The Superman Archetype
Widely recognized as the very first superhero (or at least the oldest one anyone remembers), Superman has inspired countless parodies, analogues, and equivalents, even within DC itself.
Aspects of the Superman Archetype are as follows:
- Has the "FISS" power-set (Flight, Invulnerability, Strength, and Speed), as well as heat vision or some other kind of "eye beam" power.
- Form-fitting costume that has a cape and a prominent chest-symbol (sometimes a letter, but often not). Red and/or blue colors preferred.
- Secret identity, especially one where they pretend to be bumbling or dorky.
- Romance with an ordinary human woman who is a reporter or some other kind of newswoman and a frequent damsel-in-distress (the "Lois Lane Archetype").
- Arch-enemy is a wealthy, super-intelligent, egomaniac with vast resources and who often does not have a supervillain name, instead using their real name (the "Lex Luthor Archetype", if you will).
- Founder, heavy-hitter, and often leader, of the setting's premiere superhero team.
- Looks human, but is in fact an alien. Alien examples are often the last of their kind or one of the last of their kind, and were sent to Earth as infants or children.
- Raised by a kind, elderly farming couple somewhere far from any big cities (so a rural area).
- Weakened or harmed by a specific mineral, often a fictional one.
- Widely beloved by the people
Please note that characters can and do fit this archetype without checking off every single item on the above list.
