Edit filter log

'{{About|the stock character|the genre|Superhero fiction|other uses|}} {{Multiple issues|original research=September 2009|refimprove=September 2009}} A '''superhero''' (sometimes rendered '''super-hero''' or '''super hero''') is a type of [[fictional stock character]] possessing extraordinary talents, supernatural phenomena, or superhuman powers<ref>[[wikt:superhero|Superhero]]</ref> and dedicated to protecting the public. A [[female]] superhero is sometimes called a '''superheroine''' (also rendered '''super-heroine''' or '''super heroine'''). While the word "[[wikt:superhero|superhero]]" itself dates to at least 1917, the term "Super Heroes" is a [[typography-independent 'descriptive' USA trademark]] which is co-owned by [[DC Comics]] and [[Marvel Characters, Inc.]]<ref>{{cite web| url= http://tarr.USPTO.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78356610| title= Trademark Status & Document Retrieval| quote= US Serial Number:{{nbsp}} 78356610 [...] Standard Character Claim:{{nbsp}} Yes. The mark consists of standard characters without claim to any particular font style, size, or color.| date= 16 November 2004| author1= Marvel Characters, Inc.| author2= [[DC Comics]]| author3= [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]]| publisher= United States Patent and Trademark Office| accessdate= 30 October 2013}}</ref> By most definitions, characters do not strictly require actual supernatural or superhuman powers or phenomena to be deemed superheroes,<ref>Per Niccum, John. [http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/mar/17/v_vendetta_s_subversive/?arts "'V for Vendetta' is S for Subversive"], ''Lawrence Journal-World'', March 17, 2006; Gesh, Lois H., and Robert Weinberg, ''The Science of Superheroes'' (John Wiley & Sons, 2002; ISBN 978-0-471-02460-6), [http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/00/04710246/0471024600.pdf Chapter 3: "The Dark Knight: Batman: A NonSuper Superhero"]; [http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/Scarecrow_of_Romney_Marsh.html Adherents.com, "The Religious Affiliation of Comic Book Characters: Rev. Dr. Christopher Syn, the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (one of the world's first masked crime-fighters)]" (undated, no byline); [[Frank Lovece|Lovece, Frank]], [http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003828021 ''The Dark Knight'' (movie review)] ''[[Film Journal International]]'', July 16, 2008 ("Batman himself is an anomaly as one of the few superheroes without superpowers…"), and other sources. While the [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/superhero%27s?r=14 Dictionary.com definition of "superhero"] is "A figure, especially in a comic strip or cartoon, endowed with superhuman powers and usually portrayed as fighting evil or crime," the more longstanding [[Merriam-Webster]] dictionary gives the [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superhero definition] as "a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also : an exceptionally skillful or successful person".</ref> although terms such as '''costumed crime fighters''' or '''masked vigilantes''' are sometimes used to refer to those such as [[Batman]] and [[Green Arrow]] without such powers who share other superhero traits. Such characters were generally referred to as "mystery men" in the [[Golden Age of Comic Books]] to distinguish them from characters with super-powers. Some superheroes use their powers to counter day-to-day crime while also combating threats against humanity by [[supervillain]]s, their criminal counterparts. Often, one of these supervillains will be the superhero's [[archenemy]]. As well, some long-running superheroes, such as [[Superman]], [[Batman]], [[Spider-Man]] and [[Iron Man]], have a [[rogues gallery]] of enemies. As well, superheroes sometimes will combat such threats as aliens, magical entities, American war enemies such as nazism or communism, and godlike or demonic creatures. ==History== {{Main|Superhero fiction#History|History of comics|Superhero film}} The word "[[wikt:superhero|superhero]]" dates to at least 1917.<ref name=mw>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superhero Merriam-Webster Online: "Superhero"]</ref> The 1903 play ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' and its spinoffs popularized the idea of a masked avenger; shortly afterward, masked and costumed [[pulp-fiction]] characters such as [[Zorro]] (1919) and comic-strip heroes such as the [[The Phantom|Phantom]] (1936) began appearing. As well came non-costumed characters with super strength, including the comic-strip character [[Popeye]] (1929) and novelist [[Philip Wylie]]'s protagonist [[Hugo Danner]] (1930).<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/superheroes-go-the-american-way-on-pbs-1.6239837 | title = Superheroes Go the American Way on PBS | authorlink= Frank Lovece | first=Frank | last= Lovece | date = November 11, 2013 | accessdate= 2013-11-15 | work = [[Newsday]]}}</ref> Both tracks came together in the superpowered, costumed hero [[Superman]] (1938). ==Common traits== Superheroes most often appear in comic books, and superhero stories are the dominant form of American comic books. After success in the printed community, superheroes have also been featured in radio serials, novel, TV series, movies, and other media. Most of the superheroes who appear in other media are adapted from comics, but there are exceptions and changes are common. [[Marvel Comics|Marvel Characters, Inc.]] and [[DC Comics]] share ownership of the United States trademark for the phrases "Super Hero" and "Super Heroes" and these two companies own the vast majority of the world’s most famous and influential superheroes. Of the "Significant Seven" chosen by ''The Comic Book in America: An Illustrated History'' (1989), Marvel owns [[Spider-Man]] and [[Captain America]] and DC owns [[Superman]], [[Batman]], [[Wonder Woman]], [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Shazam (formerly known as Captain Marvel)]], and [[Plastic Man]]. Like many non-Marvel characters popular during the 1940s, the latter two were acquired by DC from defunct publishers.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/SignificantSeven.html Benton, Mike. ''The Comic Book in America: An Illustrated History'' (Taylor Publishing: Dallas, Texas, 1989), pp. 178–181], reprinted at website Religious Affiliation of Comics Book Characters: "The Significant Seven: History's Most Influential Super-heroes" <nowiki>[</nowiki>[{{sic}}]<nowiki>]</nowiki></ref> However, there have been significant heroes owned by others, especially since the 1990s when [[Image Comics]] and other companies that allowed creators to maintain trademark and editorial control over their characters. Many superhero characters display the following traits: * ''Extraordinary'' [[List of comic book superhero powers|''powers'' or ''abilities'']], exceptional skills and/or advanced equipment. Superhero powers vary widely; superhuman strength, the ability to fly, enhanced senses, and the projection of energy bolts are all common. Some superheroes, such as [[Batman]], [[Green Arrow]], [[Hawkeye (comics)|Hawkeye]] and the [[Question (comics)|Question]] possess no superhuman powers but have mastered skills such as martial arts and forensic sciences to a highly remarkable degree. Others have special weapons or technology, such as [[Iron Man]]'s [[Artificial powered exoskeleton|powered armor suits]], [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor's]] [[Mjolnir (comics)|Weather manipulating hammer]], and [[Green Lantern]]’s [[power ring (weapon)|power ring]]. Many characters supplement their natural powers with a special weapon or device (e.g., [[Wonder Woman]]'s lasso and bracelets, [[Spider-Man]]'s webbing, and [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]]'s [[adamantium]] claws). * A strong ''moral code'', including a willingness to risk one's own safety in the service of good without expectation of reward. Such a code often includes a refusal or strong reluctance to [[homicide|kill]] or wield lethal weapons.[[File:AmericasBestComics0701.jpg|thumb|210px|[[America's Best Comics#History|America's Best Comics/7]] October 1943]] * A ''motivation'', such as a sense of responsibility (e.g. [[Spider-Man]]), a formal calling (e.g., [[Wonder Woman]]), a personal vendetta against criminals (e.g. [[Batman]]), or a strong belief in justice and humanitarian service (e.g. [[Superman]]). {{anchor|Secret identity}} * A ''[[secret identity]]'' that protects the superhero's friends and family from becoming targets of his or her enemies, such as [[Clark Kent]] ([[Superman]]), or to protect themselves from getting arrested by the police, like [[Spider-Man]], although many superheroes have a confidant (usually a friend or relative who has been sworn to secrecy). Most superheroes use a descriptive or metaphoric code name for their public deeds. However, some superheroes, such as those of the team the [[Fantastic Four]], eschew secret identities and are publicly known or even celebrities. There are also rare ones whose true identities are common public knowledge, even with a costumed identity (e.g. Iron Man and Captain America). * A distinctive ''costume'', often used to conceal the secret identity (see [[Superhero#Common costume features|Common costume features]]). * An underlying motif or ''theme'' that affects the hero's name, costume, personal effects, and other aspects of his or her character (e.g., [[Batman]] wears a bat-themed costume, uses bat-themed gadgetry and equipment and operates at night; [[Spider-Man]] can shoot webs from his hands, has a spider web pattern on his costume, and other spider-like abilities). * A [[supporting character|supporting cast]] of recurring characters, including the hero's friends, co-workers and/or love interests, who may or may not know of the superhero's secret identity. Often the hero's personal relationships are complicated by this dual life, a common theme in Spider-Man and [[Batman]] stories in particular. * A [[rogues gallery]] consisting of enemies that he/she fights repeatedly. In some cases superheroes begin by fighting run-of-the-mill criminals before [[supervillains]] surface in their respective story lines. In many cases the hero is in part responsible for the appearance of these supervillains (the [[Mac Gargan|Scorpion]] was created as the perfect enemy to defeat Spider-Man; and characters in [[Batman]]'s comics often accuse him of creating the villains he fights). Often superheroes have an [[archenemy]] who is especially threatening. Often a nemesis is a superhero's doppelganger or [[Foil (literature)|foil]] (e.g., [[Sabretooth (comics)|Sabretooth]] embraces his savage instincts while [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]] tries to control his; [[Batman]] is dark, taciturn, and grim, while [[Joker (comics)|the Joker]] is colorful, loquacious, and flamboyant). * Independent wealth (e.g., [[Batman]] or the [[X-Men]]'s benefactor [[Professor X]]) or an occupation that allows for minimal supervision (e.g., [[Superman]]'s civilian job as a reporter). * A headquarters or base of operations, usually kept hidden from the general public (e.g., [[Superman]]'s [[Fortress of Solitude]] or [[Batman]]'s [[Batcave]]). * A [[backstory]] that explains the circumstances by which the character acquired his or her abilities as well as his or her motivation for becoming a superhero. Many [[origin story|origin stories]] involve tragic elements and/or freak accidents that result in the development of the hero's abilities. Many superheroes work independently. However, there are also many superhero teams. Some, such as the [[Fantastic Four]], [[DNAgents]], and the [[X-Men]], have common origins and usually operate as a group. Others, such as [[DC Comics]]’s [[Justice League]], [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]’s [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]], and [[The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen]], are "all-star" groups consisting of heroes with separate origins who also operate individually, yet will team up to confront larger threats. The shared setting or "universes" of Marvel, DC and other publishers also allow for regular superhero team-ups. Some superheroes, especially those introduced in the 1940s, work with a young [[sidekick]] (e.g., [[Batman]] and [[Robin (comics)|Robin]], [[Captain America]] and [[Bucky]]). This has become less common since more sophisticated writing and older audiences have lessened the need for characters who specifically appeal to child readers. Sidekicks are seen as a separate classification of superheroes. Although superhero fiction is considered a form of fantasy/adventure, it crosses into many genres. Many superhero franchises resemble crime fiction ([[Batman]], [[Punisher]]), others horror fiction ([[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]], [[Spectre (comics)|Spectre]]) and others more standard science fiction ([[Green Lantern]], [[X-Men]]). Many of the earliest superheroes, such as [[The Sandman (DC Comics Golden Age)|The Sandman]] and [[The Clock]], were rooted in the pulp fiction of their predecessors. Within their own fictional universes, public perception of superheroes varies greatly. Some, like [[Superman]] and the Fantastic Four, are adored and seen as important civic leaders; or even celebrities, [[Iron Man]] being an example of this. Others, like [[Batman]] and [[Spider-Man]], are met with public skepticism or outright hostility. A few, such as the [[X-Men]] and the characters of ''[[Watchmen]]'', defend a populace that almost unanimously misunderstands and despises them. ===Common costume features=== A superhero's costume helps make him or her recognizable to the general public. Costumes are often colorful to enhance the character's visual appeal and frequently incorporate the superhero's name and theme. For example, [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics)|Daredevil]] resembles a red devil, [[Captain America]]'s costume echoes the American flag, [[Batman]]'s costume resembles a large bat, and [[Spider-Man]]'s costume features a spiderweb pattern. The convention of superheroes wearing masks (frequently without visible [[pupils]]) and skintight unitards originated with [[Lee Falk]]'s [[comic strip]] hero ''[[Phantom (comics)|The Phantom]]''. Many features of superhero costumes recur frequently, including the following: * Superheroes who maintain a secret identity often wear a [[mask]], ranging from the [[Domino mask|domino]] of [[Robin (comics)|Robin]] and [[Carol Danvers|Ms. Marvel]] to the full-face masks of [[Spider-Man]] and Black Panther. Most common are masks covering the upper face, leaving the mouth and jaw exposed. This allows for both a believable disguise and recognizable facial expressions. A notable exception is [[Superman]], who wears nothing on his face while fighting crime, but uses large glasses in his civilian life as [[Clark Kent]]. Some characters wear helmets, such as [[Doctor Fate]] or [[Magneto (comics)|Magneto]]. * A symbol, such as a stylized letter or visual icon, usually on the chest. Examples include the uppercase "S" of [[Superman]], the bat emblem of [[Batman]], and the spider emblem of [[Spider-Man]]. Often, they also wear a common symbol referring to their group or league, such as the "4" on the [[Fantastic Four]]'s suits, or the "X" on the [[X-Men]]'s costumes. * Form-fitting clothing, often referred to as tights or [[Spandex]], although the exact material is usually unidentified. Such material displays a character’s athletic [[Human body|build]] and heroic [[sex appeal]] and allows a simple design for illustrators to reproduce. * While a great many superhero costumes do not feature [[cape]]s, the garment is still closely associated with them, likely because two of the most widely recognized superheroes, [[Batman]] and [[Superman]], wear capes. In fact, police officers in [[Batman]]’s home of [[Gotham City]] have used the word "cape" as a shorthand for all superheroes and costumed crimefighters. The comic-book miniseries ''[[Watchmen]]'' and the animated movie ''[[The Incredibles]]'' humorously commented on the potentially lethal impracticality of capes. In [[Marvel Comics]], the term "cape-killer" has been used to describe Superhuman Restraint Unit, even though few notable Marvel heroes wear capes. * While most superhero costumes merely hide the hero’s identity and present a recognizable image, parts of the costume (or the costume itself) have functional uses. [[Batman's utility belt]] and [[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]'s "[[necroplasm]]ic armor" have both been of great assistance to the heroes. [[Iron Man's armor]], in particular, protects him and provides technological advantages. * When thematically appropriate, some superheroes dress like people from various professions or subcultures. [[Zatanna]], who possesses wizard-like powers, dresses like a stage magician, and [[Ghost Rider (comics)|Ghost Rider]], who rides a superpowered [[motorcycle]], dresses in the leather garb of a biker. * Several heroes of the 1990s, including [[Cable (comics)|Cable]] and many [[Image Comics]] characters, rejected the traditional superhero outfit for costumes that appeared more practical and militaristic. Shoulder pads, kevlar-like vests, metal-plated armor, knee and elbow pads, heavy-duty belts, and ammunition pouches were common features. Other characters, such as [[Question (comics)|The Question]], opt for a "civilian" costume (mostly a trench coat). A few, such as the [[Runaways (comics)|Runaways]], do not wear any distinctive outfits at all. ===Bases/headquarters=== Many superheroes (and supervillains) have headquarters or base of operations (for example, [[Batman]]'s [[batcave]]). These bases are often equipped with state-of-the-art, highly advanced, and/or alien technologies. They are typically set in disguised and/or in secret locations to avoid being detected by enemies or the general public. Some bases, such as the [[Baxter Building]], are common public knowledge (even though their precise location may remain secret). Many heroes and villains who do not have a permanent headquarters are said to have a mobile base of operations. To the heroes and villains who have secret bases, these bases can serve a variety of functions, including but not limited to the following: * a [[control room]] where specialized monitors and other advanced technology help superheroes in staying on guard. * a [[command center]] where they are allowed the ability to send out commands through monitoring equipment. * a [[operations room]] that store their technological and alien devices. * a [[laboratory]], for experiments and scientific study. * a safehouse, where the heroes can conceal themselves from their enemies. * a research library, covering a variety of topics from science, to history, to criminal profiling. * an armory, for weapons design, construction and storage. * a garage/hangar/dock. * a communications center. * a weapons platform, for defense of the facility (these are more common to supervillains). * a trophy room, where mementos of significant battles and adventures are displayed. * a common area, for social activity (typically for larger teams, such as the [[Justice League]] or the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]). ==Types of superheroes== {{unreferenced section|date=December 2012}} {{Main|List of superhuman features and abilities in fiction}} In superhero [[role-playing game]]s, such as [[Hero Games]]' ''[[Champions (role-playing game)|Champions]]'', [[Green Ronin Publishing]]'s ''[[Mutants and Masterminds]]'', [[Cryptic Studios]]' [[MMORPG]] ''[[City of Heroes]]'' and ''[[Champions Online]]'', superheroes are formally organized into categories or archetypes based on their skills and abilities. Since comic book and role-playing [[fandom]] often overlap, these labels have carried over into discussions of superheroes outside the context of games:<ref>[http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=BlKKx5aOSukC&pg=PT379&dq=The+Superhero+Book&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nvCVUMyOKeuQiQeDnIHgBA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false The Superhero Book by Gina Misiroglu (2004)]</ref> * '''Acrobat''': A hero whose skills rely on their incredible aerobic and gymnastic abilities, whether they're naturally honed (like [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics)|Daredevil]] or [[Dick Grayson]]), or superhuman (like [[Spider-Man]], [[Krrish (character)|Krrish]] or [[Black Widow (Natalia Romanova)|Black Widow]]). * '''Aerial''': A hero whose primary power is flight (not to be confused with the strong and durable '''Paragons'''). These types fly either through physical means (wings like [[Warren Worthington III|Angel]], [[Falcon (comics)|Falcon]] or [[Hawkman]]) or through special means (levitation or energy propulsion like [[Nova (Sam Alexander)|Nova]], [[Banshee (comics)|Banshee]] or [[Cannonball (comics)|Cannonball]]). Heroes who are extraordinary aviators (like the [[Thunderbirds (TV series)|Thunderbirds]]) may also count as '''Aerials'''. * '''Armored Hero''': A gadgeteer whose powers are derived from a suit of [[powered armor]]; e.g., [[Iron Man]], [[Viz (comic)|Alcan foil-wrapped pork stock warrior]] and [[John Henry Irons|Steel]]. * '''Aquatic''': A hero whose abilities either come from living underwater (like [[Aquaman]], [[Namor]] and [[Aspen Matthews]] from [[Fathom (comics)|Fathom]]) or from being trained to adapt to underwater conditions (like the [[Sea Devils (comics)|Sea Devils]]). * '''Blaster''': A hero whose main power is a distance attack, usually an "[[energy blast]]"; e.g., [[Cyclops (comics)|Cyclops]], [[Starfire (comics)|Starfire]] and [[Static (superhero)|Static]]. * '''Brick/Tank''': A character with a superhuman degree of strength and endurance and, for males, usually an oversized muscular body; e.g., [[Hulk (comics)|The Hulk]], [[She-Hulk]], [[Thing (comics)|The Thing]], [[Colossus (comics)|Colossus]], [[The Tick]], and [[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]]. Almost every superhero team has one member of this variety, a point [[X-Factor (comics)|X-Factor]]'s [[Strong Guy|Guido Carosella]] noted when he took the codename "Strong Guy" at a reporter's suggestion that this was his role in the team. * '''[[Elemental]]ist''': A hero who controls some natural element or part of the natural world; e.g., [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] (weather), [[Magneto (comics)|Magneto]] (magnetism), [[Swamp Thing]] (vegetation), the [[Human Torch]] (fire), [[Iceman (comics)|Iceman]] (ice), [[Crystal (comics)|Crystal]] (manipulation of [[classical element]]s) and [[Static (superhero)|Static]] (electricity). * '''Energizer''': A hero who emits great amount of energy in combat (ki, chakra, karma, etc.), either by supernatural powers (like [[Cole McGrath]], [[Iron Fist (comics)|Iron Fist]], [[Gambit (comics)|Gambit]] or [[Aang]]) or for combat. * '''Feral''': A hero whose abilities come from a more bestial nature. This bestial nature could manefest itself either partially (like [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]]), fully (like [[Beast (comics)|Beast]]), or through therianthropic dual natures (such as the supernatural [[werewolf]] [[Werewolf by Night|Jack Russell]], or the mutant werewolf [[Wolfsbane (comics)|Wolfsbane]]). * '''Gadgeteer''': A hero who invents special equipment that often imitates superpowers but have no super powers themselves; e.g.[[Batman]], [[Iron Man]], [[Forge (comics)|Forge]] and [[Nite Owl]]. * '''Ghost''': A hero with 'ghost' type powers: either [[invisibility]] (such as [[Invisible Woman]]); or intangibility (such as [[Kitty Pryde]]); or both (such as [[Martian Manhunter]], [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|The Vision]], [[Deadman]], [[Ghost (Dark Horse Comics)|Ghost]] and [[Danny Phantom (character)|Danny Phantom]]). * '''[[Special agent|Government Agent]]''': A hero (or sometimes antihero) who is recognized by his or her occupation as a government soldier, or special service agent of any agency in the planet such as [[Nick Fury]], [[Black Widow (Natalia Romanova)|Black Widow]], [[Men in Black (comics)|Men in Black]], [[Maria Hill]], [[The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen]], [[Phil Coulson]] - see also [[Registration acts (comics)|Registration Acts]]. This category can also include heroes who used to be an agent; e.g., [[The Punisher]]. * '''Healer''': A hero who is able to quickly recover from serious injury; e.g., [[The Crow]], [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]], [[Hulk (comics)|the Hulk]], and [[Deadpool (comics)|Deadpool]]. This may also be a hero whose primary ability is to heal others; e.g., [[Elixir (comics)|Elixir]]. * '''[[Magician (paranormal)|Mage]]''': A hero who is trained in the use of [[magic (paranormal)|magic]]; e.g., [[Doctor Fate]], [[Doctor Strange]], [[Magik (comics)|Magik]], [[Zatanna]], [[John Constantine]]. * '''Marksman''': A hero who uses projectile weapons, typically [[gun]]s, [[archery|bows and arrows]] or throwing objects; e.g., [[Green Arrow]], [[Cable (comics)|Cable]], [[Gambit (comics)|Gambit]], [[Hawkeye (comics)|Hawkeye]] and [[Punisher|The Punisher]]. * '''[[Martial arts|Martial Artist]]''': A hero whose physical abilities are sometimes related to some sort of martial art e.g. judo, taekwondo etc. rather than superpowers but whose hand-to-hand combat skills are phenomenal. Some of these characters are actually superhuman or is empowered by an external source ([[Iron Fist (comics)|Iron Fist]] and [[Captain America]]), while others who don't always have superpowers but are extremely skilled and athletic ([[Batman]] and [[Batman Family|related characters]], [[Black Canary]], [[Shang Chi]], [[Viz (comic)|Raffles the Gentleman Thug]], [[Wildcat (comics)|Wildcat]] and multiple members of the ''[[Watchmen]]''). * '''Mecha/Robot Pilot''': A hero who controls a [[mecha|giant robot]], a subtype common in Japanese superhero and science fiction media; e.g., [[Megas XLR]], [[Power Rangers]] [[Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot|Big Guy]], [[Mazinger Z]] and [[Viz (comic)|Gilbert Ratchet]]. * '''[[Psychic|Mentalist]]''': A hero who possesses [[parapsychology|psionic]] abilities, such as [[telekinesis]], [[telepathy]] and [[extra-sensory perception]]; e.g., [[Professor X]], [[Jean Grey]], [[Emma Frost]], [[Psylocke]], and [[Raven (comics)|Raven]]. * '''Molecular''': A hero with the power to manipulate molecules, thus being able to alter the laws of physics (such as [[Doctor Manhattan#Doctor Manhattan|Doctor Manhattan]], [[Firestorm (comics)|Firestorm]] and [[Captain Atom]]). * '''Paragon''': A hero who possesses the basic powers of [[Powers and abilities of Superman|super-strength, flight and invulnerability]]. They are considered to be one of the most powerful of the superhero types: consisting of such heroes as the extraterrestrials [[Superman]] and [[Martian Manhunter]], the magically fuelled [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Shazam]]; the cosmically empowered [[Green Lantern]]; or even mythological gods such as [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] and [[Ares (Marvel Comics)|Ares]]. * '''[[Spirit possession|Possessed]]''': A hero who harbors an entity inside of him/herself; e.g., [[Etrigan the Demon]], [[Ghost Rider (comics)|Ghost Rider]], [[Spectre (comics)|Spectre]]. * '''Rider''': A hero who rides either a powerful vehicle, like [[Ghost Rider (comics)|Ghost Rider]] or the [[Silver Surfer]]; or rides a unique creature, like [[Shining Knight]]. * '''Robotic''': A hero whose own nature and skills are derived from a biotechnology. This category includes remote controlled [[robot]]s ([[Bozo the Iron Man]], [[My Life as a Teenage Robot|XJ-9]], [[Box (comics)|Box]]), [[cyborg]]s ([[Cyborg (comics)|Vic Stone]], [[RoboCop (character)|RoboCop]], [[Deathlok]]) and [[Android (robot)|android]]s ([[Red Tornado]], [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|The Vision]]). * '''[[Shapeshifting|Shapeshifter]]''': A hero who can manipulate his/her own body to suit his/her needs, such as stretching ([[Plastic Man]], [[Mister Fantastic]], [[Elongated Man]]), or disguise ([[Morph (comics)|Changeling/Morph]], [[Mystique (comics)|Mystique]]). Other such shapeshifters can transform into animals ([[Beast Boy]]), alien creatures ([[Ben 10]]) or inorganic materials ([[Metamorpho]]). * '''[[Resizing (fiction)|Size Changer]]''': A hero who can alter his/her size; e.g., the [[Atom (comics)|Atom]] (shrinking only), [[Colossal Boy]], [[Apache Chief]] (growth only), [[Hank Pym]], [[Ultra Series|The Ultramen]], [[Wasp (comics)|The Wasp]] (both). * '''[[Swordsmanship|Slasher]]''': A hero whose main power is some form of hand-to-hand cutting weapon—either devices, such as knives or swords, [[Elektra (comics)|Elektra]], [[Blade (comics)|Blade]], [[Katana (comics)|Katana]], [[John Steed]], or natural, such as claws ([[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]]). Even those able to form [[psionic]] blades such as [[Psylocke]] can be placed in this category. * '''[[Speedster (comics)|Speedster]]''': A hero possessing superhuman speed and reflexes; e.g., [[The Flash]], [[Quicksilver (comics)|Quicksilver]], [[Velocity (comics)]] and [[Dash Parr]] * '''Super Genius/Mastermind/Detective''': A hero possessing superhuman/superior intelligence or intellect; e.g., [[Batman]], [[Iron Man]], [[Professor X]], [[Question (comics)|The Question]], [[L Lawliet|L]], [[Brainiac 5]], [[Mister Fantastic]], [[John Constantine]]. * '''[[Teleportation|Teleporter]]''': A hero who is able to teleport from point A to point B to point C, etc; e.g., some teleport due to their own body chemistry, [[Nightcrawler (comics)|Nightcrawler]], others teleport via telekinetic energy ([[Blink (comics)|Blink]] and [[Mysterio#Francis Klum|Mysterio II]], others for unknown reasons ([[Jumper (novel)|Jumper]])and [[Vanisher]]. * '''Time Manipulater''': A hero possessing either a natural, magical, or science-based control of time. This could be either time travel like [[Doctor (Doctor Who)|The Doctor]] or [[Waverider (comics)|Waverider]], the ability to make time stop like [[Tempo (comics)|Tempo]] or both, like [[Hiro Nakamura]] (who can also teleport), or [[Viz (comic)|The Brown Bottle]]. * '''Sonic Scream''': A hero that can emit powerful sounds from their mouth; e.g.,[[Banshee (comics)]] and [[Black Canary]] These categories often overlap. For instance, [[Batman]] is a skilled detective, martial artist and gadgeteer, and [[Hellboy]] has the strength and durability of a brick and some mystic abilities or powers, similar to a mage. Wolverine fits into both the slasher and healing categories, and Spider man fits into acrobats, speedster, and gadgeteer groups. Very powerful characters—such as [[Superman]], [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], [[Wonder Woman]], [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Shazam]], [[Dr. Manhattan]], and the [[Silver Surfer]]—can be listed in many categories. Flying, super-strong, invulnerable heroes such as Superman, Shazam and Thor are sometimes in a category all their own, known as "Paragons" or "Originals" (as they were some of the earliest heroes in comics). Another possibility is that [[Superman]] is a "Paragon" and a "Blaster" (heat vision and super-breath), [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Shazam]] is a "Paragon" and a "Mage" (the Power of Shazam), [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] is "Paragon" and a "Elemental" (weather manipulation) and [[Hancock (film)|Hancock]] is a "Paragon" and a "Healer" (immortality), or perhaps even the [[Martian Manhunter]] (Paragon, Ghost, Blaster, Shapeshifter, Size Changer, Mentalist, Mastermind and Healer). So, in esscence, the [[Fantastic Four]] consists of a '''Shapeshifter/Mastermind''' ([[Mister Fantastic]]), a '''Ghost/Mentalist''' ([[Invisible Woman]]), an '''Elementalist/Aerial''' (the [[Human Torch]]), and a '''Brick/Martial Artist''' (The [[Thing (comics)|Thing]]). ==Trademark status== Most [[dictionary]] definitions<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/superhero Dictionary.com: Superhero]</ref> and common usages of the term are [[Genericized trademark|generic]] and not limited to the characters of any particular company or companies. Nevertheless, variations on the term "Super Hero" are jointly claimed by [[DC Comics]] and [[Marvel Comics]] as [[trademark]]s in the United States. Registrations of "Super Hero" marks have been maintained by DC and Marvel since the 1960s.<ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5304264 Ulaby, Neda. ''All Things Considered'', "Comics Creators Search for 'Super Hero' Alternative". March 27, 2006]</ref> (U.S. Trademark Serial Nos. 72243225 and 73222079, among others). Joint trademarks shared by competitors are rare in the United States.<ref>[http://www.schwimmerlegal.com/archives/2004/02/do_dc_and_marve.html Schwimmer, Martin. ''The Trademark Blog'', "Do DC and Marvel Own Exclusive Rights in 'SUPER HERO'?" 2004.]</ref> They are supported by a non-precedential 2003 [[Trademark Trial and Appeal Board]] decision upholding the [[Swiss Army Knife|"Swiss Army" knife]] trademark. Like the "Super Hero" marks, the "Swiss Army" mark was jointly registered by competitors. It was upheld on the basis that the registrants jointly "represent a single source" of the knives, due to their long-standing cooperation for quality control.<ref>[http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/foia/ttab/other/2003/103315.pdf Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. ''Arrow Trading Co., Inc. v. Victorinox A.G. and Wenger S.A.''. 2003]</ref> Critics in the legal community dispute whether the "Super Hero" marks meet the legal standard for trademark protection in the United States-distinctive designation of a single source of a product or service. Controversy exists over each element of that standard: whether "Super Hero" is distinctive rather than generic, whether "Super Hero" designates a source of products or services, and whether DC and Marvel jointly represent a single source.<ref>[http://www.likelihoodofconfusion.com/?p=413 Coleman, Ron. ''Likelihood of Confusion'', "SUPER HERO® my foot". 2006.]</ref> Some critics further characterize the marks as a misuse of trademark law to chill competition.<ref>[http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/18/marvel-comics-steali.html Doctorow, Cory. ''Boing Boing'', "Marvel Comics: stealing our language". 2006.]</ref> [[America's Best Comics]], originally an imprint of [[Wildstorm]], used the term [[science hero]], coined by Alan Moore. Wildstorm has since been purchased by DC Comics. ==Growth in diversity== For the first two decades of their existence in comic books, superheroes largely conformed to the [[patriarchy|patriarch]]-model of lead characters in American popular fiction of the time, with the typical superhero being predominately [[Caucasian race|Caucasian]], [[Social class in the United States|American middle- or upper- class]], athletic, tall, attractive, [[heterosexual]], educated, young-adult male. A majority of superheroes still fit this description as of 2010, but beginning in the 1960s many characters have broken the mold. === Female superheroes === {{Main|List of superheroines}} The first known female superhero is writer-artist [[Fletcher Hanks]]'s character [[Fantomah]], an ageless, [[ancient Egypt]]ian woman in the modern day who could transform into a skull-faced creature with superpowers to fight evil; she debuted in [[Fiction House]]'s ''Jungle Comics'' #2 (Feb. 1940), credited to the pseudonymous "Barclay Flagg".<ref name="toonopedia">{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Markstein |first=Don |encyclopedia=[[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]] |title=The Black Widow |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/blwidow1.htm |accessdate=26 July 2013| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/66vunFgcm | archivedate =April 15, 2012 | quote = Fantomah was the first female character in comics to use extraordinary powers in combatting evil. The Woman in Red was the first to wear a flashy costume and maintain a dual identity while doing so. But The Black Widow was the first to do both.}}</ref><ref>[http://www.toonopedia.com/fantomah.htm Fantomah] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]</ref> Another seminal superheroine is [[Invisible Scarlet O'Neil]], a non-costumed character who fought crime and wartime saboteurs using the superpower of invisibility; she debuted in the eponymous [[print syndication|syndicated]] [[newspaper]] [[comic strip]] by Russell Stamm on June 3, 1940.<ref>[http://cartoonician.com/not-seen-but-not-forgotten-the-invisible-scarlet-oneil/ ''Not Seen but not Forgotten: The Invisible Scarlet O'Neil'', Hogan's Alley #17, 2010]</ref> A superpowered female [[antiheroine]], the [[Black Widow (Claire Voyant)|Black Widow]]—a costumed emissary of [[Satan]] who killed evildoers in order to send them to [[Hell]]—debuted in ''[[Mystic (comics)|Mystic Comics]]'' #4 (Aug. 1940), from [[Timely Comics]], the 1940s predecessor of [[Marvel Comics]]. Though non-superpowered, like the Phantom and Batman, the earliest female costumed crimefighters are [[The Woman in Red (comics)|The Woman in Red]],<ref>[http://www.toonopedia.com/womanred.htm Don Markstein's Tonnopedia: The Woman in Red] and [http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=675 Grand Comics Database: ''Thrilling Comics'' #2]</ref> introduced in [[Standard Comics]]' ''Thrilling Comics'' #2 (March 1940); [[Lady Luck (comics)|Lady Luck]], debuting in the Sunday-[[newspaper]] comic-book insert ''[[The Spirit|The Spirit Section]]'' June 2, 1940; the comedic character [[Red Tornado (Ma Hunkel)|Red Tornado]], debuting in ''All-American Comics'' #20 (Nov 1940); [[Miss Fury]],<ref>[http://www.toonopedia.com/missfury.htm Don Markstein's Toonopedia: Miss Fury]</ref> debuting in the eponymous comic strip by female cartoonist [[Tarpé Mills]] on April 6, 1941; the [[Phantom Lady]], introduced in [[Quality Comics]] ''Police Comics'' #1 (Aug. 1941); and the [[Black Cat (Harvey Comics)|Black Cat]],<ref>[http://www.toonopedia.com/blackcat.htmon Markstein's Toonopedia: Black Cat] and [http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=1572 Grand Comics Database: ''Pocket Comics'' #1]</ref> introduced in [[Harvey Comics]]' ''Pocket Comics'' #1 (also Aug. 1941). The superpowered [[Nelvana of the Northern Lights]] debuted in Canadian publisher Hillborough Studio's ''Triumph-Adventure Comics'' #1 (Aug. 1941), and the superhumanly strong [[Miss Victory]] was introduced in [[Holyoke (comics)]] the same month. The character was later adopted by [[A.C. Comics]]. The first widely recognizable female superhero is [[Wonder Woman]], from [[All-American Publications]], one of two companies that would merge to form [[DC Comics]]. She was created by psychologist [[William Moulton Marston]] with help and inspiration from his wife [[Elizabeth (Sadie) Holloway Marston|Elizabeth]] and their mutual lover Olive Byrne.<ref name=bu>[http://www.bu.edu/alumni/bostonia/2001/fall/wonderwoman/ ''Bostonia'' (Fall 2001): "Who Was Wonder Woman? Long-ago LAW alumna Elizabeth Marston was the muse who gave us a superheroine", by Marguerite Lamb]</ref><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE1DF1539F93BA25751C0A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print ''The New York Times'' (February 18, 1992): "Our Towns: She's Behind the Match For That Man of Steel", by Andrew H. Malcolm]</ref> Wonder Woman debuted in ''[[All Star Comics]]'' #8 (Jan. 1942). Starting in the late 1950s, DC introduced [[Hawkgirl]], [[Supergirl]], [[Batwoman]] and later [[Batgirl]], all female versions of prominent male superheroes. In addition, the company introduced [[Zatanna]] and a [[Black Canary#Modern Age history|second Black Canary]] and had several female [[supporting character]]s that were successful professionals, such as [[Ray Palmer (comics)|the Atom]]'s love-interest, attorney [[Jean Loring]]. As with DC's superhero team the [[Justice League of America]], with included Wonder Woman, the [[Marvel Comics]] teams of the early 1960s usually included at least one female, such as the [[Fantastic Four]]'s [[Invisible Woman|Invisible Girl]], the [[X-Men]]'s [[Jean Grey|Marvel Girl]] and the Avengers' [[Wasp (comics)|Wasp]] and later [[Scarlet Witch]]. In the wake of [[second-wave feminism]], the Invisible Girl became the more confident and assertive Invisible Woman, and Marvel Girl became the hugely powerful destructive force called Phoenix. <!--Distinctly feminist characters were introduced, such as DC's [[Power Girl]] and Marvel's [[Carol Danvers|Ms. Marvel]].--> In subsequent decades, [[Elektra (comics)|Elektra]], [[Catwoman]], [[Witchblade]], and [[Spider-Girl]] became stars of popular series. The series ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' and its related superhero-team titles included many females in vital roles.<ref>[http://www.seriejournalen.dk/sj_indhold.asp?ID=32 ''Comic Zone'' (May 1, 1996): "An Interview with Chris Claremont"]</ref> Superheroines often sport improbably large breasts and an illogical lack of muscle-mass, and their costumes sexualise their wearers almost as a matter of course. For example, [[Power Girl]]'s includes a small window between her breasts; [[Emma Frost]]'s costume traditionally resembles erotic lingerie; and [[Starfire (comics)|Starfire]]'s started as a full-body covering and has, over four decades, been reduced to a thong, pelvic covering, mask, and stiletto heels. This visual treatment of women in American comics has led to accusations of systemic [[sexism]] and [[objectification]].<ref>[http://www.gadflyonline.com/8-13-01/ftr-girls-allowed.HTML ''Gadfly'' (no date): "No Girls Allowed", by Casey Franklin]</ref><ref>[http://www.sequart.com/articles/index.php?article=600 Sequart.com (March 15, 2001): "The State of American Comics Address", by Julian Darius]</ref> === Ethnic superheroes === {{Main|African characters in comics|Ethnic stereotypes in comics}} {{See also|List of black superheroes|List of Asian superheroes|List of Latino superheroes|List of Native American superheroes}} In the late 1960s, superheroes of other cultural, ethnic, national, and racial groups began to appear. In 1966, [[Marvel Comics]] introduced the [[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]], an African king who became the first non-[[caricature]]d black superhero.<ref>{{cite book | last = Brown | first = Jeffrey A. | title = Black Superheroes, Milestone Comics and their Fans | publisher = University Press of Mississippi | year = 2001 | isbn = 1-57806-281-0}} </ref> The first [[African-American]] superhero, the [[Falcon (comics)|Falcon]], followed in 1969, and three years later, [[Luke Cage]], a self-styled "hero-for-hire", became the first black superhero to star in his own series. In 1971, [[Red Wolf (comics)|Red Wolf]] became the first [[Native Americans of the United States|Native American]] in the superheroic tradition to headline a series.<ref>[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/redwf2.htm Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Red Wolf]</ref> In 1974, [[Shang Chi]], a [[martial art]]ist, became the first prominent [[List of Asian superheroes|Asian superhero]] to star in an American comic book. ([[Asian-American]] [[FBI]] agent [[Jimmy Woo]] had starred in a short-lived 1950s series named after a "[[yellow peril]]" [[antagonist]], ''[[Yellow Claw]]''.) Comic-book companies were in the early stages of cultural expansion and many of these characters played to specific [[stereotype]]s; Cage (and other African-Americans) often employed lingo similar to that of [[blaxploitation]] films, Native Americans were often associated with [[shamanism]] and [[Totemism|wild animals]], and Asian Americans were often portrayed as [[wuxia]] [[martial artist]]s. Subsequent minority heroes, such as the [[X-Men]]'s [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] (the first african-female superhero) and the [[Teen Titans]]' [[Cyborg (comics)|Cyborg]] avoided such conventions. Storm and Cyborg were both part of superhero teams, which became increasingly diverse in subsequent years. The X-Men, in the particular, were revived in 1975 with a line-up of characters culled from several nations, including the [[Kenya]]n Storm, [[Germany|German]] [[Nightcrawler (comics)|Nightcrawler]], [[Russia]]n [[Colossus (comics)|Colossus]] and [[Canada|Canadian]] [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]]. Diversity in both ethnicity and national origin would be an important part of subsequent superhero groups. In 1989, Marvel's [[Monica Rambeau|Captain Marvel]] was the first female black superhero from a major publisher to get her own title in a special one-shot issue. In 1991, Marvel's [[Epic Comics]] released [[Captain Confederacy]], the first female black superhero to have her own series. IIn 1993, [[Milestone Comics]], an African-American-owned media/publishing company entered into a publishing agreement with DC Comics that allowed them to introduce a line of comics that included characters of many ethnic minorities as well as whites. Milestone's initial run lasted four years, during which it introduced ''[[Static (superhero)|Static]],'' a character adapted into the [[WB Television Network|WB Network]] [[animated series]] ''[[Static Shock]]''. A subsequent agreement with DC Comics allowed the Milestone characters to enter the main DC Universe but they have all since been erased and their current legal status remains unknown. In addition to the creation of new minority heroes, publishers have filled the roles of once-Caucasian heroes with minorities. The African-American [[John Stewart (comics)|John Stewart]] debuted in 1971 as an alternate for Earth's [[Green Lantern]] [[Hal Jordan]]. In the 1980s, Stewart joined the Green Lantern Corps as a regular member. The creators of the 2000s-era [[Justice League (animated series)|''Justice League'' animated series]] selected Stewart as the show's Green Lantern. Other such successor-heroes of color include DC's [[Firestorm (comics)|Firestorm]] (African-American), [[Atom (comics)|Atom]] (Asian), and [[Blue Beetle]] ([[Latino]]). Marvel Comics, in 2003 [[retroactive continuity]], revealed that the "[[Supersoldier]] serum" that empowered [[Captain America]] was originally tested on an African American, Isaiah Bradley a.k.a. "the black Captain America", who is the grandfather of the [[Young Avengers]]' [[Patriot (comics)|Patriot]].<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/10541/ ''Truth: Red, White & Black''] #1–7 (Jan.–July 2003) at [[Grand Comics Database]].</ref> In [[Ultimate Marvel|Ultimate]], [[Spider-Man (Miles Morales)|Miles Morales]], a 13-year-old Black-Hispanic youth who was also bitten by a genetically-altered spider, takes up the mantle of Spider-Man after [[Peter Parker]] dies. The [[Marvel Cinematic Universe|MCU]] continuity features [[Ultimate Nick Fury|Gen. Nick Fury]] as executive director [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]]. === LGBT superheroes === {{Main|LGBT themes in comics}} In 1992, Marvel [[the closet|revealed]] that [[Northstar]], a member of the [[Canadian]] mutant superhero team [[Alpha Flight]], was [[homosexuality|homosexual]], after years of implication.<ref>[http://www.gayleague.com/gay/characters/display.php?id=1 Gay League - North Star]</ref> This ended a long-standing editorial mandate that there would be no LGBT characters in Marvel comics.<ref>[http://www.tcj.com/3_online/f_nuremburg.html The Comics Journal: Online Features]</ref> Although some secondary characters in [[DC Comics]]' mature-audience miniseries ''[[Watchmen]]'' were gay, Northstar was the first openly gay superhero appearing in mainstream comic books. Other gay and bisexual superheroes have since emerged, such as [[Pied Piper (comics)|Pied Piper]], [[Gen¹³]]'s [[Sarah Rainmaker|Rainmaker]], and the gay couple [[Apollo (comics)|Apollo]] and [[Midnighter]] of [[Wildstorm Comics]]' superhero team the [[The Authority|Authority]]. In the mid-2000s, some characters were revealed gay in two Marvel titles: [[Wiccan (comics)|Wiccan]] and [[Hulkling]] of the superhero group [[Young Avengers]]; and the [[Ultimate X-Men|X-Men]]'s [[Alternative versions of Colossus#Ultimate Colossus|Colossus]] in the [[Parallel universe (fiction)|alternate universe]] [[Ultimate Marvel]] [[imprint]]. [[Xavin]], from the [[Runaways (comics)|Runaways]] is a shape-changing alien filling the part of a transgender lesbian. In 2006, DC revealed in its ''[[Manhunter (Kate Spencer)|Manhunter]]'' title that longtime character [[Obsidian (comics)|Obsidian]] was gay. In the same year, the [[Batwoman#Katherine "Kate" Rebecca Kane|new incarnation of Batwoman]] was introduced as a "[[lipstick lesbian]]" to some media attention. The Golden Age Green Lantern [[Alan Scott]], Obsidian's father, was reintroduced as gay in the 2011 [[The New 52]] reboot.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5030518.stm BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Batwoman hero returns as lesbian]</ref><ref>[http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1200745,00.html TIME.com: Caped Crusaders -- Jun. 12, 2006 -- Page 1]</ref> ==See also== {{Portal|Superhero fiction|Speculative fiction}} * [[Real-life superhero]] * [[Science hero]] * [[Superhero film]] * [[List of actors who have played superheroes]] * [[List of superhero debuts]] * [[List of comic book superpowers]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{Commons category|Superheroes}} {{Comics genres and themes}} {{Stock characters}} [[Category:Fictional concepts in comics]] [[Category:Stock characters]] [[Category:Superheroes|Superheroes]] [[hi:सुपरहीरो]]'