Robert E. Howards Conan has gotta be the best example of what that should be. While being big and bad he is realistically big and bad....... sorta.
In book one of the saga (12 books) he takes on a gorilla (bull ape) it's all he can do to emerge victorious, he had his hands full and he can bleed. He can be in danger, and you feel it, he is no superpower just a bad hombre.
The success of this wandering warrior/mercenary gave us a long list of Conan wannabes with...
Kane, Orion, Brak, Thundar, Thongor, Kyrik, Kandar, Imarro an African, Kothar.
Elric the albino prince with his soul sucking runeblade Stormbringer a bit different. He needs a movie, the stories are perfect for todays Hollywood.
One of the great combos in heroic fantasy, story by the great Robert E. Howard, cover art by the great Frank Frazetta, both the GOAT at what they did.


