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10 male comic book characters who broke negative stereotypes

By Mark Lynch

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: A Superman costume from the 2013 Man of Steel film worn by Henry Cavill and designed by Michael Wilkinson and James Acheson is on display at the DC Comics Exhibition: Dawn Of Super Heroes at the O2 Arena on February 22, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition, which opens on February 23rd, features 45 original costumes, models and props used in DC Comics productions including the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman films. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: A Superman costume from the 2013 Man of Steel film worn by Henry Cavill and designed by Michael Wilkinson and James Acheson is on display at the DC Comics Exhibition: Dawn Of Super Heroes at the O2 Arena on February 22, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition, which opens on February 23rd, features 45 original costumes, models and props used in DC Comics productions including the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman films. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) /
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6. Clayface

What this comic book character showed us: Changing your ways can have a positive impact on others

This was a shocker. During the DC Comics Rebirth Batman: Detective Comics, Clayface became a hero. Batman recruited him because he saw something in him. He had faith that Basil Karlo could be a hero. And he was: He stopped being the evil Clayface that we knew and became someone  who was trying to repent for their past misdeeds. That’s all fine and well, but it’s his relationship with Orphan that was the biggest reason he made this list.

Cassandra Cain (Orphan) didn’t talk much. She wasn’t raised to have the need to speak. She and Clayface were both looked at as killing machines and they found a bond in being considered monsters. However, instead of embracing it, they reminded each other that it wasn’t true.

Clayface then started teaching Cassandra Shakespeare. It helped her with her speech and she started learning how to express herself. Clayface was proud of her; he took every opportunity to help and congratulated her whenever she made any improvement in her speech. He even helped her develop a sense of humor.

This was a heartwarming relationship. Clayface needed someone he could be vulnerable with. It had been years since Clayface could feel like Basil Karlo again and his time with Cassandra Cain helped him feel normal. He also realized that he should look at himself as a human and not a monster.

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