Sci-Fi Writer Brandon Sanderson Accuses Marvel of Forgetting the Meaning of Antihero: “Punisher? Just a Hero at This Point”

[[{“value”:”

Some of the most entertaining and intriguing characters in the media are anti-heroes like the Punisher. It is why films like Deadpool & Wolverine break box office records and a comic series about former assassin Elektra Natchios is taking Marvel Comics by storm. But not everyone understands the complexity of the anti-hero.

Brandon Sanderson, the well-known author behind the Mistborn and Stormlight Archive series, recently posted a YouTube Short that offered a unique perspective on the anti-hero trope, arguing that many figures traditionally labeled as anti-heroes are, in fact, heroes in disguise. Though Sanderson does not differentiate between anti-heroes in films, comics, or television, the argument is intriguing and challenges conventional understandings of the anti-hero archetype.

Sanderson raises questions about the role of violence and morality in modern storytelling. Many of his own popular works often feature characters grappling with moral dilemmas and complex motivations, making his insights into the anti-hero trope particularly relevant.

Sanderson Reduces Anti-Heroes To Acts of Violence

Anti-Heroes Have Played A Major Role In Comic History

The discourse surrounding the modern anti-hero often deals with violent methodology and moral ambiguity, and how these very real and dark topics affect readers. Sanderson argues that figures such as Venom and The Punisher, two of the most famous anti-heroes in pop culture, are essentially heroes operating under a darker aesthetic. Despite their brutal actions, they are driven by fundamentally heroic intentions, suggesting a redefinition of what it means to be an anti-hero. Even Deadpool, known for his chaotic and violent behavior, is presented as a hero in films and comics, further blurring the lines between hero and anti-hero.

Sanderson accurately noted the tendency to equate violence with the defining characteristics of an anti-hero. His perspective argues that contemporary portrayals of traditional anti-heroes have transformed anti-heroes into heroes who go to extremes heroes will not while prioritizing the outcome over the process. A prime example that supports the argument Sanderson makes is the events of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, where Daredevil seeks out the Punisher to cross lines Daredevil will not. The relationship between Daredevil and the Punisher in the comics is strikingly similar, oftentimes not holding Frank Castle responsible for his violent extremes.

There Are Many Other Driving Factors Behind An Anti-Hero’s Action

Every Motive Is Different

However, Sanderson’s opinions overlook the deep complexities of what an anti-hero is supposed to be. True anti-heroes are characterized by their defiance of conventional morality and their willingness to operate outside the law, not solely by their capacity for violence. Characters can exhibit anti-heroic traits through cynicism, moral compromise, or a rejection of societal norms, without resorting to physical brutality. The focus on violence as a defining characteristic limits the scope of what the anti-hero can represent, ignoring the crucial element of moral ambiguity.

In truth, an anti-hero acknowledges that their defining trait is the challenge they pose to conventional heroism. It is why Frank Castle and Matt Murdock consistently engage in deep conversations about the moral ramifications of the way they both approach keeping the streets clean. An anti-hero’s action may be driven by self-interest, a flawed moral compass, or a deep distrust of authority, without necessarily involving physical aggression or uncontrolled anger. Anti-heroes question traditional heroic methods and how effective they are, often operating in the shadows not out of violence, but out of disillusionment.

Source: YouTube

“}]] Brandon Sanderson has thoughts on anti-heroes.  Read More