Qualities of a Hero

[Ranger REG]

Superman isn't a hero. Why?

Because he isn't frightened. He's invincible. He's perfect.

He's not human. So he can't be a hero, he's just being normal for the alien he is. He would do what most people in his situation would do. Thats why we don't like Superman. He makes us uncomfortable at being "Weak". But we aren't weak, the standard is alien.

Yeah, but he does share one common trait among many heroes and superheroes: friends.

Now, Jesus is a hero.

Let's not go there. It wil invite an unnecessary religious discussion which can lead to one end result: flamewar.

 

[Arrgh! Mark!]

Sorry, but the J-dude was the first guy to mind. I shall now change it to "King Arthur."

As for the call about friends, I don't quite understand your reasoning. I'm not saying he isn't likable; I'm saying he isn't a hero.

The call about Superman being heroic because of his use of power is interesting but it's flawed. You misunderstand the difference between a very, stupendously large HUMAN power and Superman. Superman is invicible. When he is defeated he comes back. He's unstoppable. Now, put yourself in his shoes. But don't take your fears of pain and loss. Superman cannot lose. He doesn't understand it. (At least, until later. But thats modern comics for you.)

The most powerful man in the world; lets say King Arthur rules the world with an iron fist because he's afraid he'll lose it, and does what he does to maintain himself. Despite fairy tales, King Arthur's rule is quite troubled and he sends many a knight to violently put down the troubles. Which they do. He maintains himself through violence. He's a "Good" man, but understanding of the fact that if he loses, bad things will happen. He tries hard to maintain his honor and goodness. King Arthur fears that what he has built will fall, and so does things to avoid that. He tries hard despite knowing it's futile.

Superman cannot lose. He can't be killed. He does nothing heroic when he uses his powers; they involve no sacrifice. Truly, he does no evil with it. But you cannot call someone a hero because they are not a villain.

Now, Superman became a hero when apocalypse or whatever it was killed him. Because he deliberately sacrificed himself for a good and just cause. But thats the only time Superman was truly a hero. Before he was just a very powerful, well intentioned fellow.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Superman cannot lose. He can't be killed. He does nothing heroic when he uses his powers; they involve no sacrifice. Truly, he does no evil with it. But you cannot call someone a hero because they are not a villain.

Now, Superman became a hero when apocalypse or whatever it was killed him. Because he deliberately sacrificed himself for a good and just cause. But thats the only time Superman was truly a hero. Before he was just a very powerful, well intentioned fellow.

He was always a hero, he decided to help and do the right thing everyday, he did not stand by and watch, Superman is a hero just like every fireman, police, Coast Guard, etc. they act in adversity, it does not matter that he can't be hurt, it is the action of doing.

 

[Arrgh! Mark!]

What makes those men heroic is not the fact they do a good action, or have a good intention.

You mistake being "Good" as being a hero.

I do not deny superman is "Good". I deny that he is a hero.

Being a hero requires sacrifice. If there isn't sacrifice, it is simply being good. It's not actually hard for Superman to do what he does. He does not sacrifice anything; he doesn't have the ability to sacrifice. Superman doesn't have fear for himself; hence he isn't actually courageous. He can't be a hero.

Although I do say that he becomes a hero when he actually does sacrifice his life.

Now, those police and things you mentioned are heroes, because they act in adversity. Superman doesn't have such adversity (or danger.) He would do what any good person would do given supermans powers.

Unless you wish to deny that heroism needs sacrifice, I'm fairly certain my argument isn't too silly.

 

[WizarDru]

I do not deny superman is "Good". I deny that he is a hero.

Being a hero requires sacrifice. If there isn't sacrifice, it is simply being good. It's not actually hard for Superman to do what he does. He does not sacrifice anything; he doesn't have the ability to sacrifice. Superman doesn't have fear for himself; hence he isn't actually courageous. He can't be a hero.

Although I do say that he becomes a hero when he actually does sacrifice his life.

I can only assume you've never actually read the comic or watched the movies to draw such a conclusion. Superman sacrifices a great deal, and his life is in constant danger. That he doesn't get killed (well, OK...once...sort of) is because he is the star of a set of ongoing titles, not because he never puts his life at risk. In fact, on several occasions, even deprived of all his powers, Superman continued to fight on. DC held an event a few years back where the sun was being consumed: during the event, Superman's powers ran out (being solar-based) and he was just as vulnerable as a normal human...and yet he still did everything he could, because he's a hero.

What sort of sacrifices does he make? His friends and family are constantly at risk, for one. A chief reason for a secret-identity is to protect those you know who aren't super-powered. Superman sacrifices the chance at a normal life with fulfilliing relationships and safety for a life of constant life-threatening danger and obligation...when he has the powers strong-enough to dominate the planet. He sublimates all of his personal desires to use his abilities to serve the greater good. Hell, even the movie Superman gives up the chance of a life with Lois Lane to keep mankind safe.

More recent interpetations of the character have highlighted the conflicts of Superman's life. Lex Luthor's revamp (along with the Man of Steel) back in 1986 revitalized the character to the one we have today. Superman's about as classic a hero as you're going to get in comics.

 

[Darkness]

By the way, keep it constructive, everyone - no thread-crapping, please. Thanks.

 

[Henry]

Superman not a hero -- pshaw! Even in the old stories from the 50's and 60's, there was so much Kryponite lying around, you'd think the Earth weighed as much as the Earth and Krypton combined.

He's not as courageous as some other heroes, because of his nigh-invulnerability, but he still sacrifices a lot in the stories, including three women in his life, a non-heroic lifestyle, and a good night's sleep.

 

[Rel]

He's not as courageous as some other heroes, because of his nigh-invulnerability, but he still sacrifices a lot in the stories, including three women in his life, a non-heroic lifestyle, and a good night's sleep.

Plus, he almost never gets laid.

 

[Corvidae]

I did not mean that extraordinary things do not happen, what I mean is this

Anyone with an ounce of good in them would want to protect children, but they may be restrained by fear, or whatever. Now a hero is someone who does what anyone would do given the situation, but doesn't let themselves be held back. They do what everyone wants to do, but are uninhibited, and so do it in an extraordinary way.

 

[Patman21967]

Since when does sacrifice make one a hero. That is the biggest loads I have heard. So, you are saying, if someone does the good and right and just thing, but loses nothing in accomplishing it, he is less of a hero...like I said earlier....BS. It does not require all those things to be a hero. There is no prereq to be a hero. Plus, the term is so subjective, noone can quantify. He who may he a hero to you, may be a self-depreciating, matyr-syndrome jackass to me. And people I think are heros, may be different than you see. But to say someone like Superman is not a hero, is nuts. I know religion is supposed to be off-topic, so I won't go into my stuff concerning that, let's just say, I am Catholic school bred, and would love to discuss it further, as I think I have some valid points.