SUPERHERO STUDY - Please Post YOUR Opinions. Thanks!

[Gpoliceman]

Hello everybody,

I am conducting a survey for a class of mine. What I am looking for is for all you awesome superhero fans to write down 3-4 traits about your favorite superheroes which would explain why you cherish them so much. For example:

Why I find BATMAN fascinating:
-Ambition: Bruce Wayne did not choose to lead a normal life. Since his youth he's been training to become a crime fighter. He has no superpowers; He did everything on his own - he is who he is because of a drive and determination.
-Psychological: Batman is a very psychological hero - he'd have to be, since dressing up as a bat is not a normal thing to do. He fights due to survivor's guilt - he wishes to rid the world of the injustice he experienced as a child - his past is overshadowed by tragedy - he feels guilty for his parents' death.
-Flawed yet Heroic: Batman is a flawed individual. He's gruff at times, harsh with others, arrogant, brooding, depressed, and has a gigantic ego. Yet when push comes to shove, he's proven himself time and again to be a true hero.

I know it will be difficult to narrow down why you love a character to three or four elements, but please try to be as concise as possible. I am going to use the information collected in order to compare and contrast characters.

Thanks a lot,
Greg

[AlanScott606]

Mine is Spiderman, He is a hero in the truest sense of the word. From his everyman persona to his never say die attitude, he is what I measure every other comic book hero to, and very few pass that test.

You will always know where Perter Parker stands on an issue and he will be the first to lend aid to anyone in need. Either as Spiderman or Peter Parker, or both.

[T Rath]

Martian Manhunter

The classic outcast. More powerful than Superman, but because he cannot naturally blend in with his surroundings, he is constantly reminded that he is not the same. Yet is willing to do what he can to help those that would shun him, or worse, if they knew he who really is. More philospher than physicalist, would rather solve problems with the mind than fists.

I think the character perfectly represents the way most bookish young pre-teens and teens feel.

[mastaflan]

Frank Castle

1. Determined: Must make the perps pay for their crimes. Willing to give up a piece of his soul so that others may live terror free.

2. Coldblooded: Can perform the necessary evils he needs to make a point.

3. Disciplined: Has the self control to maintain himself to become an efficent warrior.

[Beta Ray Bill]

Henry Pym

1. Difficult history: It serves to make him more interesting. He is also a good example of long character development.

2. Knight of the atomic age: He's a member of the Marvel Comics renaissance men who mastered many scientific disciplines with causal ease - Reed Richard, Victor Von Doom, Bruce Banner, Tony Stark, and T'Challa being the most obvious other ones.

3. One of the most human of comics characters: Hank Pym is intriguing because of, not in spite of, his rich and storied past.

[tangentman]

Carol Danvers aka Ms. Marvel aka Warbird

Motivation: Fulfill her personal dreams in typically male-dominated industries (military, NASA, journalism, crimefighting). Despite life-long obstacles presented by men who feel that women belong in more traditionally feminine roles, Carol Danvers has beaten the odds by proving herself many times over. She earned high rank and distinguishing honors in the U.S.A.F.; worked as one of NASA's youngest security chiefs; edited a magazine and wrote best-sellers; fought as an Avenger. Carol wanted to earn an education, become a pilot, fly in outer space, write, and fight crime. She has met ALL of these goals in her life.

Obstacles: Sexism; alcholism; traumatic pregnancy by mind-controlling rapist; traumatic theft of powers and memories by a criminal; broken relationships. Carol has faced all of these roadblocks in her life, but overcome each of them through hard work and discipline. Many of these incidents would kill a lesser person, but Carol has survived them and grown stronger as result.

[ednemo]

Rather than bore everyone on why I think Colossus is the quintessential hero, here is the Superman quote from Kill Bill Vol: 2, by Bill, (David Carradine)

An essential characteristic of the superhero mythology is, there's the superhero, and there's the alter ego. Batman is actually Bruce Wayne, Spider-Man is actually Peter Parker. When he wakes up in the morning, he's Peter Parker. He has to put on a costume to become Spider-Man. And it is in that characteristic that Superman stands alone. Superman did not become Superman, Superman was born Superman. When Superman wakes up in the morning, he's Superman. His alter ego is Clark Kent. His outfit with the big red "S", that's the blanket he was wrapped in as a baby when the Kents found him. Those are his clothes. What Kent wears, the glasses, the business suit, that's the costume. That's the costume Superman wears to blend in with us. Clark Kent is how Superman views us. And what are the characteristics of Clark Kent? He's weak, he's unsure of himself... he's a coward. Clark Kent is Superman's critique on the whole human race.

[Crimson]

Spider-Man:
He has a strong sense of responsibility
He truley cares for his family
He has awesome powers yet is still very human
And he still manages to have fun and make me laugh

[Dark Soul # 7]

Spider-man
-His fighting spirit never ceases to impress me on new levels. He never gives up until he is beaten down to a bloody pile of goo. He has had his arm brooken and beaten within an inch of his life and still put down Rhino, who is close to Thing level in strength. This spirit serves well in his personal life to.
-The responsability he has is aweinspiring, even if he overdoes it sometimes.
-His quickwit when fighting the most powerful villains on earth is always hilarious and second to none.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

The Vision

1) Embraces the dichotomy of both man and machine, but more than that, logic and emotion. The dual nature of his synthezoid existence allows writers to explore what it means to be human in a world increasingly dominated by technology.

2) Has the ability to rise above expectations of others. Even in his introduction to the Avengers, he was originally a villain, but was able to overcome his programming to aid the Avengers. He has throughout his career continued to defy others' expectations of him by not only falling in love and getting married, but also having children and becomming a brother to Wonder Man. He went from being a mainly supporting character to actually leading the Avengers at one point. Even after he was dissassembled, he managed to regain all the emotions that had been stripped away.

3) Loyalty: despite the trials and tribulations of his complicated existence, he has always stood solidly by his friends and teammates on the Avengers and, even after his divorce from the Scarlet Witch, has looked out for her welfare and best interests.

[Mister Mets]

4 Reasons I love Spider-Man

He's Realistic- When Peter Parker gained his powers he used them to achieve fame, and fortune, rather than becoming a masked vigilante. You get the sense that without the lesson of Uncle Ben's death (which inspires him to do what is right regardless of the consequences) he'd still be a celebrity. He can be shellshocked after battles. He has real problems (bills, bad grades, angry girlfriends, upset room-mates, disappointed "parents"- Aunt May, sickly relatives, ulcers.)

His Willingness to do what is right regardless of the consequences to himself-
He will never back down from a fight regardless of the consequences to himself. It doesn't matter if he has no chance of winning, or even survival, he'll still fight against evil.

The Powers- Webbing is probably the best weapon in comic book history. And I love the enhanced strength, agility, spider-sense, and wall-crawling. It's a unique combination of abilities which has resulted in great stories.

The Enemies- No one has a better rogues gallery. Doctor Octopus. The Green Goblin. J. Jonah Jameson. The Lizard. Venom. Sandman. Electro. The Hobgoblin. Mysterio. Scorpion. Kraven the Hunter. The Vulture. And that's just the A-list.

[Artemis1]

Reasons why my favorite is Spiderman:

Costume: He has the best costume design of any superhero.

Power: His abilities seem simple, yet so destructive.

Realistic: If there were real superheroes, they would be like him.

Looked Up To: There are many reasons for kids to look up to him.

Purpose: He has a reason to why he became Spiderman.

Villains: Dr. Octopus, Green Goblin, Hobgoblin, Venom, Lizard, need I say more?

Willing: His will power is amazing.

Characters: Harry, Mary Jane, this dude's got it all.

Intelligence: If his powers cannot save him, his wits will.

Comedy: This guy can be funny in even the worst of times.

[Calamas]

The Flash (Barry Allen)

His heroes actually influenced his life.
This would The Jay Garrick Flash. Before the discovery of Earth-2, Garrick was just a comic book character. But he was Barry’s childhood idol. And this helped instill in him . . .

An innate sense of what was right.
Lacking the abilities to be a cop, Barry applied his legitimate talents toward the same end and became a police scientist. And once receiving his powers, there was never a moment of hesitation, never a second thought, no other possible consideration; Barry became Jay Garrick.

The underlying belief that order would always prevail.
Barry was not a scientist by accident. He believed in logic. He believed the mind could eventually solve any problem. As The Flash, superspeed became another asset, an ability that created more possible solutions. Barry never panicked. There was always an answer. He just had to find it.

Of course cool powers, costume and logo didn’t hurt.

[The_15th_Sven]

I've thought this over for some time and I would have to say that the points that make a hero a hero are:

-Secret Identity. Besides that super man thing from above (which is actually pretty cool) Super heros have to have a secret id. For one, heros would probably go board just patroling the city. Also, it alows them to have a family and friends who can stay reletively safe.

-Defineing moment. That one instant they decided to use their powers for good. Spider-Man's is Uncle Ben dying, Bat-man is his parents being murderd the way they were. The exception being Super-Man.

-Flaws. Strugleing to do good while dealing with their own inner demons. Again super-man is the exception.

-A point when they think of giving it all up. Not all super heros have this. Spider-Man did. Cyclopse did. It generally happens around the time when their secret id is in risk of being revield or someone got hurt because someone figured out the secret id.

Super-Man tends to be the exception. Super-Man's a freek :D. Althow thats just my oppionion, you might not want to use it on some school paper.

[bd2999]

Ghost Rider-

Determination: He is the Spirit of Vengeance and will not stop until his mission is done. He fears no one and will stop for nothing, even if it is hopeless.

History: The mystery behind the character, especially the Ketch GR. Everything is not as upfront as it seems to be. The character does not even know what he is or why he does what he does. Only that he has to. The entire thing is like a supernatural myster/action story.

Powers: What better way to make a criminal or villan suffer than to make them relive their own sins, amplified a hundred times over?

Unwillingness: Dan really does not want to be the GR, he does not want what is thrust on him. Having another being take control of your body and all. He wants nothing to do with the whole thing but he tries to cope the best he can.

I know you said 3-4 but here is a fifth.

The look: Need I say more?

[mastaflan]

Deadpool

1. Quickwitted: In the midst of intense action he can still think of something to joke about.

2. With and Without a Concience: He does both good and evil things but he's so likable that you probably won't care if he does bad things.

3. Irratating: He sure knows how to piss othrs off.

[Michael P]

Spider-Man

Humanity: Spidey's a normal guy, more or less. Even though he can stick to walls and bench-press a subway car, he still has to deal with the same crap the rest of us do: work, bills, women, running out of toilet paper.

Determination: Pete doesn't give up, ever. Even at the darkest moments, when so many of us would admit defeat, he refuses to. He goes on, no matter what trouble life throws his way.

Humor: His life can get pretty crappy, but he never lets it completely get him down. He's always got a wisecrack or wry observation to lighten the mood a bit. That's a good outlook to have on life.

Intelligence: People forget this sometimes, but Spidey's a pretty smart guy. He thinks his way out of trouble and around villains just as often as he uses his powers. I admire that.

[cable guy]

Cable

1 The Chosen One

2 Been fighting since birth. Keeps on fighting the good fight.

3 From this day and age, yet from the future as well. Traveled back in time to save humanity. But he is running out of time.

4 Battles an enemy within his own body.(TO Virus)

5 Apocalypse. Pure evil from head to toe. They're sworn eternal enemies.

[DavidQ!]

Actually the above choices are actually obvious.
Mine would have to be Mr. Fantastic Reed richards.

1. We are both extroverts. we seek knowledge out not let it come to us.

2. often times misunderstood, and our intelligence is mistaken for aloofness.

3. I just love the way he explains things. Its the way I would do it.

4. Has to be my all time favorite. Heck with that hack johnny storm.

[Titan Slade]

Savage Hulk:

1.I like to break stuff
2.All of my jeans have holes in them, just like his
3.The man is out to get me, just like him
4.I like to break stuff :D .

[DavidQ!]

Reed could beat your Savage hulk anyday. Blah! :p

[Dark Soul # 7]

Reed could beat your Savage hulk anyday. Blah! :p
Acctually in Contest of Champions II Savage Hulk defeated Reed, by swallowing and spitting him out. :p
I know you´re being lighthearted, but I like to brag with my knowledge.

[mastaflan]

Speed Demon

1. Rotten: What a piece of trash this guy is with such a great gift he uses it for selfish ends. Plus he steers his peers in the wrong direction.

2. Presumptious: Just cuzz he did one good thing recently he feels that he's entitled to hero status breaks instead of punching in penance time.

3. Cocky: I guess when you are that fast you have to be.

[Obscure Heroism]

Ghost Rider III/Dan Ketch

My admiration and out and out love for the character is multifacited. Of course there's the look and the grittiness of the character, but the humanity of Dan Ketch, the human alter ego of the Ghost Rider, is what keeps.
Basically, Ketch is the everyman, so when I say that I enjoy the character, I really do enjoy any and all everyman characters that uses that subscribes to that asthesis of the Everyman. That includes Barry Allen, Wally West, Hal Jorden, Peter Parker Etc. So what I like about Dan Ketch is that he's basically anyone?

Which is a fault, because he seems less like an individuals and more like a characters, because of his relatablity.

But there's a balances, the wild card that makes the character unique and that is the Spirit of Vengeance. Which is a really great metaphor of sickness and disease, but I won't get into that.

That's just my opinion, however, I could be wrong.

[Yes its me]

Captain America:

Fights for truth, justice, and the American way!

Isn't afraid to make Nick Fury his bitch

[Tobias March]

Nexus

Humour - Nexus is stuck in what might seem to be a ridiculous situation, but is at the same time deadly serious. He is in a charge of a space-faring refugee camp of cartoonish creatures, yet all have been rescued from totalitarian regimes. His sense of humour, seen mostly in relation to his friends and the lady he loves, makes him more human in spite of this.

Tortured - Not in an angsty, adolescent way. He feels responsibility for his powers and station, even though he must do horrible things and suffer terribly as a result.

Optimism - I'm revolving the same point again and again and it's a credit to Mike Baron's series that it dealt with themes of despotism and war, revenge and injustice, while presenting everything through the beautiful, dayglo art of Steve Rude. Nexus is optimism even though his situation is perverse - becoming a symbol of retribution for an entire galaxy at the whim of the MerK. Who is insane :rolleyes:

[cable guy]

Reed could beat your Savage hulk anyday. Blah! :p

I don't see that happening.

[Dazzler]

DAZZLER

1.Sincere: She always tries to do the right thing, even when it's the hard thing to do or when others think it is unpopular. She's very accepting of others and is always willing to give others the benefit of the doubt. But she isn't perfect and can sometimes her flaws show through. However, Dazzler always tries to make up for it later.

2.Determined and Independent: She really has a good heart and is willing to go out of her way to stand up for herself and others. She wants to be a singer and is willing to work hard to do it and only wants to make it legitimately; she's no slouch. She's not willing to settle for less than the best and most honorable.

3.Peaceful: She never wants to fight, and tries to reason before the fight breaks out (a rarity in the superhero world). She only wants to use her powers for the entertainment of others. She wants to be accepted and loved by her audience. Unfortunately, her having powers gets her into a lot of scrapes she would most rather not be in.

--Dazz

[metafreak]

Captain America:

Fights for truth, justice, and the American way!

Isn't afraid to make Nick Fury his bitch




pff Cap couldn't touch nick... nick has enough connections to make bruce banner think he had it easy being a fugitive

[Gpoliceman]

Hey!

I just wanted to thank everybody for their wonderful replies!

Thanks a lot! This will really help me out.

Gpoliceman

[Vandurlast]

Thor. Ill make this claer and specify were talking about the real Thor, before that Lord of Earth rubbish happened.

Goody two shoes: Thor was always refreshing to me because so many other popular heroes are always a "badass" or have an "attitude" and always have to be dark and/or mysterious. It is rather sad to think that people seem to think they have outgrown the idea of a Knight in shining armour goody-goody hero. For me Thor was the counterpoint to all the Wolverines, Cables and Punishers of the world.

Death before dishonour: Thor will always do what is right, even if it makes no sense. You know those situations where the hero has to do a small act that is not the "right thing" in order to avert disaster or acheive a greater good? Yeah Thor doesnt go for those, he will do whats right even if it is supposeldy impossible for him to win that way. He wouldnt catch the bus and let the girl drop, he will catch them both or die trying.

Never gives up: Never, ever, ever gives up. Chained to a block with evil guys torturing you with a power lance? Thor will keep on pulling at the chains until he gets free.
Celestials come to town? Thor will have at them even though they are so far beyond his power scale that they barely notice him.
Thats why Thor can never lose, you cant make him stop coming back for more and itll take alot more than most have got to actually kill him.

EDIT Arrogance: Almost for got this, but there is a certain charm about a guy who thinks, nay KNOWS, he is so great. he boasts and hollers and shakes his fist, so that his enemies know how foolish they were to incur his wrath by threatening humanity.