Kind of protagonist in "Lethal Weapon" or "Die Hard"

HEROCOP

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue:\n\n*\"This term combines a brave figure with a badge-wearing profession, often seen in action films.\"*\n\nThis hint guides the solver toward the idea of a heroic police officer without directly giving away the answer. It references the key components (\"hero\" and \"cop\") while keeping it general enough to require some thought."]

The clue **"Kind of protagonist in 'Lethal Weapon' or 'Die Hard'"** leads to the answer **"HEROCOP"** through the following breakdown: 1. **Protagonist in the Films**: Both *Lethal Weapon* and *Die Hard* feature police officers as their main characters—Martin Riggs and John McClane, respectively. These characters are not just ordinary cops but heroic figures who take on dangerous missions. 2. **Wordplay**: The answer combines two key elements: - **"Hero"** – Describes the protagonist's role as a brave, action-driven lead. - **"Cop"** – Short for "police officer," which is their profession in the films. 3. **Cultural Context**: The term **"herocop"** is a playful blend that fits the trope of action movies from the 1980s and 1990s, where police officers were often portrayed as larger-than-life heroes. Thus, the clue cleverly merges the character's heroic nature with their occupation to form the answer.