Talking with my gf, we have different views on super heroes. I hope it makes sense from our conversation. I like when heroes aren’t flawed. Meaning I don’t like who they could be behind the mask. We were talking about the series The Boys. I don’t like the idea that the hero could be some pervert or a sociopath in real life and now what they show to the world. I love the idea that they always make the right decision and are always trying to be “good”. She loves the idea that they are flawed and like us. They can be something other than their persona that they show us. Do I have some deep seeded flaw that makes me want to see the good in heroes and put them on a pedestal? How do you want to see your heroes and what makes a super hero?
Flawed heroes
Gavin Cruz
Colton Lee
Pls kill yourself you nigger faggot
Anthony Edwards
There's a bit of a gap between heroes that are flawed like Batman or The Hulk and the characters from The Boys.
Leo Bailey
Thanks Idubbbz for your input!
Connor Perry
to your first question it sounds like you want to believe in an infallible hero that could never make a mistake, something beyond human.
Your girlfriend is right though. Having flaws is what makes not just a character interesting but a situation where the MC has to conquer his flaw in order to succeed. Or has to find another way around it.
Flawed characters are more realistic, but in a fantasy setting some of those flaws can come off to us as way too much. Remember that each comic book, book, cartoon still has a simplistic view on the flaw but its a flaw none the less.
Having 0 flaws makes the writer spund egotistical and power hungry.
Ethan Cox
No, it's fine to like basic heroes. There's nothing wrong with a simple good guy vs bad guy story.
Benjamin Wood
Right, but I’m curious how others feel with characters they love. She brought up Superman. Superman loves Lois Lane but she thinks about what they are like outside of him “saving the day”. What does he think about, how is he between the panels with Lois?
Tyler Clark
supes has his thoughts going beyond our mental capacity, if anything he hears so many people and has to focus to talk to people normally.
Jack Campbell
When you read super hero stories, are you looking for something realistic? Would you choose something like The Watchmen over something simpler from Marvel or DC? Speaking in the case of cape stories. Invincible I think walks the line really well.
Nolan Bell
I like very simple stories like Superman punching a giant robot to death, but I also like more complex stuff like Watchmen. It depends on what kind of mood I'm in. The main thing I like to see though is stories where heroes are pushed to their limit and have to push through through sheer strength of will or sticking to their principles.