So what if superheroes kill bad guys? I cannot stand fantasy or science-fiction stories where the really really bad guy is spared because the main character think, “Enough people die for today.” Even knowing that the bad guy might kill again in the future.
To me it’s a very elitist and hierarchical position: bad important guy lives to reach enlightenment, other not-so important guys can die with no consequence.
The graphic novel “Kingdom Come” dealt with that in an interesting way. Superman has an almost sidekick/partner named Magog. So the Joker gets loose again and kills over 100 people, and it is heavily implied that one of those people was Lois Lane. Superman takes Joker into custody. Magog just goes up to Joker, who was, at that time, not a threat, and just murders him on the spot. Superman arrests Magog and is devastated when Magog is hailed as a hero and is acquitted at trial.
Even if you aren’t a comic book fan, its a wonderful read.
Yes. It’s perfectly normal to think the way you describe. If the average person (read: Joe Everyman) had god-like powers I bet he might just pop a few pedophile murderer’s heads like zits. Who could stop him?
He might just crash into Clifford Olsen’s cell and twist his head off. Why not? Who could hold it against him? And then let’s go for the serial killers. Why stop there? Surely they have it coming. You see where I’m going with this.
The legend of Superman is a being who always makes the best possible choice without killing anyone. It’s a story. It’s a legend. One I think worth preserving.
You have Dexters and Punishers aplenty hemorrhaging out of the TV and silver screen. At least leave me my Superman. Must we corrupt even him? Who’s agenda does that serve, anyway?
Exactly. When you have your foot on your enemy's throat, you crush him. Period. I never could abide all the mercy shown to the villain when the good guy wins.