Psycho Sidekick: Difference between revisions

Line 61:

* The ''[[Dragaera|Taltos]]'' books have been acknowledged as inspired by the Spenser series, but seem to turn this on its head. Vlad Taltos, the protagonist, is the Psycho Sidekick in relation to his friends who are [[Our Elves Are Better|fantasy elf nobility]], but it's less that he is more bloodthirsty than that he is less bound by social conventions. This is played rather straight in ''Orca'' though as a [[Lawful Good]] police officer, who normally disdains assassins, has Vlad kill her partner who was a [[Corrupt Cop]] and a murderer.

* In [[Lois McMaster Bujold]]'s [[Vorkosigan Saga]], Sergeant Bothari has elements of this, though Aral Vorkosigan is more active than most in acting as his [[Morality Chain]] and eventually gets him some much-needed medical intervention.

* Major Joachim Steuben in [[David Drake]]'s ''[[~~Hammer's~~ Slammers]]'' series is in love with Colonel ~~Hammer—and~~ there's '''nothing''' so awful he wouldn't do it if he feels it'd benefit the colonel. {{spoiler|Including having himself assassinated to give Hammer the chance for a "once and for all" crackdown on the opposition.}}

* Major Joachim Steuben in [[David Drake]]'s ''[[Hammers Slammers]]'' series is in love with Colonel Hammer — and there's '''nothing''' so awful he wouldn't do it if he feels it'd benefit the colonel. {{spoiler|Including having himself assassinated to give Hammer the chance for a "once and for all" crackdown on the opposition.}}

{{quote|"And sometimes a fellow who does one job well can see where his job has to be done, even though a better man has overlooked it. Anyhow, Secretary, there always was one thing you and I could agree on -- lives ''are'' cheap."}}

{{quote|"And sometimes a fellow who does one job well can see where his job has to be done, even though a better man has overlooked it. Anyhow, Secretary, there always was one thing you and I could agree on — lives ''are'' cheap."}}

* Lee in [[Gordon R. Dickson]]'s ''[[Childe Cycle|Dorsai!]]''. Due to an uncorrectable medical condition, he's unable to tell right from wrong and is socially dysfunctional. He knows this, and seeks a ''cause'' to keep him functioning. He'll do ''anything'' for that cause. Luckily, he found Donal, who keeps Lee from doing anything nasty. Also notable that Lee likely inspired Joachim Steuben, as David Drake is a fan of the novel.

* Lee in [[Gordon R. Dickson]]'s ''[[Childe Cycle|Dorsai!]]''. Due to an uncorrectable medical condition, he's unable to tell right from wrong and is socially dysfunctional. He knows this, and seeks a ''cause'' to keep him functioning. He'll do ''anything'' for that cause. Luckily, he found Donal, who keeps Lee from doing anything nasty. Also notable that Lee likely inspired Joachim Steuben, as David Drake is a fan of the novel. Drake's [[RCN|Tovera]] seems even more directly based on Lee.

* Edward in the ''[[Anita Blake]]'' series (although it's not like Anita's such a saint).

* Bubba Rugowski in [[Dennis Lehane]]'s [[Kenzie and Gennaro Series]].