There was a time when superheroes weren't on Lithium and in therapy - but Hollywood's new love of 'super-conflicted' heroes (in the wake of The Dark Knight) is just a new wrinkle on the 1970s. Anyway, here's how it was before the 'Dark Age'...

1: The CONFORMIST (1955 - 1965)
We love and trust the government; Our Man In [insert exotic locale that no ordinary cinema-goer could possibly afford to visit - such as France]; straight girls swoon and gay girls straighten up for him; that IS a pistol in his pocket; his trousers do not cover his socks; laughs at beatniks and hippies in the (wrong) assumption that he will survive them all; aspirational; fights for a nice salary (doesn't fight for the girl, women always replaceable).

PIN-UP: Sean Connery as James Bond
WALLET-SIZED: Flint, Those U.N.C.L.E guys; Any sci-fi movie hero - hell, even Bruce Wayne!

2: The MAVERICK (1966 - 1976)
That's NOT a pistol in his pocket; we don't trust the government and neither does he; he shoots the bastard, that's his policy; he's with 'the kids' on this one; girlfriend/s probably Japanese; ex-wife is 'a bitch'; frequently dies in the last reel; often an outright criminal; fatalistic; fights for kicks and survival.

PIN-UP: Clint Eastwood as Harry Callaghan
WALLET-SIZED: Michael Caine in Get Carter; Elliott Gould; Peter Fonda; Steve McQueen; Charlton Heston sci-fi; French Connection; Capricorn One.

3: The DISCIPLE (1977 - 1985)
Home plundered by baddies and dog scoffed at (or just plain scoffed) by The Bad Guys; finds comedic sidekick/s and seeks wisdom/revenge (synonymous); has a sword/sabre/stick; wide-eyed; fights on behalf of defenceless populace.

PIN-UP: Luke Skywalker
WALLET-SIZED: Conan The Barbarian; Flash Gordon; The Last Starfighter; The Karate Kid.

4: The RELUCTANT HERO (1986 - 1992)
Ripley coins the oft-repeated 'Get them out of there!' in Aliens, revealing authority as not necessarily corrupt (see Maverick above) but totally incompetent; has to be blackmailed/coerced into being the hero; must struggle against crippling flashbacks of earlier trauma; cynical; fights on behalf of defenceless populace/irritating children.

PIN-UP: Ellen Ripley (for being among the first)
WALLET-SIZED: John McClaine; Rambo; [Manhunter guy]; Robocop; Batman.

5: The REBORN GOOD GUY (1992 - 2001)
Clinton's in - we love our Prez; God bless the Irish; down with English psychos!; patriotic; fights for truth, justice and the American way.

PIN-UP: Harrison in Air Force One
WALLET-SIZED: Bill Pullman in Independence Day; Braveheart; Men In Black.

All of which leads us to the 'Dark Age' - our age...

6: DAMAGED GOODS (2002 - )
It's all gone Hong Kong; saving the world between rehab and the confessional; bipolar; fights for redemption and forgiveness.

PIN-UP: Batman/Bruce Wayne
WALLET-SIZED: Spiderman/Peter Parker; Daredevil; X-men; (returned) Superman; James Bond (Craig).

---------------------------------------------------------
Copyright information about this feature
---------------------------------------------------------

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR SITE, AT NO COST WITH ONE CLICK ON THE FACEBOOK 'LIKE' BUTTON BELOW:

If you're interested in writing for Shadowlocked (disc and screening reviews, etc, or just getting some extra coverage for your extraordinary writing talent, get in touch with us.