Who inspired you? As a kid, who did you want to be, or at least play as? Did you root for Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader? How did the fictional men you grew up with shape you into the guy you are now?
Tell us about your favorite fictional role models in comments!
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Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore-“The epitome of goodness”
Luna Lovegood, because she owned her opinions, and never stopped being herself. Even when Voldemort took over the ministry, she still stood by her word. Also, L (from Death Note), because he’s a darn awesome detective!
For me, it was Batman, specifically the Batman from the 1990s animated show. I liked that he did not let what happen to him control him. He took his pain and used it to make sure no one else would go through what he did. He would put himself in their place, and then make those who wanted to hurt others have to go through him first. I also liked that he thought everything through. He did not work from anger or fear, but from reason and logic. That probably drew me more to Batman than anything else. Here was… Read more »
Spartacus and R2D2.
Aubrey and Maturin.
Captain Jean Luc Picard of USS Enterprise NCC 1701
Mon Captaine!
Indiana Jones or Han Solo. Scrappy, straight talking, smart…short on wealth, long on character. Good with a whip. Always gets the girl…
For me it would have to be a tie between Superman and Clark Kent. Technically it’s not a tie because they are the same person, just two different sides of the same coin. Superman is the beacon of hope; standing for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Then there is Clark Kent, the mild mannered reporter who is secretly pining away for his love, Lois Lane. I have always looked up to both because it shows that even though they are the same person, they both cover different personalities and have varying things to offer. As Superman I can fight… Read more »
Through the first half of eighth grade, I was so obsessed with The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy that I had my friends all calling me Zaphod.
Al Bundy, Jason Seaver, Heathclif Huxterbal: Take the pain, rationalize it and love the life you’ve been given.
Identify myself with James Bond. Cool, calculating, good with gadgets and good with alcohol and words.
Wonder woman.
Yeah, I role played a lot of that. And later I was a fan of Xena for the same reasons.
I’m not sure if Xena is the same sort of character as WW. Although I can get behind a reformed bad girl too.
I liked WW because she was principled (although sometimes writers would write about her principles in idiotic ways.)
Most people call me Bruce Wayne. Always admired his strength, resourcefulness and intellect. He’s something I even try to emulate with my thirst for knowledge and trying to stay in shape ( failing on that last one lol ).
OMG, so many throughout my life…..Picard!! Love the nobility and wisdom, and his irritated sense of frustration at lack of discipline, The Woodpecker from Still Life With Woodpecker (Tom Robbins), Paul AND Jessica from Dune, Ripley from Alien/Aliens. I did love Frodo and Sam growing up, though I always felt such sadness for Gollum.
When I first read LOTR I wanted to be Aragorn – he’s smart, he’s an action hero, and he’s nobly trying to save the world but he’s very down to earth about it. (Unlike Boromir, who is more the “we’re the awesome heroes who will triumph over the villain!” type.)
Bugs Bunny. I kid you not. He was never looking for trouble, but he gave as good as he got. He did a little cross dressing on the side. What’s not to like?
For me, ever since I was a kid, it’s been Captain America. I find a lot of symbolism in the fact that he’s not technically superhuman: he’s merely as strong and fast and so on as it’s possible for a human to be. He represents our potential, in that sense. The best line about him was in one of John Ney Rieber’s issues: “Ordinary people could do a lot of the stuff he does, if we cared as much, and if we tried as hard.” That, for me, nails it. Also, Cap is the one who said this: http://i.imgur.com/HC4PG.jpg