History SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism / ComicBooks

** That said, MarkMillar is very cynical comic book author. His other most famous work was {{ComicBook/Wanted}} which also falls in the far end of the Cynical side as well as TheAuthority.

* ''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 MAX series, a more adult comic, there is little question to the effectiveness of his actions, and his antagonists are usually consistently {{Complete Monster}}s ([[TwoWordsObviousTrope The Slavers]]), but in the mainstream comics, he is often shown in a less favorable light.

* Often, [[DependingOnTheWriter who's writing for a character]] in a comic book determines where on the scale that character falls. In some books, {{Batman}} is [[NotSoDifferent one step up from the Joker]]. In others, he's almost as much of a boy scout as Comicbook/{{Superman}}. Since the writing duties of a comic series can change from issue to issue, this can be slightly disorienting, as the reader doesn't know from one StoryArc to the next if the book's star is going to be a jerk or a hero. In this scenario, it's also a form of WriterOnBoard. This also applies to any long-running TV series with frequent writer changes and a dramatic bent.

* KickAss is about as cynical as it gets, even more so than Watchmen. Dave is pretty much a [[ThisLoserIsYou loser]], Big Daddy is [[spoiler: a complete fraud]], Hit Girl is [[spoiler: lied to by her father about her mother dying, and not allowed to have a normal childhood]], and everyone else except for maybe Dave's father is a scumbag of one sort or the other (Katie is a shallow bitch, Red Mist is completely unsympathetic unlike in the film, his father is a CompleteMonster, etc). Despite all this, it's incredibly funny. Many people preferred the movie adaptation since it toned down the utter bleakness of the comic book, but taken on its own terms, the comic is a great BlackComedy.

* An excellent illustration of the divide between {{DC|Comics}} and {{Marvel|Comics}} comes in ''[[{{JLA-Avengers}} JLA/Avengers]]'', where the two teams end up in the others' universe. CaptainAmerica sees the way DC's civilians celebrate their heroes and assumes they've set themselves up as tin-pot dictators; meanwhile, {{Comicbook/Superman}} sees how bad off the Marvel universe is and decries their heroes for being selfish and not helping the common man enough. The pair actually comes to blows over this (to the confusion of their respective teammates), and it's later revealed that the stress of their two universes merging is having a negative effect on the two men since they're so strongly tied to their respective worlds. The two manage to have an honest talk about the concerns of going too far or not doing enough, and when they part ways they agree that above all else, the important thing is that they try their best.

* The name GarthEnnis is synonymous with the word "[[{{Crossed}} Extreme]] [[TheBoys Cynicism]]". Partially due to Garth Ennis' complete aversion towards superheroes, he enjoys creating works that are dark and brutal.

* As a whole, ''Creator/KurtBusiek's AstroCity'' tends towards the Idealistic side of the scale, with heroes who tend to be noble and selfless models that the citizens admire. But just before you peg the series as hopelessly idealistic, some cynicism sinks in, such as the "shame" felt towards the Silver Agent (who was framed by the government and executed to show that they could control superheroes), the betrayal of [[spoiler:El Hombre]], and the entire ''Dark Ages'' story arc. Ultimately, though, idealism wins, and even former super-criminals can redeem themselves [[EarnYourHappyEnding if they try]].

* The two current ''Transformers'' comic series, ''[[ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye More Than Meets The Eye]]'' and ''Robots In Disguise'', are sister series set in the same universe but fall on completely opposite sides of the scale. ''More Than Meets The Eye'' is very idealistic with funny characters, an emphasis on action and humor, heartwarming moments, and heroes (and sometimes even villains) who do herioc things. ''Robots In Disguise'' on the other hand is quite cynical with FantasticRacism, heroes who sometimes do or consider doing terrible things in the name of the greater good, and truly heroic characters like being shoved aside or having no real impact. Both series also have idealistic or cynical characters added to the main cast (''MTMTE'' has TragicHero and {{Jerkass}} Whirl and the constantly miserable Crankcase alongside idealistic characters; ''RID'' has Metalhawk who sees the best in everyone, loveable MadScientist Wheeljack, and BigGood Optimus Prime alongside mostly cynical characters).

* The two current ''Transformers'' comic series, ''{{More Than Meets The Eye}}'' and ''Robots In Disguise'', are sister series set in the same universe but fall on completely opposite sides of the scale. ''More Than Meets The Eye'' is very idealistic with funny characters, an emphasis on action and humor, heartwarming moments, and heroes (and sometimes even villains) who do herioc things. ''Robots In Disguise'' on the other hand is quite cynical with FantasticRacism, heroes who sometimes do or consider doing terrible things in the name of the greater good, and truly heroic characters like being shoved aside or having no real impact. Both series also have idealistic or cynical characters added to the main cast (''MTMTE'' has TragicHero and {{Jerkass}} Whirl and the constantly miserable Crankcase alongside idealistic characters; ''RID'' has Metalhawk who sees the best in everyone, loveable MadScientist Wheeljack, and BigGood Optimus Prime alongside mostly cynical characters).

* The two current ''Transformers'' comic series, ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots In Disguise'', are sister series set in the same universe but fall on completely opposite sides of the scale. ''More Than Meets The Eye'' is very idealistic with funny characters, an emphasis on action and humor, heartwarming moments, and heroes (and sometimes even villains) who do herioc things. ''Robots In Disguise'' on the other hand is quite cynical with FantasticRacism, heroes who sometimes do or consider doing terrible things in the name of the greater good, and truly heroic characters like being shoved aside or having no real impact. Both series also have idealistic or cynical characters added to the main cast (''MTMTE'' has TragicHero and {{Jerkass}} Whirl and the constantly miserable Crankcase alongside idealistic characters; ''RID'' has Metalhawk who sees the best in everyone, loveable MadScientist Wheeljack, and BigGood Optimus Prime alongside mostly cynical characters).

* ''JudgeDredd'' falls squarely into the cynical side of the scale. Several storylines examine the scale, with the cynicism of Dredd and the Judges contrasted with the idealism of pro-democracy activists seeking an end to the authority of the Judges and the return to democratic government and the separation of powers to the world of Mega-City-One. [[spoiler: After a democratic referendum, democracy ultimately fails, validating Dredd and the Judges' viewpoint. Even the most committed activists either resign themselves to defeat and give up in complete disillusionment, or become [[KnightTemplar fanatical and ruthless terrorists]], [[HeWhoFightsMonsters just as bad, if not worse]] than the Judges they despise.]]

* The name GarthEnnis is synonymous with the word "[[{{Crossed}}Extreme]] [[TheBoys Cynicism]]". Partially due to Garth Ennis' complete aversion towards superheroes, he enjoys creating works that are dark and brutal.

* The name GarthEnnis is synonymous with the word "Extreme Cynicism".

* The two current ''Transformers'' comic series, ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots In Disguise'', are sister series set in the same universe but fall on completely opposite sides of the scale. ''More Than Meets The Eye'' is very idealistic with funny characters, an emphasis on action and humor, heartwarming moments, and heroes (and sometimes even villains) who do herioc things. ''Robots In Disguise'' on the other hand is quite cynical with FantasticRacism, heroes who sometimes do or consider doing terrible things in the name of the greater good, and truly heroic characters like being shoved aside or having no real impact. Both series also have idealistic or cynical characters added to the main cast (''MTMTE'' has TragicHero/{{Jerkass}} Whirl and the constantly miserable Crankcase alongside idealistic characters; ''RID'' has Metalhawk who sees the best in everyone, loveable MadScientist Wheeljack, and BigGood Optimus Prime alongside mostly cynical characters).

* Products of First Comics in the 1980s both ''ComicBook/AmericanFlagg'', taking place TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture in an America that is owned outright by a {{Megacorp}} and ''Grimjack'' which takes place in the interdimensional WretchedHive of Cynosure start out cynical and grow more so with time.

* TheWalkingDead is an extremely cynical zombie survival story. When they talk about the walking dead, it isn't about the zombies but humanity who is simply circling the drain.

* As a whole, ''KurtBusiek's AstroCity'' tends towards the Idealistic side of the scale, with heroes who tend to be noble and selfless models that the citizens admire. But just before you peg the series as hopelessly idealistic, some cynicism sinks in, such as the "shame" felt towards the Silver Agent (who was framed by the government and executed to show that they could control superheroes), the betrayal of [[spoiler:El Hombre]], and the entire ''Dark Ages'' story arc. Ultimately, though, idealism wins, and even former super-criminals can redeem themselves [[EarnYourHappyEnding if they try]].

** The Superman/Batman 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.

* Products of First Comics in the 1980s both ''AmericanFlagg'', taking place TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture in an America that is owned outright by a {{Megacorp}} and ''Grimjack'' which takes place in the interdimensional WretchedHive of Cynosure start out cynical and grow more so with time.

* The name GarthEnnis is synonymous with the word "Extreme Cynicism".

* One of the draws of the ''GreenLantern and GreenArrow'' series was this, Lantern as idealistic, Arrow as cynical. This is brought up later in ''Green Lanter: Rebirth'', when GA tries to use GL's power ring to defend himself, only for Sinestro to smack him down and mocking his will as being too cynical to even get the ring to work. So, idealism isn't so bad...

* TheWalkingDead is an extremely cynical zombie survival story. When they talk about the walking dead, it isn't about the zombies but humanity who is simply circling the drain.

** That said, MarkMillar pretty much a cynical comic book author. His other most famous work was {{ComicBook/Wanted}} which also falls in the far end of the Cynical side.

** That said, MarkMillar pretty much a cynical comic book author. His other most famous work was ComicBook/Wanted which also falls in the far end of the Cynical side.

** There is one current superheroine with which this completely does not apply: {{Comicbook/Manhunter}}. In her first appearance, she killed Copperhead and has never regretted it. In fact, even people who know her secret identity aren't bothered by it - probably because of the fact that Copperhead was a mass murderer and had just slaughtered a bunch of cops. [[BirdsOfPrey She's even teamed up with Oracle]], been the lawyer of WonderWoman, and has consulted Batman and Superman for help before.

* One of the draws of the ''Green Lantern and Green Arrow'' series was this, Lantern as idealistic, Arrow as cynical. This is brought up later in ''Green Lanter: Rebirth'', when GA tries to use GL's power ring to defend himself, only for Sinestro to smack him down and mocking his will as being too cynical to even get the ring to work. So, idealism isn't so bad...

** WonderWoman on the other hand in modern times is a classically trained warrior who ready if necessary. For instance, former ally Max Lord gains mind control powers and uses them to make Superman try to kill everyone; when Wondy asks him what will make him stop, Max tells her to kill him, and she does. The event is broadcast worldwide to the public by Max's spy cameras and severely hurts Wondy's reputation.

** WonderWoman has also been forced to kill, just once. Former ally Max Lord gains mind control powers and uses them to make Superman try to kill everyone; when Wondy asks him what will make him stop, Max tells her to kill him, and she does. The event is broadcast worldwide to the public by Max's spy cameras and severely hurts Wondy's reputation.

* One of the draws of the ''Green Lantern and Green Arrow'' series was this, Lantern as idealistic, Arrow as cynical. This is brought up later in ''Green Lanter: Rebirth'', when GA tries to use GL's power ring to defend himself, only for Sinestro to smack him down and mocking his will as being too cynical to even get the ring to work. So, idealism isn't so bad...