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1''[[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire Antihero for Hire]]'' is a webcomic by [[@/{{Webrunner}} the creator]] of ''Webcomic/{{Adventurers}}'' that takes utter joy in subverting practically every trope it gets its hands on. It is set in [[CityOfAdventure Triumph City]] 2144, and populated by an absurd number of superheroes. The titular antihero is Shadehawk, a BadassLongcoat-wearing superhero, who has a long and angsty BackStory involving one of the strip's {{MacGuffin}}s, the Silver Arrow. He's assisted by Wrench, the Lord God hacker in this CyberPunk future, and Crossroad, a fellow superhero(ine) with whom he has an unofficial alliance and a lot of {{UST}}.
2
3The comic resumed updating in June 2020 following a 3¾ year SeriesHiatus.
4
5'''Please note:''' The website has changed, the links below now link to the individual "issues" instead of specific pages.
6----
7!!Tropes used:
8%% * Actio nGirl: Crossroad.
9%% * The Vengeful Sisters also fit this trope, though some are more "actiony" than others.
10%% * AffablyEvil: Almost all of the villains are to some degree, with a few exceptions like M.A.N.T.I.S. Agents.
11* TheAlcatraz: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/losing-it-wrong-side-of-the-stratosphere OCF-1]], aka "The Afterlife", aka "The Rock" since [[LampshadeHanging "every escape-proof prison gets called 'The Rock.'"]] Shadehawk comes up with an escape plan and implements it [[CardboardPrison almost immediately after arriving.]]
12* AllThereInTheManual: [[http://antiheroforhire.com/data.html The data files page]], which describe how some of the {{phlebotinum}} works and provide setting details (see below).
13%% * AnIcePerson: King of Ice aka Froster aka The Cubinator aka Icicle Man aka Coldular aka The Sub-Zero Righteousness of the Frozen North.
14%% * AntiHero: While the titular antihero is Shadehawk, in some ways Crossroad better fits the term.
15%% * ArchEnemy: Hector.
16%% * AsYouKnow: Lampshaded [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/the-stir-crazy-sister here]].
17* {{Backstory}}: Shadehawk's backstory is appropriately angst-ridden and a key plot point. We don't know all of it, but one important bit is that technically he's considered dead (right up to having a tombstone). Meanwhile, the setting's backstory is that Canada annexed the adjoining states of the US, using genetically engineered dinosaurs, which worked partially because no one minded, and partially because "the US was so busy protecting themselves against Weapons of Mass Destruction that they never made anything to protect against dinosaur attacks".
18%% * BadassLongcoat: Lampshaded.
19* BadassNormal: "Superhero" (and villain) is tossed around a lot, but actually quite a few of the characters who identify as such are {{Badass Normal}}s, including Shadehawk himself, Crossroad, and Jack.
20** Played with when Gatemaster tries to attack Shadehawk with his bare hands, but even with his teleporting technology, finds himself overpowered fairly easily because he's a "failure grad student with zero muscle tone".
21* BadSanta: Stupidly large numbers of them in the second Christmas special. Crossroad is not amused.
22* BatmanGambit: Domarelli pulls one off. Knowing that Crossroad always tries to foil his plans, he hires the extralegal Vengeful Sisters to deliver supplies to an orphanage, which for all appearances is a front for drug smuggling with the sisters as unwitting patsies -- but the delivery is real and the result is that Crossroad is distracted from his real objective, with the bonus of damaging her reputation.
23%% * {{BFG}}: Shadehawk has one.
24%% * {{BFS}}: One of the Mantis agents [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/manipulators-kings-ransom had one]]. Crossroad's sword is a little more normal-sized.
25* BondVillainStupidity: Subverted. Dr. Nefarious is so depressed that his plan didn't even require heroic intervention to foil that he decides to [[JustShootHim just shoot Shadehawk]] instead of using a DeathTrap, as usual.
26* BrickJoke: Hey, what was Shadehawk doing before he got the bright idea to break in to [[MegaCorp TeraCorp]]? [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/infiltration-voices-of-the-past Oh, right...]]
27* BuffySpeak: Used [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/caffeinated here.]]
28-->'''Shadehawk:''' Wait. The Doc's here about a wormhole thingy or whatever, right?
29-->'''Doctor Patrick:''' Yes.
30-->'''Shadehawk:''' But you [Gatemaster] use a transportery thing that takes you apart in one place and puts you together somewhere else, correct?
31-->'''Gatemaster:'''[[LampshadeHanging That's a bit of a dumb way of putting it,]] but yes.
32%% * BunnyEarsLawyer: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/manipulations-pawns-and-knights Lampshaded]] - "It seems you can't hire someone competent without them having an embarrassing hobby."
33%% * Actually that serves more to lampshade Hector's WrongGenreSavvy - he's referring to his two assistants Rose and Angelson, but while Rose definitely ''is'' a BunnyEarsLawyer, Angelson is really [[DragonWithAnAgenda something else altogether]]...
34* ButchLesbian: Aftershock has a boyish haircut, dresses in a man's suit in a Christmas joke episode, and has an unrequited crush on Dragon.
35* CardboardPrison: Shadehawk doesn't mind this trope. After all, if the criminal he was paid to put away breaks out, then he can get another paycheck by thwarting the criminal's next scheme.
36%% * CasualDangerDialogue: Practically every fight.
37* CerebusSyndrome: An odd case, as the syndrome started before the strip officially began. The original plan was for the strip to be comedic in the same line as Shallow's other comic, ''Adventurers!''. Shadehawk was something of an {{expy}} of [[IdiotHero Karn]], and the [[http://www.giantrobot.club/filler-gallery/2016/6/13/prototype-comic first preview strip]] featured him falling off a roof.
38%% * ChekhovsGun: Angelson's [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/lies-and-videotape-restructured ring]].
39%% * TheChessmaster: Wizard, Hector.
40%% * ChristmasEpisode: "A Jollybot Carol".
41%% * ClothesMakeTheSuperman: Power suits account for a lot of the threat posed by some characters, particularly the likes of Gatemaster.
42* TheComicallySerious: Crossroad tends to take things much more seriously than Dechs, making dropping her into particularly insane situations that much funnier.
43* CoolShades: Shadehawk wears them specifically because they look cool, though Wrench has made it so they amplify light, and has limited radar.
44%% * Don't forget the flash-beams!
45%% * CorruptCorporateExecutive: Hector, as well as most of Tera Corp's execs (Charles is an [[TheAtoner exception]]).
46%% * TheCracker: Neon.
47%% * CrazyPrepared: Jack. Slightly [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/jack-all-trades lampshaded]].
48%% * {{Cult}}: A cult of machines.
49%% * CuteClumsyGirl: Rose Kirkins is a [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/research-the-business bit of this]].
50%% * CutLexLuthorACheck: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/ice-isnt-nice Lampshaded]]
51%% * Also see [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/caffeinated this one]]
52%% * CyberPunk: The setting is classic CyberPunk with a twist.
53%% * DarkActionGirl: Malvagia, possibly Airmistress. The Vengeful Sisters fall somewhere in between this and regular Action Girl.
54%% * DeadpanSnarker: If it talks, it snarks. No exceptions.
55%% * DescriptionCut: A few times. Example [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/manipulations-pawns-and-knights here]].
56%% * {{Determinator}}: M.A.N.T.I.S. Agents.
57%% * DidntSeeThatComing: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/manipulations-pawns-and-knights Hector v. Wizard]], in what is almost certainly {{foreshadowing}}.
58%% * DoubleEntendre: Airmistress loves these, probably unintentionally. Example: "I'm gonna blow you so hard!", "He once did me in a men's bathroom!".
59* DragonWithAnAgenda: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/research-the-business Angelson]], who is manipulating Hector at the behest of a nebulous evil agenda of which he's a member.
60* DramaticWind: Wizard. He openly ''admits'' in [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/8/entrance-diamonds one of the earlier strips]] that he does it on purpose.
61-->'''Wizard:''' See how my coat blows in the wind?
62-->'''Shadehawk:''' Yes, and?
63-->'''Wizard:''' Yet, there is no wind. Now, isn't that odd?
64* DressingAsTheEnemy: Shadehawk dresses up as a M.A.N.T.I.S. [[spoiler:It doesn't fool the minion, but it does give Shady a chance to detonate an explosive]].
65** Later, he dresses up as the [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Crimson Boomerang]], [[spoiler:only to be detected by Wizard]].
66*** He tries it again and is found out within minutes.
67* EliteMooks: Although M.A.N.T.I.S. agents are already pretty dangerous on their own, however if one fails to complete their mission, they have the option to undergo genetic engineering so that they can do it right the next time. Explained [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/manipulators-kings-ransom here]].
68* EmbarrassingMiddleName: Dr. Albert Charious Airious Nefarious-[[OddNameOut Smith]]
69** Not to mention [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/8/entrance-diamonds "Baron Orange Earthsmantle von Potatoflight"]]
70%% * EmbarrassingRescue: Crossroad rescuing Shadehawk from a severe state of JamesBondage.
71* EnemyMine: Has happened with [[TheCracker Neon]] and [[AnIcePerson Coldular]] (or Frozen North or whatever he's calling himself this week) both. They were both somewhat surprisingly amiable about it. Neon even seemed on the verge of a HeelFaceTurn.
72** Considering [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/research-the-business who he's working with now]], maybe Shadehawk should have given some thought to accepting his help and not thrown him back in jail on an unrelated charge.
73%% * ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: Occurs throughout the [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/caffeinated coffee arc.]]
74%% * There's also the [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/happily-ever Giant coin room]].
75%% * FaceDoodling: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/jack-beats-queen "if she wanted to have a say on people writing on her face she wouldn't be still asleep at 2 PM."]]
76%% * FlawExploitation: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/research-wearing-the-hat Subverted, then immediately Double Subverted]].
77%% * FlatWhat: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/manipulators-kings-ransom]], [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/from-far-and-wide-cold-welcome-truth-justice-and-the-canadian-way]]
78%% * FourStarBadass: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/iron-fists General Lumberdon]] provides the page quote.
79%% * FreudianExcuse: The Vengeful Sisters.
80%% * [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/sisters-in-deed-water Mocked.]] "Can you skip to the part that explains why you're robbing a jewelry store?"
81* FriendlyEnemy: Okay, but EnemyMine or no EnemyMine, Shadehawk and "Frozen North" have been downright ''chatty'' lately.
82** Also Hector and Wizard, two villains who are only interested in their own goals. And also meet to play chess once a month.
83%% * GadgeteerGenius: Wrench.
84* GeniusDitz: Rose (the green haired girl working for [=TeraCorp=]) may be ditzy enough to wear a fake earpiece to look more officious, but when it comes to computer ability she's good enough to prevent Wrench from hacking [=TeraCorp's=] computer system.
85%% * GoThroughMe: [[spoiler:[[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/from-far-and-wide-shadefall-part-1 Frozen North]]]], of all people.
86%% * TheGunslinger: Shadehawk.
87%% * HandCannon: Silver Arrow, the data page even uses those words to describe it.
88%% * HeelFaceTurn: [[spoiler: The Vengeful Sisters]].
89%% * HighlyVisibleNinja: Crossroad, [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/connections-cross-swords lampshaded]].
90%% * HiredGuns
91* HorsemenOfTheApocalypse: The antagonists of the comic. Each of the four is actually a cursed artifact that absorbs the emotions of its wielders, with gestalt minds made of humanity's worst impulses.
92%% * BountyHunter: Most of Shadehawk's assignments. Jack is one on the [[EvilCounterpart villain's side]].
93%% * PrivateMilitaryContractors: M.A.N.T.I.S. are basically these.
94%% * IDidWhatIHadToDo: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/manipulations-pawns-and-knights Hector]].
95%% * IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: Subverted with Crossroad. Averted with Shadehawk who doesn't kill simply because live criminals bring in more money.
96%% * Also, live criminals often escape and come up with new schemes, so you can get ''more'' money when you thwart them ''again''.
97%% * IKnowMortalKombat
98%% * ImplacableMan: Golem and Simile.
99%% * IneffectualSympatheticVillain: About half the Card Carrying Villains.
100* IndyPloy: Shadehawk lives off this, and he is very, very good at it... [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/connections-cross-swords most of the time.]]
101* InsaneTrollLogic: Even Shadehawk, far from the most tech-savvy guy, [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/caffeinated can tell that]] Gatemaster's teleportation technology is ''not'' the same as the wormhole tech Gatemaster is claiming was stolen from him.
102%% * InsultedAwake: Sort of, a water pistol is used.
103%% * A more traditional example happens with Crossroad.
104%% * JamesBondage: Lampshaded.
105%% * TheJuggernaut: Simile
106%% * KidnappedScientist: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/jack-beats-queen Poor Charles...]]
107%% * KillSat: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/funhouse-as-or-like Hacked]], of course.
108%% * KillYouLast: Wizard, to Charles. Although he still [[EyeScream ripped his eyeballs out]] there and then as a part of his RoaringRampageOfRevenge for all those weeks of ColdBloodedTorture.
109%% * LargeHam: Shadehawk has a definite melodramatic streak: hence the BadassLongcoat, SunglassesAtNight, and love for dramatic entrances, once even involving a dry ice machine.
110* LittleMissBadass: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/class-struggle Malvagia]] is the 14 year old niece of mob boss Domarelli and a talented fighter and assassin. She's one of very few villains who tangled with Shadehawk and came out ahead.
111* TheMadHatter: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/manipulations-pawns-and-knights Wizard]].
112-->'''Hector''': You think I would actually tell you that? Are you insane?\
113'''Wizard''': Yes.\
114'''Hector''': Right. I almost forgot.
115%% * MadScientist: Gatemaster.
116%% * MafiaPrincess: Crossroad, unhappily.
117%% * MakingASplash: Waterfall.
118%% * ManipulativeBastard: Hector and Angelson. Lampshaded by Hector himself.
119%% * MissionControl: Wrench.
120%% * MultipleChoicePast: "[[AnIcePerson Coldular]]" had fun with this when he was first introduced [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/ice-isnt-nice Here]].
121%% * TheMunchausen: Frozen North becomes this whenever he tries to explain hi origins.
122%% * Baron Orange is a more straight example of this.
123%% * MustHaveCaffeine: The subject of an entire arc when Shadehawk had to get up in the daytime.
124%% * NietzscheWannabe: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/jack-all-trades Jack]].
125* NoodleIncident: Several of Shadehawk's adventures, including stopping a gerbil from stealing a diamond.
126** Also an incident with a cruiser his organization doesn't know about.
127** While running to avoid being crushed by a rolling giant coin, his reaction is [[http://antihero.keenspot.com/d/20080804.html "Not again!"]]
128%% * NoOSHACompliance: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/connections-cross-swords Subverted]].
129* NotAMorningPerson: Shadehawk really needs his coffee if he's to get up in the morning.
130%% * ObfuscatingStupidity: Could Dr. Nefarious be... [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/class-struggle competent]]?
131%% * TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/manipulations-pawns-and-knights Lampshaded]].
132%% * TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou: Wizard to Dechs, Dechs to Hector.
133%% * OrgasmicCombat: Subverted as it turns out to be [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/from-far-and-wide-shadefall-part-2 exactly what it sounds like]].
134* PaintingTheMedium: Panel border colors have changed hue based on the character focused on.
135%% * PlayfulHacker: Wrench.
136%% * PsychoPrototype: Wizard was the first subject of one of Charles' power suits. The suit was too powerful, the process imperfect, and Wizard went completely mad.
137%% * QuirkyMinibossSquad: The "Vengeful Sisters".
138* RedEyesTakeWarning: Wizard always has them. After being possessed by Excalibur, Crossroads has them as well.
139%% * RuleOfCool: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/from-far-and-wide-cold-welcome-toronto-chainsaw-massacre Chainsaw dinosaur jousting]].
140* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: When Shadehawk blocks Jack's mace with the Silver Arrow and it isn't damaged but tones in a way that surprises them both, Jack politely decides the bounty no longer worth it and simply leaves. He prefers to think of it as a draw rather than a loss.
141* {{Sequelitis}}: {{Invoked| Trope}}; when facing a character who narrates everything in the third person, Shadehawk comes up with a plan to "sequel her so hard her cousin will be assassinated by critics".
142* SheIsNotMyGirlfriend: "Ugh, You're such a depraved monster. ({{beat}}) Insinuating that she's my girlfriend, I mean."
143%% * ShowWithinAShow: Played straight with "Mechazor L", but inverted with ''Adventurers!''
144* SophisticatedAsHell:
145-->"Elementary, my dear Jeckyll. We are going to rip his [[PrecisionFStrike fucking]] head off."
146%% * SpannerInTheWorks: Practically in Shadehawk's job description.
147* StickEmUp: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/infiltration-personal-demons It's a little less funny]] when you learn the guy [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/infiltration-voices-of-the-past got fired over it.]]
148%% * StrappedToAnOperatingTable
149%% * SunglassesAtNight: Shadehawk's light-''amplifying'' shades.
150%% * SuperDickery: Nicely parodied [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/the-stir-crazy-sister here.]]
151* SuperPoweredEvilSide: Waterfall is by far the most powerful of the Vengeful Sisters, but the more power she uses the more likely she is to snap and start acting like Wizard.
152* SuperRegistrationAct: Joining up with SHAB gets you a steady paycheck based on commissions (a.k.a. how many criminals you catch and what their crimes are.) and is strictly optional. In fact, Crossroad was rejected.
153* SuperSoldier: MANTIS Agents, in fact the whole point of [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/infiltration-personal-demons this]] mini-story seems to be to show how skilled and badass they are.
154%% * {{Swordfight}}: Anytime Crossroad is involved this is likely to happen.
155%% * TechnoBabble
156* TemptingFate: Occurs on [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/snow-news-day plenty]] of [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/jack-be-right-back different]] [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/infiltration-personal-demons occasions.]] There is also a subversion:
157--> "I'm bored. (pause) It seems like a quiet night. (pause) I ''said'', it seems like a quiet night. (nothing happens) Well damn, that usually works."
158%% * ThirdPersonPerson: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/happily-ever Lampshaded.]]
159* ThouShaltNotKill: The superheroes are strongly encouraged not to kill, mostly by paying less for kills than for live capture. But they understand that these things happen, and so they do offer an "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Executioner's Fee]]", as long as he doesn't do it too often.
160%% * {{Troperrific}}: Dr. Nefarious. I mean, just ''look'' at that name.
161* TroublingUnchildhoodBehavior: Malvagia. Pretty much everything she's done so far is troubling in one way or another. And she's well aware of how it can unsettle her adversaries, too.
162%% * TheUnintelligible: As of her second appearance, Malvagia speaks in a strange mix of ValleyGirl, ebonics and l33tsp34k, and nobody can understand her.
163* UnknownRival: Corporal Rocket can't remember who Shadehawk is, despite having met him -- and run off with his perp -- in the past. Although he's rather idiotic and Shadehawk doesn't seem to care too much about him, personally, he's just annoyed that people admire the guy.
164* UnlimitedWardrobe: Shadehawk has a new superhero uniform for each passing month. Sort of defeats the purpose of a uniform, doesn't it?
165* {{UST}}: Crossroad and Shadehawk. Possible subversion, given the attitude of the comic, and that the characters personalities do NOT mesh well, particularly in Phase 5. Its implied that the same exists for their respective hacker sidekicks, and may not be unresolved at all.
166%% * Update: It's official, Wrench and Echo are definitely [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/from-far-and-wide-return-of-shadehawk an item]].
167%% * VerbalTic: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/13/iron-fists This guy.]]
168%% * ViewerFriendlyInterface: [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/connections-cross-swords Mocked]].
169* WhatMeasureIsAMook: In the first arc with Nefarious, Shadehawk very casually kills one of Nefarious's henchmen (Alphonse), but specifically asks Crossroad not to kill Nefarious himself. However, this has to do with rather cold-blooded economics -- Nefarious is an easy source of income. His henchmen aren't worth much, and tend to be more dangerous besides.
170%% * WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Wizard (though he apparently wasn't exactly sane ''before'' he got his powers) and, temporarily, [[spoiler: Waterfall]].
171%% * WorthyOpponent: Jack. "There but for the grace of God and about twenty-five years go I."
172%% * YouExclamation: Interrupts Shadehawk's [[http://www.giantrobot.club/antihero-for-hire/2016/6/10/connections-convergence dramatic speech]].
173%% * YouFightLikeACow: Dragon and Crossroad. Partway through the fight they decide to stop with the fight-like-a-cow insults and acknowledge each other's skill.
174%% * YouHaveFailedMe: Double-subverted repeatedly. Ironically, the one time it's merely subverted is at the end of an arc about henchmen unionizing over bad working conditions.
175%% * YouKilledMyFather: Part of [[spoiler:Shadehawk's]] vendetta against [[spoiler:Hector]].

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