How Far Can You Push A Hero?

I like my characters to be flawed. Not just in my writing but in what I read and what I watch. These perfect characters who are friends to with everybody, always say the right thing and Mary Poppins perfect in every way always seem two-dimensional and can never hold my interest as much as a character with… issues.

It doesn't have to be much, just as long as there is something that tells me this character is real. Even if it is just biting their nails or picking their nose. It is after all our flaws that make us human, make us unique.

The question that has been floating around in my mind recently is not about why flawed characters are so realistic or why I like them so much, but rather how far can you go with it.

Just how flawed can you make your hero (anti-hero) before you lose him. Either to the 'dark side' or just lose him in terms of readability and end up killing him off or moving him to the back of the group, his term in office served and appreciated yet ultimately not good enough to lead the readers through to the end.

I mean sure we can accept a hero who smoke and drinks, even one who swears, but where would you the reader stand with a hero who beat his wife? Or a hero who is only after himself, and if the time arises he will turn his back on those who can't keep up.  Surely being a good hero (or anti-hero) is defined by your journey and not just the eventual climax?

I often hear people say that in real life, anybody can be a hero… under the right circumstances. This may be true, but can it be pulled of in fiction? Especially fiction for a modern generation with modern ideals.

Could you create a character who is a racist and have him become the hero? Is it possible to shape this character so that the readers learn to like him? I am sure there is a way, blame their upbringing, blame their parents, as if often the way things get justified, but is that enough to promote not only sympathy for the character but to turn him into the hero?

What flaws do you find interesting in a character and how damaged can a hero be in your eyes before you lose faith in him?

I ask because I am dallying with an idea to take one of the characters in Highway to Hell and find that line and bring him there. I would like to see what I can make of him. For I fear he may already become one of the stragglers if I don't do something different with him, and I quite like the guy… at the moment.