Are Modern Super Heroes Epic?
Element
The main character is a hero, who is often
possessed of super natural abilities or qualities
The hero is charged with a quest (call to Adventure)
“Crossing the Threshold” Moving from the known to
the unknown
The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of
himself and his quest
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL
The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical
and helpful animals, and/or human helpers and
companions
The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world,
often one that normal human beings are barred
from entering
The cycle must reach a low point where the hero
nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated
A resurrection
Achieving the goal or the “boon”
Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero
regaining his rightful place on the throne. Return to
the ordinary world
Applying the “boon”
Example
Superman Profile:
Real Name: Clark Kent – Kal-El
Location: Metropolis, U.S.
First Appearance: Action Comics #1 (1938)
Created By: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Publisher: DC Comics
Powers:
Superman’s powers have changed greatly over the years. In the first incarnation of Superman by Siegel and Shuster,
Superman had super strength, being able to lift a car over his head. He also had the ability to run extremely fast and
to jump as much as an eighth of a mile into the air. Later writers though, have increased Superman’s powers, taken
them away, re-raised them to near omnipotence and then back again.
The current incarnation of Superman sees him near his omnipotent (near god-like) powers. Superman has the power
of flight, being able to fly into space and survive in a vacuum. His strength has also been increased, allowing him to
lift entire mountains. He has a heat vision that allows him to shoot laser like beams. He also has x-ray and telescopic
vision. Superman’s breath is so powerful that he can knock over vehicles and even freeze objects.
The origin of Superman’s powers has also been something that has been transformed over the years. The basic tenant
is still there, that Superman came from Krypton to Earth to survive a calamity. At first, there was no mention of how
Superman got his powers. Later it was decided that the people of Krypton all had powers like Superman, but that
caused problems. It was finally written that Kryptonians live under a red star and when they are exposed to light from
a yellow star, their powers emerge.
Main Villains:
Lex Luthor
Brainiac
Darkseid
Doomsday
Origin:
Superman’s origin has been one of much change over the last many decades. His origin has been changed many
times to adjust for the changes in our own culture and to bring in other story elements from other comics. There has
even been many different parallel Supermen that exist in alternate realities. The current origin of Superman is still
being reworked with comic series like the 2006 series, “Infinite Crisis,” and the 1986 series, “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”
Superman is the last of a dying race from the planet Krypton. His Krypton name is Kal-El. His father, Jor-El was a
great scientist and saw the warning signs that their planet was doomed to destruction. A council heard his discoveries,
but dismissed them and forbid Jor-El to speak of this to anyone. Realizing that his family was in danger, Jor-El started
to construct a rocket that would take him, his son and wife Lara away from Krypton, but it was too late.
Jor-El had only constructed a small model of the rocket, when disaster struck, Lara decided to stay behind with Jor-El
to give their baby a better chance of survival. Lara and Jor-El but their baby into the rocket and directed it to Earth,
where it landed and was discovered by John and Martha Kent, near the town of Smallville.
As young Kal-El, called Clark by his Earth parents, grew up, he discovered his amazing powers of speed, strength, and
invulnerability and eventually flight. It would be in Smallville with the Kents that Clark learned many of his life lessons
and became the honest and good man that many know him to be today. After he graduated, he went to the
Metropolis University and majored in Journalism, eventually getting a job with The Daily Planet as a reporter.
It would be at The Daily Planet that Clark would first don the Superman costume and save Metropolis time and again.
He also met Lois Lane a fellow reporter and became romantically involved with her.
One of Superman’s darkest times was when he faced the nigh unstoppable villain Doomsday. The battle lasted for
days, but when the dust settled, both hero and villain were slain. Superman was dead.
The backlash from his death resulted in four separate beings taking up the Superman mantle. There was a cyborg, a
new Superboy, Steel, and an alien being with the memories of Superman. It would later come out that Superman was
not dead, and resurfaced without his powers. He eventually gained them back and was reunited with Lois, whom he
later married.
Superman has continued to fight evil and protect Earth from all challengers. Despite his many continuity changes,
Superman is still as powerful and noble as ever. He is a modern day hero with over eighty years of continuity behind
him. Too many though, he will always be that lovable boy from Smallville who became a mighty man of steel.
Batman Profile:
Real Name: Bruce Wayne
Location: Gotham City
First Appearance: Detective Comics #27 (1939)
Created By: Bob Kane
Publisher: DC Comics
Powers:
Although Batman has no powers per SE, when compared to the normal human being what he can do often appears to
be superhuman. First and foremost is Batman’s keen intellect. Batman is considered by many to be the greatest
detective in the world. With his mind, and supercomputer in the Batcave, he has been able to solve many problems,
from seemingly random attacks by the Joker to the toughest riddles of The Riddler.
He is also an excellent tactician and strategist. Always thinking many steps ahead of his opponent. One would say that
this is the reason he has been able to beat Superman, using his mind instead of his brawn to outwit the Man of Steel
into his traps. Others might say that this can be seen as paranoia on Batman’s part, like when he built a satellite
system to spy on super humans to keep tabs on them or when he had his secret files with ways to take down the
Justice League.
Batman is also a master of many martial arts, hand to hand weapons, and close quarters combat. His body is in the
pinnacle of human ability and has been honed by many years of training. He is also extremely agile and is an
accomplished gymnast and acrobatic, with many years moving over the Gotham landscape to keep him on his toes.
Finally, with his vast wealth, Batman has amassed an arsenal of technological gadgets, vehicles, and weapons. From
his ever trusty Batarang to the Batmobile, and utility belt, Batman is always ready for anything, using the powers of
his company, to further research and development as his tool to acquiring whatever he needs to avenge his family
and to protect Gotham City.
Main Villains:
Joker
Two Face
Clayface
Mister Freeze
The Riddler
The Penguin
Ra’s Al Ghul
Origin
Bruce Wayne is the sole survivor of the Wayne family. A rich and powerful family of Gotham City. During a visit to the
cinema, the family wandered into a notorious part of Gotham City and was robbed by a mugger. The mugger shot
both of Bruce’s parents and left them to die, scuttling away, never to pay for his crimes. Bruce was left alone and in
the care of the family butler, Alfred. That day he made a vow to his dead parents that he would avenge them any way
possible.
Bruce trained, traveled the world, and attended college, honing his mind and body with every way possible to fight
crime. When he finally returned to Gotham City, his first outing was less then victorious. He word dark clothes and
attacked some thugs, but was beaten to a pulp by the very people he tried to save. Bruce knew he had to try a
different strategy.
When a bat crashed into the room, Bruce found his answer. He would dress in the guise of a bat, using an ominous
costume to strike fear into his enemies, using that as his first weapon against crime. He designed a costume, using
the latest technologies at the time and struck out as Batman for the first time.
Along the way, Batman would gain many allies in his crusade to rid Gotham of evil. First and foremost has been Jim
Gordon, at first a detective and then later commissioner of Gotham. Batman knew that he needed the police to
cooperate with him and not get in his way. Their relationship has been tenuous at times, but a strong bond of trust
has formed between the two crime fighters, one inside the law, and the other out.
Batman has also had a few sidekicks join him, all under the disguise of Robin, Boy Wonder. The first was Dick
Grayson, a circus performer who’s family was killed by the mob. Dick eventually dropped the mantle of Robin to
become Nightwing, and has since worked to stop crime in Bludhaven a nearby town. Then there was Jason Todd, who
appeared to have been killed by the Joker. Jason has recently reappeared though and has taken up the villainous role
as the Red Hood.
The latest Robin to join Batman is Tim Drake, a young student who has greatly risen in the eyes of his teacher. Drake
has since become a part of the Teen Titans.
Throughout all of his trials and tribulations, Batman has continued on his never ending quest to ride his beloved
Gotham City of crime and evil. Some would say he has become paranoid in his later days, pushing those he could love
far away to the point that they cannot hurt him. It would seem that Batman is truly conflicted, wanting to have the
things his family had, love, children, and the like, but never able to truly attain these things, as they will only be in
harms way as he continues to try to complete his vow to his parents, made on that fateful day in a cinema alley.
Spider-Man Profile:
Real Name: Peter Parker
Location: New York City
First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962)
Created By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Powers:
Spider-Man has spider like abilities including superhuman strength and the ability to cling to most surfaces. He
is also extremely agile and has amazing reflexes. Spider-Man also has a, “spider sense,” that warns him of impending
danger.
Spider-Man has supplemented his powers with technology. Being a brilliant chemist and scientist, Peter has
made web-slingers, bracelets that shoot out a sticky webbing, allowing him to swing from building to building and
ensnare opponents. He has also developed stingers that shoot powerful energy blasts that can stun foes.
In the recent storyline, Spider-Man has been reborn with even stronger abilities. He has the ability to see in
the dark, enhanced senses, and can feel the vibrations through his webbing. In addition to this, the new, “Iron
Spidey,” suit has enhanced his strength further and gives protection from damage. Recently, however, he has gotten
rid of the suit and returned to the classic costume.
Main Villains:
Green Goblin Venom
Kraven
Chameleon
Sandman
Mysterio
Hobgoblin
Rhino
Vulture
Carnage
Doctor Octopus
Lizard
Origin:
Peter Parker was an orphaned teenage boy who lived in upstate Queens, New York with his Aunt May and
Uncle Ben. He was a shy boy, but highly intelligent and excelled in science. He was often teased by other more
popular kids like longtime nemesis Flash Thompson, but his life was soon to change on a visit to the science museum.
At the science museum, Peter was bitten by a radioactive spider. The spider bite gave Peter spider like powers
with super strength and reflexes. He also had a, “spider-sense” alerting him to danger. Armed with these new powers,
Peter first sought fame and money before fighting crime. He worked with a wrestling circuit and got some fame and
appeared on a television show. During a robbery of the television show, Peter has the chance to stop the thief, but
chose not to.
Peter later finds out that the same robber that he could have stopped at the television studio attempted to rob
his aunt and uncles residence, and his Uncle Ben was killed in the struggle. The words of his late uncle, "with great
power there must also come great responsibility,” drive Peter to fight crime instead of following fame. Spider-Man was
truly born.
One of the greatest turning points in Peter’s life was his relationship with Gwen Stacy. During his younger
years, Gwen was the love of Peter’s life. The blond bombshell a perfect fit for Peter. This relationship had a sad end
when during a battle with Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, Gwen is killed. Peter did everything he could to save
her. This event has always haunted Peter and made it difficult for him to trust others with his identity, fearing that
they would become targets of his enemies.
Peter eventually got over Gwen and began a relationship with Mary Jane Watson, a high school friend and now
model and actress. Their relationship was rocky, with Peter ever fearful that he would put Mary into harms way. Mary
Jane finally told Peter that she has known for some time that Peter was Spider-Man, something that helped cement
their new relationship.
In the mini-series, Secret Wars, many of the Earth’s heroes and villains are transported to a planet by the
omnipotent being, “The Beyonder.” During his time there, Peter gets a new black costume that can alter its shape by
the power of thought and has an unlimited supply of webbing. Peter takes the costume back to Earth and continues to
fight crime in his new suit. The suit turns out to be an alien symbiont and tries to merge completely with Peter.
With the help of the Fantastic Four, Peter manages to free himself of the black costume an goes back to
wearing his typical red and blue suit. The alien symbiont, however, bonds with fellow journalist and rival Eddie Brock,
turning him into the villain Venom. The two have since become major enemies and continue to fight each other.
Peter has since learned that his powers are linked to the totem like power of the Native Americans. In a
ferocious battle with a being called Morlun, Peter died, only to be reborn again with stronger spider like abilities. It
was also during this battle that his Aunt May discovered that Peter was Spider-Man and is now one of his more vocal
supporters.
Lately, Peter has come under the wing of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Tony Stark has given him a new costume
that further enhances his strength and abilities, such as protecting him from bullets. As part of Tony’s initiative to
reign in superheroes with the Superhuman Registration Act, Peter served as the ultimate poster child, announcing his
secret identity to the world. An act that may have serious consequences for the superhero in the future.
It took Peter some time, but he soon came to the realization that he was on the wrong side, and defected to
join Captain America's rogue band of heroes. When the war ended and Iron Man won, Peter went underground and
donned his black costume again. He is now on the run from the authorities.
Captain America Profile:
Location: New York
First Appearance: Captain America Comics #1 (1941) - (Atlas Comics)
Created By: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Powers:
Because of his super soldier serum, Captain America is at the pinnacle of physical human health. Over the years, he
has trained his body to be a perfect fighting machine, mastering many different martial arts and types of combat. He
is highly acrobatic and uses his speed and agility to always be one step ahead of his foes.
Captain America is also known for his shield, which is made of an indestructible vibranium/admantium alloy. The disc
shaped shield can be thrown with great accuracy and rebound to its owner. It is also impervious to all sorts of attacks,
physical, energy, or otherwise. Captain America is so in tune with using his shield that he is able to attack multiple
targets, having it bounce and rebound multiple times.
One thing that the Avengers have made him famous for is his expertise in group tactics, always taking the role of
leader in battle. His teammates have come to greatly trust in Captain Americas ability to lead them into battle and
trust him with their lives.
Finally, although not a superpower per se, Captain America is the ultimate optimist, trusting in the things that make
America great. He never gives up hope in the good of humanity and will fight to his last dying breath. Fighting to
protect the freedoms we have in America from any attacker.
Main Villains
The Red Skull
Baron Zemo
Hydra
Origin:
During World War II, a young Steve Rogers tried to enlist into the military, but was turned away due to his frail and
sickly body. Steve Rogers was given another chance to serve his country though, as a General overheard his rejection
and offers Steve a chance to fight the Nazi’s by being a part of a top-secret experiment. Steve agreed.
Steve was given a super-solider serum and was blasted by radiation. After the process, Steve’s body was no longer
sickly and frail but the pinnacle of human perfection. Unfortunately, the plans for the super-soldier serum were lost
when a Nazi spy killed the scientist who kept the plans secreted away in his mind. Steve was to be the first and last
super soldier.
Steve underwent extensive training and was soon put into action as Captain America, fighting Hitler, the Nazi’s and
his greatest foe, The Red Skull. But his work was soon cut short when fighting Baron Zemo. Tied to a rocket with his
sidekick, Bucky, Captain America was too late in freeing the two and the rocket exploded, killing Bucky and sending
Captain America to what seemed to be an icy grave in the harsh Atlantic Ocean.
His frozen body was found decades later by the Sub-Mariner, and somehow, Captain America survived. He is a man
that is ripped from his own generation, living in the future but never able to escape his past. Instead of sulking,
Captain America took the opportunity to continue to fight the good fight and has gone on to lead the Avengers and
become and agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
This isn’t to say Captain America hasn’t had his share of problems with his own government. He was once asked to
resign from being Captain America when he refused to become a government sponsored operative, he resigned, but
later came back to stop a pan of The Red Skull to overthrow the government. He decided that the government didn’t
own Captain America, the people did, and he vowed to serve them as their protector.
Recently, Captain America has come into opposition again with the United States Government. He is opposed to the
Superhuman Registration Act, which forces all superhuman beings to reveal their identities to the government, and
become paid employees, doing what the government says and when. He is in direct opposition to his long time frind,
Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. The two are now in the middle of a Civil War, with superheroes on both sides of the fence.
Regardless of where Captain America is, he is always working to promote freedom and the American Way. He is a
stalwart ambassador of all that is good in America, and an opponent to greed, crime, racism, and hatred.