superheroes
Masked vigilante protagonists
Superheroes is the plural of superhero—a fictional character with extraordinary powers or abilities who fights evil and protects the innocent.
The term emerged from comic books in the 1930s and 1940s with characters like Superman and Batman.
Superheroes typically wear distinctive costumes and maintain secret identities: The movie featured a team of superheroes saving the world.
The word extends metaphorically to real people who perform exceptional feats: Emergency responders are the real superheroes.
Superhero media conglomerate
- DCUnidirectional electrical flow
- mangaJapanese comic medium
- panelsFlat rectangular sections
- pencillerArtist creating preliminary linework
inker · colorist · crossover · arc · origin · retcon · multiverse · reboot
Morally ambiguous main character
- PunisherLethal vigilante antihero
- BatmanGotham's masked vigilante
- darknessTotal absence of light
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
noir · vengeance · retribution · masked · nocturnal · outlaw · loner · brooding
Shouldered sleeveless wrap
- maskFace-worn concealment
- spandexElastic synthetic fiber
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
lair · hideout · Batcave · symbol · insignia · boots · cowl · shield
Fortitude facing danger
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- braveryBoldness before danger
- selflessnessPrioritizing others over oneself
- valorCourage in danger
nobility · justice · honor · duty · resilience · defender · protector · guardian
Aerial journey by aircraft
- strengthPower to exert force
- telepathyDirect mental communication
- invisibilityState of being unseen
- invulnerabilityImmunity to all damage
superspeed · telekinesis · shapeshifting · healing · force-fields · intangibility · time-travel · immortality
Greek sky god
- AthenaGreek wisdom deity
- HerculesLegendary Greek strongman
- OdinChief Norse deity
- ThorGermanic thunder deity
Loki · Anubis · Osiris · Apollo · Perseus · demigod · Olympus · Asgard
Dressing as media characters
- conventionsAccepted social practices
- collectiblesItems people amass
- merchandiseCommercial products offered
- fanartUnofficial creative homages
fanfiction · shipping · canon · headcanon · MCU · DCEU · boxoffice · trailer
Marvel
Superhero media conglomerate
penciller · inker · colorist · crossover · arc · origin · retcon · multiverse · reboot · canon
antihero
Morally ambiguous main character
shadows · noir · vengeance · retribution · masked · nocturnal · outlaw · loner · brooding · rooftops
cape
Shouldered sleeveless wrap
emblem · lair · hideout · Batcave · symbol · insignia · boots · cowl · shield · tights
courage
Fortitude facing danger
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- braveryBoldness before danger
- selflessnessPrioritizing others over oneself
valor · nobility · justice · honor · duty · resilience · defender · protector · guardian · savior
flight
Aerial journey by aircraft
- strengthPower to exert force
- telepathyDirect mental communication
- invisibilityState of being unseen
invulnerability · superspeed · telekinesis · shapeshifting · healing · force-fields · intangibility · time-travel · immortality · psychic
Zeus
Greek sky god
Thor · Loki · Anubis · Osiris · Apollo · Perseus · demigod · Olympus · Asgard · Valhalla
cosplay
Dressing as media characters
- conventionsAccepted social practices
- collectiblesItems people amass
- merchandiseCommercial products offered
fanart · fanfiction · shipping · canon · headcanon · MCU · DCEU · boxoffice · trailer · cameo
- heroeshero, heroes, heroine, heroines, Superman
- kids' stufftoys, games, cartoons, dolls, dinosaurs
- comic book elementsvillains, sidekicks, alter egos, secret identities, speech bubbles
- comic book topicsvillains, origin stories, secret identities, superpowers, graphic novels
- crimefighterscops, detectives, FBI, police, sheriffs
- hero tropesaction heroes, chosen one, hero's journey, reluctant hero, antiheroes
superheroessupervillains
Fictional evil adversaries
villains · antagonists · criminals · bad guys · nemeses
superheroesordinary people
Everyday individuals, unremarkable
ordinary citizens · civilians · mortals · average Joes · nobodies
superheroesvictims
Those who suffer harm
damsels in distress · bystanders · hostages · casualties · cannon fodder
- superhero filmsGenre featuring costumed crimefighters
- superhero comicsStories of powered crimefighters
- real superheroActual courageous person
- superhero capeFlowing garment worn by costumed vigilantes
- superhero landingDramatic knee-and-fist touchdown pose
- superhero originHeroic powers' source narrative