Superhero’s and heroines what makes them well them? Have any of you read comic books when you were a kid or teenager? Or maybe you read them now as an adult? Well I’m sure we all have our own version of a hero and our own favorite superhero…so here are the traits and basic archetypes of a hero and a superhero.

A superhero is the type of hero that we all know to be possessing extraordinary or superhuman powers and dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical, and my favorite, superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years along sagas have dominated American comic books and crossed over into other media types. Basically everybody loves superman, but that’s good cause he’s the best superhero of them all. The word superman itself dates as far back as 1917, that’s amazing!

A lot of these comic book writers and companies really upped the ante during the great depression era, which I think they did to keep everyone going forward. Basically defining the superhero Superman as a vision of hope for a better future. Which was well needed during the depression.

Extraordinary powers and abilities, relevant skills and or advanced equipment are all common in a superheroes arsenal for fighting crime. A superheroes powers vary widely, superhuman strength, the ability to fly, enhanced senses, and the projection of energy bolts are all common amongst heroes.  Some superheroes, such as Batman, Green Arrow, Hawkeye and the 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 Mans powered armor suits and green lanterns power ring. Many characters supplement their natural powers with a special weapon or device.

 A strong moral code, including a vast willingness to risk one’s own personal safety, which never seems to run out, in the service of good without expectation of reward. Such a code often includes a refusal or strong reluctance to kill or wield lethal weapons. 

A motivation, such as a strong sense of responsibility, a formal calling, a personal vendetta against criminals, or a strong belief in justice and humanitarian service. So many reasons to choose from but I like the last one the absolute best simply because that’s superman’s reasons for being a hero.

Now of course we all know about the secret identities. The secret identity after all is what protects the superhero’s friends and family from becoming targets of his or her enemies. Now beyond that comes the costume, a superhero has to have his look.  Then there’s the superhero’s motive, and a supporting cast. A hero does what he or she does simply because of their own reasons. But what about their supporting cast? Yep that’s right every superhero has their sidekick, whether the sidekick is official or unofficially the sidekick they simply help out. Of course a hero has enemies, otherwise who would they fight all the time. Sometimes a hero has independent wealth, kind of like the Green Arrow or Batman. They are both characters that have a background of wealth.

Basically a superhero always saves the day, and sometimes in style with his or her friends “sidekicks” with them. But there’s more than just super heroes, not many people see it but there are regular everyday heroes out there that quite often save the day. When I joined the navy I signed up to save and help people not to travel the world or any of that other stuff, but to be a hero. Who else out there do you know that is a hero? Paramedics, firefighters, police, nurses, doctors, social workers?