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1[[quoteright:349:[[CrisisCrossover https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_superheroes2.png]]]]
2''For a list of tropes common to the genre, see SuperheroTropes.''
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4A series where the main character has powers and/or abilities that set said character apart from other people. Usually (unless NotWearingTights) a costumed do-gooder with a colourful outfit (which likely sports a ChestInsignia), a SecretIdentity and often unusual and useful superpowers or equipment. Sometimes a loner trying to deal with the hand dealt by fate. Usually the superhero’s reason for existence is to defeat their nemesis or ArchEnemy, the {{Supervillain}}. Sometimes the show focuses on a [[SuperTeam team or other grouping]] of powered individuals. The setting tends to favor a combined FantasyKitchenSink and SciFiKitchenSink with a merry indifference to coherence.
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6In a broader sense, superheroes can be considered as old as the superhuman heroes of ancient mythology, with [[Literature/TheEpicOfGilgamesh Gilgamesh]] being the UrExample. Other examples include [[Characters/ClassicalMythology Hercules, Perseus]], [[Literature/{{Mahabharata}} Krishna]], [[Literature/SamsonAndDelilah Samson]], [[Literature/{{Ramayana}} Hanuman]], and [[Literature/JourneyToTheWest Sun Wukong]] (a.k.a. [[Characters/DragonBallSonGoku Son Goku]]). In classical times, that's what being a "hero" ''meant''; it was a statement on a demigod's power, not necessarily their actions. Only later did heroism come to be associated with moral purity, becoming the modern superhero.
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8[[TropeMaker The original]] modern superheroes are arguably [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyctalope Nyctalope]] (first debuted 1911), Anime/GoldenBat (first debuted 1930), [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150104164648/www.animevice.com/prince-of-gamma/18-31482/ Prince of Gamma]] (debuted early 1930s), and Radio/TheShadow (first published April 1, 1931 in ''The Shadow Magazine'', years before ''Action Comics'' #1 introduced Franchise/{{Superman}}). Nyctalope was a {{cyborg}} with built in night vision. Golden Bat was the first illustrated superhero, and the first with all the FlyingBrick ingredients of the modern superhero: SuperStrength, SuperSpeed, {{Flight}}, TheCape, XRayVision, BatSignal. Prince of Gamma had superpowers, a SecretIdentity, and an [[SuperheroOrigin origin story]] resembling Superman and [[Characters/DragonBallSonGoku Goku]]. Though The Shadow did not initially have super powers other than being a master hypnotist, he gains psychic abilities beginning in 1937 that let him induce [[http://www.bmoviecomic.com/index.php?cid=53 psychological]] [[http://www.bmoviecomic.com/index.php?cid=54 invisibility]] in the radio series. He was inspired by previous fictional adventurers and crime fighters, such as Literature/TheScarletPimpernel or Literature/{{Zorro}} (who may be the UrExample). In turn, he has inspired many future superheroes, most notably Batman who was a blatant {{Expy}} at first before becoming the character we recognize today.
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10The first ''comic strip'' superhero would have been ComicStrip/MandrakeTheMagician (June 11, 1934) and the first spandex-type costumed Super Hero is arguably ComicStrip/ThePhantom (first published Feb. 17, 1936), who wore a skin-tight purple outfit with a mask. The TropeCodifier is arguably Franchise/{{Superman}}, who remains doubtlessly the world's most recognized superhero character and the TropeCodifier for countless future superhero stories; similar characters that came before are often classified as a ProtoSuperhero. After Superman's debut, the concept was [[FollowTheLeader repeated]] numerous times, eventually spawning the ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica which was the first superhero team.
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12Note that not all [=superheroes=] are super-powered; Franchise/{{Batman}} is often considered a [=superhero=] despite having nothing but [[TrainingFromHell insane training]], [[AwesomenessByAnalysis incredible intelligence]], [[{{Determinator}} indomitable willpower]], [[WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys amazing gadgets]], [[Fiction500 nigh-unlimited]] [[CrimefightingWithCash wealth]] and the writers on his side; Phantom is in peak physical fitness, has excellent reflexes and is a sharpshooter. They are generally considered superheroes, partly because of the costume. In trope terms, they go under NonPoweredCostumedHero.
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14Sooner or later, all [=superheroes=] have an [[SuperheroOrigin origin story]]. If the series lasts long enough, the SortingAlgorithmOfEvil will introduce the bigger threat of a [=Supervillain=], possibly an ArchEnemy. If the superhero fights enough of them [[RecurringCharacter often enough]], they may gather a RoguesGallery.
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16Superheroes are ''not'' limited merely to comic books and their derivations. ''Literature/{{Gladiator}}'', ''Anime/GoldenBat'', ''Prince of Gamma'', ''Radio/TheLoneRanger'' and ''Radio/TheGreenHornet'' predate all comic format superheroes. ''Series/TheSixMillionDollarMan'' and ''Series/DoctorWho'' originated on TV, with the former partaking in fairly little of the comic book medium. On Japanese television, the {{toku}}satsu has a long and proud tradition of superheroism, most famously Series/{{Ultraman}} and Series/KamenRider, serving as the national image of superheroes. {{Anime}} is also chock full of superheroes from Manga/AstroBoy to Franchise/SailorMoon; {{Sentai}} and MagicalGirlWarrior are two Japanese genres that are an outgrowth of this, not to mention SuperRobot, which is a [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever gigantic]], [[HumongousMecha armored]] variant of the superhero.
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18In some continuities, they may be called [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividual something other than superhero]], but they're usually still recognizable as such. (It should be noted that the phrase "Super Hero", with the space, is [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superhero#Trademark_status jointly trademarked in many countries]] by ''both'' Creator/MarvelComics and Creator/DCComics, the two biggest comic book publishers in the United States.) See also SuperheroPrevalenceStages and StandardSuperheroSetting.
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20See also TheCape, StockSuperpowersIndex, FormFittingWardrobe, and of course the MostCommonSuperPower. The exact opposite would be the UnSorcerer.
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22If you feel you have a handle on the elements of a [=superhero=] comic book, hop on over to [[SoYouWantTo/WriteASuperheroComic So You Want to Write a Superhero Comic]] and see what you can contribute.
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24See SuperheroStories for more information.
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26!!Examples:

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