List of Sin City Characters - Male Protagonists

Male Protagonists

• Marv, a tough, violent, big bruiser of a man, who has an uncanny athleticism along with a lot of power, spends his time on the streets doing odd jobs for various people. He is described as an "over the hill do-gooder" by several people, and often admires long overcoats. He suffers from an unknown mental condition (most likely some form of dementia) that causes him to, as Marv describes, "get confused." This condition seems to involve Marv's experiencing short-term memory loss and possibly hallucinations. Lucille, his parole officer, supplies Marv with medication to control these effects of his condition, though he doesn't seem to be supplied with anything that would curb his violent nature. His personal code of honor dictates the repayment of debts and a sort of chivalry towards women. He is a classic example of a noir anti-hero; creator Frank Miller describes Marv as "Conan in a trench coat". Portrayed by Mickey Rourke in the film adaptation.

• Dwight McCarthy, a private eye who, recently bestowed with a new surgically reconstructed face, is deeply in debt to the women of Old Town and will go to great lengths to help them out. Dwight is highly intelligent, as well as a skilled marksman. Elements of Dwight's personality and of the stories which feature him prominently frequently evoke other hardboiled figures common to noir, crime and mystery fiction genres, especially Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe character. Portrayed by Clive Owen in the film adaptation.

• Det. John Hartigan, A good-hearted 60-year-old ex-con/ex-cop who, ironically enough, has a rather severe heart condition. Hartigan was one of the few honest and honorable cops on the Basin City Police force. On his last night on the job he saved Nancy Callahan from being raped and murdered by Roark Junior when she was 11 years old, only to be framed and imprisoned for the crime himself. He has a distinguishing scar on his forehead. Portrayed by Bruce Willis in the film adaptation.

• Wallace, a fit, long-haired artist turned vigilante hero who saves Esther. He is a former Navy SEAL and was awarded the Medal of Honor. Wallace is portrayed as an unbeatable fighter, though he prefers to avoid fighting whenever possible. Of all the protagonists in Sin City he has the easiest time killing women. He kills Delia although she begs for her life, and Maxine, who gave him a hallucinogenic drug. He kills the two women for revenge, not because they threaten him at the time. This is very different from Miller's other heroes. Also Wallace seems to be the most law-abiding person in Sin City until he goes on a killing spree to save Esther.