History SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism / ComicBooks

** Creator/AlanMoore later felt that, partly as a result of the popularity of ''Watchmen'', later superhero comics completely missed the point and [[MisaimedFandom focused too much on the wrong things]], going [[UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks too far to the other side of the scale]] and forgetting to retain ''some'' level of idealism and fun in the process. In an effort to remedy this, he created ''ComicBook/TomStrong'', a more idealistic superhero series, in order to even the scales a bit. He also did a landmark run on ''ComicBook/{{Supreme}}'' and wrote ''ComicBook/NineteenSixtyThree'' in a further attempt to reverse the trend.

** Heck, Creator/GrantMorrison in general seems to lean towards the idealistic side of the scale. ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis'' especially slams hard against the idealism side by the very end what with the representation of the dark, cynical kick comics had been on being defeated by (essentially) the manifestation of the upbeat, optimistic, and fantastical comics of UsefulNotes/{{the Silver Age|OfComicBooks}}.

** The formerly-{{canon}} version of Franchise/{{Superman}} has killed precisely once, during UsefulNotes/{{the Dark Age|OfComicBooks}}, in order to ShootTheDog on three Kryptonians from an AlternateUniverse. Since then, writers have either [[CanonDisContinuity ignored this]], or have him regard it as a mistake that made his self-imposed prohibition against killing even stronger in response. As of current canon, Superman has never killed anyone.

** While ''Creator/JeffSmith'' usually creates idealistic works, his series ''ComicBook/{{RASL}}'' leans a bit closer to the cynical side.

** Dan Slott's Pre-Comicbook/CivilWar work in Marvel falls on the idealistic side. He even has Nighthawk say that he keeps being a superhero because it's ''[[RuleOfFun fun]].''
** ''Comicbook/CivilWar'' itself falls heavily into cynicism, though. Particularly through the character of Sally Floyd, who [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids lambasts Captain America for his idealistic beliefs and for not knowing how modern America works]], while also claiming that America is based upon pop culture and mass media rather than in good values. And she says this ''not'' as a criticism on America, but rather as something she considers its nature and what makes it interesting.

** Creator/AlanMoore later felt that, partly as a result of the popularity of ''Watchmen'', later superhero comics completely missed the point and [[MisaimedFandom focused too much on the wrong things]], going [[UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks too far to the other side of the scale]] and forgetting to retain ''some'' level of idealism and fun in the process. In an effort to remedy this, he created ''Tom Strong'', a more idealistic superhero series, in order to even the scales a bit. He also did a landmark run on ''Supreme'' and wrote [[ComicBook/NineteenSixtyThree 1963]] in a further attempt to reverse the trend.
---> '''Creator/AlanMoore''': "Having deconstructed everything perhaps we really should be starting to think about [[{{Reconstruction}} putting everything back together]]."

* ''{{Comicbook/Watchmen}}'' was written as a deliberate {{Deconstruction}} of more idealistic comic book superheroes, the idealism of superheroes, and the superhero genre in general. It shows what might inspire people to go out in ridiculous, often-times skimpy uniforms and beat the crud out of other people, and one of the characters quite intentionally [[KnightTemplar crosses the line]] separating idealistic superheroism from deluded vigilante action.

* The ''Bone'' comics by {{Creator/Jeff Smith}} is pretty heavily on the idealistic end for the most part. Its pretty much like a kid-friendly ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''.
* ''Comicbook/ThePunisher'' is a cynical character in a shared universe; his "rightness" fluctuates wildly depending on where the series he appears in falls on the scale. In his [[Comicbook/ThePunisherMAX MAX series]], a more adult comic, there is little question to the effectiveness of his actions, and his antagonists are usually consistently pure evil (The Slavers), but in the mainstream comics, he is often shown in a less favorable light.

** The ''ComicBook/SupermanBatman'' series manages to successfully show both titular characters on their comparative scales and makes a point of showing neither as more correct than the others. At one point, Batman states that Superman's selfless idealism is the reason why he should be considered a hero. If Superman ever let himself sink to Batman's cynicism, it wouldn't be pretty. However, it has also been stressed that, of the two of them, Batman is the more alien of the pair, mostly because of his cynicism.

* The scale is examined very effectively in the Franchise/{{Superman}} comic "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice And The American Way?" Of course, being about the original [[TheCape Cape]] himself, the conclusions it raises fall squarely on the idealistic side of the scale, but it's a well-written story nonetheless.