When Dad is a Superhero

Being a parent is a paradox. Making a baby is easy, but being a good parent is a lifelong challenge. Moms are on the front lines from the very first moment. Dads have it easy at the start. They act as support, transport, and logistics for everything the baby needs. Let's face it, without a functional breast, most newborn problems just don't get solved. But from my own experience, it gets better, and a father's role becomes increasingly important in a child's life.

Of course, it doesn't always go to plan. Dads often have their issues. But for Father's Day, I didn't want to bring up Darth Vader again and show what kind of idiots fathers can be. Instead, let's look at a few exemplary dads who really tried, even if the plot threw them into situations they didn't handle perfectly.

The Road - The Nameless Father

The novel The Road by Cormac McCarthy is one of my favorite books ever. The raw story of a father and son traveling through a post-apocalyptic America hit me hard. It was the first book that actually scared me while reading. It's no wonder McCarthy won the Pulitzer Prize for it. The book has been adapted into both a film and a graphic novel.

The dad here doesn't even have a name. In fact, that ambiguity creates a unique atmosphere. We don't know names, we don't know reasons; we only know the world has gone to hell. This father has only one task: to keep his young son alive at any cost. He manages it quite well, even though he knows he won't be there forever. He tries to teach his son everything he knows while he still can. He tries to keep a shred of hope and humanity alive in his son. That is a monumental task, and this father shows the very best of what a dad can be.

The Walking Dead - Rick Grimes

Sheriff's deputy Rick had a rough start in the world of The Walking Dead. First of all, he slept through the entire beginning of the apocalypse! When he finally manages to find his family, he discovers they've already accepted his best friend as a surrogate dad. He doesn't let that intimidate him, though; he steps into the role of leader and begins his transformation into a badass who isn't afraid to stop anyone threatening his family. It doesn't matter if they're living or dead.

Being a parent in a zombie apocalypse isn't for everyone. No matter how hard Rick tries, his family is falling apart right before his eyes. It's no wonder he often finds himself on the brink of madness. But that's part of parenthood, too.

Game of Thrones - Ned Stark

Ned Stark is the prototype of an exemplary father who serves as a model of honor and strength for his children. Okay, it's probably easier when you're the Warden of the North and don't have to toil in the fields. He could have been a model dad until a well-deserved old age, were it not for the fact that he was born in the mind of a bloodthirsty author, George R. R. Martin, who loves to mow down one main character after another.

Eddard would prefer to look after his estate and play in the snow with his kids, but politics catches up with him. And so does his damn honor! I'm not entirely sure what kind of example he wanted to set for his offspring by losing his head. And his poor kids didn't even know what their author had in store for them yet…

Silent Hill - Harry Mason

Harry, the hero of the first installment of the Silent Hill horror video game series, is a prototype of a father who, despite his best efforts, doesn't end up doing so well. He and his wife adopt an abandoned child. Cheryl looks like a normal little girl at first glance. But a trip to the town of Silent Hill probably wasn't a great idea. During an accident, his daughter goes missing. Harry tries, he really does, but staying in the alternate world of Silent Hill isn't for everyone.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Cheryl is actually the daughter of the mysterious Dahlia, who spends her free time trying to summon an ancient deity to destroy our reality. Poor Harry is forced to turn against his adopted daughter, but whatever he does, it's just the beginning of something even worse. Even though I love the atmosphere of the fog-covered town, I wouldn't want to be in Harry Mason's shoes.

Finding Nemo - Marlin

The winner of the imaginary poll for the best superhero dad is a fish! Specifically, a clownfish. Marlin is a very anxious parent at the beginning. We can't blame him. The ocean is a dangerous place, and Marlin, as a widower, knows all too well how quickly you can lose someone. When his worst nightmares come true and his son Nemo is captured by humans, he sets off on a long journey to save him without blinking an eye.

It must be said that Nemo himself is no helpless fool, and Marlin underestimated him quite a bit. Nemo actually saves himself in the end. But that shouldn't take away from the merits of his dad, who tried with all his might. He just quite unnecessarily chose the dumbest fish in the area, Dory, to help him.

Every father faces his own challenges, whether in a post-apocalyptic world like the father from The Road, in a zombie apocalypse like Rick Grimes, or in the foggy Silent Hill like Harry Mason. Their stories show us that being a good father means not only protecting your children but also giving them hope and teaching them resilience. So let's not forget to celebrate all the dads who are our heroes on June 16th, and thank them for their love, courage, and dedication.

Do you have a super dad too? Remember him and celebrate Father's Day together!

author Karel Krajča