How can these people make lycra look cool? (Top Five Superheroes)

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	Top Five Superheroes
Date:	07/12/08 (392 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cream of the crop

Disadvantages: Difficult to select only 5

What defines a superhero? When deciding on top superheroes, this is the first question that must be answered. In my opinion superheroes need to have three basic attributes to one extent or another, that include;

i) Some "thing" that is over and above that of a 'normal' human being. Be it a sixth sense, the ability to fly, turn invisible, immense strength and the like. It needs to have a 'super power'.

ii) A superhero needs to have a purpose that helps out the lesser mortals, such as crime fighting or stopping someone from ultimately taking over the world, as well as every thing in between.

iii) A superhero needs a secret identity and an individual costume. An individual/group of individuals that are selfless will win the public over a lot more than some glory hunter with a big ego.

Whilst there are loads of superheroes out there my top 5, in no particular order, are as follows:

1) Spiderman

The story of Peter Parker being bitten by a spider and then gaining the 'powers' of a spider including the ability to climb walls, the ability to spin webs, super strength and the spider sense (allowing him to see things in slow motion and take the appropriate action) is so simple that it is genius.

Peter had the opportunity to stop an armed criminal but decided to let him go. The armed criminal shot dead Peter's uncle during the escape. Peter realised that he could have stopped this of happening and then made a pledge to protect the public of New York to avenge his uncle's death.

Peter remains true in his pledge, even at the expense of his own happiness, and has many epic battles with some great enemies including the Hob-Goblin and Doctor Octopus.

As Spiderman Peter's attire is a skin-tight blue and red suit with a web across the chest. A mask finishes off the costume to ensure that he remains totally anonymous. Peter's identity is constantly at risk as the editor of the New York Times makes it his mission to reveal the true identity of Spiderman whatever it takes.

Spiderman began life in the comics but as his popularity grew he appeared in loads of mini cartoon series across various children's TV channels before making it to the big screen.

The success of the Spiderman movies, along with all different sorts of merchandise available including action figures, lunch boxes, duvet covers and pillow cases to name a few, demonstrates the popularity of this superhero.

Satisfying all the attributes of a true superhero Spiderman is the ultimate and, in my opinion, one of the best.

2) Batman

Batman is Bruce Wayne, a millionaire that lives in Wayne Manor (a large mansion) located out of town. The only people who knows the identity is the butler, Alfred, and his sidekick and fellow crime fighter, Robin

Batman's secret lair, the Bat Cave, is located underneath Wayne Manor and is where the Bat Mobile is stored, along with the main computer system.

As the leader of the "dynamic duo" Batman is the caped crusader that has taken it upon him self to protect the residents of Gotham City from numerous enemies including The Joker, The Riddler, The Penguine and Poison Ivy amongst many others. When there is a problem Batman is contacted by the police commissioner by a spotlight containing an image of a bat (in the movie and cartoon version) or the red bat phone (in the TV series).

Batman does not have any superhuman powers as such, but he does have the utility belt full of gadgets that is used to combat crime. The belt includes items such as explosives, smoke screens and 'batarrangs'. All the things needed to fight crime. So with two out of three of my criteria satisfied, do I class him as a superhero? It's a bit contradictory but I have to say yes. Well, he did have the utility belt and how many 'normal' people, can claim that?

Batman started off in the comic books but as he became popular the stories moved to a mini cartoon series that was aired across several children's TV channels, a mini TV series (more on that later) and the big screen.

I think Batman is a really clever concept. Many people think that millionaires are usually surrounded by maids and servants and do little for themselves, let alone anyone else. They are perceived to be selfish and only look out for themselves. Bruce Wayne, and the story of Batman, dispels these assumptions.

Personally, I think that the TV series was brilliant, and whilst I have enjoyed all the Batman films I much prefer to sit and watch the feature length TV version. The costumes were cheesy and really 'camp' and the narrator asking "what will the dynamic duo do now?" and other questions is brilliant. It was a series of pure innocence and great family viewing since it was suitable for all ages. The on-screen violence was censored by cartoon bubbles displaying words such as "Thwack", "bosch" and similar made up words during the fighting scenes.

Based on the camp TV series above I have to say that Batman is my favourite hero.

3) Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a member of a fictional, all-female tribe of Amazons (based on the Amazons of Greek mythology) who is sent to man's world as an ambassador. Among the Amazons she is known as Princess Diana (being the daughter of Amazon queen Hippolyta) and in man's world she takes the secret identity of Diana Prince.
Her superhuman powers were given to her by the gods and godesses of Olympus and include super strength, speed, stamina, flight and great hand to hand combat techniques. If injured her body will heal immediately although she can be killed by a weapon that is made by the gods.
In addition to her powers Wonder Woman has numerous weapons at her disposal with the most famous being the Lasso of Truth (a lasso that makes the captured person tell the truth), a pair of bullet-deflecting bracelets, and an invisible plane.
She sports the sexiest superhero costume ever made and consisting of a pair of hot pants, tight top, tiara and knee high boots it is a fantasy costume for many men.
She does not have the vast array of villians to defeat, unlike other heroes. Her main enemies are Nazis but she is also a general crime fighter.
Like all superheroes, Wonder Woman started life in the comics. There was a cartoon made but this never really took off. Wonder Woman is most famous in the TV series where the gorgeous Lynda Carter took on the lead role.
Wonder Woman is iconic in that she was dreamt up during a time when women were lower than men in the social hierarchy and the though of a superhero women was really unlikely.
4) Superman
The planet Krypton was in ruin and started falling apart so Kal-El, a child was put in a protective capsule and sent to Earth by his scientist father, Jor-El.

The capsule landed in Kansas in the United States of America. The local farmer discovered the capsule whilst out in the fields and took Kal-El home and raised him as Clark Kent. As Clark grew older he developed his superhuman powers (including super strength, fast reactions, laser vision and the ability to fly) and decided he would use these to help humanity.

Clark moved to New York to work as a journalist alongside Lois Lane, who later becomes his love interest, and help the people of New York.

Superman's protects his identity by wearing a blue and skin-tight suit displaying a big "S" on the chest. This is finished off with red boots and a red cape. Unlike many other superheroes Superman does not have a mask of any description and his face is always on display. It amazes me how people do not link Clark Kent to Superman.

The relationship between Lois and Clark is a saga that continues throughout the stories. It is a 'love triangle' consisting of two people. Clark falls for Lois, but Lois falls for Superman.

Superman's main enemy is Lex Luthor, another individual intent on taking over the world. In my opinion, other than Lex, Superman does not have many interesting enemies.

Superman's only weakness is kryptonite, a rock found on his home planet of krypton. If Superman is subjected to krypton he becomes weak and may be defeated.

Like the best heroes, Superman started out in the comic books but a cartoon series soon followed and then the movies. The movies were very popular and rocketed Christopher Reeve, who played the hero, to instant fame.

I have to admit that whilst I like superman he is not my favourite superhero. The story of an alien sent to earth that grows up and helps out mankind is a nice story but it is not as good as that of Spiderman. Whilst impressive, Superman's powers are mundane in comparison to Spiderman.

5) The Phantom

The Phantom, known as "The Ghost Who Walks", is a crime fighter that resides in Skull Cave deep in the African Jungle country of Bangella. The Phantom is a powerful and indestructible guardian of the common people and because he has lived for generations many believed he was immortal.

In reality the Phantom's son becomes the next Phantom and so on, with each taking the oath to devote their life to the destruction of piracy, greed, cruelty and injustice.

Sporting a purple skin-tight suit and mask it was the Phantom that set the standard spandex clothing attire donned by all superheroes. His weapons of choice are two pistols held in a special belt with a skull like buckle.
The Phantom's superhuman powers are his wits, physical strength (where he calls for the the strength of ten tigers) and skill with his weapons. In addition he also relies on his fearsome reputation.
The Phantom never had specific enemies instead he was a general crime fighter that had three helpers, a mountain wolf called Devil, a horse named Hero, and a trained falcon named Fraka to assist him in keeping true to his oath.
Unlike other super heroes the Phantom manges to get a the girl of his dreams, get married and have a family. The Phantom's family have always played a significant role in the series and his romance with his one love has been an ongoing part of the sotry since the beginning.
The Phantom first appeared in comic books and then on the small screen as a children's cartoon TV series and finally the big screen. Whilst it had some following the popularity of the Phantom never reached the same heights, nor did it capture the imagination of the public that Superman, Batman and Spiderman did.
Choosing my top 5 superheroes was a difficult task since there are so many to choose from, however, looking back I think I have nailed it.
Thank you for reading.

Summary: The greatest superheroes of all time