History Main / NinetiesAntiHero

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* Spoofed in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'', where Timmy called upon the help of several [[EraSpecificPersonality different versions of the Crimson Chin]] to defeat an escaped supervillain, including a bandolier-wearing, gun-toting "edgy" version of the Chin from the '80s. He was apparently the only version that ever got away with profanity, but was canceled because of it anyway. Interestingly, the ''actual'' '90s Chin is depicted as more of a {{grunge}} [[FadSuper rocker]].

* When ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' briefly decide to split up as separate superheroines, with Blossom taking on a Franchise/WonderWoman-ish persona and Bubbles dressing up as a cute Creator/{{Sanrio}} inspired bunny girl, the sullen and quick-tempered Buttercup reinvents herself as "Mange", a [[ComicBook/{{Spawn}} brooding, shadowy character with glowing green eyes]] who only emerges at night -- thus, when trouble arrives in the middle of the day, necessitating several hours of awkwardly brooding on the couch until nightfall.

* ''Literature/TheRulesOfSupervillainy'' is a book starring a somewhat offbeat fellow, Gary Karkofsky, who finds a magic cloak and decides to become a supervillain. The book Deconstructs the '90s Anti-Hero and UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks by having Gary disgusted by heroes who kill and overly psychopathic villains. It also serves as a DeconReconSwitch because Gary, himself, is a well-written '90s Anti-Hero. The book, notably, treats LighterAndSofter superheroes significantly more sympathetically than most examples of the {{Capepunk}} genre.

** Nevertheless, Kyril Sutherland is a '90s Anti-hero with [[HiddenDepths depth]], definitely more than "slash-maim-kill". The first characteristic that comes to mind is that he's a CulturedBadass who engages in formalities (if he wants to). It's hard to imagine a person who's capable of [[{{Gorn}} ultra-violence]] to bow, enjoy [[SpotOfTea tea]], and speak in a refined speech, yet Kyril has no problem doing these three. He is also a capable {{mentor}}, albeit [[MentorInSourArmor one in sour armor]]. He shows pride about his apprentices' growth while being [[BrutalHonesty brutally honest]], never thinking any less of them (and not a single TheReasonYouSuckSpeech either). In the battlefield, Kyril proves to be a FourStarBadass, demonstrating military acumen throughout [[WarFic the course of the story]]. While it would be a stretch to call him AFatherToHisMen, if one considers his stern and morose nature, he adds the names of those lost in war on a gravestone, and he never says WeHaveReserves. Lastly, most of the blood shed is either from [[HiredGuns mercenary work]], or during [[WarIsHell wartime]] -- otherwise, he can be reasoned with. Kyril '''doesn't''' [[BloodKnight revel in combat]], as the stories make him out to be (though he does suffer from [[{{Downplayed}} occasional bouts]] of bloodlust thanks to the intoxicating effect of the Old Blood), and from how he [[NothingPersonal doesn't put a personal stake]] towards the carnage he commits, he's not a [[{{Revenge}} venge]][[ThePowerOfHate ful]] person either.

* Lampshaded in ''Fanfic/APrizeForThreeEmpires'' by ComicBook/CaptainAmerica, who -- after "Operation: Galactic Storm", an ''[[Franchise/TheAvengers Avengers]]'' storyline published in 1992 -- ponders about the rise of a new breed of heroes who appear completely unconcerned with killing.

'90s Anti-Heroes are the polar opposites of your typical [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] {{superhero}}es. Not only are they flawed, they may lack any heroic attributes, apart from the fact that they never lose. They appeal to the audience strictly due to being totally committed to... whatever the hell they're doing at the moment. They have no compunction about [[ThouShaltNotKill killing]] criminals and, indeed, this may extend to ''anyone'' who gets in their way; when confronted by classic archetypes, such as TheCape, they dismiss them as dupes and fools. To aid in this murderous work, '90s Anti-Heroes with superpowers tend to have superpowers of the directly lethal variety, usually these abilities are demonic or technological in origin, and ''never'' received through the idealistic good graces of ''anyone''. The '90s Anti-Heroes who lack supernatural abilities usually make up for it [[SuperheroPackingHeat by carrying guns]]. ''[[GunPorn Lots]]'' of guns.

* Ashen the Vioblader (created by Matt of ''WebVideo/TwoBestFriendsPlay'' and [[https://twitter.com/Krooked_Glasses Krooked Glasses]]) is the host of ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1gEpQYEVsQ Edgelords]]'', a show that examines '90s anti-heroes (and a few edgy villains), and fits this trope to a T. Edgy-sounding name? Check. Glowing [[RedEyesTakeWarning red eyes]]? Check. Has a ludicrously edgy-looking outfit on? Check. DualWielding a pair of [[AnAxeToGrind axes]] that he uses to chop his enemies up? Big fat CHECK. Unlike other anti-heroes, he's also a parody of this trope and thus displays some humourously dorky moments, like [[{{Squee}} squeeing]] over an anti-hero's edginess, or having his show interrupted by a phone call from his mom.

See also: SociopathicHero, DesignatedHero and ByronicHero. Should not be confused with the HeroicComedicSociopath, who is blatantly evil and PlayedForLaughs. Generally, '90s Anti-Heroes tend to range from {{Unscrupulous Hero}}es to {{Nominal Hero}}es, though some can be {{Villain Protagonist}}s. Many MagicalGirlGenreDeconstruction works are to {{Magical Girl}}s in the 2010s what these were to {{superhero}}es in the 1990s.

* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'': Being a six-year-old NightmareFetishist, Calvin thinks these are the coolest comics ''ever'', though one Sunday comic shows that [[EveryoneHasStandards he has his limits]].

The one thing that keeps them out of villain status is typically because they're the story's {{Designated Hero}}es, and the stories they are in typically falls far on the cynical side of the {{Sliding Scale|OfIdealismVersusCynicism}}.

Note that, in spite of the cynical-sounding write-up, this is not a [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools bad trope]]. It's just that, as with most DarkerAndEdgier fiction, it's very difficult to describe without making the whole premise sound inherently ridiculous.[[note]]This can make [[PoesLaw sorting out the parodies a little tricky]].[[/note]] Something of a DiscreditedTrope these days, as most of the original comic anti-heroes have been {{Retool|ed}} or PutOnABus; more often you see parodies of this kind of character, ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} being among the most famous, but they still come up occasionally in VideoGames. As for ''why'' the '90s produced so many of this type of Antihero, Check out the [[Analysis/NinetiesAntiHero Analysis Page.]]

Note that, in spite of the cynical-sounding write-up, this is not a [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools bad trope]]. It's just that, as with most DarkerAndEdgier fiction, it's very difficult to describe without making the whole premise sound inherently ridiculous. [[note]]This can make [[PoesLaw sorting out the parodies a little tricky]].[[/note]]
As for ''why'' the '90s produced so many of this type of Antihero, Check out the [[Analysis/NinetiesAntiHero Analysis Page.]]

* ''Film/BlackScorpion'': The lead character is basically Batman in a leather catsuit.
* Blade, the main protagonist of the ''Film/BladeTrilogy''. He's a [[{{Dhampyr}} half-human, half-vampire]] who hunts and kills other vampires with ruthless efficiency, wear black leather and sunglasses and has a short yet intimidating name. Interestingly, [[ComicBook/{{Blade}} the character]] actually predates the trend by close to two decades, having debuted in 1973.

* Eric Draven in ''Film/TheCrow'', in contrast to his counterpart from the [[ComicBook/TheCrow original comics]], is a subversion. While he may look the part with his gothic inspired attire and tragic backstory, he is one of the most amicable individuals on this list. At one point, he even [[PapaWolf confronted Sarah's mother]] over her drug use, using his powers to cleanse her system of the poison before telling her to come back to her. His more malicious side only shows up whenever around [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge the scum responsible for his death and the death of his love]], and anyone who either profited from such (Gideon) or stands in the way of him and said vengeance (Top Dollar's mooks).

* The Franchise/{{Terminator}}. More specifically the one from 1991's ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay'', who is a [[HeroicBuild musclebound]], [[HellBentForLeather leather-clad]] cyborg with no hesitation against destroying anyone who got in the way of his directive, until he is ordered by [[KidWithTheLeash John Connor]] not to kill anyone, whereupon he starts gaining a conscience.

Nineties Anti Heroes are the polar opposites of your typical [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] {{superhero}}es. Not only are they flawed, they may lack any heroic attributes, apart from the fact that they never lose. They appeal to the audience strictly due to being totally committed to... whatever the hell they're doing at the moment. They have no compunction about [[ThouShaltNotKill killing]] criminals and, indeed, this may extend to ''anyone'' who gets in their way; when confronted by classic archetypes, such as TheCape, they dismiss them as dupes and fools. To aid in this murderous work, Nineties Anti-Heroes with superpowers tend to have superpowers of the directly lethal variety, usually these abilities are demonic or technological in origin, and ''never'' received through the idealistic good graces of ''anyone''. The Nineties Anti-Heroes who lack supernatural abilities usually make up for it [[SuperheroPackingHeat by carrying guns]]. ''[[GunPorn Lots]]'' of guns.

Usually they'll have [[DarkAgeOfSupernames gritty names at most two words long]] that [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast wouldn't be out of place on villains]], often [[MyNaymeIs creatively misspelled]][[labelnote:*]] 'Shade' becomes 'Shayde', etc[[/labelnote]] to appear more dramatic, because [[XtremeKoolLetterz poor literacy is kewl]], or to make the character look [[TotallyRadical radical]].

In terms of characterization, they have one thing in common, Nineties Anti-Heroes are willing, if not outright eager, to use ''extremely'' violent methods and intimidation to solve their problems - as such, emotions are limited to further this goal: [[{{Angst}} brooding]], [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]], [[TheCynic cynical]], or just plain [[AxCrazy psycho]] are all common traits of the Nineties Anti-Hero.

Note that, in spite of the cynical-sounding write-up, this is not a [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools bad trope]], it's just that, as with most DarkerAndEdgier fiction, it's very difficult to describe without making the whole premise sound inherently ridiculous. [[note]]This can make [[PoesLaw sorting out the parodies a little tricky]].[[/note]]
As for ''why'' the nineties produced so many of this type of Antihero, Check out the [[Analysis/NinetiesAntiHero Analysis Page.]]

See also: SociopathicHero, DesignatedHero and ByronicHero. Should not be confused with the HeroicComedicSociopath, who is blatantly evil and PlayedForLaughs. Generally, Nineties Anti-Heroes tend to range from {{Unscrupulous Hero}}es to {{Nominal Hero}}es, though some can be {{Villain Protagonist}}s. Many MagicalGirlGenreDeconstruction works are to {{Magical Girl}}s in the 2010s what these were to {{superhero}}es in the 1990s.

* The obscure 90s comedy series ''Series/{{Bob}}'', starring Bob Newhart, focused on a comic book creator of a Silver Age hero named "Mad-Dog", who was forced by his new employers in the 90s to reinvent his character into a hero of this fashion.

** Wishverse Buffy is what Buffy might be like had Todd [=McFarlane=] or Creator/MarkMillar gotten their hands on her. Unlike Faith, she's grim and pessimistic. And she's [[spoiler:Killed by the BigBad as the episode's plot is about to be concluded.]]

* An episode of ''Series/{{Dexter}}'' features a comic book character ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QI0N5hv1yw The Dark Defender]]) based on Dexter's SerialKillerKiller self that is a ''perfect'' 90s Anti-Hero; "Stalker of the night, his blade of vengeance turns wrong into right..." The "real" Dark Defender, upon seeing a pin-up of the character, has the most satisfied smile on his face for all of three seconds before he shakes it off as absurd not for any moral reasons (Dex is a PoeticSerialKiller and ''proud of it''), but because, "[[AwesomeButImpractical Miami's too hot for all that leather]]". He does later have an IndulgentFantasySegue where he crashes the key moment of his "SuperHeroOrigin", kills the bad guys and saves his mother from being [[DeathByOriginStory hacked to gibbets with a chainsaw]]. In leather.

* ''Series/HikoninSentaiAkibaranger'' has an episode that parodies ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' by altering things so that it started in America in the Nineties and was ''then'' adapted into the Japanese ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' and not vice-versa. We're shown an image of a "Powerful Rangers" comic book cover, and the Red Ranger an overmuscled character in keeping with the style of the time. The Powerful Rangers seen in person are complete jerks, too.

* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' lampshades this by having a comic-geek-turned-supervillain threatening to push Chloe off a tall building and that it is "big in the nineties".
* Iron Enforcer represented this type of "super hero" in the first season of ''Series/WhoWantsToBeASuperhero''. Unfortunately for him, Creator/StanLee is not fond of this archetype. So he made him a villain instead.
* ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess''. It's all there; stripperiffic costume, [[TheAtoner a dark, violent past]], [[XtremeKoolLetterz a name that is spelt with an "X"]], a distinct lack of compunction about killing her enemies, frequent brooding, sarcasm and extreme badassery.

* OlderThanFeudalism example: In ''Literature/TheBible'', we have [[Literature/SamsonAndDelilah the story of Samson]] in the Literature/BookOfJudges. While most Bible heroes had their flaws, Samson was characterized almost entirely by vengeance; and would often commit mass slaughter when something pissed him off -- but those slaughters were of Philistines, whom God wanted dead too, so it's all right. His other major point of characterization was a weakness for women, to the point of committing a TooDumbToLive blunder with Delilah. He even fired off a stereotypically-badass BondOneLiner at one point -- a possible English translation would be "[[ImprobableWeaponUser With an ass's jawbone]], I have made asses of my enemies."

* W*ING Kanemura from the rival promotion to FMW of the same name was initially a villain coming into FMW to invade but became a nineties antihero when ''[[EvilerThanThou another]]'' invasion from IWA Japan in the form of Victor Quinones's "Puerto Rican army" forced him to team up with the FMW Sekigun. Despite his HeelFaceTurn he still threatened his enemies with death, even when they [[FriendlyEnemy weren't really enemies]] such as when wrestlers from ECW like Wrestling/BallsMahoney came to celebrate FMW's success.

* While the Gangstas Wrestling/NewJack, Mustafa Saed and Wrestling/DLoBrown were initially part of a race bating angle (and Brown would continue to be in them with Wrestling/TheNationOfDomination and Thuggin And Buggin Enterprises), the former two would become nineties antiheroes when they jumped from Wrestling/{{SMW}} to Wrestling/{{ECW}} and their criminally violent tendencies were admired rather than feared, at least by the fans. Their opponents on the other hand...

* Wrestling/{{Carl|itoColon}}y was a late bloomer, as though he certainly looked like a nineties antihero when he debuted, in the nineties, wrestled similarly to both The Rock and Stone Cold, ''and'' had a [[WeaponOfChoice signature foreign object]] in the form of a shovel, he was a nice enough guy who simply had to resort to such tactics to save the family business(the Puerto Rican version of the World Wrestling Council) from La Familia Del Milenio. It wasn't until the mid 2000s that he became a complete jerkass too, such that he at one point hated getting baby face pushes because he felt someone who insults, spits on and ''{{poison|isevil}}s'' people shouldn't be cheered.
* The ongoing success of MMA (''UFC'' in particular) in 2010 has seen a partial revival of this trope in WWE with the resurgence of the [[HeelFaceTurn newly-turned]] Wrestling/RandyOrton (especially when compared to his [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Hoganesque]] counterpart Wrestling/JohnCena).

** KNYFE has a stronger moral compass than the standard, but she's still a hard-drinking, hard-fighting, foul-mouthed commando who has lots of sex, is willing to kill her enemies, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking spells her name with a Y]] (it's a [[FunWithAcronyms backronym]] for bonus points). Early concept art even had her in black leather, per WordOfGod, although she tends to favour more sci-fi outfits in her primary design. In the Letters Page episode about her, Christopher even comments, "In case it's not obvious, she is a Nineties character."

* Ashen the Vioblader (created by Matt of ''WebVideo/TwoBestFriendsPlay'' and [[https://twitter.com/Krooked_Glasses Krooked Glasses]]) is the host of ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1gEpQYEVsQ Edgelords]]'', a show that examines nineties anti-heroes (and a few edgy villains), and fits this trope to a T. Edgy-sounding name? Check. Glowing [[RedEyesTakeWarning red eyes]]? Check. Has a ludicrously edgy-looking outfit on? Check. DualWielding a pair of [[AnAxeToGrind axes]] that he uses to chop his enemies up? Big fat CHECK. Unlike other anti-heroes, he's also a parody of this trope and thus displays some humourously dorky moments, like [[{{Squee}} squeeing]] over an anti-hero's edginess, or having his show interrupted by a phone call from his mom.

* ''Captain Sturdy'', a {{pilot}} for a proposed series that aired as part of ''WesternAnimation/WhatACartoon'', presents a subversion and parody of this archetype. The eponymous character, an aging Silver Age era superhero, watches as a nineties anti-hero type character demonstrates how a hero should approach criminals, and tells a hypothetical criminal to put his arms in the air . When the character is told "what if he has no arms?", the hero then does a 180 and [[StrawmanEmotional begins to mope about the hypothetical criminal's]] [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth misfortunates]]. Captain Sturdy already didn't have a high opinion of the nineties anti-hero character, but after this he especially became disillusioned with how the Union of Super Heroes are [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad more concerned about avoiding offending people than doing what is necessary and pragmatic for the common good]].

* Spoofed in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'', where Timmy called upon the help of several [[EraSpecificPersonality different versions of the Crimson Chin]] to defeat an escaped supervillain, including a bandoleer-wearing, gun-toting "edgy" version of the Chin from the eighties. He was apparently the only version that ever got away with profanity, but was canceled because of it anyway. Interestingly, the ''actual'' nineties Chin is depicted as more of a {{grunge}} [[FadSuper rocker]].

* ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeExtreme'' has a very Rob Liefeld-esque feel in terms of character and weapon design, with some G.I.Joe Extreme members having a rather grotesque physique and lots of pouches. However it's a bit of SubvertedTrope as their characterisation doesn't get more edgy than TotallyRadical dialogue and LeeroyJenkins tactics.

* When the ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' briefly decide to split up as separate superheroines, with Blossom taking on a Franchise/WonderWoman-ish persona and Bubbles dressing up as a cute Creator/{{Sanrio}} inspired bunny girl, the sullen and quick-tempered Buttercup reinvents herself as "Mange", a [[ComicBook/{{Spawn}} brooding, shadowy character with glowing green eyes]] who only emerges at night -- thus, when trouble arrives in the middle of the day, necessitating several hours of awkwardly brooding on the couch until nightfall.

* ''Film/TheCrow'': Eric Draven (in contrast to his counterpart from the [[ComicBook/TheCrow original comics]]) is a subversion. While he may look the part with his gothic inspired attire and tragic backstory, he is one of the most amicable individuals on this list (at one point [[PapaWolf he]] even confronted Sarah's mother over her drug use, using his powers to cleanse her system of the poison before telling her to come back to her). His more malicious side only shows up whenever around [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge the scum responsible for his death and the death of his love]], and anyone who either profited from such (Gideon) or stands in the way of him and said vengeance (Top Dollar's mooks).

* ''Film/TheDemolitionist'', a b-movie from 1995 is about a ruthless, revived cyborg woman with GunsAkimbo fragging anyone who gets in the way of her quest for vengeance against those who killed her. Essentially a [[RebelliousSpirit rebellious]] DistaffCounterpart of Franchise/RoboCop.

* Mr. Furious in the movie ''Film/MysteryMen'' is a parody and subversion of these kinds of characters; he would very much ''like'' to be one, and tries his hardest to come up with a back story fitting this mold (with most of his proposed names being some combination of [[DarkAgeOfSupernames 'Phoenix', 'Dark', 'Dirk' and 'Steel']]), but is in fact ultimately a rather shy, gentle and meek man called Roy. In fact, the realization that he's ''not'' one of these types is enough to prompt a moment of HeroicBSOD for him.
* ''Franchise/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'': Riddick B. Riddick, who first appeared in the 1999 movie ''Film/PitchBlack'', is a morally ambiguous mass murderer who will kill anyone who gets in his path and is only good [[BlackAndGrayMorality in comparison to the enemies he faces]].
* Sever (Lucy Liu) from ''Film/BallisticEcksVsSever'', a gun toting DragonLady dressed in black leather with a perpetual KubrickStare on her face and on a quest for revenge against her corrupt former employees. She isn't above kidnapping a child in order to achieve her goal, and usually gives short and cold responses to someone like "IllKillYou" and "[[Film/RoadHouse Pain don't hurt]]."
* ''Film/SmallSoldiers'': Deconstructed and [[TakeThat satirized]] in this 1998 film in the form of the Commando Elite, a group of toys with sentience via [[AIIsACrapshoot a microchip]] who invoke this trope in-universe. They are willing [[TheUnfettered to use whatever methods]] to find and destroy the Gorgonites (whose only crime was [[FantasticRacism not being human like them]]), including attacking bystanders who had no involvement with either side of the conflict, kidnapping and attempting to kill hostages, and [[ItMakesSenseInContext turning a girl's Gwendy dolls into killing machines]] with one of their fallen comrade's microchips. Chip Hazard, the Commando Elite's leader, repeatedly justifies their actions because the Gorgonites are "[[DesignatedVillain the bad guys]]" and they are "[[KnightTemplar the]] [[DesignatedHero good]] [[TautologicalTemplar guys]]".

* ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'' features a particulalry hardcore Batman who has long since given up on his principles after 20 years of constant crime-fighting. FridgeBrilliance as the film is set in TheNewTens and he mentions being active for 20 years.

* [[http://www.laweekly.com/informer/2012/08/01/mtvs-diggity-dave-says-james-holmes-called-him-before-dark-knight-massacre-did-his-sick-batman-spinoff-inspire-aurora-shooting The Suffocator of Sins]]: This film, directed by and starring "Diggity" Dave Aragon of Series/PimpMyRide fame, was to feature a DarkerAndEdgier Batman-[[{{Expy}} like]] vigilante who, based on trailers that were released for it is strongly implied to be this trope, uses firearms and mercilessly kills criminals while hunting down a Neo-Nazi villain. The film now seems to be in limbo following the 2012 Aurora Theatre massacre, whose perpetrator, James Holmes, seemed [[MisaimedFandom to have been inspired by this film]].

* Blade, the main protagonist of the ''Film/BladeTrilogy''. He's a [[{{Dhampyr}} half-human, half-vampire]] who hunts and kills other vampires with ruthless efficiency, wear black leather and sunglasses and has a short yet intimidating name. Interestingly, [[ComicBook/{{Blade}} the character]] actually predates the trend by close to two decades, having debuted in 1973.
* Explored and parodied in ''Film/Deadpool2''. Much like a number of his comic runs, Deadpool's central conflict is whether a morally-compromised ProfessionalKiller who started life as a minor villain created by "[[Creator/RobLiefeld a guy too lazy to draw feet]]" in a '90s comic where [[EvilVersusEvil even the "heroes" were murderous psychopaths]] is actually capable of doing anything ''decent''. This is specifically why his antagonist is Cable, a muscle-bound, gun-toting {{cyborg}} soldier [[TimeTravel from the future]] with a [[AffectionateParody many-pocketed fanny pack]] coming out of the same source material, who has become so much DarkerAndEdgier due to a FreudianExcuse he even WouldHurtAChild. By the end, despite his failings, Deadpool manages to redeem both Cable's still innocent target, and to a lesser extent Cable himself, proving at least to some degree his heart can be in the right place.
* ''Film/TheDemolitionist'', a b-movie from 1995 is about a ruthless, revived cyborg woman with GunsAkimbo fragging anyone who gets in the way of her quest for vengeance against those who killed her. Essentially a [[RebelliousSpirit rebellious]] DistaffCounterpart of Franchise/RoboCop.

* ''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds'' 2nd Edition's Iron Age sourcebook is entirely dedicated to the trope, with rules for lethal damage (damage in M&M is otherwise non-lethal), DarkerAndEdgier character archetypes, and new additions to the ''TabletopGame/FreedomCity'' setting like the anti-hero team FORCE Ops and a ''ComicBook/Watchmen'' -inspired SuperRegistrationAct storyline.

* ''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds'' 2nd Edition's Iron Age sourcebook is entirely dedicated to the trope, with rules for lethal damage (damage in M&M is otherwise non-lethal), DarkerAndEdgier character archetypes, and new additions to the ''TabletopGame/FreedomCity'' setting like the anti-hero team FORCE Ops and a ''ComicBook/Watchmen''-inspired SuperRegistrationAct storyline.

In terms of characterization, they have one thing in common, Nineties Anti-Heroes are willing, if not outright eager, to use ''extremely'' violent methods and intimidation to solve their problems - as such, emotions are limited to further this goal: [[{{Angst}} brooding]], [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]], [[TheCynic cynical]], or just plain [[AxCrazy psychotic]] are all common traits of the Nineties Anti-Hero.

The one thing that keeps them out of villain status is typically because they're the story's {{DesignatedHero}}es, and the stories they are in typically falls far on the cynical side of the {{Sliding Scale|OfIdealismVersusCynicism}}.

The one thing that keeps them out of villain status is typically because they're the story's [[DesignatedHero]]es, and the stories they are in typically falls far on the cynical side of the {{Sliding Scale|OfIdealismVersusCynicism}}.

The one thing that keeps them out of villain status is typically because they're the story's DesignatedHero{{es}}, and the stories they are in typically falls far on the cynical side of the {{Sliding Scale|OfIdealismVersusCynicism}}.

In terms of characterization, they have one thing in common, a Nineties Anti-Hero is willing, if not outright eager, to use ''extremely'' violent methods and intimidation to solve their problems - as such, emotions are limited to further this goal: [[{{Angst}} brooding]], [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]], [[TheCynic cynical]], or just plain [[AxCrazy psychotic]] are all common traits of the Nineties Anti-Hero.

The one thing that keeps them out of villain status is typically because they're the story's DesignatedHero, and the stories they are in typically falls far on the cynical side of the {{Sliding Scale|OfIdealismVersusCynicism}}.

The Nineties Anti Hero is the polar opposites of your typical [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] {{superhero}}es. Not only are they flawed, they may lack any heroic attributes, apart from the fact that they never lose. They appeal to the audience strictly due to being totally committed to... whatever the hell they're doing at the moment. They have no compunction about [[ThouShaltNotKill killing]] criminals and, indeed, this may extend to ''anyone'' who gets in their way; when confronted by classic archetypes, such as TheCape, they dismiss them as dupes and fools. To aid in this murderous work, Nineties Anti-Heroes with superpowers tend to have superpowers of the directly lethal variety, usually these abilities are demonic or technological in origin, and ''never'' received through the idealistic good graces of ''anyone''. The Nineties Anti-Heroes who lack supernatural abilities usually make up for it [[SuperheroPackingHeat by carrying guns]]. ''[[GunPorn Lots]]'' of guns.

In the late 80's-early 90s, it seemed like [[Creator/AlanMoore Moore]] and [[Creator/FrankMiller Miller]] were right: they had pushed the comics medium to its logical limit. However, instead of breaking it, or inspiring it to look beyond those limits, the industry became comfortable there. The decades following ''{{ComicBook/Watchmen}}'' and ''ComicBook/TheDarkKnightReturns'' were infested with stories and characters that mimicked the 'adult' content with none of the maturity. Enter the Nineties Anti-Hero, a very specific version of the AntiHero. Not all such characters were created during UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks (comprising UsefulNotes/TheNineties), but that was the time when they were most common and most popular.

These guys are the polar opposites of your typical [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] superheroes. Not only are they flawed, they may lack any heroic attributes, apart from the fact that they never lose. They appeal to the audience strictly due to being totally committed to... whatever the hell they're doing at the moment. They have no compunction about [[ThouShaltNotKill killing]] criminals, and indeed, this may extend to ''anyone'' who gets in their way; when confronted by classic archetypes, such as TheCape, they dismiss them as dupes and fools. Their "super"-powers tend towards the lethal, and the ones who lack them usually make up for it by carrying [[SuperheroPackingHeat guns.]] ''[[MoreDakka Lots]]'' of guns. They are usually demonic or technological in origin and never received said abilities through the idealistic good graces of ''anyone''.

Male N.A.H.s are easy to identify: ridiculously muscled, and [[TooManyBelts often wear lots of pouches]] or [[BadassBandolier bandoliers]]. There's a good chance he's either middle aged with lots of long, grey hair and [[PermaStubble beard stubble]], or [[CoveredInScars scars]], but either way, he's likely to be RatedMForManly incarnate. He also probably has at least one eye that looks [[ElectronicEyes fake]], [[RuggedScar injured, or diseased]] and he carries a [[{{BFG}} ludicrously oversized gun]] or [[{{BFS}} sword]] which no mortal could possibly carry.

Female Nineties Anti-Heroes, like [[MostCommonSuperpower most]] female superheroes, have large breasts and small waists, but ''unlike'' most female superheroes, this is often taken to disfiguring extremes. They don't tend to [[{{Stripperiffic}} wear very much clothing]] (or if they do, it'll be typical superheroic [[PaintedOnPants barely-there "spandex"]] which showcases their exaggerated/inaccurate anatomy). But [[SuperheroesWearTights they still usually wear tights]] in some form. The ultimate extreme of the female version was the "BadGirlComic" subgenre, featuring ludicrously buxom, near-naked {{Dark Action Girl}}s, generally with some kind of supernatural nature or origin, hacking and pouting their way through plots designed solely to offer as much {{Gorn}} and FanService as possible.

Usually they'll have [[DarkAgeOfSupernames one word, gritty names]] that used to be [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast reserved for villains]], often [[MyNaymeIs creatively misspelled]] ('Shade' becomes 'Shayde', etc) to appear more dramatic or, because [[XtremeKoolLetterz poor literacy]] [[WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall is kewl]], to make the character look [[TotallyRadical radical]]. [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial Never, of course, for trademark purposes]].

In terms of characterization, they have - at most! - only four emotions: [[{{Angst}} brooding]], [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic]], badass, or just plain [[AxCrazy psychotic]]. How much of any one side they show over the others is the main thing that sets them apart from each other.

Artist/writer Creator/RobLiefeld is most prominently associated with Nineties Anti-Heroes (and pouches). Todd [=McFarlane=] and Jim Lee are also prominent artists from the period.

An argument can also be made that the Nineties Anti-Hero came about more from the influence of the ActionHero archetype that was popular in movies at around the same time than anything seen in ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}''. Indeed, many nineties anti-heroes would spout {{one liner}}s that would not at all be out of place in an Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger or Creator/StevenSeagal movie.

In hindsight, one could think of this phase as the teenage years of comic book characters. An age of awkward and angsty characters with often-dubious fashion sense, but also an age of innovative and more complex characters contrasting the heroes of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks silver age]] and further exploring the shades of heroism introduced in [[UsefulNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks bronze]] age. The more humanized superhero of the modern age is an answer to the question first asked in comics by the Nineties Anti-Hero: "What ''really'' makes the difference between a hero and a villain?".

Meanwhile, for many classic characters who received this sort of makeover, it could be described as a midlife crisis. Like new {{Empty Nest}}ers, comic creators in the '90s suddenly found themselves free from the stagnated and formulaic practices of the previous decades and in possession of a healthy AuteurLicense account. It's no surprise that so many classic characters began wearing leather outfits and driving motorcycles, trying to recapture the [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks wild, irreverent, and often dark and violent, pre-comics code]] days of the genre for a while. While their attempts to recapture their youth may have lead through some awkward combovers and chrome-plated {{BFG}}s, it also introduced a fresh, relevant spin to many of the long-runners. ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}, for instance, rode his '90s arc from [[TheScrappy Scrappy]] status to full fledged EnsembleDarkHorse Badass.

If one is replacing an older more optimistic hero, you have an example of an AntiHeroSubstitute. It's also one of the stages of the superhero {{Reconstruction}} (as seen in that Trope's page image.)

Generally these prominent figures are TrueNeutral, ChaoticNeutral or ChaoticGood in the CharacterAlignment.

See also: SociopathicHero, DesignatedHero and ByronicHero. Should not be confused with the HeroicComedicSociopath, who is blatantly evil and PlayedForLaughs. Generally, Nineties Anti-Heroes tend to range from {{Unscrupulous Hero}}es to {{Nominal Hero}}es, though some can be {{Villain Protagonist}}s. Many MagicalGirlGenreDeconstruction works are to {{Magical Girl}}s in the 2010s what these were to superheroes in the 90s.

Meanwhile, for many classic characters who received this sort of makeover, it could be described as a midlife crisis. Like new {{Empty Nest}}ers, comic creators in the 90's suddenly found themselves free from the stagnated and formulaic practices of the previous decades and in possession of a healthy AuteurLicense account. It's no surprise that so many classic characters began wearing leather outfits and driving motorcycles, trying to recapture the [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks wild, irreverent, and often dark and violent, pre-comics code]] days of the genre for a while. While their attempts to recapture their youth may have lead through some awkward combovers and chrome-plated {{BFG}}s, it also introduced a fresh, relevant spin to many of the long-runners. ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}, for instance, rode his 90's arc from [[TheScrappy Scrappy]] status to full fledged EnsembleDarkHorse Badass.

* An issue arc of ''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}'' involves universe crosses between the "modern age" Spinnerette, her [[BadButt saccharine]] [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks silver-age]] counterpart... and her 90's-era counterpart which plays every [[Creator/RobLiefeld Liefeldian]] transgression to parodic levels.

* VideoGame/{{Pico}}, the SeriesMascot of Website/{{Newgrounds}}: His debut flash, InspiredBy UsefulNotes/{{Columbine}} [[RippedFromTheHeadlines of all things]], features a squad of {{goth}} kids [[AxesAtSchool tearing up the school]], prompting Pico to grab the nearest assault rifle and pump them all with lead, whether they surrender or not. The majority of his Flashes embody the [[AllAdultAnimationIsSouthPark gratuitous edginess]] and VulgarHumour commonplace in late 90s / early 00s Internet media; his appearance the ''VideoGame/{{Assassin}}'' series is about him gunning down an M-rated [[OnceAcceptableTargets mockery of]] ''Series/BearInTheBigBlueHouse''. While his default appearance doesn't exactly look the part, instead operating on TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior, certain Flashes will age him up into a closer example or pit him against an NC-17 counterpart named Piconjo.

* Parodied in ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'' with the [[http://www.homestarrunner.com/aprilfool10.html Xeriouxly Forxe April Fool's Joke]], where everyone gets a more spiky, angular design, more weapons, gritted teeth, XtremeKoolLetterz in their names, and angry faces.

* From 94 onward, Cibernético tended to be one whenever he made a HeelFaceTurn in Wrestling/{{AAA}}, as this was a "{{tecnico}}" who nonetheless killed off someone who betrayed him ([[BackFromTheDead ever so briefly]]). Similar things can be said for his rivals Vampiro, Wrestling/LaParka, La Parka Jr and Mesías during their tecnico runs.