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Message: <blockquote data-quote="EzekielRaiden" data-source="post: 6761582" data-attributes="member: 6790260">While I completely agree that the Paladin is aiming for the same archetype as Superman, I really have to say you should feel bad for calling him a fascist. Superman--particularly the DCAU version--is a character I like quite a lot, even though it's a challenge to write interesting+reasonable stories about him (Red Son being a fantastic example...where Superman is a commie). When he's well-written, he's a legitimately interesting character, sometimes even for reasons similar to Batman. As an example: who is he really? Clark Kent the human, Superman the hero, Kal-el the Kryptonian, some combo of the three, or something else entirely?And...I'm confused, where do you get that he's "jerk-y"? One of the most frequent complaints about the character is that he's not sufficiently humanized because he doesn't act like a jerk now and then! Because he doesn't suffer from occasional moral failings, and is instead Incorruptible Pure Pureness.Now, the Paladin certainly has a stereotype of jerkish behavior. Just like how Wizards have a stereotype of having superiority complexes and Fighters have a stereotype of being idiots. But I know, from having played one, that Paladin doesn't entail being "jerk-y." And if you won't accept my anecdote, at least accept <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?58227-Tales-of-Wyre" target="_blank">Tales of Wyre</a>, since Eadric is a wonderfully human and complex character, in addition to being an exceptionally good Paladin. (There's also Michael Carpenter of The Dresden Files, who is pretty much the epitome of a good Paladin.) As for the "Spider-Man quote," I personally think that the Paladin is actually the exact inverse: with great responsibility comes great power. The Paladin has taken up an oath, an ethos, a covenant of some kind. It is through the purity and strength of that conviction--whether because that conviction is backed up by divine edict or not--that the power is gained. My good blade carves the casques of men,/My tough lance thrusteth sure,/My strength is as the strength of ten/Because my heart is pure. (Emphasis mine; Sir Galahad, Tennyson.)</blockquote>

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