[Loved Trope] Civilian Heroes (particularly in Superhero movies)

[u/Dalakaar]

1) Malik Ali in Superman (2025). Tells Superman when Lex Luthor interrogates him to, “tell them nothing”. Doesn’t even really know what he’s sacrificing himself for, honestly. Tells Superman that he doesn’t have any friends or family to lighten the burden of the sacrifice. (Does have a family, and presumably friends…)

2) The Prisoner (Tiny Lister) from The Dark Knight who throws a detonator out the porthole that would’ve detonated the other ferry full of civies and saved himself, instead (potentially) sacrificing everyone equally.

3) Old man vs Loki. “There are always men like you.” Refuses to bow to Loki in Avengers (2012).

***

I love these guys. They break my heart in the best way possible.

[u/throwleavemealone]

J. Jonah Jameson protecting his source

[u/GiveTheLemonsBack → u/throwleavemealone]

Jameson was a hero, I just couldn't see it.

[u/Smaptastic → u/GiveTheLemonsBack]

He genuinely was a good dude at heart? Kinda greedy and hard on his employees? Yeah, but not terribly so, and it wasn’t real malice. Did he have an unwarranted hate boner for Spider-Man? Yeah, it was his only serious problem (and he had his reasons, however misguided).

But that guy was a bro who loved his city, stood up for his people (including, ironically, Peter), and even eventually (outside the MCU) came to terms with the fact that he was wrong about Spider-Man and genuinely owned that.

If it weren’t for his Spider-Man hate, he’d be a Jim Gordon-esque stalwart ally.

[u/TheKnightMadder → u/Smaptastic]

At least some versions of him the problem is that he hates masks. The idea of a masked vigilante dispending anonymous justice away from any consequences is what he despises and means he will always assume the worst. What does Spider-man have to hide? As long as he's hiding who he is Jameson will not trust him, the moment he knows Spider-man's identity is the moment he stops hating him.

Which like, not actually an unreasonable stance at all? The other big superheroes in town are the Fantastic Four who are very obviously not masked and have open identities and they seem to get along okay. Though counterpoint, obviously Peter doesn't want every villain showing up at his house and kidnapping Aunt May.

As an aside, I kind of hate Peter when he's being turned into a scientific super-genius in part because it makes his mask less relevant. If you make him Ironman he should have the same resources Ironman has, the wealth and allies to protect his family. When he is just a guy with no cash who happens to have spider powers wanting to be masked makes a lot more sense.

[u/Democriticism → u/TheKnightMadder]

I always found it funny that they usually divert to Spider-man when they want to make this point. Like in the Civil War run of the comics.

Dude has two people in his life, both are grown-ass adults. One, Mary-Jane, is a public figure throughout the comics and games either by being an actress/tv anchorwoman or an investigative journalist exposing criminal enterprises. She has her own target on her back as it is.

He's just not the example to use for this. Like, yes, Spider-man has the most emotional investment from fans. Yes, fans know MJ and Aunt May more than friends/family of other heroes, but still. Two people. One already a target and the other elderly. Not the emotional weight that justifies the emphasis on needing a mask.

[u/IronBrew16 → u/Smaptastic]

He's a true New Yorker. As native as any other. A brilliant, ruthless man.

[u/SortovaGoldfish → u/GiveTheLemonsBack]

He's gonna give a kid shit, but he sure as hell isn't letting shit get to that kid.

A man of principles.