When discussing the biggest loners in comic books, several names come to mind. Names such as Wolverine, Punisher, and Batman are commonly characterized by this trait. These are some examples to look at as well as also looking at what caused them to be alone.
Punisher is a prime example of a loner. Frank rarely teams up with anyone, and on the occasions that he does, he detests it. While the likes of Wolverine and Batman see the necessity of teaming up and being members of numerous teams. They both would just rather be alone, however, and their teammates are aware of it. Someone else who has a loner status that joined a team not too long ago is Blade. Blade’s reasoning to be a loner is partially due to him being half-vampire and not wanting to thirst for blood. Someone like Deadman is also a loner due to extenuating circumstances (in this case being dead). While every character has different reasons for being alone or rather wanting to be, all fall victim of coming off cross towards others.
That behavior is what is looked at when searching for lone wolf characters. So other characters with those mannerisms are heroes like Lobo, Ghost Rider, or even Hellboy. Raphael of the Nina Turtles is another excellent example, as he is known to sneak out and do stand-alone missions without his brothers. Jessica Jones, Rorschach, and Swamp Thing are even more examples of characters that fit in this status quo. Finding common similarities between all these characters is not hard.
Other than having similar personalities, all these characters described as loners have at least one other significant similarity. At some point in time, they have gone through or seen some sort of tragedy. Punisher witnessed his family’s death, similar to Bruce Wayne seeing his parents murdered. Blade and Wolverine also have similar origins seeing the death of close ones. While others – such as Jessica Jones and Deadman – having tragedy happen directly to them: Deadman’s own death and Jessica’s abuse by Purple Man. Others are harder to explain, but almost every character self-described as a loner is trying to cope with something difficult. Hellboy, Swamp Thing, and Raphael struggle with their roles. Hellboy and his presumed role regarding the apocalypse, Swamp Thing’s role as Protector of The Green, and Raph’s struggle in accepting his worth amongst his brothers cause emotional turmoil equally. Complex feelings of self-doubt and worth are at the heart of this matter.
Anyone, fictional or not, who identifies as a loner is that way because they feel like they can not and should not be around others. However, most of these characters still end up becoming members of teams. Like mentioned about Batman and Wolverine, the majority of the characters mentioned see the value of working with a team. The problem is that for these heroes, teamwork and being around a group of people make them uncomfortable.
Lots of people can relate to that feeling. That is why these characters end up being very popular. These individuals are sought after because of their understanding of trauma and their intense behavior, making them come off as better candidates to succeed in pressing tasks. And most of them will put aside their preferences for the betterment of justice and heroics, understanding some situations call for them to step outside of their comfort zones. So just because these biggest loners in comic books would prefer you to leave them alone doesn’t mean you should.
