Legacy Hero
Encyclopedia
A legacy hero is a fictional character, usually a superhero
, that is the descendant or relative of an already or previously existing hero who either inherits or adopts the name or attributes of the original.
One of the earliest examples of this character type was comic strip hero The Phantom
, assumed to be immortal by his enemies but in fact various members of a single family, the descendants of Christopher Walker.
The term is used most often to refer to characters published by DC
and Marvel comics
. Family franchises such as DC's The Flash, Robin
, Black Canary
and Green Lantern
have seen several characters take up the name and abilities of the original.
In the video games series, Assassin´s Creed, many of the game´s characters are descended from bloodlines of Asssassins.
, as a multi-generational line of villains known as Hunter, originates with the TV series' fictionalized depiction of the historic Gille Coemgáin of Moray
as a boy. The young "Gillecomegain", as he is known within the series' storyline, is confronted by the evil female gargoyle Demona
and slashed by her on his face, and the trio of slash wound scars on Gillecomegain's face, carried by him for the rest of his life as he seeks his revenge on the female gargoyle, becomes part of the Hunter disguise for succeeding examples of the Demona-hunting antagonists.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
, that is the descendant or relative of an already or previously existing hero who either inherits or adopts the name or attributes of the original.
One of the earliest examples of this character type was comic strip hero The Phantom
The Phantom
The Phantom is an American adventure comic strip created by Lee Falk, also creator of Mandrake the Magician. A popular feature adapted into many media, including television, film and video games, it stars a costumed crimefighter operating from the fictional African country Bengalla.The Phantom is...
, assumed to be immortal by his enemies but in fact various members of a single family, the descendants of Christopher Walker.
The term is used most often to refer to characters published by DC
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
and Marvel comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Family franchises such as DC's The Flash, Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
, Black Canary
Black Canary
Black Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...
and Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
have seen several characters take up the name and abilities of the original.
In the video games series, Assassin´s Creed, many of the game´s characters are descended from bloodlines of Asssassins.
"Legacy villain"
In opposition, there have been "legacy villains" in fiction as well. One example exists in Disney's GargoylesGargoyles (TV series)
Gargoyles is an American animated series created by Greg Weisman. It was produced by Greg Weisman and Frank Paur and aired from October 24, 1994 to February 15, 1997. Gargoyles is known for its dark tone, complex story arcs and melodrama...
, as a multi-generational line of villains known as Hunter, originates with the TV series' fictionalized depiction of the historic Gille Coemgáin of Moray
Gille Coemgáin of Moray
Gilla Coemgáin was the King or Mormaer of Moray, a semi-autonomous kingdom centred around Inverness that stretched across the north of Scotland. Unlike his two predecessors, he is not called King of Scotland in his death notice, but merely Mormaer...
as a boy. The young "Gillecomegain", as he is known within the series' storyline, is confronted by the evil female gargoyle Demona
Demona
Demona is a fictional character in the animated television series Gargoyles, voiced by Marina Sirtis. One of the primary antagonists in the series, Demona was once Goliath's lover and part of their castle's Wyvern Clan of gargoyles...
and slashed by her on his face, and the trio of slash wound scars on Gillecomegain's face, carried by him for the rest of his life as he seeks his revenge on the female gargoyle, becomes part of the Hunter disguise for succeeding examples of the Demona-hunting antagonists.