What It Means to Be a Hero and a Vigilante: a Comparison

Introduction

Throughout time, heroes gain pure inspirational and eye-catching characteristics that define what it means to be a hero. Finding out what makes them different from normal humans is a crucial exploration. Many differences in reality and characteristics hold significant positions both in our tangible world and in the realm of literature. The comparison becomes even more compelling when considering heroes, protectors, and vigilantes. Over time, characters develop through interactions, and in the text 'Watchmen,' these interactions illustrate the privileges earned through their actions. This is particularly evident in the case of the vigilante anti-hero Rorschach. The absence of strict adherence to laws, often bent or broken according to their own accord, serves as a revealing lens through which their true nature is displayed. Moore and Gibson sought to introduce and definitively delineate these complex personas to the audience. Embracing the role of a hero grants immense power and the ability to enact change. This influence may be influenced by personal relationships, such as those within social groups or governmental organizations. Authority signifies the power vested in individuals who have agreed to uphold and enforce it, thereby enhancing the hero's influential position. Heroes embody a multifaceted identity, often characterized as a hero, a protector, and a vigilante. These personas encompass a range of traits, both virtuous and flawed. Notably, the benefits of having a hero or a vigilante are substantial. The focus shifts to vigilantes, delving into the constituents of a vigilante's identity. The characteristics inherent in a vigilante form a distinct framework, setting them apart from heroes and protectors. Vigilantes straddle the line between the two, amalgamating qualities of both heroism and protection. Their actions serve as a compass guiding decisions for the future, often assuming the role of judge and jury. 

Exploring What It Means to Be a Hero and a Vigilante

When it comes to vigilantes many are labeled with a balance equivalency would have a hero and vigilante characteristics. Throughout the Multiverse of the comic book, the world contains tons of development of vigilantism and a mental state. The things that really make a vigilante is someone who undertakes the law into their own hands as if they are the judge of justice. The person that has dealt with this in the comic book world was Batman being labeled as a hero and a vigilante. As it says in the article that talks about the little details of Batman and seeing his purpose “is that social norms don’t break down in the absence of governmentally-imposed order” (Ryan Davidson) it explains he is a vigilante who deals with the extremely dangerous mass of threat without an approval by a government official. Coming out of their own lane to deal with it in their own hands. All the hero/vigilante put on the side without the costume and the mask he is Bruce Wayne a multimillionaire Playboy celebrity that has his own company. Compared to the Watchmen vigilante Rorschach roaming around the streets and handling the trouble. As costumed heroes became both illegal and despise upon. When Rorschach was doing the murder investigation of Edward Blake. Throughout their process, Rorschach took the law in his own hands making actions without any government operatives. Touching all the possible evidence needed for the investigation. Finding little details on how to find out who killed the victim. That is how it is represented to the audience about him taking the law into his hands and finding out things that government operatives. As it shows in the comic throughout the investigation in the pages in issues #1 told my the detective “ this vigilante stuff too seriously since the keene act was passed in ‘77 only the government sponsored weirdoes are active. They don't interfere” (Alan Moore, Page 4) shows the discussion of future for the vigilantes. Especially having to find someone killer. Rorasch finding out the little details that a normal person would really know and finding out that Edward Blake was the comedian during his early history in life. The comparison between Batman & Rorschach contains many different privileges of being a vigilante and what you could really do with the law being taken into your own hands.

Unveiling the Nature of Vigilantes

The small installments containing throughout any time point to gain many of these vigilante characteristics. Which are unlocked by the thing they have accomplished and done. This has happened to our DC Comics superhero the Green Arrow. Oliver Queen a multi-billion dollar corporation and a playboy. Being stranded on an island for many years, being found on the island, finally getting a chance to come back and have no exceptions with what is going to come before him. In the series, he had many explorations and events with everything he's gone through his lifetime he pursues his own way of Justice. He as a vigilante takes a huge roll taking justice into his own as it says in the text “ investigator, interrogator, judge, jury, and executioner” (Matthew Beard) that explains the privileges of being a vigilante but with all privileges aren’t all good or bad on your position. He was seeking more on operating alone and not having a group that would be involved for him. He would have to worry more about those people that he is involving in if he was to have a team. Enabling reservation of laws against citizens could lead to the reliance of having a vigilante or hero could possibly separate power in an instant. No matter what branch and intentions you have. That is what Moore and Gibson wanted to be introduced to the audience. Those three overall have the same meaning in saving society or for themselves but they have different meanings on their intentions and how they are the person they are today. Finding out the true meaning of a hero and the type of impact that is caused by the idea of being a protector and vigilante.

Vigilantism has been in our society told as stories through our here for many years. Which is shown in comics way back in time. DC Comics has brought their character to life called The Vigilante. He was a man who was very violent in taking into his own laws as his name tells everything about him. Killing criminals, knowing when a person deserves it. His mentality contains tons of “mood swings that would include uncontrollable rage, paranoia and extreme guilt and remorse” (Dan Wickline) knowing their intentions and know why they are the person they are today. Many vigilantes have different mentality and intention towards the enemy or society and the character The Vigilante introduces a different perspective on it which isn’t really mainly talked about in the comics. Throughout all of actions and decision making he is still considered a hero vigilante more than a villain vigilante. Not having many laws applied to him and could break the law by their own accord .He is more of a destructor than a peacemaker. Murdering innocent policemen was out of control but did it and got it in his own way. It is a unique look upon this character and what it takes to be a hero how he impacts society with the choices he makes. Seeing the privileges that The Vigilante earns. Getting the way he wants it, takes a ton of power, and restrict the powered people in society by what he does. He is the judge of justice. Besides having an anti-hero (vigilante) takes the laws and the decisions if the law in his own hands. Taking a huge toll from what he does doesn’t really take the burden in your chest. Contain tons of energy ready to fulfill anyone that The Vigilante want to take the law into his hand.

Conclusion

Every hero/vigilante has a story and it is up to them how they can determine it. Time will tell everything about a vigilante and what good or bad side they lean towards. Containing interaction with every character takes a huge position with power and ability. Tons of exercise must be applied towards this as it wasn’t easy at the beginning of Rorschach, Batman, Green Arrow and The Vigilante. It takes time to gain the privileges that each of these vigilantes had earned. Time will go on and small installments would be needed to deal with an outlook of the morality being a Vigilante labeling of balance equivalency has no approval by a government official. Enabling the laws against citizens as a vigilante. It could lead to the reliance of having a vigilante/hero could separate power. The Characteristics is a different structure then a hero. Their actions show the decision making for the future. Finding out the fine line between a vigilante. Especially what characteristics and intentions they would want to seek and have the decision making in their hands. However hero/vigilante need many small installments or a process to be doing. Included with the illegal acts and the punishing in their own hands very offensive against a lawbreaker. Seeing the benefits of having a hero/vigilante looking over the community. Seeing them in a position with power and authority gives them an elevation of heroism.

Works Cited

1. Davidson, Ryan. 'Batman and the Breakdown of Social Order.' Sequart Organization, 7 July 2012, sequart.org/magazine/18963/batman-and-the-breakdown-of-social-order/.
2. Moore, Alan, and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen. DC Comics, 1986.
3. Beard, Matthew. 'Legal Vigilantism: The Origins of the Modern Vigilante Tradition.' University of Pittsburgh Law Review, vol. 71, no. 4, 2010, pp. 601-648.
4. Wickline, Dan. 'More Vigilante: Southland for DC Rebirth – and Jay Faerber Responds.' Bleeding Cool, 18 Jan. 2017, bleedingcool.com/comics/more-vigilante-southland-for-dc-rebirth-and-jay-faerber-responds/.