Well, 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch is a top pick. Locke is a con artist in a fantasy world, far from the typical hero. He uses his wits and charm, often for self - serving purposes at first. Then there's 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman, which has characters like Shadow who have a dark side and don't fit the classic hero mold. Also, 'The Blade Itself' in The First Law series is great for its anti - hero Glokta.
One of the best is 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. The characters in it are complex anti - heroes, blurring the lines between good and bad. Another great one is 'The Dark Knight Returns' which features Batman as an aging, more morally ambiguous anti - hero. 'A Clockwork Orange' also counts, with its protagonist Alex being a disturbing anti - hero who challenges the concepts of free will and morality.
One of the best is 'Watchmen'. It features complex anti - heroes like Rorschach. His uncompromising view of justice, despite his own moral ambiguities, makes him a fascinating character. Another great one is 'The Boys'. It deconstructs the superhero genre by showing the dark side of so - called heroes, with characters like Billy Butcher who will stop at nothing to take down corrupt heroes. Also, 'Preacher' is a notable anti - hero graphic novel. The main character, Jesse Custer, has a very unorthodox and often violent way of dealing with the world's problems.
One great anti - hero light novel is 'Overlord'. In it, the main character Momonga is an anti - hero. He starts as a powerful sorcerer in a virtual game world which has suddenly become a real and complex place. He uses his knowledge of the game mechanics and his own self - serving goals to navigate this new world, often making decisions that are morally grey. Another is 'Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?'. The spider - girl protagonist is an anti - hero as she has to survive in a harsh new world where she has been reincarnated as a monster. She doesn't abide by the typical heroic morals and is more focused on her own growth and survival.
I really like 'Mr. Rochester' in Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre'. He has a dark side, which makes him an anti - hero. His relationship with Jane is intense and full of obstacles. There's also 'Christian Grey' from 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. Although the series has some controversy, he has anti - hero qualities. His relationship with Anastasia is a very passionate and complex love story.
One of the best anti - heroes in fiction is Deadpool. He has a unique sense of humor and doesn't abide by the traditional superhero rules. He's willing to kill his enemies and often breaks the fourth wall, which makes him extremely entertaining and different from typical heroes.
For beginners, 'The Dark Knight Returns' is a good start. It's a well - known Batman story where he's not the typical squeaky - clean hero. You can easily get into the world of anti - heroes through this. Another one is 'Fight Club'. It has a simple yet very engaging plot with Tyler Durden as an interesting anti - hero that many people can relate to on some level.
A great anti - hero in fiction typically has a complex personality. They can be charming and witty like Deadpool, but also capable of great brutality. They are not as straightforward as traditional heroes in their motives and methods. They might be outcasts in society, not fully accepted by the 'good guys' or the 'bad guys'. Their actions are often driven by personal vendettas or a sense of justice that is different from the mainstream.
Anti - hero novels often feature protagonists who lack traditional heroic qualities like moral perfection. These characters might be self - centered, flawed, or even immoral at times. For example, in 'American Psycho', the main character Patrick Bateman is a wealthy and narcissistic Wall Street executive with violent and disturbing tendencies. The stories in anti - hero novels usually explore complex themes such as the nature of good and evil, the human psyche, and society's impact on individuals.
Anti - hero novels often have protagonists who lack traditional heroic qualities like moral uprightness. They might be self - centered or have flaws like addictions. For example, in 'Requiem for a Dream', the characters' drug addictions drive the story.