What qualities make someone a hero? Is it a morale code ingrained into every fiber of their being? Do real heroes know the dilemma of doing the right thing when it’s hard or do they just do it?

Comic books and Hollywood have given us ample opportunities to examine the hero archetype. Usually clean shaven, he’ll sometimes sport the 5 o’clock shadow on the rougher days. He can’t help but stop and correct the injustices of the world. Skin tougher than Kevlar, and a heart made of gold, our caped defender sets the bar so high for the rest of humanity that everyday heroes might just pack up and head for home.

We haven’t yet reached the point in social and genetic evolution (devolution?) where it’s acceptable to run around the neighborhood in your underoos and a cape, so we’ll set the Kryptonite aside for this discussion. Without the cool suits and outworldly powers, all we left to examine is the best of us. But if we really want a thorough discussion of what makes a hero, you have to take a look at the bad guys too.

Traditionally, we’ve accepted heroes based on action sets tied to and expected from certain archetypes. There are gentlemen, class clowns, dark and mysterious brooders, and many more. These characters fit the roll of “Hero” because they ultimately do good things. Even if they don’t pull through, it’s our expectations of their greatness that elevates them to hero status, and in some cases that trust is proven to have been premature.

If you really, truly want to know what qualities make someone a hero, you have to open your mind and start examining individual choices. Many well-rounded good guys have a weakness, be it fear, lust for revenge, or some other misdirection that gets in the way of saving the day without consequence. Some bad guys have done bad things and only need that spark of faith, the chance to achieve redemption. These blokes may not go willingly to the alter of the Hero, but if their hearts are worthy, they too can take up the banner.

MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS REGARDLESS OF WHO MAY BE WATCHING - 

A Hero acts the same way in a pitch black night on some distant planet as he would with thousands to see. A Hero doesn’t betray their friends for the prize of popularity and opportunity. A hero sees who we are and what we need. They put their own wants and needs on hold to selflessly sacrifice for our greater good.