History Main / ManOfTheCity

* Marcone of TheDresdenFiles, a pragmatic mob boss who knows the value of VetinariJobSecurity. In some ways, Chicago is very fortunate to have him controlling it; he protects against most of humanity's supernatural foes, and he won't allow any of his employees to harm a child. But he is still controlling it, and does so mostly for his own benefit.

* Mjoll the Lioness, of ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' fame, is an ex-adventurer turned crimefighter who devotes her life to cleansing the city of Riften from crime [[WretchedHive a truly herculean task]]. That is, until you persuade her to return to footloose adventuring.

** '''{{Franchise/Batman}}'''. You can't even litter in Gotham without Batman kicking your ass. In his public persona as Bruce Wayne, he's the city's biggest philanthropist and provider of jobs.

* Good Cole [=McGrath=] is this for both Empire City and New Marais in the ''{{inFamous}}'' games. Even when myriad enemies try to discredit him as a public menace, he still helps out whenever he can. In fact, [[spoiler:the big SadisticChoice in the first game that leads to Trish's death]] is one of the biggest examples of selflessness in the history of gaming.

* By their very nature, [[{{Superhero}} superheroes]] tend to be Men of the [[CityOfAdventure city they choose to make their home]]. However, there's particular ones that stand out amongst their peers:

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Justice League}}'' episode ''Flash and Substance'': [[TheFlash Flash]] is so loved in Central City, they build a museum to honor the costumed [[SuperSpeed speedster]]. During the episode, he gushes about how much he loves the city, and he even shows he knows ''everyone's '' name within it. When {{Batman}} and [[NewGods Orion]] actually are impressed with your dedication, it means something.

* Ezio Auditore first becomes one to his uncle's hometown of Monteriggioni in ''AssassinsCreedII'', but then he takes it to a bigger extreme when he dedicates himself to the city of ''UsefulNotes/{{Rome}}'' in ''AssassinsCreedBrotherhood'': he wrests control of the city from the neglectful Borgia dynasty, purchases most of the city's small businesses in order to stimulate the economy, and provides the funds to preserve many of its historic landmarks.

** GreenArrow aka Oliver Queen is this to his hometown of Star City., both as a crimefighter and a crusader for social reform. One arc even had him successfully running for Mayor in order to help the city rebuild after a major supervillain attack.

* City Princes or Barons in ''VampireTheMasquerade'' can be this at their most benign. Yes, vampires are parasites of humanity, but as any other parasite, the health of the host is of paramount importance to them. Also, many vampires can have actual affection for a city and its people (Carthage and the Brujah being the most famous example).

* ''{{Discworld}}'''s city of Ankh-Morpork:

* The Reagan family in ''BlueBloods'' is an entire ''dynasty'' of Men of the city on New York.

* Mjoll the Lioness, of ''{{Skyrim}}'' fame, is an ex-adventurer turned crimefighter who devotes her life to cleansing the city of Riften from crime [[WretchedHive a truly herculean task]]. That is, until you persuade her to return to footloose adventuring.

* In ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja'', King Radical is devoted to making Cumberland more... well, radical. Because of his influence, the city has, among other things, skydiving news anchors, a doctor who battled an EldritchAbomination to cure someone's acne, and a CaptainErsatz of Comicbook/TheHulk advertising for a grocery store. He's not afraid to use illegal means for livening up Cumberland, and Doc is absolutely sure he's plotting something more sinister, but everyone else supports his efforts.

* ''Series/{{Angel}}'' becomes this to Los Angeles, often choosing to stay out of [[BuffyTheVampireSlayer Sunnydale]] even when his presence would be useful because it's no longer his city. It's quite telling that the pilot is titled [[MeaningfulName "City of Angels".]]

* BubblegumCrisis: The Knight Sabers are Women of the city of Mega-Tokyo. Sylia and Nene in particular are also benefactors of the city outside their role as vigilantes, as a businesswoman and police dispatcher respectively.

** '''{{Franchise/Batman}}'''. You can't even LITTER in Gotham without Batman kicking your ass. In his public persona as Bruce Wayne, he's the city's biggest philanthropist and provider of jobs.

** [[Franchise/GreenLantern Green Lantern Hal Jordan]] is so much a man of the city he brought it ''back from the dead''. Coast City's slogan is "The City Without Fear" in his honor.

* Mjoll the Lioness, of ''{{Skyrim}}'' fame, is an ex-adventurer turned crimefighter \who devotes her life to cleansing the city of Riften from crime [[WretchedHive a truly herculean task]]. That is, until you persuade her to return to footloose adventuring.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Justice League}}'' episode ''Flash and Substance'': [[TheFlash Flash]] is so loved in Central City, they build a museum to honor the costumed [[SuperSpeed speedster]]. During the episode, he gushes about how much he loves the city, and he even shows he knows EVERYONE'S NAME within it. When {{Batman}} and [[NewGods Orion]] actually are impressed with your dedication, it means something.

* [[SchmuckBait Go ahead]], commit a crime in Mega-City One. See how long it takes for you get your head blown the fuck off by ComicBook/JudgeDredd.

* ''{{Discworld}}'''s city of Ankh-Morpork

* By their very nature, [[{{Superhero}} superheroes]] tend to be Men of the city they choose to make their home. However, there's particular ones that stand out amongst their peers:

** '''{{Batman}}'''. You can't even LITTER in Gotham without Batman kicking your ass. In his public persona as Bruce Wayne, he's the city's biggest philanthropist and provider of jobs.
** {{Superman}} is a milder example than Batman, but it's still a very bad idea to commit a crime in Metropolis. As Clark Kent, he's an incorruptible champion of truth as reporter for the Daily Planet.
** LexLuthor is a mild [[SubvertedTrope subversion]]: he ''does'' genuinely care for Metropolis, and has served as its benefactor in myriad ways. He gives its citizens jobs, organizes charities for the city's welfare and has constructed various important landmarks, including reconstructing Metropolis whenever a supervillain has a field day with the infrastructure. However, he'd be more than willing to personally slit every Metropolis citizen's throat if it furthered his vendetta against Superman.
** [[GreenLantern Green Lantern Hal Jordan]] is so much a man of the city he brought it ''back from the dead''. Coast City's slogan is "The City Without Fear" in his honor.

* [[BubblegumCrisis The Knight Sabers]] are Women of the city of Mega-Tokyo. Sylia and Nene in particular are also benefactors of the city outside their role as vigilantes, as a businesswoman and police dispatcher respectively.

* In ''Film/TheSpirit'', the titular character himself starts off the movie by monologuing how he only lives to protect the city. She is all he needs to survive, and all he wants. He lives for the city. He will die for the city, and nothing else.

'''Getting ready to launch tonight, please post any last-minute examples :)'''