History Main / MartyStu

* CoolGuns,{{Cool Sword}}s, HerosClassicCar... The Marty Stu will usually travel in and/or fight with something '''WAY COOL''', and the writer will not let the reader get away without understanding '''just how cool''' it is. Basically, if female Mary Sue writers go overboard about making sure that the reader knows how [[CostumePorn crazy, gorgeous and revealing]] each of their character's one-per-chapter new costumes is, male Marty Stu writers will do the same about the [[GunPorn exact model]] of [[RevolversAreJustBetter revolver]] he uses and what [[DepletedPhlebotinumShells cartridges]] he puts in it to kill what kind of monster, or [[TechnologyPorn precisely how]] he souped his Jaguar E-Type V12 up to 500bhp.

* '''Manly Stu''': Probably the most common Marty Stu and the most likely to have all or most of the [[CommonMarySueTraits Common Marty Stu Traits]] above. This character has reached [[TestosteronePoisoning awe-inspiring levels]] of [[RatedMForManly manliness]] through pure authorial favoritism. Nine times out of ten, he is written by a male author, with variable levels of WishFulfillment tossed in. You won't see him dwell often on romance, if ever, since RealMenHateAffection. Also usually a [[GodModeSue God Mode Stu]].

For related tropes, see the {{Badass}} index.

As far as their traits go, Marty Stu incorporates most of the CommonMarySueTraits while having quite a few general trends to differentiate him. While the textbook Mary Sue is generally made as a [[PuritySue pseudo-realistic ideal of feminine perfection]], Marty Stu tends towards taking the RuleOfCool '''[-TO THE EXTREME!!!-]''' Due in part to the DoubleStandard, Marty tends to be less of an emotional cornerstone and more just an embodiment of pure physical and mental awesome (a la GodModeSue). He's the type that tends to be stronger than ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'', faster than ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'', and have more [[{{Mana}} MP]] than {{God}} himself.

* PermaStubble. Nothing like the scratchy beginnings of a beard to emphasize that no, testosterone isn't in any sort of short supply for this rugged fellow. Yet despite this, actual beards are surprisingly rare.

* As well as that, give him a [[BiggerIsBetterInBed large penis]]. No, not a GagPenis. The author will expect people to actually accept that his member can double as a baseball bat. The more [[AnatomicallyImpossibleSex blatantly inaccurate ones]] tend to be written by men (or sometimes by inexperienced women), believing that 11 inches is going to feel really good in bed. (It won't.)

* CoolGuns, RareGuns, {{Cool Sword}}s, HerosClassicCar... The Marty Stu will usually travel in and/or fight with something '''WAY COOL''', and the writer will not let the reader get away without understanding '''just how cool''' it is. Basically, if female Mary Sue writers go overboard about making sure that the reader knows how [[CostumePorn crazy, gorgeous and revealing]] each of their character's one-per-chapter new costumes is, male Marty Stu writers will do the same about the [[GunPorn exact model]] of [[RevolversAreJustBetter revolver]] he uses and what [[DepletedPhlebotinumShells cartridges]] he puts in it to kill what kind of monster, or [[TechnologyPorn precisely how]] he souped his Jaguar E-Type V12 up to 500bhp.

** Alt. Names: Perfect Hero Syndrome, Mr. Good Guy, Messianic Stu (in works where he takes on Christ-like qualities, not that uncommon,) Buddha-Like Stu (in works where he takes on Buddha-like qualities, also not that uncommon,) [[Myth/KingArthur The Galahad]] (in works featuring chivalry as in Arthurian legend).

* He is likely to be a CulturedBadass. Along with general asskicking duties, they will be any combination of SharpDressedMan, BadassBookworm, RenaissanceMan, think that WineIsClassy, [[SmartPeoplePlaychess play chess]], like opera and classical music, and otherwise be SophisticatedAsHell. They can easily pull off moves like [[IKissYourHand kissing a lady's hand]] or other such chivalrous gestures (difficult to do in modern times). This sharply contrasts the rugged, blue collar, JerkJock meathead.

As far as their traits go, Marty Stu incorporates most of the CommonMarySueTraits while having quite a few general trends to differentiate him. While the textbook Mary Sue is generally made as a [[PuritySue pseudo-realistic ideal of feminine perfection]], Marty Stu tends towards taking the RuleOfCool '''[-TO THE EXTREME!!!-]''' Due in part to the DoubleStandard, Marty tends to be less of an emotional cornerstone and more just an embodiment of pure physical and mental awesome (a la GodModeSue). He's the type that tends to be stronger than ''[[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk The Incredible Hulk]]'', faster than ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'', and have more [[{{Mana}} MP]] than {{God}} himself.

As far as their traits go, Marty Stu incorporates most of the CommonMarySueTraits while having quite a few general trends to differentiate him. While the textbook Mary Sue is generally made as a [[PuritySue pseudo-realistic ideal of feminine perfection]], Marty Stu tends towards taking the RuleOfCool '''[-[[UpToEleven TO THE EXTREME!!!]]-]''' Due in part to the DoubleStandard, Marty tends to be less of an emotional cornerstone and more just an embodiment of pure physical and mental awesome (a la GodModeSue). He's the type that tends to be stronger than ''[[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk The Incredible Hulk]]'', faster than ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'', and have more [[{{Mana}} MP]] than {{God}} himself.

** Alt. names: [[TestosteronePoisoning Marty Stu]] [[UpToEleven on Steroids]], Manly Man Marty Stu, Macho Man Stu

* '''Uke Stu''': Taking Romantic Stu a [[UpToEleven step further]], there's the Uke Stu. He's the polar opposite of Macho Stu and is more than just InTouchWithHisFeminineSide. As the name implies, he's likely a character possessing the traits typically associated with the '[[{{Uke}} receiver]]' in BoysLove and {{Yaoi}}. If he's not [[CampGay gay]], he's probably [[MasculineGirlFeminineBoy less aggressive and masculine than his female]] LoveInterest.

* '''LemonStu''': He can seduce and sleep with literally anyone he wants and ReallyGetsAround. This guy has the sex life most guys can only dream of. For he is TheCasanova taken UpToEleven. See the main page for more details.

* '''[[PuritySue Purity Stu]]''': This is the Marty Stu whose main character flaw is... His lack of flaws, which irritates the audience to no end. He is an AllLovingHero or something similar and may see it as his personal mission in life to be TheCaretaker to everyone, whether they want it or not. He will radiate IncorruptiblePurePureness, and this aura of perfection will often create a weird inversion of StrawLoser, as this character is just so ''wonderful'' that he makes everyone else look bad. He will either be a TechnicalPacifist or an ActualPacifist, unless of course, he actually has to fight, in which case he will fight in the most heroic way, with no one being killed. '''If''' (and this is a big if) he has any flaws, [[ButNotTooEvil they will be so tiny that you'll need a magnifying glass to see them, or they will be cosmetic flaws that don't really affect him or the story.]] And those flaws will almost exclusively be [[GoodFlawsBadFlaws "good guy flaws."]] He will often have a traumatic past and may [[HeelFaceTurn have been a bad guy then]], but now he's simply good. In those cases, he's TheAtoner. If he's TheAtoner he may be on the receiving end of ReformedButRejected. On the other hand, anyone who crosses ''him'' will be EasilyForgiven, not because of an agenda but out of the goodness of his heart. He's [[NiceGuy nice to everyone, even his enemies]]. In some cases, he may even save the life of one of his foes, or of someone close to them, which most will see as kind but the more cynical will interpret as PassiveAggressiveKombat. If he dies, he may ascend to Heaven/be sainted/have everyone, even his enemies mourn him/ etc. He will probably help others in a way that may come off as sweet to most, but as CondescendingCompassion to the more cynical. Everyone will love him, and those who don't will be vilified. In fantasy, he may very well be TheChosenOne. He may very well be able to do amazing things simply through his goodness. If a young boy, he may be a male version of ThePollyanna. He will probably love his country. He will always, always, always be willing to rescue people, even if they don't want it. Is nearly always a GoodSamaritan, but very rarely runs into NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished. If a superhero, he will be TheCape UpToEleven. He will often be an impossibly good judge of character and always do the right thing. Sometimes this happens when HistoricalHeroUpgrade is taken UpToEleven.

MarySue, and the plot bias indicative of it, is hardly limited to those of a female persuasion. For probably just as long (if not even longer) as there has been MarySue, so too has there been Marty Stu. All the same rules apply, but a couple variations do tend to show up, expressing different ideas of what constitutes male and female "perfection". Also referred to as "Gary Stu" or "Larry Stu" (for those who prefer {{rhym|esOnADime}}ing to [[AddedAlliterativeAppeal alliteration]] and whose dialect has the Mary-marry merger), "Mary Joe", or "Marty Sam".

Marty Stu will be the personification of action, action, and more action. Or, if he is of an intellectual bent, he [[AwesomenessByAnalysis thinks his way through problems]], inventing whole new branches of science and technology in the process, and in some cases, the character is often portrayed as the [[GeniusBruiser personification of both]], completing missions as both the brains and the brawn, taking up the roles usually shared between the main character and a team or a partner. He's an unstoppable fighter, a rogue agent, a fearless freedom fighter, a master of disguise. But whether he is a BloodKnight or an OmnidisciplinaryScientist, Marty Stu will be devastatingly handsome (or if not, possessed of a strange, saturnine magnetism) and desired by all significant women, although as the works involved are usually aimed at a male audience, romance is not likely to be the main dish.

He has usually been (and still mostly is) restricted to being a creature of action since men who do not take an active role in dramatic events [[MenActWomenAre are unmanly]] and, by definition, not perfect (NonActionGuy tends to be looked upon with disdain). So Marty Stu, in contrast to Mary Sue who has recently been able to take [[ActionGirl more active roles]], is almost never seen taking on his sister's old school PuritySue role as a passive motivator of others through his purity, beauty, and helplessness, unless it's in addition to the action and intellectual roles they already have. However, as times have changed, Marty's had the occasional opportunity to show his softer side, and beautiful, passive male PossessionSue examples are not uncommon in {{Slash|Fic}} fiction.

* A greater emphasis on his powers and strength than Mary Sue. Where a Sue author will still write as though there is suspense (Can Mary defeat the dreaded Count Weakling von Moron with her lightning powers, teleportation, super strength, and invincibility?), Stu authors will have fights where there isn't even the illusion of tension. Or if they do need some, Marty will either have an extreme handicap, a time limit, or need to protect someone else (Can Marty defeat the Cyber Uber Dragon? Of course he could! But could he do it in five minutes with one hand tied behind his back ''and'' save Duchess Damsel at the same time?)

* Even in the rare instances where he uses his words to solve problems more than violence, he will still be said be extraordinarily capable in fight. Often, the entire reason he uses his negotiation first is that he's ''so'' manly and strong that he can't actually fight without the risk of killing someone.
* He has an EyepatchOfPower because nothing says badass like missing an eye and still being the most capable guy around. Also, because {{pirate}}s are cool. Similarly, he has a bionic limb because of some terrible accident where he was rescuing somebody or doing something else heroic. Logical downsides like a reduced field of vision are forgotten.
* Rather than overly long meaningful name preferred by Mary Sue writers, Gary Sue will simply do AwesomeMcCoolName often with their own RedBaron.
* Often the case for younger Marty Stus, he'll have some position or power of authority that doesn't make sense for someone his age. For example, he's secretly a military special ops agent, or he's asked by his school to train his classmates.
* He is likely to be a CulturedBadass. Along with general asskicking duties, they will be any combination of SharpDressedMan, BadassBookworm, RenaissanceMan, think that WineIsClassy,[[SmartPeoplePlaychess play chess]], like opera and classical music, and otherwise be SophisticatedAsHell. They can easily pull off moves like [[IKissYourHand kissing a lady's hand]] or other such chivalrous gestures (difficult to do in modern times). This sharply contrasts the rugged, blue collar, JerkJock meathead .

* '''Uke Stu''': Taking Romantic Stu a [[UpToEleven step further]], there's the Uke Stu. He's the polar opposite of Macho Stu and is more than just InTouchWithHisFeminineSide. As the name implies, he's likely a character possessing the traits typically associated with the '[[{{Uke}} receiver]]' in BoysLove and {{Yaoi}}. If he's not gay, he's probably [[MasculineGirlFeminineBoy less aggressive and masculine than his female]] LoveInterest.

* '''Geeky Stu''': Some males realize that they will never physically meet the qualifications for your typical action hero, even though they may enjoy their adventures. Qualifications include rugged good looks, strength, stamina, athletic ability, and a strong constitution as well as being charismatic and having excellent social and leadership skills. They prefer a protagonist that they could see themselves as. The Geeky Stu is average looking, cerebral, quirky, and probably of a scientific bent, even if he doesn't hold a degree. His strength is in his gray matter, not his myosin. He kicks ass using wit and intellect. He disarms foes with clever rhetoric and [[TheCasanova kills the ladies]] with dorky charm. His sidekick might be an action-ready type ready to supply the brawn, but will always be taking orders from Geeky Stu, the brains of the operation. Geeky Stu considers himself an intellectual elite in a world of fools. And he is always ready to put the powers that be in their place, whether they be military martinets or bureaucrats. He will always win over "The Girl" from the Alpha Male jock because GeeksAreSexy. Hard science fiction has quite a number of these. May overlap with EinsteinSue.

* '''[[PuritySue Purity Stu]]''': This is the Marty Stu whose main character flaw is... His lack of flaws, which irritates the audience to no end. He is an AllLovingHero or something similar and may see it as his personal mission in life to be TheCaretaker to everyone, whether they want it or not. He will radiate IncorruptiblePurePureness, and this aura of perfection will often create a weird inversion of StrawLoser, as this character is just so ''wonderful'' that he makes everyone else look bad. He will either be a TechnicalPacifist or an ActualPacifist, unless of course, he actually has to fight, in which case he will fight in the most heroic way, with no one being killed. '''If''' (and this is a big if) he has any flaws, [[ButNotTooEvil they will be so tiny that you'll need a magnifying glass to see them, or they will be cosmetic flaws that don't really affect him or the story.]] And those flaws will almost exclusively be [[GoodFlawsBadFlaws "good guy flaws."]] He will often have a traumatic past and may have been a bad guy then, but now he's simply good. In those cases, he's TheAtoner. If he's TheAtoner he may be on the receiving end of ReformedButRejected. On the other hand, anyone who crosses ''him'' will be EasilyForgiven, not because of an agenda but out of the goodness of his heart. He's nice to everyone, even his enemies. In some cases, he may even save the life of one of his foes, or of someone close to them, which most will see as kind but the more cynical will interpret as PassiveAggressiveKombat. If he dies, he may ascend to Heaven/be sainted/have everyone, even his enemies mourn him/ etc. He will probably help others in a way that may come off as sweet to most, but as CondescendingCompassion to the more cynical. Everyone will love him, and those who don't will be vilified. In fantasy, he may very well be TheChosenOne. He may very well be able to do amazing things simply through his goodness. If a young boy, he may be a male version of ThePollyanna. He will probably love his country. He will always, always, always be willing to rescue people, even if they don't want it. Is nearly always a GoodSamaritan, but very rarely runs into NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished. If a superhero, he will be TheCape UpToEleven. He will often be an impossibly good judge of character and always do the right thing. Sometimes this happens when HistoricalHeroUpgrade is taken UpToEleven.

* '''Geeky Stu''': Some males realize that they will never physically meet the qualifications for your typical action hero, even though they may enjoy their adventures. Qualifications include rugged good looks, strength, stamina, athletic ability, and a strong constitution as well as being charismatic and having excellent social and leadership skills. They prefer a protagonist that they could see themselves as. The Geeky Stu is average looking, cerebral, quirky, and probably of a scientific bent, even if he doesn't hold a degree. His strength is in his gray matter, not his myosin. He kicks ass using wit and intellect. He disarms foes with clever rhetoric and [[TheCasanova kills the ladies]] with dorky charm. His sidekick might be an action-ready type ready to supply the brawn, but will always be taking orders from Geeky Stu, the brains of the operation. Geeky Stu considers himself an intellectual elite in a world of fools. And he is always ready to put the powers that be in their place, whether they be military martinets or bureaucrats. He will always win over "The Girl" from the Alpha Male jock because GeeksAreSexy. HardScienceFiction has quite a number of these. May overlap with EinsteinSue.

Marty Stus are often subject to a DoubleStandard where they tend to be noticed and hated to a much lesser degree than Mary Sues are. See also TheAce, which often uses this trope as a minor character for comic relief.

* He is likely to be a CulturedBadass. Along with general asskicking duties, they can be a SharpDressedMan, BadassBookworm, think that WineIsClassy, [[SmartPeoplePlaychess play chess]], like opera and classical music, and otherwise be SophisticatedAsHell. They can easily pull off moves like [[IKissYourHand kissing a lady's hand]] or other such chivalrous gestures (difficult to do in modern times). This sharply contrasts the rugged, blue collar, JerkJock meathead .

* He is likely to be a CulturedBadass. Along with general asskicking duties, they can be a SharpDressedMan, BadassBookworm, think that WineIsClasy, [[SmartPeoplePlaychess play chess]], like opera and classical music, and otherwise be SophisticatedAsHell. They can easily pull off moves like [[IKissYourHand kissing a lady's hand]] or other such chivalrous gestures (difficult to do in modern times). This sharply contrasts the rugged, blue collar, JerkJock meathead .