What makes an ideal action hero/heroine?

[Mohammed]

Josh wrote: "Ive become bored with all these super heroes everywhere, i like characters that have made themselves out of nothing, who have become strong and smart and wise, not born special and gifted and magic..."

Im bored completely with superhero films dominating hollywood. Batman,Avengers is the only ones i look forward to.

Yeah the anti-hero of Conan,Bond style is popular to fans like us. You get people who are not real heroic heroes.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Well, I for one am not bored with the Hollywood Superhero stories. I'm sure they'll run their course with me soon enough.

I remember reading comic books when I was younger, from 5th grade well into my 20s (and I still pick up a "mag" or two when I see one.) I always hated the cheesy sit-com like movies they made in the past.

I happen to relish the new movies that are more in keeping with the original heroes. Comic Book Heroes are their own special breed of hero. Larger than life, even in their secret identities. I don't know. I'm pushin' fifty but I'm not ready for the magic to end yet. Comic books taught me how to imagine that men (and women) could fly. What greater gift from a twenty page fiction story could you get than that?

[Mohammed]

I read superhero comics every month, the diluted weaker hollywood versions isnt as interesting. Superheros have more freedom, creativity in their own comics medium.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Josh, I agree with you. I prefer those kinds of heroes myself.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I never get sick of superheroes, personally. But I just prefer a person who isn't particularly gifted as far as superhuman traits. Their strength comes from will and determination instead.

[Josh]

What makes me angry is with these Revenge plots books/movies have, where the parents are killed or the wife and kids are kidnapped and the unwilling hero goes after the bad guys and kills his way to the end (But thats not what makes me angry, not at all, i like those plots quite a bit)

What annoys me, and makes me feel insulted (intellectually) is how picture perfect these heroes are... the young hero in these stories just happens to be incredibly attractive, good with girls, can drive like a professional racer and just so happens to be a black belt in karate.... but never knew it until he had to fight!! Alex Rider, in my opinion was the worst offender. God forbid Alex rider should be overweight, or balding, or have bad achne and be terribly shy with girls, coz if he did we might actually have some character development and a worthwhile plot other than some good looking, perfect haired, perfect teeth, perfect in everyway little oik running around saving the day where regular (ugly) people are unable too.

i like my heroes to be regualr looking guys, Schwarzenneger, Stallone, Willis, van damme, chuck norris and yes even Hugh Jackman as wolverine arent the prettiest boys on the block, and thats why people love em, their rough and tough, who go around beating up the spoilt pretty boys trying to corrupt the world.

Bring back the ugly heroes!!!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I find a perfect hero/ine boring, to be honest. Give him/her some flaws.

[Mohammed]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I never get sick of superheroes, personally. But I just prefer a person who isn't particularly gifted as far as superhuman traits. Their strength comes from will and determination instead."

My fav superhero are martial arts skilled heroes without any real super powers. I mean Batman,Daredevil. I never enjoyed too much super uber powered heroes.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Mohammed wrote: "Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I never get sick of superheroes, personally. But I just prefer a person who isn't particularly gifted as far as superhuman traits. Their strength comes fro..."

I always felt Superman was "too much" I tended to like (and my age is showing, but I hear the story has gone away and come back several times, in several forms) "The Legion of Superheroes" The caliber of villains generally matched the caliber of heroes, and the future Sci-Fi environment allowed them to level the playing field when they needed too.

I tended to hate the inclusion of "Boy," "Girl," or "Lass" after every hero name, but there was a lot more to that story line than most people thought. It was my favorite for a long time, even though I tend to lean towards the Marvel Universe, generally BECAUSE, there was no Superman and they heroes and villains lived in the same space time continuum. But that's my old favorites.

[Eileen]

Not sure if you would call Penelope Pitstop a superhero, for me, as a kid she was. One year, I think Christmas, santa left a model Penelope Pitstop car that I had to build for the families slot car race track. It was pink and cool as hell and I raced that car like crazy. Maybe it was the beginning of my love of anything to do with action.

Did I get off topic? Sorry, if I did.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

As far as I'm concerned, you're right on topic, Eileen. :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Curmudgeon wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I never get sick of superheroes, personally. But I just prefer a person who isn't particularly gifted as far as superhuman traits. Their s..."

I think I am more of a DC fan because I love their characters and I love the JLU.

Marvel has some good stuff too.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Mohammed, I feel you on Batman and his martial arts skills.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Penelope Pit stop was sort of cartoon DiD queen wasn't she?

[Eileen]

Thanks, Lady D!

Not sure I know what DiD means, Hugh. Then I could possible answer your question.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

DiD = Damsel in Distress.

[Mohammed]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Mohammed, I feel you on Batman and his martial arts skills."

Im a Batman fanboy that dislike the new films as Batman films. My siblings,friends can't understand how i can't like the slow, armor man in the films. I have been spoiled by the martial artist detective of the comics.

[Eileen]

Curmudgeon wrote: "DiD = Damsel in Distress."

*smacks forehead* of course that's what it means, thanks!

I would say she was a DiD, Penelope would also devise and execute a plan of escape in ever episode. Remember I was a young and to me she was amazing. I've been trying to rack my brain to think of strong females on TV when I was little. With only 4 channels there weren't many female leads in cartoons back then, that I can remember.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I like the Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale Batman films. They are less imaginative and out there than the older stuff, but I like the dark intensity. I think The Dark Knight might have been a bit too dark, and Maggie Gyllenhaal was horrible in it. I still like them though.

But I can see your point.

I think that sometimes an action hero is an underdog who finds herself/himself in tough situations that they have to get themselves out of. Like John McClane in the Die Hard films. On that level, Penelope definitely qualifies.

I personally dislike when the hero never seems to be in over his head. Boring!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Eileen wrote: "Curmudgeon wrote: "DiD = Damsel in Distress."

*smacks forehead* of course that's what it means, thanks!

I would say she was a DiD, Penelope would also devise and execute a plan of escape in e..."

Daphne from the original Scooby Doo series (cartoon) was also a DiD. they fixed that in the new series, some.

[Mohammed]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I like the Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale Batman films. They are less imaginative and out there than the older stuff, but I like the dark intensity. I think The Dark Knight might have been a bit ..."

I dig Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, the films have great actors in it and its quality dark crime drama, The Dark Knight an awesome Joker story but the main man, the core, the man the comic and the film is named after Batman himself is not so interesting in the films. A street level hero who cant fight is just a guy in a suit. He doesnt have powers he need to kick ass hand to hand.

Not making Batman himself shine is the cardinal sin of superhero stories.

[Checkman]

Josh wrote: "What makes me angry is with these Revenge plots books/movies have, where the parents are killed or the wife and kids are kidnapped and the unwilling hero goes after the bad guys and kills his way t..."

I agree. I think it's interesting when the hero isn't perfect and doesn't have a huge bank account. So when they win you feel like they really accomplished something. Like if one of us got through a cliff hanging adventure.


I do enjoy the occassional James Bond type of story just not all the time.

[Josh]

Oh me too, dont get me wrong, i like spy novels like bond and dirk pitt adventures, hell my favourite action hero (from novels) is Conan by Robert E Howard, simply incredible hero to follow!! But in books like the Alex Rider series, its almost like theres just no point in following, because he's already fully developed before he reaches puberty, he knows kung fu, he can drive, he can shoot weapons with incredible marksmanship, and he's mastered it all by the age of 16, because his spy uncle taught it all to him secredly ;)
Just seems pointless to me.....

[Mike]

I like an action heroine who is not only physically tough but one who is witty and can stand on her own in any repartee match.

[Seeley]

Mike wrote: "I like an action heroine who is not only physically tough but one who is witty and can stand on her own in any repartee match."

I'm just the opposite, Mike. I'm tired of 'talking her way out of it' and look for plausible toughness. I think Katniss Everdeen was well drawn, tough when forced to be.

Peace, Seeley

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Where's Alex Sheridan?

I tend to be in both camps (the environment in the story generally helps me like the character if she's realistic). Having said that, there's something about Anne and Chelsea Noble from her book Finding Round that helped me reevaluate my idea of "strong female character."

They were not the gunslinging heroes (even left the men-folk to do that) but what they had to power through every day was remarkable (especially Anne) and very touching and by God was as heroic as any gunslinger.


There just isn't one kind of strong and heroic here. I wonder why there are more ways to see heroism and bravery in female characters than we normally recognize in male characters.

I'm open to a lot of combinations...

that said, Jack Daniels makes a wonderful tough, realistic, butt-kickin smart-assed remarkin' killer catchin cop. Especially in the early books. (Konrath). There's a measure of realism to her along with the other stuff.

[Mike]

Seeley wrote: "Mike wrote: "I like an action heroine who is not only physically tough but one who is witty and can stand on her own in any repartee match."

I'm just the opposite, Mike. I'm tired of 'talking her ..."

I agree with you, Seeley. When I said witty, I meant that she has a mouth on her and is not afraid to use it. She won't let a wise crack get by her without upping it one.

[Jim]

I've just started Jet, and am impressed.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

What makes an action Hero or heroine?????

Hummm, let me see...a big gun, a long blade, skimpy armor, the ability to lose 90% of your blood and still fight, the cool to make a humorous quip as you face certain death, rugged good looks/extreme beauty while still being strong and brave, expertise in archery, blade work, firearms, fast cars, the ability to pilot any aircraft from a phantom jet to a helicopter, being a space pilot, astrogator, expert with laser, phaser, blaster weapons....

There's a partial list, but I'm still working on it...

[Eileen]

WOW...that's quite a list.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Yeah, sometimes I expect a lot of my heroes/heroines.

[Lance]

I like my action heroes to have enough sense to bring a gun to a swordfight.

[Seeley]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "pilot any aircraft from a phantom jet to a helicopter, being a space pilot, astrogator..."

Holy moly, I just got a two star review for The Geneva Decision because the reader said she couldn't be an expert in soccer and boxing at the same time :)

Peace, Seeley

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Why not? I'm an excellent shot with firearms and a bow (well till my shoulders went) and also a technician. I've been an announcer on radio, a soldier, worked construction, raised 2 children and been a husband...and that's not all. Why can't a sorcerer box?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

@Seeley, I think people can be very narrow-minded, and it's reflected in their reviews. :)

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I think that was, expert in soccer (as in Futbol! you bet!) and, your point is still valid. I played Rugby, Worked at a Pizza Resteraunt, Swam Competitively had some college, and joined the Navy all before I was 25. And, I was even 2nd place in my first Judo Tournament at the age of 13. Why not? (Not that I'm expert in any of those things, but I still have "skills" there).

[Travis]

can't specify a favorite or a set way I like heroes but I did like Hancock who just wanted to be an alcoholic but no he has to be a reluctant superhero instead.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I like the reluctant hero a lot. I like when a normal type character is thrown into abnormal circumstances and rises to the occasion.

[S.L.J.]

I really liked the character of Riddick. He's like the ulitmate anti-hero because he is a murderer and will continue to kill people if he has to.

When he takes a step forward and tries to be the good guy it doesn't work out very well for him.

The 3rd Riddick movie is out in September and the director has already said that Riddick made a mistake trying to be something that he isn't (the good guy) and now he is going to go back to being the man he used to be.

I also think Dredd is a great character. In a strange way he is almost one-dimensional but that is completely by his choice. He's the ulitmate law-man and he will not compromise for anything. The movie with Karl Urban was pretty damn good too. :D

[Eileen]

Seeley wrote: "Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "pilot any aircraft from a phantom jet to a helicopter, being a space pilot, astrogator..."

Holy moly, I just got a two star review for The Geneva Decision because the re..."

I don't I agree with that at all. People are complex capable of learning and mastering many things.



I guess, we're all in titled to our own opinions.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

All those don't have to be the same hero heroine.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I do like an anti-hero, and I love the Riddick films. There are certain lines I don't want them to cross, but I like exploring that kind of character in fiction.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Hey, I kind of like "Joe Ledger" as a Hero too.

[Bradley Verdell]

Key element to a good hero, I think, is not caring how he is perceived by others. Examples would be undercover or spy types who have to get in thick among the bad guys in order to take them down. Snape from Harry Potter -- McMurdo from "The Valley of Fear" is a fantastic example in a Sherlock Holmes story. He is a Pinkerton Detective that becomes a deacon of sorts within a Freemason murder society in order to free a whole valley from their grip. Also, Howl from "Howl's Moving Castle" doesn't care if the king and everyone in the kingdom thinks he's evil, if it means protecting what's actually important. The ability to sacrifice reputation and admiration to get the job done.

[Seeley]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "All those don't have to be the same hero heroine."

Ah, I was wondering :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

That's a good point, Brad.

Definitely liked Joe as a hero, Hugh.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

And Painter Crowe

[Kevin]

I guess you could break down the hero's and heroine category into archetypes and from that point chose your favorite type.

If I read detective or police thrillers, I like to have the good cop, bad cop theme to keep me entertained. The personalities tend to play off one another rather well. In the end they always realize that they benefit from each other.

I also like a character who evolves as the story proceeds. (May start out weak but overcomes fears and triumphs in the end).

A flawed character always seems more real. A person who doesn't stop to think but manages to survive in the long run, can be very interesting. Rash dissensions are made everyday by just about everybody.

And then there's humor. I'm a sucker for a wise cracking lead character.

My list could grow extremely long if I give it any more thought, so I will stop here.

[Andrew]

I would have to say a Jack Reacher, Painter Crowe type. I love a hero with a good sense of humor, it adds to the experience of a good book.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I do love a hero with a snarky sense of humor.