Superhero
Why a cape? Who wears a cape? Where do you even get a cape?
— Elaine Benes, Seinfeld, 1998
A superhero is a fictional character who has superhuman (and often flat-out supernatural) abilities, and also acts heroically. Superhero stories are a subset of the fantasy genre.
The concept was popularised by late 1930s comic book protagonist Superman, featured in a series of simplistic stories for children. As a result, in the US, the superhero genre is somewhat intertwined with both the comic medium and costumes reminiscent of circus performers and tacky pulp magazines' fictional space-based adventurers.
Compare with masked vigilantes, who aren't technically superhuman, they're merely vigilantes who made questionable fashion choices when hiding their true identities. Both appear to primarily be wish-fulfilment fantasies for boys who want to fantasise about fighting people without repercussion, and to even be admired for it.
The concept of superheroes is interrogated in Watchmen and The Boys.
Comics: Comic book | DC Compact Comics | Graphic novel | Limited series | Masked vigilante | Modern Age | Superhero | Watchmen
Story genres: Cyberpunk | Masked vigilante | Superhero
