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| Heroic Archetypes What is the origin of super-heroes? Where did they come from and what inspired their creation? HeroicWorld takes a look at the continuity of how the myth of the modern super-hero came to be and how it has been duplicated time and time again. Oft times this duplication becomes so pervasive that the characters become archetypal. At first glance, one might assume that all these creators do is copy one another -- and we can be sure that DOES happen at times. After all, there aren't but so many kinds of super-powers to go around. But as you will see, many creators are really combining different heroic and cultural archetypes that have been around since the beginning of time. Different characters created by different companies will often share similar powers, abilities, morphologies and even names. One of the reasons that this happens is because powers and abilities that make super-heroes so unique are exaggerations of what men can do naturally i.e. being strong, or being able to run fast. Or superheroes reflect what nature can do, i.e. give light, spew fire, weather or gravity. As mentioned before, such there are only going to be but so many super-powers to go around. The heroic myth/archetype has become so pervasive in our modern culture that there are many heroes that can represent the same archetype, but can still be very different in their creation and morphology. THE PRIME INSPIRATION FOR SUPERHEROESThe inspiration for superheroes are actually taken from reality. It could have only started with the biblical heroes and the amazing things they were able to accomplish by the power of God. BIBLICAL HEROES PERFORMING GREAT FEATS OF POWER
MYTHIC HEROESOther cultures created their own gods and myths to go with them.
This set the stage in modern times for the creation of "modern myths" as Stan Lee once put it. Creators either took directly from myths and made modern superheroes from them, or they combined them with other element to created something entirely different. Below are a few examples. MYTHIC HEROES AS SUPERHEROESMyths where then used and turned into superheros.
The creation of the Pulp Fiction heroes was first in the early 20th century. The archetypes were partially taken from reality, but combined the myths with the pre-superhero pulp fiction characters with amazing abilities...
...and added elements from the circus strongmen...
The interesting costumes... Shorts over pants...The heroic poses... Sound familiar already? Then add a dash of space adventure...
You end up with Seigel and Shuster's...SUPERMAN! The first COSTUMED superhero.
This was amazingly creative. Superman soon became the archetype from which a new breed of hero sprang...the SUPER-HERO. The costume was taken from the circus strongman attire and given a cape for "regal-ness." Although he was an amalgam of different pulp heroes and mythic archetypes, Superman soon became an archetype himself. Other companies came up with their own "super-man" using the "all-powerful" "caped-superhero" archetype. Here are some examples that have been created over the years using that same formula.
BIG STRONG HERONow, most companies or super-teams have a big overly-muscled hero on their side. This character is often "cape-less."
Creators started experimenting with different ways to expand on this new type of hero. They met with much success. Even being seen in other mediums such as television. BODY CHANGE HEROESThere are also heroes that morph from a hero to a non-heroic alter ego. This archetype has been seen in both comic and cartoons.
The new superheroes were dominated by male figures. But creators knew it was time to bring the "fairer sex" into the mix by using the same formula. MYTHIC HEROINESLike their male counterparts, the heroic female archetypes started with powerful women from the myths and legends.
These myths were transformed into the familiar superhero women we see today...
Consider the evolution of Wonder Woman, the most recognizable heroic archetype. It probably started like this: Add a bombshell pin-up girl...
Costume colors... good looks... lasso... tiara... Plus...
Gives you...
Which finally became... 
Many Wonder Woman Archetypes have also been created over the decades.
SUPER-STRONG FEMALE HEROINEThere have been other heroic and strong female superheroes created. Some are created by making female versions of existing male heroes.
Click Here for More History and Information on Heroic Archetypes!
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