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April 28th each year is recognized as “National Superhero day”. Fans all over the world give acknowledgement to their favorites. It’s a reflection of how impactful these characters have made on their fandoms and lives.
It also brings up a great question:
What is a Super Hero?
According to Merriam-Webster, A Super hero is “a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers.”
Over the course of pop-culture, the definition has taken many twists and turns adapting to the times. Considering where the first hero was identified, it has been quite the journey to the current landscape.
When did the Superhero genre start?
It is a very surreal thought but we are almost at the 100 year anniversary of the first one recognized. That honor goes to “The Phantom” by Lee Falk and Ray Moore in 1936. However, two years later, a character emerged on the scene and took the concept of a “superhero” to a whole new level.
In April of 1938, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster introduced the world to a man from the planet Krypton. Action Comics #1 gave pop culture the Man Of Steel: SUPERMAN. Since that time, the adventures of Kal-El aka Clark Kent have captured fans imaginations and never let go. Even to this present day, Superman has crossed over into the land of featured Movies (starting in 1951’s “Superman and the Mole Men” starring George Reeves, 1978’s “Superman” with Christopher Reeves, and 2013’s “Man Of Steel” with Henry Cavill to name a few).
Fans are still clamoring for more Superman with the James Gunn directed: “Superman” with David Corenswet being one of the most anticipated films in production. The movie is slated for release in July of 2025. Factor in the multiple TV shows and animated series and there is no doubt the legacy is stronger than ever nearing its’ 90th anniversary.
Two other heroes that will forever be connected with Superman are the other halves of the DC Comics Trinity. Debuting in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, a caped crusader took a more grounded approach to fighting crime. Bob Kane AND Bill Finger welcomed fans to Gotham City and Bruce Wayne aka BATMAN. A man who’s driven to a relentless pursuit of justice after his family is murdered, Batman defies the definition of a superhero. He has no powers. Batman is just at the peak* of physical perfection.
In his time, Batman has left a huge impact on Pop Culture. With a hit TV show starring Adam West in 1966, Creating a theatrical legacy in 1989 with “Batman” starring Michael Keaton, reinventing itself with “The Batman” with Robert Pattinson and being rivaled with arguably the greatest superhero animated series of all time: “Batman: The Animated Series” voiced by Kevin Conroy, the Dark Knight has transcended the definition to forge a unique legacy all his own (even with prep time).
The other member of DC’s Superhero Trinity is an Amazonian Warrior who’s blazed her trail to millions since 1941. Diana Prince made her debut in ALL-STAR COMICS #8 via William Moulton Marston, and artist Harry G. Peter. At that moment, the world was introduced to WONDER WOMAN.
Being a franchise member of the Justice League, Wonder Woman has given fans many memorable stories in the comics. This translated into a hit TV series starring Linda Carter in 1975. Wonder Woman has also had major Hollywood success with 2017’s “Wonder Woman” starring Gal Gadot. $822 Million dollars made worldwide from the motion picture solidified the character’s global impact.
With the “Dawn Of DC” movement in the comics, Diana’s latest adventures by Tom King and Daniel Sampere has been met with high fan approval. It is only a matter of time until we see Diana of Themyscira back on the big screen with another chapter of her pop culture impact waiting to be written.
“With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility….”
Stan Lee has created so many impactful superheroes that when you think Marvel Entertainment, his name is arguably attached to your favorite. However, there is one that he and artist Steve Ditko gifted fans that stands a bit taller amongst the legends of the House of Ideas.
In August 1962, Amazing Fantasy #15 hit the shelves. An ordinary teenager was bitten by a radioactive spider. With every choice comes a consequence. The repercussions have defined a hero who’s connected with so many fans across the world. His name is SPIDER-MAN.
Not being the strongest, not being the fastest, not being the best. These statements have never slowed down a hero and his will to find a way to save the day no matter the cost. This mantra has crossed over to animation in 1967, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981), and 1994’s “Spider-Man”. Spidey has also gotten the live-action treatment on Television with “The Amazing Spider-Man” on CBS in 1977.
However, the moment that redefined the character was 2002’s “Spider-Man” movie with Tobey McGuire in the title role. The movie side of things have only grown from there with Tom Holland bringing Peter Parker into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The future is very bright for the neighborhood wall-crawler as there is more projects on the way with an every growing fanbase following his (and Miles Morales – the new Spider-Man for a whole new generation) fans.
“….always rooting for the anti-hero” – Taylor Swift
In today’s world of Superheroes, the “boy scout” image from the inception has drastically changed. With “Watchmen” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons redefining what fans think of superheroes, the emergence of “anti-hero” popularity can’t be denied. There is one character that has taken the title and kicked in the door for a whole group of heroes. That would be WOLVERINE.
From the pages of Incredible Hulk #181 by Len Wein and Herb Trimpe in 1974, a mysterious mutant named Logan made a big debut against a rampaging Hulk. Even with that debut, Logan’s popularity went to unprecedented heights as being a member of an all new and diverse X-Men team including Thunderbird, Storm, Colossus, and Nightcrawler.
Being spun into his own solo limited series in 1982 by Frank Miller, then ongoing in 1988, Wolverine proved there was a market for superhero stories that walked the fine line between hero and villain due to his methods and aggression. Quickly, Wolverine soared to becoming the franchise member of Comics’ most popular team and line. This lead to the wildly successful animated series in 1992 and the beginning of the X-Men invasion of Hollywood in 2000 with Hugh Jackman in the role of Logan. This spawned a few spin-offs and led to Jackman’s return in the upcoming 2024 “Deadpool and Wolverine” movie.
Without Wolverine, there is no Punisher movies and TV shows. No Deadpool. No Anti-Heroes. Some may have been created first, but Wolverine leads the way for the boom of a new generation of superhero.
As for the future of Superheroes……
With the near century anniversary approaching, the question becomes again “What is a superhero” in this time? The gift and the curse is there really is no clear cut answer. Fans have so many characters to choose from that there isn’t a decisive single one.
Invincible. Black Panther. Captain Marvel. Harley Quinn. Geiger. Butcher (from “the Boys”), Magneto. Starstorm. Mid-Life. Rick Grimes.
These are only a few names but since i posed the question, I need to give an answer. Mine is simple:
Due to the creativity of Kyle Higgins, Marcelo Costa, and editor Michael Busuttil (among many other incredible creators), the saga of Nathan Burnett and his chance encounter with the cosmic radiant has ignited fans who continuously are engaged at the many directions Nathan and his best friend Marshall are pulled in.
With an upcoming conclusion to Black Market Narrative/Image Comics‘ “The Catalyst War” and an event appropriately titled “Supermassive” on the horizon, there is no question in my mind when someone says “superhero”, the response is “Stay Radiant”.
That’s the great thing about this day in age of Superheroes. From its early beginnings to the renaissance fans get to enjoy today, there is a hero for anyone. Go out and celebrate it wherever you’re at (and not just on April 28th).
Let me know on both ODPHpod and Nerd initiative social media who is your favorite superhero and why? As always, thanks for reading and get ready for some incredible changes at the home of Pop Culture Positivity.
Till next time….
