->''And they say that a hero could save us\\
I'm not gonna stand here and wait...''
-->-- Nickelback, "Hero"

A series where the main character has powers and/or abilities that set him aside from other people. Usually (unless he's NotWearingTights) he is a costumed do-gooder with a colourful outfit (which likely sports a ChestInsignia), a SecretIdentity and often unusual and useful superpowers or equipment. Sometimes he's a loner trying to deal with the hand that fate dealt him. Usually his reason for existence is to defeat his nemesis or arch-enemy the {{Supervillain}}.

Sometimes the show focuses on a [[SuperTeam team or other grouping]] of powered individuals.

[[UrExample The original]] SuperHero is arguably TheShadow (first published April 1, 1931 in ''The Shadow Magazine'', seven years before ''Action Comics'' #1 introduced Comicbook/{{Superman}}). Though he did not initially have 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 Zorro. In turn, he has inspired many future superheroes, most notably Batman who was practically an {{Expy}} at first before being differentiated into how he's currently recognized.

The first ''comic strip'' superhero would have been MandrakeTheMagician (June 11, 1934 and the first spandex-type costumed Super Hero is arguably ThePhantom (first published Feb. 17, 1936), who wore a skin-tight purple outfit with a mask. Culturally the [[TropeCodifier concept was crystallized]] by {{Superman}}, who remains the most recognized superhero. From there the concept was [[FollowTheLeader repeated]] numerous times, eventually spawning the JusticeSocietyOfAmerica which was the first superhero team.

Note that not all {{Super Hero}}es are super-powered; {{Batman}} is often considered a SuperHero despite having nothing but training, intelligence, willpower, minor gadgetry and the writers on his side; Phantom was in peak physical fitness, had excellent reflexes and was a sharpshooter. They are generally considered superheroes, partly because of the costume.

Sooner or later, all {{Super Hero}}es have an [[SuperHeroOrigin origin story]].

Superheroes are ''not'' limited merely to comic books and their derivations. Greek Heroes like Heracles and Achilles make this OlderThanDirt. ''KnightRider'' or ''TheSixMillionDollarMan'' are television examples partaking fairly little of the comic book medium. {{Anime}} in particular is chock full of super heroes from AstroBoy to [[DragonballZ Goku]] and SailorMoon. See also {{Sentai}}, MagicWarrior. Not to mention SuperRobot, which is the SuperHero writ ''very'' large (and armored).

In some continuities they may be called [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividuals something other than superhero]], but they're usually still recognizable as such.

See also TheCape, StockSuperpowers, FormFittingWardrobe, and of course the MostCommonSuperPower.

If 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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!!Examples of TV Shows:

* ''TheAdventuresOfSuperman''
* ''{{Automan}}''
* ''{{Batman}}''
* ''TheBatman''
* ''BatmanBeyond''
* ''BatmanTheAnimatedSeries''
* ''BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold''
* ''TheBionicWoman''
* ''BlackScorpion''
* ''BubblegumCrisis''
* ''DannyPhantom''
* ''DarkwingDuck''
* ''Series/FantasticFour''
* ''Series/TheFantasticFour''
* ''{{Flash}}''
* ''TheGeminiMan''
* ''TheGreatestAmericanHero''
* ''TheGreenHornet''
* ''[[{{Series.Heroes}} Heroes]]''
* ''TheIncredibleHulk''
* ''IronMan''
* ''{{Isis}}''
* ''Series/TheInvisibleMan'' (2000)
* ''JusticeLeague''
* ''KryptoTheSuperdog''
* ''LoisAndClark''
* ''[[{{MANTIS}} M.A.N.T.I.S.]]''
* ''TheManFromAtlantis''
* ''MisfitsOfScience''
* ''{{Moldiver}}''
* ''MutantX''
* ''{{Naruto}}.''
* ''{{Nexus}}''
* ''{{Phantom 2040}}''
* ''PowerpuffGirls''
* ''RedPandaAdventures''
* ''Sable''
* ''SailorMoon''
* ''TheSecretWorldOfAlexMack''
* ''ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman''
* ''{{Shazam}}!''
* ''SilverSurfer''
* ''TheSixMillionDollarMan''
* ''{{Smallville}}''
* ''{{Spawn}}''
* ''{{Spider-Man}}''
* ''{{Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends}}''
* ''{{Spider-Man Unlimited}}''
* ''{{The Spectacular Spider-Man}}''
* ''{{Stripperella}}''
* ''{{Superfriends}}''
* ''SupermanTheAnimatedSeries''
* ''SwatKats''
* ''TeenTitans''
* ''{{The Tick}}''
* ''{{Ultraman}}''
* ''WonderWoman''
* ''{{X-Men}}''
* ''{{X-Men Evolution}}''
* ''{{Zorro}}''
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