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