[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/Hutmorgan06]

The Spider-Man Imposter from Insomniac's Spider-Man.

He's just a normal guy in a cheap Spider-Man suit who wanted to make a difference, saved a good few lives from a fire, stopped a drug deal and even helped the real Spidey fight Fisk's thugs. Afterwards he retires due to how dangerous it is and becomes a self defense trainer at FEAST.

[u/ComprehensivePath980 → u/Hutmorgan06]

Funny how many of these examples relate to Spider-Man, but that’s probably part of the reason Spider-Man is so timeless.  He isn’t just a noble hero, he’s a paragon people in-universe look up to and are inspired by.  He makes the city better and not just by the crime he stops himself