Category: Heroism

Redemption through Sacrifice: Dragon Ball Z

(Spoilers)

I was a young boy when my older brother and I used to catch Dragonball Z on Toonami. Nostalgia, then, obviously plays a large part in my enjoyment of the series but despite its lack of sophisticated storylines it is eminently enjoyable. I must say between Akira Toriyama and Kentaro Miura’s passing in the past few years, two of the greatest mangaka have left us. I know they have proteges and I really hope we can enjoy their works for years to come. What I want to explore, though, is one of Dragonball Z’s greatest narrative moments.

Characterisation has always taken a greater place than proper narrative in Dragonball. Each arc of the plot, starting with DBZ, revolves around a major villain and their inevitable defeat in battle. I mean Goku losing his friends and fighting to the death against Frieza on a dying planet is an amazing sequence but it’s how the characters are built over time and not in a moment that makes the show so good. Piccolo being a better father figure than Goku, Gohan being incredibly strong while simultaneously not liking to fight, and Vegeta being the living embodiment of pride who wavers between heroism and villainy moment-to-moment.

Vegeta began as a villain but joined the heroes to defeat an even greater villain. Wanting to keep up with Goku and becoming a family man kept him straight. During the Buu saga Vegeta is given a promise of more power, something he always vied for so he could finally defeat Goku. He embraces his worst feelings and decides to become a proper villain again all so that he can be the strongest and show it. For the first time since the beginning of Z he can keep up with Goku. To get him to take the fight seriously Vegeta mercilessly kills a number of civilians. After this Goku leads Vegeta away from casualties to continue their fight in earnest. Having these two battle was a part of a plan to release a new monstrous evil, named Buu.

Sensing Buu’s awakening, Vegeta and Goku cease their conflict to investigate. In a surprise attack Goku is knocked unconscious by Vegeta. Going alone, Vegeta then engages Buu but is ultimately defeated. Realizing he has failed, he embraces his son one last time before having everyone flee the vicinity. In a final stand he acknowledges his family and the rivalry/friendship he shares with Goku. In a massive glowing burst of energy he destroys himself along with everything nearby in order to slay Buu. To protect those closest to him he sacrificed himself not necessarily atoning for his evils, but still accomplishing one last act of heroism.

A World Made of Cardboard

As far as superheroes go, Superman is one of my least favorite. He’s too overpowered and while we both grew up in the American midwest I find him to be bland as a character. Batman calls him “Boy scout” because he’s just too nice, it’s why said Bat could defeat him. Superman’s heroism comes from his heart of gold while he seeks to uphold moral justice.

However its in one of my favorite TV shows I grew to appreciate Superman. Justice League and it’s sequel series Justice League Unlimited are children’s shows but along with Batman: The Animated Series, they were written to be enjoyable for adults and children. With complex storylines, proper character development, and the introduction of my favorite Green Lantern: John Stewart.

The show found ways to make every character interesting, with them sometimes getting a whole episode dedicated to them. The Question and Huntress going on conspiracy hunts, Batman and Zatanna saving Wonder Woman, and today’s focus: Darkseid.

While Batman defeating Darkseid with pure cunning across several media is great stuff it’s Superman who has one of my favorite moments. During Darkseid’s invasion of Earth there is a prolonged battle and Superman gives the greatest monologue.

“I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard, always taking constant care not to break something, to break someone. Never allowing myself to lose control even for a moment, or someone could die.”

The significance of this is that for the first time Superman doesn’t have to hold back. Darkseid can withstand Superman letting go of his restraints and unleashing his full power. Superman recognizes this and is prepared to throw a punch as hard as he can.

There’s a reddit post that I found to provide context here. Which also references the Death of Superman story, which was the first comic I ever read. However despite some narrative issues, to me this quote defines what I like about Superman. He is essentially a god amongst humans but is constantly holding back because he’s there to protect them and not destroy. I’d say it’s comparable to Batman never killing and always jailing his villains hoping they’ll reform one day. Though while the Bat wants reformation out of sympathy, Superman wants to protect because he is a good and kind Kryptonian at heart.

If you find Superman to be a bit plain, remember he’s been around since 1938 and has been depicted in many different ways. There may be one such incarnation that makes you appreciate his character more. He’s a paragon of justice with power to do nearly anything but he only uses it for selfless purposes, providing a safer world to those he wants to defend.

The Hero We Deserve

My familiarity with “The Tick” is limited only to the recent Amazon series (2016), not the one with Patrick Warburton, so if it doesn’t follow in the spirit of the original material I cannot comment. However what it does do is make the last decade or so of profuse heroic media look as awful as I think they are (I mean specifically the ridiculous output of Marvel and DC and how not great most of it is). The Tick follows Arthur Everest and his new acquiantance the eponymous The Tick, a seemingly invulnerable blue-suited hero who is pushing Arthur to be a hero as well.

Our giant blue friend The Tick knows little about himself or his own past but is driven by “Destiny” as he calls it, to act as he does. It is destiny in his mind that makes him want to encourage Arthur to take up the mantle of hero and be the best Arthur. Between them they have the brains and brawn dichotomy with The Tick being an overpowered non-intellectual and Arthur a quick-thinking, effective planning, somewhat cowardly squishy person. Arthur being the logic of the duo can’t “hear” destiny as The Tick does but can effectively turn his friend’s desires into plannable actions. It’s here in this dynamic that heroism is explored, in one of many ways. Despite being a regular person Arthur learns to become responsible in taking action, no matter how small, to help others. The Tick is innately called upon by “Destiny” to do this but doesn’t always know the best way. They learn from each other, support each other, and in doing so help others.

There’s more I could write and with time more effectively could I write it but this is just a call to watch what a proper Super-Hero media can be in an era where the pure ideals of yesterday are covered in the equivalent of a child smashing action figures together in ugly CGI “action”. If you do watch this be warned that season two ends in a cliffhanger(s) and we’ll likely never get a season three.