What Makes a Superhero?

Hmm… It’s been a long time since I last posted anything…. But I’m back now!

Alright, straight to the point. What makes a superhero? This is a question which garners much excitement no doubt, especially among fans of popular comic icons. Ask a fanatical idolizer of Wolverine from the X-Men, and that person would probably tell you all about Wolverine’s healing powers and almost indestructible skeleton, only vulnerable to the very metal of cosmic origin it was made out of. Ask a Spiderman fan and it would be very likely he would proclaim the wondrous spider-like abilities of the red-and-blue suited, web-slinging, Peter Parker. Ask a Twilight wannabe and the probable female supporter of either the camp of Jacob the werewolf or Edward the vampire would tell you all about their ‘superhero’. All of these superheroes share common attributes, they all have ‘awesome’ powers (and are handsome?), have secret identities (except, well, Edward and Jacob, but then again they do not really count). But many people fail to see that superheroes aren’t just all about their powers, it is what they do that makes them what they are. Which brings me to the most important similarity; all these superheroes do good.

Firstly, most superheroes have superhuman powers. Yes, most, not all. Not all superheroes need to have powers. It is what they do that matters more. Yes, Spiderman uses his spider-like abilities to save the people of the New York in his story. Yes, Wolverine makes good use of his powers to save people. Yes, even Jacob and Edward use their powers to save Bella. From what? I am not sure. Maybe from themselves, maybe from each other, maybe from other nefarious villains but that’s beside the point. The main point is, it doesn’t really matter if superheroes have superpowers, it is what they do that matters more. Fine, I do admit that powers do come in useful, but look at Batman. He saves Gotham city, and he doesn’t even possess a single ‘superpower’ (although, I must also admit he possesses the power of extraordinary courage, however that doesn’t exactly classify as a power in traditional context). Therefore, it is not really necessary for superheroes to have ‘superpowers’.

Secondly, most ‘superheroes’ wear costumes. Hiding identities is extremely important for superheroes, given the consequences they face when their identity is exposed. Villains would know how to get to these heroes, get what they want from them at ease, and the whatnot. However, it isn’t compulsory for all these superheroes to mask their identity in order to do the good they are expected to do. Sure it does make them look pretty darn cool most of the time, but it certainly isn’t a must, especially not in the context of the real world. Take a look at Al Gore for example, he does good; he strives to save the Earth from global warming. Yet, you do not seeing him run around in a latex suit with his underpants on the outside. Once again, it is what a superhero does that makes him a superhero, not the costume the superhero wears (Edward doesn’t wear much of a costume does he? And Jacob can’t even keep his shirt on). Thus, it isn’t a requirement for all superheroes to wear those sometimes very silly-looking costumes of theirs. What matters more, I reinforce again, is what they are actually doing.

Well, it seems my argument has brought me to my last point and probably the most important of the lot. Even though it can be seen from the justification portion of the above paragraphs, I would still like to summarize it here. The most important power any superhero has to have is a (really, really) strong heart for the good he is trying to achieve. Though this doesn’t really classify as a superpower, it is something that draws the line between ‘superheroes’ and ordinary folk. Superheroes need not wear masks. Superheroes need not be able to fly. Superheroes need not be strong. The only strength they need is inner strength. The will and desire to do good, along with the courage to do so. Superheroes always face many challenges, challenges which seem almost impossible to overcome. Faced with such a mountain of a task, they still do not give up; they persevere, and most of the time, manage to reach what they are aiming for. All they need is the courage to target what is good, the greater good, and to, of course, try their best to achieve it. After all, a superhero wouldn’t be called one if they didn’t do good.

And yes, that does mean Edward and Jacob are superheroes.