beatboks
ready for the loony bin
Well my favorite character without doubt is Alan Scot.
Abhi talks about Superman inspiring characters (which is true) but in the GA quite a few heroes were inspired and got into the business because of Alan Scot GL.
For me what's inspiring about him is more than just the heroism it's the higher standard he holds himself to.
He more than any character I can think of (even Clark/Kal, Thor etc) holds himself accountable to a ridiculous standard.
in All Star Squadron 20 when he believed he was responsible for Thousands of deaths by abuse of his power when he lost his temper over the perceived deaths of his friends he was about to destroy himself and his ring because "no one should wield that much power and live"
http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/beatboks01/media/All-StarSquadron20-Page22.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
In the annual that year (an supposed untold story of the JSA history to explain some drastic changes of the era that were never explained) When he failed to save a single boy who had a tree fall on him, he resigned as JSA chairman and as a member because if he wasn't so tired from all the pies he had his fingers in he would have figured out a way to get around his weakness as he always did. his failure in his eyes cost a life, not his weakness.
In JSA strange Tales he was prepared to give his ring up to a madman if he could do the world more good than he could with it.
I could list dozens of other stories but the simple fact that despite loving his wife and his kids he was never there for them because someone else needed him more is another example.
His character one that would never bow down even when in great despair.