The way of the underdog

Let's face it: most of us aren't winners.


Yes, there are those who were born into beauty, money and fame, loved and adored by everyone and their goddamned kittens.



And naturally favored by Lady luck, that aloof skank.



And thank god that they are few.



Because interesting they are not in the least.




The number of times we've had when life throws us a curveball at the moment it seems that finally after all the struggling it gets easier something rears it's ugly head and makes a perfect mess out of your plans.



Too often.



we recognize this and relate to it. We know that it's far more likely that life hands you lemons (usually past their sell-by date) instead of Dom Perignom circa 1886.





And that is why we like underdogs.


We want to see Rocky Balboa reach his goal through the hardships or see Randy "the Ram" Robinson to fix his life in the Wrestler.


As long as the story is generally about someone who has the odds against them you have the audiences sympathy on their side.


Or then you show them the fall from grace.



Where do I think this has anything to do with comics? Character dynamics and storylines.


This is the reason why Batman is far more interesting than Superman.


Sure both are orphans, but one is omnipotent golden boy and loved by all while the other is grim being of the dark, feared and hated by most (himself included) despite his financial wealth.



The golden rule writers have is Kill Your Darlings.


But that is just oversimplification. You have to be willing to put them thru hell, make them suffer and take them to breaking point and sometimes beyond it.


not because there is only misery and pain in the world, no.



To enhance the reward be it health, happiness, love,family, you name it.


To affirm that there is a difference between knowing price of something and knowing the
WORTH of something.



In case any of you has heard of this little known fantasy book and movies called Lord of the rings there is one real person in them all: Boromir.






He boasts, he is arrogant, obnoxious even, but always believable. And he does mistakes. But he does his damnest to redeem himself. Even when you know already the outcome and understand its inevitability you still rooot for him.

And Rocky.

And Randy The Ram.

C'mon we all know there is something wrong in those people who think Road runner is more sympathetic than Wile E Coyote.

For comics you need underdogs. I happen to live in a country where selfbetrayal is the norm and if depression and low self-esteem arent your thing the majority thinks you are doing it wrong.

Having the been dealt the worse hand does not equal quitting or giving in.


that has little or nothing to do with being the underdog.


Because even as there is no reason to feel belittled creating comics. You want to be an arthouse wanker? go toss paint on a wall and use endless jargon terms to try make seem as a statement to "diffuse sociopolitical crisis in our deconstructive post-postmodern society facing multiculturality and gender issues"
Right-o...


But if you want to do your damnest to create tales of awe and wonder, the epic adventures and small truths and do it in comicbook form...

Then it's time to grit your teeth:

there is very little sex appeal in it and groupies are few and far between and it's hard work if you want to do it right instead of just something.
hard and mostly lonely work


but it doesn't matter as you can relate to Don Quijote and his man-at-arms Sancho Pancha. It's a constant uphill battle against windmills.


And Underdogs never, ever, give in.