Line #137 Main/SuperheroTropes


1	''Tropes common to the {{Superhero}} genre, be it comics, film, TV, or radio drama.''
2
3	See also LegacyTropes and TheIndexTeam.
4	----
5	[[index]]
6	!!Tropes:
7	[floatboxright:
8	'''Main topics:'''
9	* {{Superhero}}es
10	* {{Supervillain}}s
11
12	'''Media index:'''
13	+ SuperheroStories
14
15	'''Other indexes:'''
16	+ TheAgesOfSuperheroComics
17	+ {{Capepunk}}
18	+ MagicalGirlTropes
19	+ SecretIdentity
20	+ StandardSuperheroSuits
21	+ StockSuperpowersIndex
22
23	'''JustForFun:'''
24	+ SugarWiki/TVTropesSuperheroTeam
25	+ DarthWiki/TVTropesSupervillainTeam
26	]
27	* NinetiesAntiHero: A ruthlessly violent super-{{antihero}}, with gritty design and an angsty/irreverent personality, who were especially popular during TheNineties at the height of MediaNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks. Does not hold onto much traditional superhero morality, ThouShaltNotKill least of all.
28	* AdaptationOriginConnection: An adaptation makes it so that characters with unrelated backstories now have connected origins or that one was involved with the origin of the other.
29	* AdaptationalBackstoryChange: A character's origin story is changed in an adaptation or further down the line.
30	* AdaptationalUpbringingChange: A character's origin story is changed by altering the circumstances how they were raised.
31	* AdaptiveArmor: Armor that can change form and function based on who wears it and where.
32	* TheAdjectivalSuperhero: The superhero's name is preceded by an adjective.
33	* AlienInvasion: If a powerful extraterrestrial supervillain exists in the story, expect them to send their minions to attack Earth or other planets at some point.
34	* AlliterativeName: It's been common for superhero media to have characters whose names are alliterations.
35	* AlternateCompanyEquivalent: The hero owned by one company is a clear imitation or stand-in of a hero belonging to another company.
36	* AlternateContinuity: An adaptation of a work is treated as its own [[AlternateUniverse separate universe]] rather than part of the original's timeline.
37	* AlternateUniverseReedRichardsIsAwesome: An AlternateUniverse character can make changes to the status quo that the main continuity counterpart [[StatusQuoIsGod can't]].
38	* AnimalSuperheroes: Anthropomorphic animals who fight crime.
39	* AnimalThemedSuperbeing: Some superheroes and supervillains have an animal motif as their main gimmick or the source of their powers.
40	* AntiClimacticUnmasking: Someone rips off a superhero's mask, expecting someone extraordinary, but they get someone ordinary.
41	* BadassCape: A lot of superheroes and supervillains wear capes as part of their costumes.
42	* BadassNormal: A hero or villain who is strong and capable despite not having any superpowers.
43	* BatSignal: A means of summoning a superhero by shining their insignia into the sky.
44	* BatmanParody: An {{expy}} based on [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} the Dark Knight]] himself.
45	* BewareTheSuperman: A super-powered being abuses their abilities to rule over normal people.
46	* BoxingLessonsForSuperman: A super-powered being learns a mundane skill, often to make better use of his or her powers.
47	* BrainsVersusBrawn: Due to {{Trope Codifier}}s for the genre in the US, [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} Superman and Lex Luthor]], many hero-villain dynamics are some version of this and numerous conflicts play with the trope.
48	* BroughtDownToBadass: Someone loses their powers but is still dangerous to their enemies.
49	* BroughtDownToNormal: A super-powered being loses their powers.
50	* BroughtToYouByTheLetterS: The hero has the first letter of their codename on their chest.
51	* BruceWayneHeldHostage: The hero's civilian identity is held hostage in an attempt to draw out their alter-ego.
52	* BuildingSwing: A means of travel for non-flying superheroes.
53	* BusFullOfInnocents: A bus full of innocent people is about to get damaged and it is up to a hero to save them.
54	* ByThePowerOfGrayskull: The hero has a specific word or phrase they say to activate their powers.
55	* CantStayNormal: Returning to the life of a normal human never lasts.
56	* TheCape: The classic superhero dedicated to protecting the innocent, upholding truth, justice, etc.
57	* CapeBusters: A group whose purpose is to hunt super-beings, heroes and villains alike.
58	* CaptainErsatz: A character is a blatant copy of a copyrighted character the work's parent company does not own the rights to.
59	* CaptainEthnic: A superhero whose ethnic/national background (often stereotypically) defines their entire character and power set.
60	* CaptainFishman: A superhero with swimming/fish-based superpowers.
61	* CaptainGeographic: A superhero who represents their country of origin.
62	* CaptainPatriotic: As above, except the hero represents the ''ideals'' of their country, over and above the geography (or government).
63	* CaptainSuperhero: A superhero who has "Captain" in front of their name.
64	* CelebrityMasquerade: A superhero whose secret identity is famous in their own right -- sometimes more than the hero.
65	* CelebritySuperhero: A superhero who is also famous and trades on it.
66	* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: An otherwise "ordinary" character gets superhuman abilities through mundane training.
67	* ChestInsignia: ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin.
68	* ChoresWithoutPowers: Someone with magical abilities, superpowers, etc. does menial labor without using said powers, usually as a punishment.
69	* ChromeChampion: A superhero whose skin is made of metal.
70	* CivvieSpandex: Normal clothes worn as part of a costume.
71	* ClarkKenting: The superhero's civilian identity is basically the hero wearing a PaperThinDisguise.
72	* ClingyCostume: The costume can't be removed.
73	* ClothesMakeTheSuperman: The superpowers come from the costume the superhero wears.
74	* CoatHatMask: The hero wears a coat, a hat, and a mask.
75	* CodeName: Aliases used by most heroes and villains to cover their real names.
76	* ColorCharacter: Usually Color Noun, although occasionally Noun Color.
77	* ComicBookMoviesDontUseCodenames: Adaptations of superhero comics avoid addressing heroes and/or villains by anything other than their real names.
78	* ComicBooksAreReal: The characters in the ShowWithinAShow are actually ''real'' within the universe that watches it.
79	* TheCommissionerGordon: A high-ranking police officer who is [[FriendOnTheForce a close ally of a superhero]].
80	* CorporateSponsoredSuperhero: This hero was brought to you by MegaCorp.
81	* CoverBlowingSuperpower: A superhero exposes themselves by using their powers while off-duty in their civilian identity.
82	* TheCowl: The dark superhero dedicated to punishing the wicked, striking terror into the hearts of the superstitious, cowardly lot that is the underworld, etc.
83	* CreateYourOwnHero: The hero exists because of the villain's actions.
84	* CreateYourOwnVillain: The hero has an enemy who exists because they unintentionally wronged a bitter and vengeful person.
85	* CrimefightingWithCash: Using financial resources to deal with the forces of evil.
86	* CutLexLuthorACheck: A villain uses their powers and gadgets to commit robberies when they could easily use their gifts to get money the legal way.
87	* DarkAgeOfSupernames: A superhero's name sounds creepy.
88	* DatingCatwoman: The hero and the villain are a couple.
89	* DeadlyTrainingArea: An obstacle course or simulation where a superhero trains.
90	* DeathActivatedSuperpower: A person gains powers after dying.
91	* DeathByOriginStory: It's very common for superhero origins to involve the hero being motivated to fight crime because of someone dying, often a person they loved dearly.
92	* DeathIsCheap: Characters killed off in superhero comics have a tendency to come back to life later (which is why this trope used to be called Comic Book Death), whether due to popular demand, a writer deciding it was a bad idea to kill the character off in the first place or the character simply being too important to stay dead.
93	* DeducingTheSecretIdentity: Someone logically figures out a superhero/supervillain's SecretIdentity.
94	* DePower: Someone loses their powers for good, or for a very extended period of time.
95	* DifferentlyPoweredIndividual: Various names and classifications for superhuman people with special abilities and superpowers.
96	* DisabilityNegatingSuperpower: A disabled person gains superpowers in exchange for losing their disability.
97	* DisabilitySuperpower: Having a disability makes you immune to stuff that would affect people who don't have the disability.
98	* DisposableSuperheroMaker: A freak accident that gives someone superpowers cannot be replicated.
99	* DominoMask: A type of mask that covers only the eyes and the area around them.
100	* ElectricBlackGuy: A Black person with [[ShockAndAwe electric powers]], usually inspired by ComicBook/BlackLightning.
101	* ElementalPersonalities: Superheroes with elemental powers typically have thematically matching personalities.
102	* EmpoweredBadassNormal: When an already formidable (yet physically ordinary) fighter gains superpowers.
103	* EnlightenmentSuperpowers: Superpowers are available to anyone who achieves the necessary level of spiritual enlightenment.
104	* EveryoneIsASuper: ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin.
105	* EvilCostumeSwitch: A hero or neutral character who wears a costume with darker colors after [[FaceHeelTurn becoming evil]].
106	* EvilHero: A [[NominalHero phony "superhero"]] who is actually a [[VillainWithGoodPublicity wicked supervillain in disguise]].
107	* ExtranormalPrison: A jail specialized to contain people/entities with special powers.
108	* FadSuper: A character based on an idea or fad that is currently popular.
109	* TheFantasticFaux: {{Expies}} of the Franchise/FantasticFour.
110	* FastestThingAlive: A superhero with super speed who is acknowledged as being faster than everyone else.
111	* FauxAdventureStory: A work of fiction that may involve superheroes and their related tropes, but significantly downplays or removes any action-adventure elements.
112	* FightOffTheKryptonite: The hero overcomes their weakness with HeroicWillpower.
113	* FightsLikeANormal: A hero or villain prefers to fight with weapons or just their bare hands despite having superpowers.
114	* TheFirstSuperheroes: In a world like our own, superheroes begin to develop powers and/or appear in public for the first time, changing society forever.
115	* FlamingEmblem: A superhero's logo or ChestInsignia is recreated with fire.
116	* FlungClothing: A superhero changes into their costume by flinging off their civilian clothing in one flick motion.
117	* FreakLabAccident: A science experiment gone awry causes someone to mutate and gain superpowers.
118	* FriendOfMaskedSelf: A superhero, in their civilian identity, claims to be friends with their own heroic alter-ego.
119	* FutureSpandex: A superhero wears a skin-tight outfit made of stretchable synthetic fibers.
120	* GoingForTheBigScoop: A reporter willingly goes right into danger to get a news story.
121	* GoodCostumeSwitch: A villain or neutral character who wears a costume with lighter color after [[HeelFaceTurn becoming good]]
122	* GoodThingYouCanHeal: A superhero with a HealingFactor as a superpower.
123	* GratuitousAnimalSidekick: Basically the hero's TeamPet.
124	* HeartIsAnAwesomePower: A power that seems useless can actually be pretty effective when used correctly.
125	* HenshinHero: A normal person who transforms into a superpowered alter ego.
126	* HeroDoesPublicService: A superhero helps out their community in other, more mundane ways besides beating up the bad guys.
127	* HeroesFightBarehanded: Many superheroes prefer to use their fists and feet instead of using any (lethal) weapons.
128	* HeroesRUs: An organized group of superheroes.
129	* HeroicBuild: Male superheroes are muscular and impressive while females are fit, dexterous and [[MostCommonSuperpower buxom]].
130	* HeroicFatigue: Being a hero day in and day out can take a real toll on you.
131	* HeroicHost: A host with a SuperheroOrigin of getting their superpowers from their guest.
132	* HeroicVow: The hero makes a promise that they intend to keep at all costs.
133	* HeroInsurance: [[DestructiveSaviour Heroes wreck cities to beat the bad guys]], but they don't have to pick up the tab.
134	* HerosFirstRescue: A superhero often has a rescue mission (especially from a burning building) as their first major act of being a hero.
135	* HeroWithBadPublicity: Everyone hates the superhero in spite of all the good they've done.
136	* HoldingOutForAHero: People grow too reliant on a superhero for their protection.
137	* HowDoIShotWeb: A character has to figure out how to use his newly obtained superpowers.
138	* HulkMashUp: An {{expy}} of ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk.
139	* JustForFun/HowToGiveACharacterSuperpowers
140	* IBelieveICanFly: Every superhero can fly.
141	* IdentityImpersonator: The hero protects their secret identity by appearing in public with another person pretending to be their alter-ego.
142	* {{Idiosyncrazy}}: Some supervillains get really, really crazy about one specific thing and incorporate it into all their crimes.
143	* IJustWantToBeNormal: Some heroes or villains don't really want to have special powers, or at least desire to have safe and normal lives like regular people do.
144	* ImaginationBasedSuperpower: A power based on the user's imagination.
145	* ImNotAHeroIm: A hero denies or accepts that they are a superhero.
146	* InASingleBound: The hero can leap great heights.
147	* InnocentBystanderSeries: A story that focuses solely on ordinary civilians rather than the heroes or villains.
148	* InstantCostumeChange: A superhero instantly changes from their regular clothes into a costume
149	* TheJailer: A villain who wrongfully imprisons others.
150	* {{Kaiju}}: [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever Giant monsters]] that are capable of demolishing cities. They're fairly common [[MonsterOfTheWeek stock enemies]] for superheroes to fight.
151	* KeepTheHomeFiresBurning: The story of the hero's lover, friends and/or family back on the home front.
152	* KidHero: A young superhero who's still legally a minor.
153	* KidSidekick: A subordinate partner to an older mentor hero.
154	* KryptoniteFactor: A superhumanly powerful being has a rather [[AchillesHeel specific weakness]] that renders them helpless.
155	* KryptoniteIsEverywhere: Why does every damn bad guy seem to have the one thing that can give your hero a bad time?
156	* KryptoniteProofSuit: A suit that protects the hero from their weakness.
157	* KryptoniteRing: The hero entrusts their ally with the one thing that can defeat them.
158	* LamarckWasRight: If a superhero has children, their children will inherit their powers, sense of justice, and become superheroes.
159	* LegacyCharacter: The hero's identity is claimed by another person after the original hero retires from crime-fighting or gets killed.
160	* LegacyLaunch: The hero's predecessor comes back, resulting in the successor returning their predecessor's identity in exchange for taking up a costumed persona of their own.
161	* LegionOfDoom: Several of the hero's villains band together to plan their revenge against the hero.
162	* LeotardOfPower: A superhero wears a leotard.
163	* LightheartedRematch: Two heroes have fought each other for real stakes. When the story's over, they smile and have a rematch for fun's sake.
164	* LoafingInFullCostume: A character wears their usual hero/villain suit or uniform while doing things unrelated to their job.
165	* ManOfKryptonite: The villain's power is that he's made of or armed with the hero's weakness.
166	* MagicalGirlWarrior: A MagicalGirl who is a superhero.
167	* MarkedChange: A hero's body gains visual markings when they [[SuperMode tap into their true potential]].
168	* TheMasqueradeWillKillYourDatingLife: Being a superhero makes it hard to get a date.
169	* MassSuperEmpoweringEvent: All superbeings got their powers at the same time from the same incident.
170	* MetaOrigin: A retroactive origin story ties the fates of several characters together.
171	* MilitariesAreUseless: The armed forces are usually not competent or powerful enough to stop [[{{Kaiju}} giant monsters]] or [[AlienInvasion evil aliens]] from attacking, leaving a superhero up to the job of saving the day.
172	* MilitarySuperhero: A superhero who is also an enlisted member of the armed forces.
173	* MistakenForSuperpowered: A character tries to fight crime with powers they don't actually have.
174	* MonsterModesty: Non-humans depicted as only wearing underwear or shorts.
175	* MonsterOfTheWeek: Besides the RoguesGallery of recurring enemies, many superhero series will have the hero face off against various minor one-shot villains or monsters.
176	* MorallyAmbiguousDoctorate: A supervillain (usually some variety of MadScientist) addressed as "Doctor" or "Professor".
177	* MostCommonSuperPower: Superheroines tend to have large breasts.
178	* MovieSuperheroesWearBlack: Film adaptations of superhero comics have the heroes wear black costumes or costumes with darker colors than the costumes worn in the comics.
179	* MuggleSportsSuperAthletes: A character with superpowers use their abilities while playing RealLife sports.
180	* MutantDraftBoard: A bureaucratic government institution created to control a large population of super-powered individuals.
181	* MySignificanceSenseIsTingling: The hero somehow senses a major event that is currently underway somewhere else.
182	* MySuitIsAlsoSuper: A superhero's clothing is not damaged by their powers, and may even change to work with them.
183	* NeverBeAHero: Anyone else trying to imitate the main character's heroics is treated as a bad thing.
184	* NeverRecycleYourSchemes: Supervillains never improve on plans that failed once before.
185	* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: A character spontaneously demonstrates a new superpower whenever they need it to deal with the current problem.
186	* NightmareOfNormality: Someone is led to believe that they have lost/has never had their powers.
187	* NormalFishInATinyPond: A character who only seems competent and powerful in comparison to a group of people who are considerably less so than they are.
188	* NonPoweredCostumedHero: Some superheroes don't have powers but will wear costumes anyway.
189	* NotTheFallThatKillsYou: A superhero catches someone who is falling from a great height, and they are still alive because they didn't hit the ground.
190	* NotWearingTights: Superheroes who don't wear costumes and only wear normal clothing.
191	* OldSuperhero: An [[CoolOldGuy elderly]] [[CoolOldLady veteran]] hero, who may be (semi-){{retired\|Badass}}.
192	* OnePersonOnePower: In a fictional setting, individuals are limited to only one ability unique to them.
193	* OneSuperOnePowerSet: A superhero gains something to help them, but StatusQuoIsGod.
194	* PartTimeHero: A superhero who tries to live a normal life in-between fighting the bad guys.
195	* PedestrianCrushesCar: If a car runs into a superhero, expect them to punch or crush the car instead of suffering physical injury or trauma.
196	* PersonalityPowers: A super-powered being has powers appropriate to their personality.
197	* PhoneBoothChangingRoom: A superhero changes from their street clothes into their superhero outfit in a telephone booth.
198	* PhlebotinumBattery: The hero's powers are charged by an outside source.
199	* PoliceAreUseless: Law enforcement are usually not competent or powerful enough to stop supervillains on their own, leaving a superhero up to the job of defeating and capturing them.
200	* PowerCreepPowerSeep: Trouble arises when two works cross over, and one character is too powerful to work with another.
201	* PowerIncontinence: A super-powered being is unable to control their powers.
202	* PowerMisidentification: One power is assumed to be another power.
203	* PowerNullifier: A piece of AppliedPhlebotinum that acts to negate someone's powers.
204	* PowersInTheFirstEpisode: The hero gets their powers very early on.
205	* PowerStereotypeFlip: A super-powered being has powers that are ''opposite'' to their personality.
206	* PrematureEmpowerment: A superpowered group want to induct a new member through SuperEmpowering.
207	* PresidentSuperhero: A superhero who has been elected to a political office.
208	* ProtoSuperhero: [[UrExample Early prototypes]] of modern superhero characters.
209	* PsychicNosebleed: A hero with psychic powers gains a nosebleed when they use their mental powers.
210	* PsychicRadar: Using PsychicPowers to detect people.
211	* PsychosomaticSuperpowerOutage: A superhero loses their confidence and their powers as a result.
212	* PubertySuperpower: An adolescent gains powers during puberty.
213	* PunchClockHero: Professional superheroes who fight crime and evil as a paid job, rather than altruistically volunteering for charity work.
214	* PunchClockVillain: Professional supervillains who commit crimes and evil actions as a paid job, but don't really care enough to do bad things outside of it.
215	* PutOnAPrisonBus: The villain gets arrested at the end of a comic. This was especially common in older superhero comics.
216	* RadiationInducedSuperpowers: Radiation gives people superhuman abilities.
217	* RandomlyGifted: A character gets MagicAndPowers with seemingly [[SuperpowerfulGenetics no genetics]] or any [[JustForFun/HowToGiveACharacterSuperpowers outside influence]] involved.
218	* RecklessSidekick: A sidekick who runs headfirst into danger and requires the superhero to come to their aid.
219	* RecruitTheMuggles: Civilians come to the aid of a superhero.
220	* ReedRichardsIsUseless: A hero is capable of amazing breakthroughs, and yet their genius still doesn't net them a profit or significantly change the world.
221	* RePower: A superhero is changed from having one set of powers to another.
222	* RequiredSecondaryPowers: The hero has an additional power that they need to be able to use their primary power without harming themselves or others.
223	* RobotSuperhero: A robot who acts as a superhero.
224	* RoguesGallery: A group of all the collective enemies of a particular hero.
225	* RoguesGalleryShowcase: A hero fights many of their enemies simultaneously.
226	* RoguesGalleryTransplant: The enemy of one hero ends up becoming the adversary of a different hero.
227	* RunTheGauntlet: A superhero fights several notable enemies in quick succession.
228	* SamaritanSyndrome: Superheroes often feel guilty for every time they might have saved someone but didn't.
229	* ScrewTheRulesIHaveSupernaturalPowers: A character uses their superpowers to get away with breaking laws.
230	* SecondSuperIdentity: A superhero has ''more than one'' secret identity.
231	* SecretChaser: A character who will do anything to uncover someone's secret identity.
232	* SecretIdentity: Many superheroes and supervillains keep their real names and personal lives secret from the general public.
233	* SecretIdentityApathy: The villains don't care about the true identity of the hero they're fighting.
234	* SecretIdentityChangeTrick: A character must improvise a way to get out of sight to change into their superhero identity.
235	* SecretIdentityIdentity: It's called into question on whether the hero regards their super identity or their secret identity as their true self.
236	* SecretIdentityVocalShift: A character's voice changes when they assume their superhero/supervillain identity.
237	* SecretKeeper: A person whom the superhero has allowed to know their true identity.
238	* SecretPublicIdentity: A superhero uses their ''real name'' instead of an alias.
239	* SelfMadeSuperpowers: A scientifically gifted character gives themselves innate powers on purpose.
240	* SemanticSuperpower: A power based more on interpretation than anything more logical.
241	* {{Sentai}}: A Japanese-style multicolored team of superheroes, with a focus on working together.
242	* ShootingSuperman: Someone tries to hurt or kill the powerful hero with methods that clearly won't work.
243	* {{Sidekick}}: The hero's helper in the field, who may or may not have superpowers themselves.
244	* SidekickGlassCeiling: The sidekick is never allowed to become more powerful than the hero.
245	* SidekickGraduationsStick: On the other hand, sidekicks often become heroes in their own right.
246	* SinglePowerSuperheroes: A superhero that only has one known power.
247	* SlaveToPR: A hero who will go to great lengths to maintain a good reputation (or a bad one in the case of a CardCarryingVillain).
248	* SmugSuper: A super-being who knows his powers put him above normals and isn't shy about rubbing this fact in.
249	* SomethingPerson: A superhero name consisting of X Man, X Guy, etc.
250	* SpandexLatexOrLeather: The standard superhero outfit material.
251	* TheSpeedster: The Token SuperSpeed User.
252	* SpiderManSendUp: An {{expy}} of ComicBook/SpiderMan.
253	* StandardSuperHeroSetting: Where superhero comics and narratives take place.
254	* StarSpangledSpandex: A superhero outfit that looks like the night sky.
255	* StevenUlyssesPerhero: The hero's real name is a clear giveaway to their superhero identity.
256	* StockSuperheroDayJobs: Most superheroes fight the forces of evil as unpaid volunteers, so they need another actual job to pay all their bills.
257	* StrongAsTheyNeedToBe: The hero's strength varies depending on what is needed for the conflict of the story.
258	* StrongAndSkilled: A hero with great strength who knows how to fight.
259	* SuperCop: A superhero who is also a police officer that works for a law enforcement agency, instead of being an independent vigilante.
260	* SuperCostumeClothier: A fashion designer or tailor who makes costumes for superheroes (and sometimes supervillains) who can't make their own, may or may not have powers of their own.
261	* {{Superdickery}}: [[CoversAlwaysLie Cover art]] shows the hero acting [[OutOfCharacterMoment uncharacteristically]] [[JerkassBall nasty]].
262	* SuperEmpowering: A character whose superpower is to give other people superpowers.
263	* SuperFamilyTeam: A group of superheroes who are (biologically) related to each other ([[FamilyOfChoice or at least love each other like family]]).
264	* SuperFic: A fanfic where the canon characters are re-imagined as superheroes.
265	* SuperheroCapitalOfTheWorld: TheCity has too many superheroes!
266	* SuperheroEpisode: An episode where a character temporarily gains superpowers (or at least a costume) and fights crime.
267	* SuperheroesInSpace: Superheroes who travel across outer space to fight extraterrestrial supervillains.
268	* SuperheroesStaySingle: Superheroes are not allowed to have stable romantic relationships or get happily married.
269	* SuperheroesWearCapes: Superheroes tending to wear capes.
270	* SuperheroesWearTights: Superheroes tending to wear tights.
271	* SuperheroGods: Superheroes who are worshiped like deities (if they're not [[OurGodsAreDifferent literally]] [[PhysicalGod divine]]).
272	* SuperheroHorror: When superhero genre tropes are PlayedForHorror.
273	* SuperheroMovieVillainsDie: Superhero movies kill off villains who remain alive in the comics.
274	* SuperheroOrigin: Most superheroes are shown to have a backstory which explains the source of their powers and/or motives for fighting evil.
275	* SuperheroPackingHeat: A superhero who uses firearms.
276	* SuperheroParadox: When superheroes actually ''cause'' more problems than they solve.
277	* SuperheroPrevalenceStages: The amount of superheroes present depends on what comic book age they appear in.
278	* SuperheroSchool: A place that educates and trains rookie superheroes.
279	* SuperheroSobriquets: Superheroes have a nickname.
280	* SuperheroSpeciation: No two superheroes will have the exact same powers.
281	* SuperheroTeamUniform: The members of a superhero team all dress alike.
282	* SuperheroTrophyShelf: The hero's lair contains souvenirs from their adventures.
283	* SuperhumanTrafficking: The kidnapping and enslavement of superhuman beings, in order to exploit their superpowers for private gain.
284	* SuperhumanTransfusion: Reciving a blood transfusion from a superhero will give you their powers.
285	* SuperingInYourSleep: A hero uses their superpowers in their sleep.
286	* SuperLoser: Being a superhero does not prevent this character from being uncool.
287	* SupermanStaysOutOfGotham: Drama is preserved by leaving out super-powered beings existing in the same universe who could've easily helped with the hero's problem.
288	* SupermanSubstitute: An {{expy}} based on [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} the Man of Steel]] himself.
289	* SuperMobBoss: A crime lord or gang leader who is tough enough to be considered a supervillain.
290	* SupernaturalTeam: A superhero team that specializes in magic and the supernatural.
291	* SuperpowerDisability: A character with a superpower is given a disability as a result.
292	* SuperpoweredAlterEgo: A character has a split personality that's a superhero.
293	* SuperpoweredDate: Superpowers allow a character to take their love interest on a grandiose date.
294	* SuperpoweredEvilSide: A character has a split personality that's a supervillain.
295	* SuperpoweredMooks: {{Evil\|Minions}} [[{{Mooks}} henchmen]] who have superpowers but are not quite at the level of a proper supervillain.
296	* SuperpowerfulGenetics: A super-powered being will have children who inherit their powers.
297	* SuperpowerLottery: When a hero or villain has a very diverse set of powers.
298	* SuperpowerMeltdown: A superhero overuses or loses control of their powers and destroys the surrounding area.
299	* SuperpowersForADay: A normal person temporarily gains special powers.
300	* SuperpowerSillyPutty: A character who gains extremely volatile superpowers that come and go frequently.
301	* SuperRegistrationAct: When the government enacts laws that require super-beings to register their superpowers and secret identities with them.
302	* SuperRobotGenre: {{Humongous Mecha}}s whose abilities and adventures place them on the level of superheroes.
303	* SuperRugPull: A hero with super strength can pull out a chunk of rock and whip it like a rug.
304	* SuperSerum: A [[AppliedPhlebotinum chemical substance]] that gives people superpowers.
305	* SuperSoldier: Military personnel who have special abilities or superpowers, thus making them elite warriors.
306	* SuperSupremacist: A supervillain who believes that [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividuals superhumans]] are superior to [[{{Muggles}} normal people]] and should rule over them because of it.
307	* SuperTeam: A group of superheroes (or a gang of supervillains) who closely work and fight together.
308	* SuperZeroes: Incredibly lame, incompetent superheroes.
309	* SwissArmySuperpower: A power with defined limitations is applied to multiple unconventional uses.
310	* ThematicRoguesGallery: The hero's enemies all follow a specific theme, often [[{{Foil}} comparably]] to the hero.
311	* {{Thememobile}}: Customized motor vehicles used by superheroes or supervillains.
312	* ThouShaltNotKill: Many (though not all) superheroes have personal moral codes against killing their enemies.
313	* ThreePointLanding: A superhero landing pose, with both feet on the ground and one hand to steady you.
314	* TogetherWeAreX: Members of an {{ensemble\|s}} introduce themselves first individually and then as a team.
315	* TokenSuper: The sole member of a team who has superpowers.
316	* {{Trainstopping}}: The hero uses their powers to stop a train from crashing.
317	* TraumaticSuperpowerAwakening: The hero discovers their powers through massive emotional distress.
318	* TrickArrow: An arrow with a built-in gimmick.
319	* TripleShifter: When you're a civilian by day and a superhero by night, how do you sleep?
320	* TwilightOfTheSupers: A superhero "apocalypse" in which the majority of the world's superpowered individuals are killed, depowered or legally prohibited from fighting crime.
321	* TwoFirstNames: The hero's civilian identity has a surname that could also be a given name.
322	* UltramanCopy: An {{expy}} of [[Franchise/UltraSeries Ultraman]], typically a giant superhero who fights {{Kaiju}}.
323	* UnbreakableBones: A superhero's bones can't be destroyed.
324	* TheUnmasking: When a superhero's or supervillain's true identity is finally revealed to the world.
325	* UnSorcerer: A lone unpowered person who's surrounded by superhuman beings.
326	* UpUpAndAway: Superheroes stretch their arms forward when they fly.
327	* UselessWithoutPowers: This person becomes a nobody after losing their powers.
328	* UtilityBelt: The standard belt full of gadgets that no BadassNormal superhero can go without, popularized by ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}''.
329	* VigilanteMan: Most superheroes are essentially vigilantes, as they try to fight criminals despite lacking any official legal authority to do so.
330	* VillainTeamUp: Two or more of the hero's enemies team up to try and stop the hero.
331	* VillainWithGoodPublicity: A supervillain who possesses a far better reputation than they deserve.
332	* WakeUpGoToSchoolSaveTheWorld: [[KidHero Child/teenage heroes]] also have to balance life as school students with their hero work.
333	* WeaksauceWeakness: A super-powered being is vulnerable to a ridiculously common substance or item.
334	* WeCanRebuildHim: An injured person gets rebuilt as a cyborg to prevent them from dying, which often serves as the origin of a hero or villain who happens to be a cyborg.
335	* WestCoastTeam: Superhero team's far-away equivalent/affiliate/subsidiary.
336	* WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway: Someone who has a useless superpower.
337	* WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys: A superhero owns a ton of gadgets and a high-tech fortress, but no one knows how they acquire all this stuff or how they afford it.
338	* WithGreatPowerComesGreatHotness: An unappealing character becomes attractive after being granted superpowers.
339	* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Having superpowers will tempt people to abuse them for bad purposes.
340	* WithGreatPowerComesGreatOpposition: Having superpowers make people see you as a threat.
341	* WithGreatPowerComesGreatPerks: Using superpowers for personal convenience.
342	* WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility: Having superpowers means that one must use them for good purposes.
343	* WonderTwinPowers: Powers that only work with two characters working together.
344	* WolverineWannabe: An {{expy}} of ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}.
345	* WonderWomanWannabe: An {{expy}} of ComicBook/WonderWoman.
346	* WorldsStrongestMan: A superhero that is considered the strongest being in the world.
347	[[/index]]

Context Main / SuperheroTropes