Walk the Line
Why does it fascinate us as readers to read about the anti-heroes of the comic world? What does it mean to "Walk the Line" between justice and frenetic crime-fighting? Because who among us hasn't wished metaphorically for the power to strike down our enemies (be them imaginary or real). These types of characters like The Punisher, Wolverine, and the Red Hood all throw out the "crime fighting for conventional superheroes" book. The take it to the streets and play by their own rules. That's why these types of characters are so popular. And who doesn't love it when one of the "Boy Scouts" (or Girl Scouts) crosses the line? Events like Countdown and Civil War provide a virtual playground for moral ambiguity that allows good characters to go bad (temporarily).
Can you think of any examples of a Boy Scout crossing the line?
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My watchful eyes are on Superman, I can't wait to see him cross the line again. Just wait for the fallout.
Charlie
superman, Wolverine, Countdown, punisher, Civil War
I dont think there are that many anti-heros in comics, simply because the term is mis-used. The actual definition of the word is 'lacking heroic qualities'. I dont think you can say thats true about any of the characters you've named or mean to use this word to describe. The fact is the very definition of hero has changed in the latter part of the 20th century and now includes vigilante's and those who break the law because the law prevents good from being done, or greater evil from being prevented.
That being said, I'd say you'd hhave a harder time defining 90% of the superhero population as hero's rather than as anti-hero's as you mean to define it. There are far fewer true hero's and even most of those swerve into the anti-hero territory more frequently than not.
I myself am an anti-hero, breaking blog and forum posting guidelines to battle stupidity and ignorance wherever it may be found!
Thanks a lot for this. I love this site.