Do we need another hero?

With the resurgence of vampire fiction, not that it was out for long, emphasis is being placed on incorporating mythical elements in fiction. These elements are even used in marketing and journalism to attract attention. Whilst 'Beneath the Perfect World' was going under the scrutiny of science fiction writer Sonny Whitelaw, I was criticised for not making my protagonist, Alan Bell, heroic enough. My editor didn't even like him because he is fallible and occasionally shows weakness. Whilst writing, I was at odds with writing a character who was real yet heroic at the same time. A hero in the traditional or Homeric sense is one who acts in the interest of good, resisting temptation whilst fighting off demons. Alan had created his own demons and overcome them, making him a tragic hero with a fatal flaw. To stay true to the rubric of heroism, I would have had to kill him off. That would have disappointed the readers who did like him. Why like him if he's flawed? Despite his short-comings, he has a compassionate and sensitive side which ultimately forces him to do what he feels is right. Despite pressures and being surrounded by people who wreak havoc on his life, he still stands up for himself and manages to pull through despite taking some hard knocks. Modern heroes are faced with dilemmas that force them to choose between right and wrong. Alan has already gone down the wrong path. 'Beneath the Perfect World' therefore begs the question, can a reformed character be a hero?