Great Hero Showdown Round 4 (Voting Closed)

[Kelleris]

Quite true. I voted against Odysseus and Han and Conan and the other rogues.

So what, heroes have to be perfect now? We're only accepting paladins?

And - for Odysseus at least - I would argue that he embodied a mode of heroism that the ancient Greeks would have seen in a better light than we do. These things go up and down, you know. Odysseus was a great cultural hero for the Greeks, Dante put him way down in Hell, and now he's on an upswing.

 

[Dark Jezter]

So what, heroes have to be perfect now? We're only accepting paladins?

A somewhat similar thing happened in the Villain showdown; a few people kept saying "Darth Vader isn't a good villain because he was redeemed in the end", except here, a few people seem to be implying that any character who isn't completely selfless can't be a hero.

I guess when I started the contest I should added a comment that "Antiheroes and heroes that have some selfish motivations still fall under this thread's definition of hero."

 

[ThirdWizard]

So what, heroes have to be perfect now? We're only accepting paladins?

Everyone uses their on criteria. If you don't like someone else's don't use it as your own. But, don't say that someone has to see Conan has a hero. That would just be silly.

And - for Odysseus at least - I would argue that he embodied a mode of heroism that the ancient Greeks would have seen in a better light than we do.

As far as I know, the greeks saw him as a shifty guy who thought too much and didn't bash in enough skulls. They didn't really like him all that much.

A somewhat similar thing happened in the Villain showdown; a few people kept saying "Darth Vader isn't a good villain because he was redeemed in the end", except here, a few people seem to be implying that any character who isn't completely selfless can't be a hero.

And if they didn't want to vote for Vader because he wasn't irredeemably evil, then so be it. If enough people vote that way, then that'll be how it is. If enough people vote different then it'll be that way instead. It's all based on how someone views a villian. I wouldn't say not to vote for Conan, but I also wouldn't say someone has to vote for him either.

I guess when I started the contest I should added a comment that "Antiheroes and heroes that have some selfish motivations still fall under this thread's definition of hero."

That would have been a different poll to some people. Too late now!

 

[Testament]

1. Conan the Cimmerian (Robert Howard's novels, Conan movies) versus Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones movies)

Indy wins this one. He's smarter, more resourceful (only just) and has infinitely more style.

2. Batman (Batman comics, Batman movies) versus Odysseus (mythology)

Batman. Solely through the technological edge.

3. Sherlock Holmes versus Gandalf the Grey

Argo summed this one up. They have tea, discuss the matter, and Gandalf decides to let the mortals handle the affairs for a bit longer. So he wins, while Holmes goes back to the mortal world straight away.

4. Captain James T. Kirk (Star Trek) versus The Hulk

HULK SMASH! HULK SMASH YOU ALL!

5. Robin Hood (mythology, movies) versus King Arthur (mythology, various novels)

Nyargh! Robin Hood snipes out King Arthur and goes on.

6. Luke Skywalker (Star Wars) versus Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings)

Nyargh AGAIN! The coin has spoken, and Luke wins.

7. Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) versus Han Solo (Star Wars)

Buffy wins this. More of a hero, bolder, and also gives this competition a much needed hottie factor.

8. Spider-Man (comics, movies, TV shows) versus James Bond (movies, Ian Fleming's stories)

Great power, great responsibility and all that jazz are no match for a PPK, killer looks and Q departments latest funky development. Bond wins.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Well folks, it's Sunday night. Voting closed, results later.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

As far as I know, the greeks saw him as a shifty guy who thought too much and didn't bash in enough skulls. They didn't really like him all that much.

You're kidding, right? Odysseus is one of the most iconic of Greek heroes, his journey being the epitome of the heroic quest. I kind of doubt his legacy would have lasted nearly 3000 years otherwise, especially in times when there were no written records of any kind.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

1. Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones movies)
2. Odysseus (mythology)
3. Gandalf the Grey
4. The Hulk
5. King Arthur (mythology, various novels)
6. Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings)
7. Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
8. Spider-Man (comics, movies, TV shows)

 

[Dark Jezter]

Da Results:

1. Indiana Jones whips Conan 30-10
2. Batman whups Odysseus 32-9
3. Gandalf outfoxes Sherlock Holmes 22-18
4. Captain Kirk smashes the Hulk 30-9
5. Robin Hood beats King Arthur 22-19
6. The Force is with Luke instead of Sam 26-15
7. Han Solo shoots first and barely beats Buffy Summers 21-20
8. Spider-Man snares James Bond 30-10

Round 5 coming soon.

 

[Particle_Man]

Da Results:
2. Batman whups Odysseus 32-9

YES! Superman, thou art avenged!

 

[Mad Hatter]

Da Results:
7. Han Solo shoots first and barely beats Buffy Summers 21-20

Man! I was hoping Buffy'd get further.