What do you think defines a villain or a hero? Use your own thoughts, backed up with experience and references, and ideas from the readings we did in class.

This question boils down to relativity. We all have our own perceptions and opinions of what defines a hero and a villain. You have your obvious contrasts. Heroes portrayed in spandex material, defining every muscle, with a red cape flowing in the wind. The villain creeping amongst the shadows, commonly dressed in a black or demeaning green, along with a look of evil spread across their face and the feeling of danger. An example would be the infamous Joker from the Batman series.  There are the heroes hidden within the real world. Doctors, fireman, policeman, first responders, and parents. Those who save the day through their callings and vocations without supernatural strength and laser vision. While their image will never be plastered on a comic book cover their heroism remains super. Villains are hidden as well – and they do this so well. Their deceit and lies penetrate our discernment of the truth. We believe these villains at first, only to discover our mistake when it all is too late. Trickery mixed with hope for humanity produces dangerous repercautions.

No matter how you view your heroes and villains there will always be those who disagree with your claims. Trust me, there are many. As I continue I encourage you to read with an open mind.

Heroes and villains are a common concept for all beings. Playing cops and robbers in the backyard, learning of war, and watching related films enflict this understanding of good vs evil. There are the optimistics who shout with positivity, “good will always prevail!” While the pessimistics lift up a finger to say, “but you are forgetting about all the evil in this situation.” While opinions of who will prevail waiver, the distinguishment between the two never will.

I will begin with heroes.

“So many heroes are driven by destiny. Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, they were all chosen and born to heroism. Even with Batman, it doesn’t feel like Bruce could do anything else. His whole life was leading him to become the Dark Knight.” – Andrew Kreisberg.

Heroes share a similair desire for justice and victory over villains. Save the civilians – quite possibly the world – while ridding the society of one bad guy at a time. Heroic. Isn’t it? A different character from the Dark Knight, Harvey Dent, believes in the same call to heroism. Rather than using million dollar technology and dressing in a giant bat suit, Harvey fights for good through his attorney position. Holding his morals to high standards and standing up for what he believes in. In the movie “The Dark Knight” Harvey works tirelessly to clean up the streets of Gotham from terrible criminals. In the beginning of the movie we are given Dent’s full beliefs on villains and heroes. He quotes “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” When he took Batman’s place to be arrested he was prepared to take the fall and die a hero for the city. His actions of service to the community meant keeping those who lived there safe, especially the ones he cared for. It didn’t matter how much it risked his life, just as long as those around him were protected. A lot like how the Batman operated in his efforts to protect and watch over Gotham City. Unfortunately, Harvey lived long enough to see him become a villain.

Which brings us to our next segway. Villains.

One could admit to encountering more villains in their lives than heroes. Living in a world of sin means corruption, hurt, decieit, and fear will be a daily influential aspect around the globe. Terrorist attacks rain fire on innocent people, shooters point their weapons with no mercy, and those who wish to see us heart do so almost daily. Villainy is more common than we would like to admit. We find villains not only in the movies and comics, but in our daily lives as well. Even personal moments. We are no strangers to evil.

Heath Ledger did an outstanding job portraying one of the most memorable villains of all time. The Joker. His acting still continues to blow away audiences leaving a longing for his presence on the big screen and in life. Nevertheless, the Joker is one of many examples of villains we encounter. His insanity and drive for chaos impacted the way he enflicted terror in Gotham. Unlike V in V for Vendetta who turned away from chaos and rather towards Anarcy, the Joker points out in a hysterical laugh that “anarchy…upset everything turns to chaos. Chaos is fear.” He wanted to turn even the best of the citizens in Gotham (Harvey Dent) towards destruction; and a villain’s perfect weapon is fear. Villains are tricky beings. At times they will use their charm to deceive us from who they truly are, and other times they will exploit their evil intentions from the moment you meet them. Unfortunately, in many of my personal experiences, villains approach like a thief in the night. Silent, careful, manipulative, and hidden. Many would say one of my biggest downfalls is always trying to see the good in others. A lot like Rachel Dawes’ character in ‘The Dark Knight” when she says, “keep your faith in people.” People like us are the perfect target for villains. We strive to look past the darkness. Only to find we are ourselves must provide the light.

Of course, we all know the main hero that will never leave us is Christ. The true light of the world. His strength, love, and power over evil will reign forever. What makes a true hero is Jesus Christ. An answer that hopefully many of us will never forget. Within the secular world it is easy to look towards heroes we can see and interact with physically; but the true hero rules over two kingdoms and we are made in his image.

Sometimes all it takes to become a hero is to be courageous five minutes longer. To turn away from fear and speculation. Looking up from your phone screen to the world of opportunities the lie ahead of you, and the people in need of a hero in neighborly form. What makes a hero is not a giant bat mobile or hidden lairs. Not even the number of villains you have overcome. Rather, the heart you possess. The service and call you answer from God to love, encourage, and help your neighbor. To quote Matt Damon from “We Bought a Zoo”, “You know, sometimes all you need it twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of embarrassing bravery. And I promise you something great will come out of it.”

All it takes to be a villain is the exact opppsite. The drive for control and manipulation. A goal of chaos and disruption. A desire to hurt those around you. A desire one listens and succumbs to. It does not take much to become a villain. It is a slippery slope so many fall into everyday.

So, whether you agree with my stance or not the question remains. Will you answer the heroic call of love and service to your neighbor? Or will you allow yourself to become accustomed to willful blindness?

“Power changes everything till it is difficult to say who are the heroes and who the villains.” -Libba Bray