Scout and realistic/complex.

 

[Nowhere Man]

If he stalls out at Han Solo, then that's not a good characterization. Han Solo is fine as the starting point, but I'm expecting a character arc for ole Jimmy T over the next couple of movies. They need to add three vital elements to the mix, taken from the original Kirk characterization: Den Mother (who genuinely cares about his people); True Believer (who genuinely cares about Federation ideals and stresses out about living up to them); and Bill Frakkin' Adama (the calculated, strategic-minded risk-taker - not the loose cannon).

I wholeheartedly agree with this.

So one quality I expect from a fictional hero is a good, solid character arc. He can be any type of guy. Two of my favorite lead characters on TV now are Dexter Morgan and Chuck Bartowski. You can't get more different and stay within the human species. Even then, I obviously don't demand a good character arc, since Chuck's has made no frakkin' sense.

I haven't watched Dexter, but I'm a rabid Chuck fan, and I agree too about his character arc.



Atticus Finch! Excellent choice! I was thinking more along the lines of action/adventure characters, but the fact is, you can really see that Atticus could've been quite dangerous if he'd wanted to be. The scene of him shooting the dog, and then diffusing the lynch mob (even though the kids help with that, he's the one that's initially staring them down) are both great examples of the quiet strength this character has. I, too, love such characters that prove that meekness is not the same as being a wuss.



I am more of a Batman fan in general (because I find myself more drawn to non-powered superheroes), but I do agree about the Boy Scout quality. That's part of the reason that I love the Lone Ranger so much.

Clark has those leadership qualities that inspires the people around him. No offense, but Bruce can't pull that off in the Justice Leage.

Well, the Post-Crisis Batman never should've been in the League in the first place.

I want characters to be convincing and complex; I don't want stereotypes and one-dimensional boy/girl scouts.

What about someone like Michael Weston from Burn Notice (if you watch that)? I think that he fits the "unflaggingly noble Boy Scout" mold in many ways, but is also convincingly complex, with a lot of personal issues and hang-ups that have an effect on his life, if not necessarily his work. I'll try to think of another example if you haven't seen that, but I find him to be one shining example of a perfect balance between Boy Scout and realistic/complex.

What about Sam Beckett? He has a "Boy Scout" mentality, but yet has a complexity to him. Don't get me wrong, I like pissed off Heroes like Lt. Riggs and Captian Sisko, B.A.and Hulk, but you can't be pissed all the time. That's why I like Picard; he gets pissed a lot, but he has a nice balance of pissed and calm.I like it most when you have two heroes. Superman/ Batman, Kirk/Spock, The Dude/Walter.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Any one in particular really stick out at you? Like maybe you thought as you watched it, "Now that's the type of hero I like to see!"

Optimus Prime.

No ambiguity; just total and absolute good. Incorruptible and always honest.

 

[jojolimited]

Tony Stark (Iron Man), a flawed person capable of doing great things. An apparent egoist, but in reality a heart (what's left of it) of Gold. Noble, but with with a sense of irony and humor.