Mansyur S - Benci

Writing in science fiction, paranormal and fantasy genres allows for an eclectic mix of hero types. Who is your favorite?

The Swashbuckling Space Captain: In my opinion you can’t miss with the hard riding, savvy space cowboy. I love a man who can fire a blaster with one hand, and clutch the heroine to his muscular chest with the other while swinging into the cockpit of his custom built spaceship. There’s something about a man who’s at home among the stars, can speak a few alien languages and isn’t afraid to have his molecules scattered by a particle beam.

The Alien Prince: Arrogant almost to a fault, and just as sexy, the alien prince/king/planetary ruler can light any heroine’s fire. He’s rich [usually owns a planet or two] and a bit lonely even though women throw themselves at his feet on a daily basis. He needs a woman who can stand up to him and isn’t afraid to break the rules. Whether the heroine is a hapless traveler who’s been presented to him as a gift, or she’s the ruler of a rival clan, she’s bound to have a good time with His Majesty.

The Vampire: Dark and brooding, he can be charming and beastly – often at the same time. He’s a tortured soul – assuming he actually has a soul, and it takes a special heroine to save him from his own demons. My favorite are the anti-hero vamps – the truly bad boys who are just longing to be redeemed by the love of a good woman.

The Magician: Whether he’s a fully trained wizard or just a run of the mill warrior who’s been touched by magick, I’d follow him anywhere. He has power, charisma and usually a predetermined purpose that’s been written in the ancient scrolls. He needs a heroine who can spell cast and isn’t afraid of zombies or animated skeletons – usually she holds the key to his destiny as well as his heart.

This is only a short list of hero archetypes. Can you think of any others? Who’s your favorite?