Superhero fiction
A subgenre of speculative fiction featuring costumed superheroes and supervillains.
Superhero fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction that showcases the adventures of costumed crime-fighters known as superheroes, who often possess superhuman powers and battle similarly powered criminals known as supervillains. The genre primarily falls between hard fantasy and soft science fiction in the spectrum of scientific realism, often merging into science fantasy. It is most commonly associated with comic books, though it has expanded into other media through adaptations and original works.
- field
- Speculative fiction subgenre
- known_for
- Costumed crime-fighters with superhuman powers, secret identities, and battles against supervillains
- common_media
- Comic books, with expansions into other media
Lore & Background
Superhero fiction centers on protagonists known as superheroes, who are stock characters possessing extraordinary or superhuman powers and dedicated to protecting the public. A female superhero is sometimes called a superheroine. Characters do not strictly require superhuman powers to be deemed superheroes; terms such as costumed crime fighters or masked vigilantes are used for those like Batman and Green Arrow, who were called 'mystery men' in the Golden Age of Comic Books.
Reader's Guide
Superhero fiction has had a significant cultural impact, particularly through its dominance in American comic books and its expansion into other media. The genre's flexibility allows it to incorporate elements of hard fantasy, soft science fiction, and science fantasy. Its narrative tropes—such as secret identities, rogues galleries, and the temporary nature of death—have become widely recognized. The genre has also been used to explore societal issues, such as discrimination and ableism, as seen in works like The Incredibles. The shared universes of DC and Marvel have established long-running continuities, while crossovers and events have driven fan engagement. Overall, superhero fiction remains a versatile and enduring form of speculative storytelling.
Did You Know?
- Characters such as Batman and Green Arrow are sometimes referred to as costumed crime fighters or masked vigilantes rather than superheroes.
- Comic book writer Gail Simone coined the term 'Women in Refrigerators' to refer to the killing off of a superhero's significant other to advance the plot.
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