The eight attributes of a hero

The Heroic Age: Heroes is not, as I first thought, a "Cliff Notes" version of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. It is designed to be Steve Rogers' personal and professional thoughts on the heroes of the Marvel Universe. It mostly works although having twelve writers on the project means that the "voice" does differ a bit from one entry to the next. Also, the information is a little out of date already and it seems like this should have come out a couple of months ago. Nonetheless, it's a good value for what it is in my opinion.

What makes it worth more than the 3.99$ cover price is the first page. It is a text story in which Steve Rogers asks Veritas, the spirit of truth, "What makes a hero?" The answer may very well be the best I've ever read. This is a subject that we Legionnaires have talked about before but I'm going to hold this up as the definitive answer until something better comes along, if it ever does. Veritas tells Steve eight attributes that make a hero and how they help that person be a hero. I'm not going to go into the "how" (because you should buy a copy) but I will tell you the eight.

Power.
Conscience.
Sense of responsibility to others.
Wisdom.
Courage.
Determination.
Free will.
Limitation.

These eight are then used on a "power grid" for the hero descriptions that follow but those should be taken with a grain of salt.

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who has read this so far. If you've read it, what do you think? If you haven't read it, what do you think?

Alan M. said:

Veritas (by way of Cavalier) said:
Veritas tells Steve eight attributes that make a hero and how they help that person be a hero. I'm not going to go into the "how" (because you should buy a copy) but I will tell you the eight.

Power.

So remember, kids: if you are (or feel) powerless, you can't be a hero.

Just to be argumentative - if you feel powerless, then you are powerless. To an extent, "heroism" involves finding the inner strength to overcome your feeling of powerlessness, and to act.

You could also say that a hero has to have the power to act - not necessarily the ability to juggle planets, but to do something. A hero does something, within whatever limitations they have.

Replies

ClarkKent_DC September 20, 2010 at 8:27am

Um ... I can't tell you you're the only one who has read this so far; I can only tell you that I haven't read it, and I don't think I've even seen it.

That said, maybe I'll look for it. Those attributes of a hero certainly apply, at least, to Steve Rogers.
Alan M. September 20, 2010 at 9:09am

Veritas (by way of Cavalier) said:
Veritas tells Steve eight attributes that make a hero and how they help that person be a hero. I'm not going to go into the "how" (because you should buy a copy) but I will tell you the eight.

Power.

So remember, kids: if you are (or feel) powerless, you can't be a hero.
The Baron September 20, 2010 at 9:20am

Alan M. said:
Veritas (by way of Cavalier) said:
Veritas tells Steve eight attributes that make a hero and how they help that person be a hero. I'm not going to go into the "how" (because you should buy a copy) but I will tell you the eight.

Power.

So remember, kids: if you are (or feel) powerless, you can't be a hero.

Just to be argumentative - if you feel powerless, then you are powerless. To an extent, "heroism" involves finding the inner strength to overcome your feeling of powerlessness, and to act.

You could also say that a hero has to have the power to act - not necessarily the ability to juggle planets, but to do something. A hero does something, within whatever limitations they have.
Alan M. September 20, 2010 at 9:41am

Oh, I get that; I was just being snarky.

But to actually look at the question -- does power beget heroism, or does heroism beget power?
Jeff of Earth-J September 20, 2010 at 9:47am

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who has read this so far.

Interesting. Is this something that shipped last week? If so, it failed to catch my eye. In any case, I'll give it a look this week.
The Baron September 20, 2010 at 10:03am

Alan M. said:
Oh, I get that; I was just being snarky.

But to actually look at the question -- does power beget heroism, or does heroism beget power?

Interesting question. Of course, villains have power, too.
Travis Herrick (Modular Mod) September 20, 2010 at 10:15am

Alan M. said:
Oh, I get that; I was just being snarky.

But to actually look at the question -- does power beget heroism, or does heroism beget power?

Heroism begets power, by your acts you have empowered yourself to change lives.
Figserello September 20, 2010 at 7:13pm

Argumentative Baron should turn up more often...

I'll see your Argumentative and raise you a Cynical.

Who's this Veritas chap anyway, and what's in it for him?
Cavaliere (moderator emeritus) September 20, 2010 at 8:38pm

As the spirit, or personification if you will, or truth...well, that's what he is. Truth. Just like there are avatars for order, time, death, and many other abstracts (at DC, they'd be the Endless), so there is Veritas--truth given form.
Figserello September 20, 2010 at 9:02pm

Ah, Invino Veritas.

I know him well...

This reply was deleted.