Moral ambiguity suggests that they know what they're doing isn't right... just practical. From that comes conflict, and the heart of EVERY good story is conflict. There is nothing interesting that doesn't come from conflict (man VS man, man VS nature, man VS self). The conflict at the heart of the CIVIL WAR storyline is about what IS right? If people die in a fight, who is responsible? On the one side, Captain America wants the freedom to help people... the registration act limits heroes freedoms and their ability to actually do their self appointed jobs. Iron Man's stance is that they wants accountablity, so that there won't be another tragedy. It's not a moral thing... both guys want to help people... it's a political thing.
Now, if you want a moral conflict, try this: The Punisher kills and tortures criminals in the most brutal and inhumane ways imaginable... is he a criminal? I guess that really depends on your own morality. It's easy to just kill a guy you know killed someone and say it's right... but are you not just as bad as him now? Whether he deserved to die or not, whether he would have killed again or not, you have taken a human life. Are you just as bad or not?
Superheroes represent an impossible fictional ideal of what we should aspire to, but don't nessessarily reflect reality. If a person got powers in reality, they wouldn't selflessly try to make the world a better place... most people are selfish by nature and think only of their own benefit... it's how we survive and prosper. That's why when a stranger stops a mugging, or pulls someone from a burning car, we call them heroes... because they've managed to meet that impossible ideal that other probably couldn't, given the chance... they put other before themselves.
"Anger is easy. Hate is easy. Vengeance and spite are easy. Lucky for you... and for me... that I don't like my heroes mean and ugly. I just don't believe in it... dreams save us, dreams life us up and transform us. And on my soul I swear... until my dream of a world where dignity, honor, and justice becomes the reality we all share-- I'll never stop fighting." -- Superman, paraphrased from ACTION COMICS #775 "What's so Funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way?"
Many may see it as postering, but it's something I'd like to believe in and aspire to. It's a lot cooler to see someone just fuck a guy up, but more satsifying for them to aspire to be a better human being.
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Now, if you want a moral conflict, try this: The Punisher kills and tortures criminals in the most brutal and inhumane ways imaginable... is he a criminal? I guess that really depends on your own morality. It's easy to just kill a guy you know killed someone and say it's right... but are you not just as bad as him now? Whether he deserved to die or not, whether he would have killed again or not, you have taken a human life. Are you just as bad or not?
Superheroes represent an impossible fictional ideal of what we should aspire to, but don't nessessarily reflect reality. If a person got powers in reality, they wouldn't selflessly try to make the world a better place... most people are selfish by nature and think only of their own benefit... it's how we survive and prosper. That's why when a stranger stops a mugging, or pulls someone from a burning car, we call them heroes... because they've managed to meet that impossible ideal that other probably couldn't, given the chance... they put other before themselves.
"Anger is easy. Hate is easy. Vengeance and spite are easy. Lucky for you... and for me... that I don't like my heroes mean and ugly. I just don't believe in it... dreams save us, dreams life us up and transform us. And on my soul I swear... until my dream of a world where dignity, honor, and justice becomes the reality we all share-- I'll never stop fighting." -- Superman, paraphrased from ACTION COMICS #775 "What's so Funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way?"
Many may see it as postering, but it's something I'd like to believe in and aspire to. It's a lot cooler to see someone just fuck a guy up, but more satsifying for them to aspire to be a better human being.