Celebrating Protector Dads for Father’s Day 2023

The “grumpy dad with a heart of gold” is a trope as old as time in media. Across comics, television, video games, and film, there’s always a father figure with a gruff attitude. You all know the type.  He doesn’t get along with others. More often than not, he’s a social outcast and has very few friends. But he’s also got that huge soft spot for his kid/younger companion/ward…

We know plenty of characters popped into your mind after you read that description. So to celebrate Father’s Day 2023, we’re looking at five of the best protector dads in pop culture. Check out our list below!

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Geralt of Rivia

Geralt never wanted kids. In fact, he literally adopts Ciri by accident. In Netflix’s The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia claims a boon through the Law of Surprise, unwittingly linking his destiny to the unborn Princess Cirilla of Cintra. Then tragedy strikes the Continent and Ciri is left alone. Thus the lonely, wandering Witcher must find and protect her.

Now, Ciri is training to be like her dad. She’s determined and powerful — so much so that the Wild Hunt is coming after her. Geralt, finally willing to work with his found family members Yennefer and Jaskier, will stop Eredin at all costs. ‘Cause Geralt might pretend he doesn’t care about anything, but he’ll bleed himself dry for his little girl.

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The Mandalorian/Din Djarin

Bounty hunters can’t really afford to settle down. Nor can they afford to cross a client and kidnap the cargo they promised to deliver. Yet that’s exactly what Din Djarin™ — AKA The Mandalorian™ — does. The titular hero of a beloved Star Wars™ series, Din Djarin risks both his life and career to rescue a foundling named Grogu™. And Din Djarin has been protecting his child from all sorts of enemies ever since.

Through the three seasons, Din Djarin has definitely opened his heart to more allies. Initially slow to trust, Din has finally assembled all sorts of friends across the galaxy. All of them help Din and Grogu stay together as one happy family.

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Batman

The Bat-Family might just be the best thing about DC Comics. Classically, Mr. Brooding Batman works alone. Ever since he was orphaned, Bruce Wayne shut off the world — afraid that his emotions and attachments would make him vulnerable to more pain.

Then, along comes Robin to shake things up in the Batcave. As a fellow orphan, Robin helps Batman realize that training and nurturing the young man might do far more good than harm. After the first Robin, Dick Grayson, Batman has collected a whole gaggle of Gotham teenagers — including his own son, Damian Wayne.

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Old Man Logan/Wolverine

Wolverine has been through a lot in all of Marvel’s media. Of course he’s kind of jaded and rough around the edges. He lives in a kill or be killed world, at odds with others both because of his mutant genes and his bad attitude. Not many can get through to him. Except for Laura Kinney can.

A younger, semi-feral hero, Laura Kinney/X-23 comes into Logan’s life when he’s close to death. After reluctantly agreeing to bring Laura to a mutant safe haven, Logan learns she was created using his DNA and is essentially his daughter. Things gradually shift between them. By the end, Logan admits his love for her and lets his legacy live on within her as any parent would.

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Joel

Joel from The Last of Us is a bit crotchety. He’s slightly abrasive. But that’s just who he is — unless he’s hanging with his daughter Sarah, for whom he’s a big sap. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the apocalypse, Joel watches Sarah die. To cope, he buries his feelings in a dark place and fashions himself an unkind, violent identity in the new world.

Only one person can break through that cool exterior. Silly yet sincere, sardonic yet soft, Ellie brings Joel’s paternal instincts back in a big way. Joel even prevents a potential medical advancement that could save the world because it would require Ellie’s death. Judge him all you want for that, but you can’t say he isn’t fulfilling the protective parent role.

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Who are the best protector dads in pop culture? Did we miss your favorite? Share your picks at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!