Welcome to Cyclopaedia 16: Superheroes. Cyclopaedia is a monthly article on the InnRoads Ministries website as part of the Resources series. Superhero movies and television shows are the talk of the media and fans these days, superhero comics are seeing a bit of a resurgence, and superhero games are on our shelves. But is this really a new thing? Growing up, I would jump out of bed each Saturday to make sure I got to watch Super Friends and asked my parents during the week if I could watch reruns of Batman. During my college years, I loved the X-Men cartoon and played lots of V&V, Champions, and Heroes Unlimited RPGs. Now I watch the superhero movies with my daughters, cheering for the heroes to save the world! Superheroes have been a staple of my life, and I have a feeling it has been for many of yours as well. There is something about superhero stories that inspire us and challenge us. The superhero genre has built up such a library of information, media, and products that it was nearly overwhelming to research, so I chose carefully some highly representative or unique items to include in this article to give you an overview of the genres many possibilities. Now it is time to stand up from your superhero three-point landing and lets fly!
If you have questions about this article or topics you would like me to consider researching for future Cyclopaedia articles, please leave a comment below.
Overview
When you think of superheroes, what comes to mind? Comic books? Cartoons? TV shows? Movies? Bright colors or lots of blacks and muted tones? Spandex, leather outfits, or body armor? How you answer speaks volumes for when you first got into the superhero genre.
But, what we can all agree on is that superhero stories and games are like modern myths, similar to the Greek, Roman, and Norse heroes and demigods of old. Superheroes are larger than life, morality plays of heroism, vigilantism, and good vs evil. Superheroes and Supervillains bring to mind certain ideals and aesthetics.
When did superheroes begin? There is not an agreed upon date or event, but many claim that the 1903 play The Scarlet Pimpernel could be the first masked avenger, a precursor to superheroes. Even the term superhero was first used in the early 1900s. From there, heroes such as Zorro lead to the pulp adventures of The Shadow and The Phantom. Then in the 1930s, Superman and Captain Marvel begin the Golden Age of Comics.
When we think of modern superheroes, certain common qualities come to mind such as super human abilities, secret identities, costumes, moral codes, and supervillains to pair against these superheroes. Whether you enjoy more over-the-top Four Color comic heroes or darker, more violent vigilantes, the superhero genre has a superhero, team, or storyline that will interest you..
Comic Book Ages?
There is constant debate and discussion on what should be the ages of comic books. There are key events many collectors and historians note as turning points in comics. Here is one possible listing of ages and dates.
- Platinum Age (1897-1937)
- Golden Age (1938-1955)
- Silver Age (1956-1972)
- Bronze Age (1973-1985)
- Copper/Dark/Iron Age (1984-1991?)
- Modern Age (1985?/1991? to now)
Following are sources of information pertaining to Superheroes to assist prospective game masters, game designers, writers, and storytellers in knowing where to start their research.
ARTICLES
On the literary use of superheroes; or, Batman and Superman fistfight in heaven
By Cates, I.
Source: American Literature, v83 n4 (2011 12 01): 831-857
Superheroes and Heroic Journeys
By Rubin, Lawrence C
Source: Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, v1 n3-4 (2005): 237-252
Unmasking: on violence, masculinity, and superheroes in science education
By Broadway, Francis S and Leafgren, Sheri
Source: Cultural Studies of Science Education, v7 n3 (201209): 719-733
Wonder Women: Feminisms and Superheroes
By Gallardo, Ximena
Source: The Journal of Popular Culture, v38 n6 (200511): 1109-1111
BOOKS
The Awakening
By Carroll, Michael
Captain Underpants
By Pilkey, Dav
Comic Books and Graphic Novels
By Darkhorse Comics, DC, Marvel, & more.
Empire State
By Christopher, Adam and Staehle, Will
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days
By Becker, Shelly and Kaban, Eda
Ex-Heroes: A Novel
By Clines, Peter
Ferros
By King, Wesley
Hero Worship
By Long, Christopher
H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education
By Walden, Mark
Holy Superheroes! Revised and Expanded Edition: Exploring the Sacred in Comics, Graphic Novels, and Film
By Garrett, Greg
Legend
By Lu, Marie
School for Sidekicks
By McCullough, Kelly
Sidekicks
By Ferraiolo, Jack
Soon I Will Be Invincible
By Grossman, Austin
Steelheart
By Sanderson, Brandon
Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human
By Morrison, Grant
Superheroes and Gods: A Comparative Study from Babylonia to Batman
By LoCicero Don
Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre
By Coogan, Peter
Super Human
By Carroll, Michael Owen
Violent Century
By Tidhar, Lavie
Watchmen
By Moore, Alan
Wild Cards
By Martin, George R.R.
The Young Elites
By Lu, Marie
GAMES
Aberrant – RPG
BASH! – RPG
Batman: Arkham Asylum – Computer Game
Batman Fluxx – Tabletop Game
Batman: Gotham City Strategy Game – Tabletop Game
Batman Love Letter – Tabletop Game
Brave New World – RPG
Capes & Cowls – Tabletop Game
Champions – RPG
City of Heroes CCG – Tabletop Game
City of Heroes – Computer Game
City of Mist – RPG
DC Adventures – RPG
DC Comics Deck-Building Game – Tabletop Game
DC Heroes Role Playing Game – RPG
DC Universe Online – Computer Game
Dice Masters – Tabletop Game
Freedom Force – Computer Game
Godlike – RPG
Guardians’ Chronicles – Tabletop Game
GURPS Supers – RPG
HeroClix – Tabletop Game
Heroes of Metro City – Tabletop Game
Heroes Wanted – Tabletop Game
Heroes Unlimited – RPG
Heroscape Marvel: The Conflict Begins – Tabletop Game
ICONS – RPG
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction – Computer Game
Injustice: Gods Among Us – Computer Game
Justice League Strategy Game – Tabletop Game
Justice League: The Board Game – Tabletop Game
Legendary – Tabletop Game
Lego Batman – Computer Game
Lego Marvel Super Heroes – Computer Game
Marvel Heroes – Tabletop Game
Marvel Superheroes Adventure Game – RPG
Marvel Ultimate Alliance – Computer Game
Marvel vs Capcom – Computer Game
Mortal Combat vs. DC Universe – Computer Game
Mutants & Masterminds – RPG
Necessary Evil – RPG
Sentinels of the Multiverse – Tabletop Game
Sentinels Tactics – Tabletop Game
Silver Age Sentinels – RPG
Smallville Roleplaying Game – RPG
Superhero 2044 – RPG
Superworld – RPG
Villains and Vigilantes – RPG
Vs. System – Tabletop Game
Wild Talents – RPG
X-Men Arcade – Computer Game
X-Men Legends – Computer Game
X-Men Origins: Wolverine – Computer Game
X-Men Revolution – Tabletop Game
CINEMA
Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D
Arrowverse – TV
Batman (1966) – TV
Batman: The Animated Series – TV
Batman Beyond – TV
Black Scorpion – TV
Blade
The Cape – TV
Captain Nice – TV
Condorman
The Crow
Darkman
Daredevil
DC Animated Universe
DC Extended Universe
Electra Woman and Dynamics’s Girl – TV
Elektra
Fantastic Four
Generation X – TV
Ghost Rider
Gotham – TV
Greatest American Hero – TV
The Green Hornet
Hancock
Heroes – TV
Howard the Duck
The Incredibles
The Incredible Hulk – TV
Justice League Unlimited – TV
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman – TV
M.A.N.T.I.S. – TV
Meteor Man
The Middleman – TV
Manimal – TV
Marvel Cinematic Universe – TV and Movies
Megamind
Mutant X – TV
Mystery Men
My Super Ex-Girlfriend
Nightman – TV
The Phantom
The Phoenix – TV
The Powderpuff Girls Movie
Powerless – TV
Push
The Secrets of Isis – TV
The Shadow
Shazam! – TV
Sky High
Smallville – TV
Spawn
Steel
Super Friends – TV
Superhero Movie
Superman – TV
Swamp Thing
The Toxic Avenger
Ultraman – TV
Unbreakable
Underdog – TV
Watchmen
Wonder Woman – TV
X-Men: The Animated Series – TV
LOCATIONS
Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum
https://www.hallofheroesmuseum.com/
Super Museum – Metropolis, IL
http://www.supermuseum.com/
PEOPLE
Alex Alonso
Dan Buckley
Chris Claremont
Jeff Dee
Dan DiDio
Steve Ditko
Richard Donner
Will Eisner
Gardner Fox
Mark Goodman
Geoff Johns
Jack Kirby
Jim Lee
Stan Lee
Frank Miller
Christopher Reeve
George Reeves
John Romita Jr.
Alex Ross
Joe Schuster
Jerry Siegel
Jim Steranko
Malcom Wheeler-Nicholson
I hope you find these resources informative and inspiring for your adventures, storytelling, or game design.
Stay Creative!
T.R. Knight
( If you would like to save this list of resources as a convenient PDF for later reference, you can find that HERE )
WHO IS T.R. KNIGHT?
He is a freelance editor, proofreader, and writer in the game industry. He is also a Husband and Caregiver to his wife Angie, Father of Twins Emily and Rachel, Gardner and Hobby Chef, and Director of Academic Technology and User Services at Taylor University. You can learn more about T.R. at his blog http://www.thomasrknight.com.