Anti-heroes

In fiction, an antihero (sometimes ‘antiheroine’ as feminine) is generally considered to be a protagonist whose character is at least in some regards conspicuously contrary to that of the archetypalhero, and is in some instances its antithesis. Some consider the word’s meaning to be sufficiently broad as to additionally encompass the antagonist who (in contrast to the archetypal villain) elicits considerable sympathy or admiration.

Influenced by the pulps, early comic books featured anti-heroic characters such as Batman (whose shadowy nature contrasted with their openly “heroic” peers like Superman) and Sub-Mariner (who would just as soon conquer humanity as try to save it). Marvel’s most prolific anti-hero is perhaps The Punisher, who is more than willing to kill those who he views as deserving of death.

Other examples of anti-heroes: Conan (Conan the Barbarian), Gollum (Lord of the Rings), Macbeth, Hannibal Lecter, Tyler (Fight Club)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-hero