Anti-hero?

[Larsen]

So what actually defines someone as an anti-hero?

[Stone Gargoyle]

Ann anti-hero also typically will defend one group at the expense of another, sort of being selective about who he will defend. Anti-heroes will defend mutants but shoot at cops who might be arresting a mutant to liberate the mutant from "unjust prosecution" or maltreatment due to prejudice.

[wolfsgrin]

They tend to take the offense and usually have no problem using deadly force and justify any "bad" things they may do for "the cause". Punisher is a great example. Magog and his super group in the Kingdom Come books is also another.

[Prince Cherico]

I posted the dictionary definition alone precisely because I found it surprisingly, fascinatingly vague. It seems to apply nicely to characters who, rather than being dark and terrifying, might be merely... terrified.

this is true
Shinji Ikari is just as much of an example of an anti hero
as the punisher is. Not all anti heros are bad mofo's trying
to clean the street some of them are flawed human beings
trying to do the right thing and arnt really up to the task

[Talavar]

Traditionally an anti-hero is someone who uses almost villainous methods in the pursuit of a noble goal; that could include murder, lethal force, torture, blackmail, etc. Think the Punisher, Wolverine, some interpretations of Batman....

Arthur Dent is still a type of anti-hero by the dictionary definition because he has none of the typical "heroic" attributes, but is still in the hero's role.

[dark brandon]

I've always viewed anti-heroes as someone who basically fights fire with fire.

Basically an anti-hero will stoop to the level of a villain to get to a villain.