Pantheon Press Blog

Stratton Speaks: We Can’t All be Wolverine

May, 2011

I have a favorite quote from the movie, Reservoir Dogs:

MR. PINK: Why can't we pick out our own colors?

JOE: I tried that once, it don't work. You get four guys fighting over who's gonna be Mr. Black.

 From Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, to Gotham City’s Batman, to almost every character ever played by Clint Eastwood, the antihero is an attractive and compelling icon. I mean, who doesn’t want to be this guy? Surly, lethal, and (best of all), misunderstood?

The problem is, the antihero is only fun when he works alone or when he is surrounded by people who care about his angst. He doesn’t work when he’s teamed up with a bunch of other antiheroes! Can you imagine if the Justice League was all Batmen? They’d sit around glowering at each other all day, trying to think up terse exit lines!

 As gamers we’ve all been in that party, right?

 Jeff:     I’m ‘Derth Darkblade’. I have no family, no love, just my sword. While others take prisoners, I take lives.

 Carl:    Well, Derth, let me introduce ‘Gloomsmith Joybane.’ He had a family, but they were killed before his eyes. Now he lives to seek vengeance against-

 Steve: Not so fast there Gloomy. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Killer McKillerkill. I can’t even SPELL the word ‘prisoner’. My life means nothing to me, so why should anyone else’s?

 GM:     Ummm… Okay, well you guys meet in a bar and…

 BORING!!!

For every Wolverine, you need at least one Cyclops. You need that personality that represents the moral compass - someone who will say, “No! If we kill him, then we’d be just as bad as him!”

Corny? Not if you go for it! A character that stands up for compassion? optimism? love? It takes courage, but if you commit to it, it will NOT be corny. And remember, ‘Good’ does not mean ‘Weak’. Your character will be even more memorable if they back up their beliefs with decisiveness and action.

 And here’s the fun fact. Because so many players are attracted to the antihero, your legitimate hero will actually be the unique one.