Understanding the Heroic Spectrum

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Perceptions of the superhero and supervillain are mainly based on subjective definitions of each concept. These observations often lead to a definitive dichotomy that precisely splits characters into two impermeable divisions. However, this stringent separation is unable to account for the characters that are not at the extreme ends of their respective side. Neither is this rift capable of classifying characters that flirt with both sides of the superhero-supervillain dichotomy. Therefore it is imperative to analyze the established criteria for both superhero and supervillain to derive a more adequate explanation. Most superheroes are not easily characterized, but rather fall somewhere between Superman, the bastion of moral purity, and Doctor Doom, the display of indubitable corruption. This solicits genesis of an entirely new notion about the differences between superheroes and supervillains. A more precise idea is that superheroes and supervillains are lined on a spectrum that spans from pure good to pure evil. Disparities between superheroes and supervillains are not black and white, but rather these characters are on a spectrum that radically changes based on individual cases.
Captain Hammer and Doctor Horrible from Doctor Horrible’s Sing Along Blog are intriguing cases because of their inherent qualities. The character of Captain Hammer is quite easily identifiable as the superhero of the story. He is shown saving people by stopping Doctor Horrible from stealing a van that contained a special power core (Whedon). Through physical characteristics such as his costume and his strong physique, Captain Hammer matches the physical criteria of the role superhero. Also, through his reputation and influence, Captain Hammer repurposes...

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