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The Decisions Every Protagonist Must Make

There’s something mysterious that happens when we create characters for our stories. Sometimes, even with a great concept and a solid plot, we feel that something fundamental is missing. The character exists, but doesn’t quite come to life. Why does this happen? In most cases, the answer is surprisingly simple: your protagonist isn’t making decisions. This difficulty, common among comic writers and writers of all kinds, has a solution. A true protagonist isn’t simply the one who appears most in the story, but the one who faces dilemmas and makes crucial decisions that shape the course of the narrative. Join me on this journey to discover what fundamental decisions every protagonist must make to transform into the true heart of your story.

The First Crucial Decision: Defining Their Identity

The fundamental question that every human being asks at some point in their life must also be answered by your protagonist: who am I really? Some characters begin their story with a well-defined identity, established by their creators as part of their past. Think of characters like Batman, whose identity was marked by the murder of his parents long before his story as a vigilante began. In other cases, like Luke Skywalker, the discovery of his true identity is precisely the journey he undertakes throughout the narrative.

Whatever the case of your protagonist (probably a middle ground between these extremes), you must ensure that at some crucial moment in the story, he or she makes a conscious decision about who they are. And what’s even more important: you must find a way to show this moment of self-definition to the reader.

Remember that nothing in your story has true value if you don’t find the right way to share it with the reader. A character may have a rich inner life, but if this never materializes on the page, for the reader it’s as if it doesn’t exist.

For this identity decision to have narrative weight, make sure your character has genuine alternatives. There is no real decision if there are no options to choose from. Place your protagonist in front of a challenge to which other people would react differently. When the character finally decides who they are and how they should act accordingly, this moment will become a turning point in the story, giving new meaning to everything that happened previously and establishing the framework for future events.

This process of self-definition can manifest in various ways. It could be a moment of sudden clarity, like when Spider-Man understands that “with great power comes great responsibility.” Or it could be a gradual choice, forged through multiple experiences, as we see in characters like Jessica Jones, who slowly accepts her role as a protector despite her traumas. Discover here how to capture these moments of self-discovery with impactful facial expressions that communicate the character’s deep emotions without the need for explicit words.

The Engine of Every Story: Defining What They Want

Every basic script analysis clearly establishes it: a protagonist is someone who wants something. Desire is the engine that drives the story forward. Sometimes what the character yearns for is obvious from the beginning (rescuing the princess, finding the treasure, saving the world), but at other times the desire may be more subtle or even unconscious for the character themselves (such as the search for redemption, acceptance, or belonging).

The moment when the protagonist makes the conscious decision to pursue what they want constitutes, probably, the most significant moment of your entire story. This is the point where the plot really begins to develop. In terms of narrative structure, this moment usually corresponds to the end of the first act or the “crossing of the threshold” in the hero’s journey.

For the reader, these decisions provide essential coordinates to orient themselves in the story. When reading, we all ask similar questions: Who is this character? What do they really want? How do they plan to get it? The answers to these questions tell us what kind of story we’re reading and if we’re interested in continuing.

A trick that works exceptionally well: the reader doesn’t need to agree with the protagonist’s decisions to enjoy the story, but they must find the consequences of these decisions coherent. When Gwen Stacy decides to confront Kingpin in “Spider-Gwen,” we might think it’s reckless and imprudent, but if the consequences reflect that imprudence, the story maintains its integrity.

The best comic book characters have clear but complex desires. Think about Magneto: his superficial desire may seem like mutant domination, but his deep motivation is to protect his people from suffering another holocaust. This complexity in desires creates three-dimensional characters that readers can relate to, even when they don’t share their values or methods.

The visual articulation of these desires is fundamental in the comic medium. Facial expressions, body posture, lighting effects, and camera angles can powerfully communicate what the character wants without the need for extensive explanatory dialogues. Click here to explore visual tools that emphasize your characters’ decision moments and effectively communicate their desires in each panel.

Facing the Unexpected: Adapting to Obstacles

Of course, no protagonist has a clear path to their goals. The true essence of every meaningful story lies precisely in the obstacles that stand between the character and what they desire. It’s in the struggle against these adversities where the protagonist’s personality is revealed, where the tone of the story is established, and where the reader’s interest is captured and maintained.

Imagine your protagonist wants something seemingly simple. For example, buying grapes at the market. But upon arrival, they discover that an environmental catastrophe has occurred and there are no more grapes anywhere in the world. What will they do then? Look for a substitute? Try to grow their own grapes? Travel to the past to get them? Give up and completely change their goal? The answers to these questions will reveal who this character really is.

The way your protagonist decides to face unexpected obstacles constitutes the true core of the narrative. These decisions can manifest as great epic moments (like when Superman decides to sacrifice himself to stop Doomsday) or as seemingly trivial everyday choices (the moment when Matt Murdock decides to represent a client without resources instead of accepting a lucrative corporate case).

The best comic creators know that these moments of decision in the face of obstacles must be visually impactful. Think of the iconic scene of Spider-Man lifting tons of debris in “If This Be My Destiny.” The illustration shows the physical effort, but also communicates the character’s moral and emotional decision to keep fighting despite overwhelming circumstances.

To elevate your narrative, make sure the obstacles aren’t merely physical or external. Internal conflicts, moral contradictions, and ethical dilemmas generate much more interesting obstacles. When Kamala Khan must decide between following her parents’ expectations or responding to an emergency as Ms. Marvel, the tension arises from a genuine internal conflict, not just from a threatening villain.

These adaptive decisions reveal aspects of the character that perhaps even you as a creator hadn’t anticipated. Don’t be afraid to allow your protagonist to surprise you. Sometimes, the best narrative moments arise when the character makes a decision that you hadn’t even foreseen, but that is perfectly consistent with their development up to that point.

The Culminating Moment: How to Conclude the Story

Inevitably, every protagonist must face the final decision that will determine the outcome of the story. This moment, often underestimated by novice writers, constitutes perhaps the most significant decision of all, as it will not only resolve the plot but also communicate the essential message of your narrative.

Endings in stories are as certain as the last pages held in our right hand as we approach the end of a comic book. Every protagonist has their pages counted. In those final panels, they will have to decide what to do in a situation that might not be exactly what they expected or desired at the beginning of their journey.

The beauty of this final moment lies in the fact that even inaction constitutes a significant choice. If your protagonist decides to do nothing about the climactic situation, that passivity is itself a decision that communicates something profound about who they are and what they value. Think about the ending of “Watchmen,” where certain characters’ decision to remain silent about what happened is as powerful as the active decisions of others.

This last decision transcends the mere resolution of the narrative conflict; it reveals your stance as an author about human decisions and their consequences. The deep meaning of your story crystallizes in the ending. For example, when in “Kingdom Come” Superman decides not to eliminate his enemies despite having all the power to do so, this decision communicates a profound message about compassion and responsibility that transcends the simple conclusion of the plot.

The best endings often present decisions that reflect the protagonist’s growth or transformation. The final decision must be consistent with the character, but also show how they have changed through the experiences lived during the story. When John Constantine decides to sacrifice something personal to save others in “Hellblazer,” we see how his initial selfishness has evolved throughout his journey.

The visual representation of this final decision deserves special attention. From facial expressions to page composition, colors, and lighting, all visual elements must work in harmony to communicate the emotional weight of this culminating moment. Want to create final pages that leave a lasting impression? Explore visual resources for climactic scenes here that will elevate the emotional impact of your protagonists’ final decisions.

The Ideal Protagonist: The Person Most Affected by the Problem

Before concluding, we must address a crucial decision that corresponds to you as a creator: determining if the character you’ve chosen is really the right protagonist for your story. This reflection may seem late once you’ve developed a character, but it’s essential for the narrative integrity of your work.

A true protagonist is not simply the character who appears most frequently or who performs the most spectacular actions. The authentic protagonist must be the person most affected by the central problem of the story. They must be the one most challenged by the conflict, who experiences the deepest consequences, and who has the most at stake in its resolution.

Ask yourself honestly: What is your story really about? What is the fundamental problem you’re exploring? Why have you chosen this particular character to address this problem? If you don’t find convincing answers, perhaps you should reconsider who should be the true protagonist.

Literary history is full of examples where the protagonist is not the most obvious character. In “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” as the original text rightly points out, the protagonist is Quasimodo and not Esmeralda or Phoebus, because of all the people who suffer hatred and oppression in that environment, Quasimodo is the one who must also deal with the hatred he has learned to feel towards himself.

In the comic world, we find similar cases. “Maus” doesn’t tell the story of the Holocaust survivor father, but that of his son trying to understand and document that experience. “Watchmen” could have focused exclusively on Dr. Manhattan or Rorschach, but the multiplicity of perspectives enriches the exploration of the central problem.

This reflection can lead you to surprising discoveries. Many memorable secondary characters started as ideas for protagonists that were later reassigned to supporting roles when the author understood that another character was more fundamentally affected by the central problem. Think of Loki, who started as a villain in Thor but evolved to become a character so complex and affected by issues of identity and belonging that he eventually starred in his own stories.

Enter here to explore character development methods that will help you identify the ideal protagonist for the story you really want to tell, ensuring that your narratives have a genuine and lasting emotional impact.

From Concept to Action: Implementing Decisions in Your Narrative

Understanding the importance of your protagonist’s decisions is just the first step. The true art lies in implementing these decisions effectively in your visual narrative. Let’s explore some practical strategies to ensure your protagonist’s decisions shine on the page.

First, consider the visual rhythm of these decisions. When your protagonist faces a decisive moment, give it the space it deserves. The most important decisions can benefit from more extensive sequences, perhaps using progressively larger panels or even a full page for the exact moment of the decision. The legendary artist Will Eisner was a master at manipulating the size and shape of panels to emphasize crucial emotional moments.

The contrast between action and stillness can also amplify the impact of a decision. After a dynamic sequence of combat or pursuit, a quiet moment where the protagonist simply looks at a photograph or contemplates the horizon while making their decision can be extraordinarily powerful. Frank Miller brilliantly used this contrast in “Sin City,” alternating scenes of frantic violence with contemplative moments of moral decision.

Facial expression and body language are your most powerful allies for communicating decisions. A frown that relaxes, a hunched posture that straightens, or closed fists that open can convey the internal decision-making process better than many dialogues. The best comic artists, like Kevin Maguire, known for his extraordinary ability to draw facial expressions, can communicate complex decision processes with subtle changes in the character’s features.

Visual symbolism can powerfully reinforce the protagonist’s decisions. A character who finally decides to face their past could be shown literally coming out of the shadows into the light. Someone who decides to abandon a false identity might remove a mask or change clothing. These visual symbols work at a subconscious level, adding layers of meaning to the character’s decisions.

Colors and lighting can radically transform the emotional impact of a decision. A moment of doubt could be represented with cool tones and pronounced shadows, while a firm decision could be highlighted with more vibrant colors and direct lighting. Dave McKean in “Sandman” and later in his own works demonstrated how the color palette can communicate the protagonist’s mental state during their decisive moments.

Finally, consider how page composition can emphasize the protagonist’s decisions. A decision that divides the character’s life could be literally represented by dividing the page. A decision that offers multiple paths could be visualized as a page with branching panels. J.H. Williams III in “Batwoman” revolutionized the use of unconventional layouts to communicate emotional states and moments of decision.

Ready to take your decision scenes to the next level? Take the step now and discover advanced visual storytelling techniques that will transform the way you communicate your characters’ crucial moments.

Conclusion: The Art of Transcendental Decisions

The decisions our protagonists make are much more than simple turning points in the plot; they are the very essence of what makes a story resonate in the hearts of readers. When we create characters who make genuine and meaningful decisions about their identity, their desires, how to face obstacles, and how to conclude their journey, we are creating art that transcends mere entertainment to become a mirror of the human experience.

Remember that the true protagonist of your story is not necessarily the most powerful character, the most striking, or even the one who appears in more panels. The authentic protagonist is the one who is most deeply affected by the central problem, the one whose decisions have the most significant consequences, both for themselves and for the world around them.

As you develop your own stories, constantly ask yourself if your protagonist is making genuine decisions or simply following the flow of events. Are they actively defining who they are, or does their identity come predetermined? Are they consciously deciding what they want and how to get it, or are they simply reacting to what other characters do? Do they face obstacles with decisions that reveal their character, or do the obstacles resolve themselves or through external intervention? And finally, do they make a meaningful decision that concludes their narrative arc, or does the story simply end?

The answers to these questions will determine whether you’ve created a true protagonist or simply a character who occupies the center of the page. The difference may seem subtle, but the impact on the quality and resonance of your story will be profound.

You, as a creator, also face crucial decisions: what stories to tell, what characters to develop, what problems to explore. I hope this analysis has provided you with tools to make better creative decisions and to develop protagonists who make truly meaningful decisions. Enhance your creativity now and turn your ideas into impactful visual stories that capture the essence of what it means to be human: facing difficult decisions and living with their consequences.

I wish you inspiration, creativity, and protagonists who make decisions that surprise both you and your readers!

Join us

The Decisions Every Protagonist Must Make

There’s something mysterious that happens when we create characters for our stories. Sometimes, even with a great concept and a solid plot, we feel that something fundamental is missing. The character exists, but doesn’t quite come to life. Why does this happen? In most cases, the answer is surprisingly simple: your protagonist isn’t making decisions. This difficulty, common among comic writers and writers of all kinds, has a solution. A true protagonist isn’t simply the one who appears most in the story, but the one who faces dilemmas and makes crucial decisions that shape the course of the narrative. Join me on this journey to discover what fundamental decisions every protagonist must make to transform into the true heart of your story.

The First Crucial Decision: Defining Their Identity

The fundamental question that every human being asks at some point in their life must also be answered by your protagonist: who am I really? Some characters begin their story with a well-defined identity, established by their creators as part of their past. Think of characters like Batman, whose identity was marked by the murder of his parents long before his story as a vigilante began. In other cases, like Luke Skywalker, the discovery of his true identity is precisely the journey he undertakes throughout the narrative.

Whatever the case of your protagonist (probably a middle ground between these extremes), you must ensure that at some crucial moment in the story, he or she makes a conscious decision about who they are. And what’s even more important: you must find a way to show this moment of self-definition to the reader.

Remember that nothing in your story has true value if you don’t find the right way to share it with the reader. A character may have a rich inner life, but if this never materializes on the page, for the reader it’s as if it doesn’t exist.

For this identity decision to have narrative weight, make sure your character has genuine alternatives. There is no real decision if there are no options to choose from. Place your protagonist in front of a challenge to which other people would react differently. When the character finally decides who they are and how they should act accordingly, this moment will become a turning point in the story, giving new meaning to everything that happened previously and establishing the framework for future events.

This process of self-definition can manifest in various ways. It could be a moment of sudden clarity, like when Spider-Man understands that “with great power comes great responsibility.” Or it could be a gradual choice, forged through multiple experiences, as we see in characters like Jessica Jones, who slowly accepts her role as a protector despite her traumas. Discover here how to capture these moments of self-discovery with impactful facial expressions that communicate the character’s deep emotions without the need for explicit words.

The Engine of Every Story: Defining What They Want

Every basic script analysis clearly establishes it: a protagonist is someone who wants something. Desire is the engine that drives the story forward. Sometimes what the character yearns for is obvious from the beginning (rescuing the princess, finding the treasure, saving the world), but at other times the desire may be more subtle or even unconscious for the character themselves (such as the search for redemption, acceptance, or belonging).

The moment when the protagonist makes the conscious decision to pursue what they want constitutes, probably, the most significant moment of your entire story. This is the point where the plot really begins to develop. In terms of narrative structure, this moment usually corresponds to the end of the first act or the “crossing of the threshold” in the hero’s journey.

For the reader, these decisions provide essential coordinates to orient themselves in the story. When reading, we all ask similar questions: Who is this character? What do they really want? How do they plan to get it? The answers to these questions tell us what kind of story we’re reading and if we’re interested in continuing.

A trick that works exceptionally well: the reader doesn’t need to agree with the protagonist’s decisions to enjoy the story, but they must find the consequences of these decisions coherent. When Gwen Stacy decides to confront Kingpin in “Spider-Gwen,” we might think it’s reckless and imprudent, but if the consequences reflect that imprudence, the story maintains its integrity.

The best comic book characters have clear but complex desires. Think about Magneto: his superficial desire may seem like mutant domination, but his deep motivation is to protect his people from suffering another holocaust. This complexity in desires creates three-dimensional characters that readers can relate to, even when they don’t share their values or methods.

The visual articulation of these desires is fundamental in the comic medium. Facial expressions, body posture, lighting effects, and camera angles can powerfully communicate what the character wants without the need for extensive explanatory dialogues. Click here to explore visual tools that emphasize your characters’ decision moments and effectively communicate their desires in each panel.

Facing the Unexpected: Adapting to Obstacles

Of course, no protagonist has a clear path to their goals. The true essence of every meaningful story lies precisely in the obstacles that stand between the character and what they desire. It’s in the struggle against these adversities where the protagonist’s personality is revealed, where the tone of the story is established, and where the reader’s interest is captured and maintained.

Imagine your protagonist wants something seemingly simple. For example, buying grapes at the market. But upon arrival, they discover that an environmental catastrophe has occurred and there are no more grapes anywhere in the world. What will they do then? Look for a substitute? Try to grow their own grapes? Travel to the past to get them? Give up and completely change their goal? The answers to these questions will reveal who this character really is.

The way your protagonist decides to face unexpected obstacles constitutes the true core of the narrative. These decisions can manifest as great epic moments (like when Superman decides to sacrifice himself to stop Doomsday) or as seemingly trivial everyday choices (the moment when Matt Murdock decides to represent a client without resources instead of accepting a lucrative corporate case).

The best comic creators know that these moments of decision in the face of obstacles must be visually impactful. Think of the iconic scene of Spider-Man lifting tons of debris in “If This Be My Destiny.” The illustration shows the physical effort, but also communicates the character’s moral and emotional decision to keep fighting despite overwhelming circumstances.

To elevate your narrative, make sure the obstacles aren’t merely physical or external. Internal conflicts, moral contradictions, and ethical dilemmas generate much more interesting obstacles. When Kamala Khan must decide between following her parents’ expectations or responding to an emergency as Ms. Marvel, the tension arises from a genuine internal conflict, not just from a threatening villain.

These adaptive decisions reveal aspects of the character that perhaps even you as a creator hadn’t anticipated. Don’t be afraid to allow your protagonist to surprise you. Sometimes, the best narrative moments arise when the character makes a decision that you hadn’t even foreseen, but that is perfectly consistent with their development up to that point.

The Culminating Moment: How to Conclude the Story

Inevitably, every protagonist must face the final decision that will determine the outcome of the story. This moment, often underestimated by novice writers, constitutes perhaps the most significant decision of all, as it will not only resolve the plot but also communicate the essential message of your narrative.

Endings in stories are as certain as the last pages held in our right hand as we approach the end of a comic book. Every protagonist has their pages counted. In those final panels, they will have to decide what to do in a situation that might not be exactly what they expected or desired at the beginning of their journey.

The beauty of this final moment lies in the fact that even inaction constitutes a significant choice. If your protagonist decides to do nothing about the climactic situation, that passivity is itself a decision that communicates something profound about who they are and what they value. Think about the ending of “Watchmen,” where certain characters’ decision to remain silent about what happened is as powerful as the active decisions of others.

This last decision transcends the mere resolution of the narrative conflict; it reveals your stance as an author about human decisions and their consequences. The deep meaning of your story crystallizes in the ending. For example, when in “Kingdom Come” Superman decides not to eliminate his enemies despite having all the power to do so, this decision communicates a profound message about compassion and responsibility that transcends the simple conclusion of the plot.

The best endings often present decisions that reflect the protagonist’s growth or transformation. The final decision must be consistent with the character, but also show how they have changed through the experiences lived during the story. When John Constantine decides to sacrifice something personal to save others in “Hellblazer,” we see how his initial selfishness has evolved throughout his journey.

The visual representation of this final decision deserves special attention. From facial expressions to page composition, colors, and lighting, all visual elements must work in harmony to communicate the emotional weight of this culminating moment. Want to create final pages that leave a lasting impression? Explore visual resources for climactic scenes here that will elevate the emotional impact of your protagonists’ final decisions.

The Ideal Protagonist: The Person Most Affected by the Problem

Before concluding, we must address a crucial decision that corresponds to you as a creator: determining if the character you’ve chosen is really the right protagonist for your story. This reflection may seem late once you’ve developed a character, but it’s essential for the narrative integrity of your work.

A true protagonist is not simply the character who appears most frequently or who performs the most spectacular actions. The authentic protagonist must be the person most affected by the central problem of the story. They must be the one most challenged by the conflict, who experiences the deepest consequences, and who has the most at stake in its resolution.

Ask yourself honestly: What is your story really about? What is the fundamental problem you’re exploring? Why have you chosen this particular character to address this problem? If you don’t find convincing answers, perhaps you should reconsider who should be the true protagonist.

Literary history is full of examples where the protagonist is not the most obvious character. In “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” as the original text rightly points out, the protagonist is Quasimodo and not Esmeralda or Phoebus, because of all the people who suffer hatred and oppression in that environment, Quasimodo is the one who must also deal with the hatred he has learned to feel towards himself.

In the comic world, we find similar cases. “Maus” doesn’t tell the story of the Holocaust survivor father, but that of his son trying to understand and document that experience. “Watchmen” could have focused exclusively on Dr. Manhattan or Rorschach, but the multiplicity of perspectives enriches the exploration of the central problem.

This reflection can lead you to surprising discoveries. Many memorable secondary characters started as ideas for protagonists that were later reassigned to supporting roles when the author understood that another character was more fundamentally affected by the central problem. Think of Loki, who started as a villain in Thor but evolved to become a character so complex and affected by issues of identity and belonging that he eventually starred in his own stories.

Enter here to explore character development methods that will help you identify the ideal protagonist for the story you really want to tell, ensuring that your narratives have a genuine and lasting emotional impact.

From Concept to Action: Implementing Decisions in Your Narrative

Understanding the importance of your protagonist’s decisions is just the first step. The true art lies in implementing these decisions effectively in your visual narrative. Let’s explore some practical strategies to ensure your protagonist’s decisions shine on the page.

First, consider the visual rhythm of these decisions. When your protagonist faces a decisive moment, give it the space it deserves. The most important decisions can benefit from more extensive sequences, perhaps using progressively larger panels or even a full page for the exact moment of the decision. The legendary artist Will Eisner was a master at manipulating the size and shape of panels to emphasize crucial emotional moments.

The contrast between action and stillness can also amplify the impact of a decision. After a dynamic sequence of combat or pursuit, a quiet moment where the protagonist simply looks at a photograph or contemplates the horizon while making their decision can be extraordinarily powerful. Frank Miller brilliantly used this contrast in “Sin City,” alternating scenes of frantic violence with contemplative moments of moral decision.

Facial expression and body language are your most powerful allies for communicating decisions. A frown that relaxes, a hunched posture that straightens, or closed fists that open can convey the internal decision-making process better than many dialogues. The best comic artists, like Kevin Maguire, known for his extraordinary ability to draw facial expressions, can communicate complex decision processes with subtle changes in the character’s features.

Visual symbolism can powerfully reinforce the protagonist’s decisions. A character who finally decides to face their past could be shown literally coming out of the shadows into the light. Someone who decides to abandon a false identity might remove a mask or change clothing. These visual symbols work at a subconscious level, adding layers of meaning to the character’s decisions.

Colors and lighting can radically transform the emotional impact of a decision. A moment of doubt could be represented with cool tones and pronounced shadows, while a firm decision could be highlighted with more vibrant colors and direct lighting. Dave McKean in “Sandman” and later in his own works demonstrated how the color palette can communicate the protagonist’s mental state during their decisive moments.

Finally, consider how page composition can emphasize the protagonist’s decisions. A decision that divides the character’s life could be literally represented by dividing the page. A decision that offers multiple paths could be visualized as a page with branching panels. J.H. Williams III in “Batwoman” revolutionized the use of unconventional layouts to communicate emotional states and moments of decision.

Ready to take your decision scenes to the next level? Take the step now and discover advanced visual storytelling techniques that will transform the way you communicate your characters’ crucial moments.

Conclusion: The Art of Transcendental Decisions

The decisions our protagonists make are much more than simple turning points in the plot; they are the very essence of what makes a story resonate in the hearts of readers. When we create characters who make genuine and meaningful decisions about their identity, their desires, how to face obstacles, and how to conclude their journey, we are creating art that transcends mere entertainment to become a mirror of the human experience.

Remember that the true protagonist of your story is not necessarily the most powerful character, the most striking, or even the one who appears in more panels. The authentic protagonist is the one who is most deeply affected by the central problem, the one whose decisions have the most significant consequences, both for themselves and for the world around them.

As you develop your own stories, constantly ask yourself if your protagonist is making genuine decisions or simply following the flow of events. Are they actively defining who they are, or does their identity come predetermined? Are they consciously deciding what they want and how to get it, or are they simply reacting to what other characters do? Do they face obstacles with decisions that reveal their character, or do the obstacles resolve themselves or through external intervention? And finally, do they make a meaningful decision that concludes their narrative arc, or does the story simply end?

The answers to these questions will determine whether you’ve created a true protagonist or simply a character who occupies the center of the page. The difference may seem subtle, but the impact on the quality and resonance of your story will be profound.

You, as a creator, also face crucial decisions: what stories to tell, what characters to develop, what problems to explore. I hope this analysis has provided you with tools to make better creative decisions and to develop protagonists who make truly meaningful decisions. Enhance your creativity now and turn your ideas into impactful visual stories that capture the essence of what it means to be human: facing difficult decisions and living with their consequences.

I wish you inspiration, creativity, and protagonists who make decisions that surprise both you and your readers!

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