Who's your favorite anti-hero?

KarateMonkey · 11-07-2009, 06:13 PM

So, I've been really enjoying the Sci-Fi/Fantasy threads lately, even if I haven't contributed, and they've got me thinking. The one thing that kind of bugs me about most most pulp Sci-Fi/Fantasy is the pristine holier than thou characters.

What I really like is reading about deeply flawed selfish bastards who get the lead role in spite of themselves.

So who's your favorite anti hero? Who would be the villain in any other book? Who drinks too much? Who only looks out for themselves? Who's just in it for the money? Hell, who's merely human?

Granted, in fiction even the dirtiest of anti-heros have a heart of gold. Who really breaks the hero mold? What book or series isn't afraid to kill characters off?

I nominate Joe Pitt. This series by Charlie Huston starts off as great classic noir that just happens to feature vampires. By the finale, which I'll try not to spoil, it's clear that while Joe has his own sense of honor, he's neither invulnerable nor particularly considerate of the rest of the world. The audiobook versions of the first two books are particularly good.

kennyc · 11-07-2009, 06:20 PM

Thomas Covenant

wayrad · 11-07-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarateMonkey

So who's your favorite anti hero? Who would be the villain in any other book?

Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos, of course. An unrepentant gangster and assassin, deeply conflicted about his role in an alien society where he's a member of the oppressed Homo sapiens minority.

latexsalesman · 11-07-2009, 06:53 PM

Corum, Elric, Hawkmoon, the Eternal Champion by Michael Moorcock.

Takeshi Lev Kovacs: Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan.

My favorite and most memorable at the moment are:
The Bloody Nine (Logan), and Glotka from Joe Abercrombies First Law Trilogy with Glotka being the standout. I also want to give a special mention to Monza Murcatto from Abercrombie's Best Served Cold.

Hmmmm and Death from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

I want to be your LatexSalesMan!!!

KarateMonkey · 11-07-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latexsalesman

Takeshi Lev Kovacs: Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan.

I can not tell you how many times I have almost picked this series up. Maybe I'll have to give it a try.

hodad66 · 11-07-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Thomas Covenant

I have to agree.... in the 70's as I first discovered this series
the covenant character just resonated with me. (not sure what
this means) I just got the series from Ebay in paperback because
I have not visited my tortured old friend in too long.

poohbear_nc · 11-07-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latexsalesman

Corum, Elric, Hawkmoon, the Eternal Champion by Michael Moorcock.

Takeshi Lev Kovacs: Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan.

My favorite and most memorable at the moment are:
The Bloody Nine (Logan), and Glotka from Joe Abercrombies First Law Trilogy with Glotka being the standout. I also want to give a special mention to Monza Murcatto from Abercrombie's Best Served Cold.

Hmmmm and Death from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

I want to be your LatexSalesMan!!!

I AGREE WITH YOU - DEATH IS THE MAN!!
Err... not shouting - Discworld readers will understand my font.

Greg Anos · 11-07-2009, 07:23 PM

My guv'nor... Jerry Cornelius. (Michael Moorcock)

GA Russell · 11-07-2009, 07:32 PM

Sam Spade

hodad66 · 11-07-2009, 07:33 PM

Or perhaps Skink from Carl Hiaasen..... I just love that character....

latexsalesman · 11-07-2009, 07:37 PM

I forgot one of my oldie favorites is Roland Deschain, The Gunslinger, from the Dark Tower series by stephen King.

kennyc · 11-07-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodad66

I have to agree.... in the 70's as I first discovered this series
the covenant character just resonated with me. (not sure what
this means) I just got the series from Ebay in paperback because
I have not visited my tortured old friend in too long.

I wish they were available in ebook.

Patricia · 11-07-2009, 08:48 PM

Raskolnikov, in Dostoyesvsky's Crime and Punishment.

He thinks that he's a Nietzschean superman, then realises that he's not.

Moe The Cat · 11-07-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latexsalesman

Takeshi Lev Kovacs: Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarateMonkey

I can not tell you how many times I have almost picked this series up. Maybe I'll have to give it a try.

I agree with latexsalesman, Takeshi Kovacs is a great anti-hero. I recommend the series whole-heartedly, KarateMonkey!

ardeegee · 11-07-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latexsalesman

Hmmmm and Death from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

You missed an (IMHO) even better antihero from the Discworld books:

http://wiki.lspace.org/wiki/Havelock_Vetinari

11-07-2009, 06:13 PM	#1
KarateMonkey Connoisseur Posts: 90 Karma: 210 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Astak Pocket Pro, Sony PRS-300	Who's your favorite anti-hero? So, I've been really enjoying the Sci-Fi/Fantasy threads lately, even if I haven't contributed, and they've got me thinking. The one thing that kind of bugs me about most most pulp Sci-Fi/Fantasy is the pristine holier than thou characters. What I really like is reading about deeply flawed selfish bastards who get the lead role in spite of themselves. So who's your favorite anti hero? Who would be the villain in any other book? Who drinks too much? Who only looks out for themselves? Who's just in it for the money? Hell, who's merely human? Granted, in fiction even the dirtiest of anti-heros have a heart of gold. Who really breaks the hero mold? What book or series isn't afraid to kill characters off? I nominate Joe Pitt. This series by Charlie Huston starts off as great classic noir that just happens to feature vampires. By the finale, which I'll try not to spoil, it's clear that while Joe has his own sense of honor, he's neither invulnerable nor particularly considerate of the rest of the world. The audiobook versions of the first two books are particularly good. Last edited by KarateMonkey; 11-07-2009 at 06:44 PM.

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11-07-2009, 06:20 PM	#2
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Thomas Covenant

11-07-2009, 06:53 PM	#4
latexsalesman Enthusiast Posts: 39 Karma: 124 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lockport, NY Device: Pw2 @ Retina Mini	Corum, Elric, Hawkmoon, the Eternal Champion by Michael Moorcock. Takeshi Lev Kovacs: Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan. My favorite and most memorable at the moment are: The Bloody Nine (Logan), and Glotka from Joe Abercrombies First Law Trilogy with Glotka being the standout. I also want to give a special mention to Monza Murcatto from Abercrombie's Best Served Cold. Hmmmm and Death from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. I want to be your LatexSalesMan!!!

11-07-2009, 07:23 PM	#8
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,248 Karma: 35000000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	My guv'nor... Jerry Cornelius. (Michael Moorcock)

11-07-2009, 07:32 PM	#9
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Sam Spade

11-07-2009, 07:33 PM	#10
hodad66 Beachside Member Posts: 88 Karma: 134 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indialantic, Florida Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3	Or perhaps Skink from Carl Hiaasen..... I just love that character....

11-07-2009, 07:37 PM	#11
latexsalesman Enthusiast Posts: 39 Karma: 124 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lockport, NY Device: Pw2 @ Retina Mini	I forgot one of my oldie favorites is Roland Deschain, The Gunslinger, from the Dark Tower series by stephen King.

11-07-2009, 08:48 PM	#13
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	Raskolnikov, in Dostoyesvsky's Crime and Punishment. He thinks that he's a Nietzschean superman, then realises that he's not.

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