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  • Lantern Jaw of Justice
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  • A square jawline. A protuberant chin. A manly cleft. Somewhere along the line (possibly around Superman's time), artists decided that these, more so than anything else, were the defining facial feature of really heroic (or really strong and dumb) characters. Perhaps to an even greater extent than broad shoulders, barreled chest, and absurdly large biceps, the surest sign of a character's strength and manliness lies in his chin. This has some Truth in Television, as scientists have noted that there is a definite correlation between jaw size and testosterone production.
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abstract
  • A square jawline. A protuberant chin. A manly cleft. Somewhere along the line (possibly around Superman's time), artists decided that these, more so than anything else, were the defining facial feature of really heroic (or really strong and dumb) characters. Perhaps to an even greater extent than broad shoulders, barreled chest, and absurdly large biceps, the surest sign of a character's strength and manliness lies in his chin. Parodies of superheroes will take this trope to its illogical extreme, giving heroes jawlines large enough to logically prevent them from looking down--and possibly, a ridiculous "chin butt." Some artistic conventions also render the cleft as a "swirl" on the chin. While the gluteus chinnimus can affect non-heroic, not-so-strong characters, "chin swirl" is generally reserved for only the manliest of manly. If a character with a jawline like this crops up in an American Western Animation production, there's a really good chance he'll be voiced by Patrick Warburton. Also common in Captain Space, Defender of Earth!. This has some Truth in Television, as scientists have noted that there is a definite correlation between jaw size and testosterone production. This is mostly a hero trope, but villains occassionally have chins like this. Compare Beauty Equals Goodness, Top-Heavy Guy. Contrast Villainous Cheekbones (where angular faces characterize a bad guy). Examples of Lantern Jaw of Justice include: