"despite the examples we have of Conan, Fafhrd, Éowyn the Shieldmaiden of Rohan, Khal Drogo, Asterix the Gaul, Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, Thundarr and He-Man."
I'm not sure I would classify child-marrying brother-in-law murdering Khal Drogo as a "heroic protagonist".
And don't even get me...