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WRITING A HERO.

No "hero" is perfect. So what defines heroics and why even try?

By Kid AstronautPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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In Marvel's MCU universe - we see Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark undergo a character arc from a selfish, misogynistic, egotistical - and obviously deeply pained military grade weapons manufacturer in Iron Man 1 to a "SUPERHERO" within a few story beats.

I remember watching Iron Man back in 2008 thinking, cool! What an awesome, badass, doesn't give a fuck personality. I wanna be like him!! I was 18 - young, impressionable. Now at 30 I'm still probably young and impressionable - but now - here in 2021. I'm a little more critical of the totality of Tony Stark and what truly can constitue someone being labeled a hero.

When the story of Tony Stark begins in the MCU, he's a pretty bad guy. Aside from a sorta charming personality he's self absorbed, egotistical, kinda the worst. Even Iron Man 3 dives in to this issue - flashing back to an earlier decade where a younger Tony, in his ego and bravado dismisses someone so coldly they from that moment seek revenge on him threating everything in his way to get it.

What then - is our definition of Hero and in whose eyes does this vision exist?

MCU fans will remember that Marvel did an excellent job in capturing this dichotomy. On one hand we were sold that Tony Stark is this flawed but overall "good" character, largely brushing over his physical connection to the weapons he creates and the damage not only himself - but also the entire Avengers team does. Buildings, people, entire universes. One particular case is when, later in the film universe we meet The Maximoff's - Wanda and her brother Pietro. They have a step by step introduction into the universe from which we learn a Tony Stark weapon killed their parents.

This then becomes the parable of Tony Stark. For whatever reason Tony chose a redemption arc. Heroes and especially superheroes are destructive, they're imperfect but they also aim towards a highest overall good for humanity.

Let's parallel this for example with Thanos.

Thanos believes that through destruction and killing half of the universe resources would be safer and society would finally be able to flourish. Although this, to Thanos alone is a worthy cause, Tony Stark and The Avengers move through time and space to find any means necessary to stop this singularly minded beast.

But to think critically - what separates Thanos from Tony Stark? Thanos wasn't inherently a bad guy on the surface, he had a mission, but it was ultimately the Crux of his mission - to enact violence and destruction that sets him apart from the Avengers team.

Marvel does a fantastic job of at least approaching these complex forays into human morals and psychology. In "Captain America - Civil War" the question after all the damage the Avengers themselves have done in the pursuit of good is whether or not to have the government overlook the tasks of the Avengers and as Tony puts it, keep them "in check". Captain America on the other hand - the supposed voice of American truth, Justice and Liberty is on the more seemingly anarchist viewpoint of keeping their moves in their own hands.

Does this make Iron Man a bad guy as he and Captain America face off against each other standing up for what they believe to be true? Is Captain America now an enemy of the state for trusting what he knows?

In conflict and in life we have choices. Sometimes our choices, even filled with the best intentions won't reap positive results. And what about when it comes down not to moral issues but major decisions we need to make for ourselves that may or may not impact someone else in a negative way?

All in all - I don't think Tony Stark would even consider himself a superhero. And maybe some fans of the comics and movies would agree. But in my eyes, what makes Tony Stark a hero is not because he's perfect or even tries to be. I mean, I prefer my heroes with a little bit of edge. A little bit of darkness. But it's overcoming that darkness and transforming that darkness that makes a superhero to me.

Most of our heroes, and our villains, are plauged by some tramautizing, horrible past event. Events that at their core have the option of sparking a hero or a villian. These stories are so loved because they reflect so well the human condition and choices we all get to make in our daily lives.

There may be some villians that can't be given a redemption arc. Even if we can understand their origin story we can't look past ultimately they gave up on heroism. In today's day and age the question I asked myself is - would Tony Stark have been canceled? What if he never got the opportunity to become Iron Man because of his past? How do we hold ourselves accountable and still maintain the ability to choose what happens next?

I believe as long as your heart is in the right place and you want to see growth and life happening in the world, you're a hero. It's awesome to want to save the planet or help people and since we all have these qualities and great powers within ourselves, it's our responsibility to make those choices that will move us forward to healing and overcoming even the worst parts of ourselves.

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About the Creator

Kid Astronaut

I'm Kid Astronaut, a time + dimension traveling artist from the future that crash-landed in this dimension.

I make music + art.

Follow me on IG/Twitter @kidastronavt

Here too is my website: www.kidastronautuniverse.com

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