I think we can go way way way back to things like Gilgamesh and Hercules, but I want to stick to comics and comic strips.
Some people have been throwing names around like The Phantom and Superman, but I feel like the oldest ( that I can think of ) would be Popeye. Then there's people saying that you need super powers to be a super hero, but that would mean characters like Batman, Iron Man, Sandman, Blue Beetle, and Captain America are not super heroes.
Watchoo guys think? Is Popeye one of the earliest super heroes?
By the way, Seth Rogen as the Green Hornet?? WTF?
Who was the first Super Hero?
Popeye did have powers, he would Hulk up on the roids we all call spinach.
Also, Iron Man's power may be artificial, but if he doesn't have it his heart will quit on him and he dies. Similar thing for Captain America, since he's capable of doing superhuman things (well not so super if compare with other super heroes, but super when you compare it to Olympic trained Athelete) based on what science has done for him.
"Well, Superman was the first superhero that went by the name of a superhero and became a standard for later ones."
The question is what makes a superhero? Popeye might be seen as "super" do to his spinach induced strength, but his appearance is more cartoonish than what many perceive as standard. Popeye started back in 1929. On the other hand, is being a non-superpowered hero who fights crime and has a distinctive look or costume apply to the definition? Dick Tracy, with his gizmos and bright yellow trenchcoat began life in 1931. Is having fantastic adventures enough to merit the title? Little Orphan Annie made her first appearance way back in 1924, and Tin Tin later in 1929. Now, if we were to accept that something "super" is needed for the definition to apply, although how that super-ness is achieved has some creative licence and we only accept a character design that adheres to the perceived standard, then Dr. Occult/Dr. Mystic might be the earliest one. From the creators of Superman, he predates that icon by three years by having his 1st appearance in 1935. The Phantom showed up the following year in 1936.
So my vote is for Dr. Occult/Dr. Mystic...as it turns out, he also seems to have had a costume on an occasion to battle evil.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Occult
http://www.comicvine.com/doctor-occult/29-11291/
"Popeye did have powers, he would Hulk up on the roids we all call spinach.Hmmm..I guess Popeye is a superhero.
Also, Iron Man's power may be artificial, but if he doesn't have it his heart will quit on him and he dies. Similar thing for Captain America, since he's capable of doing superhuman things (well not so super if compare with other super heroes, but super when you compare it to Olympic trained Athelete) based on what science has done for him."
I guess it's Zorro, depending on what you consider a "superhero", he was created in the1920s i think.
"I guess it's Zorro, depending on what you consider a "superhero", he was created in the1920s i think."
And Batman's main influence.
"I guess it's Zorro, depending on what you consider a "superhero", he was created in the1920s i think."one year before actually. I think so, But Zorro is the first "Vigilante" and "Costumed Hero". But Batman isn't originally a vigilante and Crappy writers of later decades made him an outlaw. But he's as well a costumed hero Like Zorro. but Zorro is not a superhero and I think there isn't any initial and influential superheo ever made. every nation has his Hero, Like Hercule and Beowulf.
A year later, the character was in a silent movie starring Douglas Fairbanks.
as far as comic books isn't Batman, Spiderman, or Super Man one of the first superheroes? if we are talking comic books which I don't read
"I'm surprised and delighted that no one said "Jesus"."He was no superhero. An amazing magician though.
No mean spirited blasphemy intended ;)
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