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Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes (and species). DC and Marvel are mainstays when it comes to comic book fodder. Their rogues and mavericks in capes and tights are pure entertainment, but also true modern myths and morality plays. The fantasy worlds they come from, their improbable backstories made possible; their extended universes converging, all culminate in adventures that involve wit, daring, and bravado. Many lessons can be learned about overcoming adversity, facing your fears, and staying true to yourself from superheroes. Superheroes are more than cultural icons; they are role models that reflect our own human desires and behaviors.
Outside the panels and silver screen, looking past the costumes and powers can be hard to accept. Even from a sense of realism, the kitschy characters cannot be believed by some. Of course, not all heroes wear capes; not all heroes are the same. To take a lesson out of the book of Batman, it is not about who heroes are underneath the mask, but rather what they do that defines them. In their own way, heroes are made and come from more places than a comic book.
9 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
They’re teenagers, mutants, turtles, and above all, ninjas. A freak accident from a pet owner and a vial of ooze inadvertently created the famous pizza-eating, crime-fighting foursome of brothers. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop designed these live-action martial artists as well. Named after Renaissance artists, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, with their adoptive sewer rat father, Master Splinter, are New York City’s underground heroes.
8 Mortal Kombat (1995)
For all the anti-hero fans out there, Mortal Kombat brings the brutal punishment in an ancient battle royale. Based on a self-titled arcade fighting game from 1992, the defenders of Earth must fight off the evils of the Outworld and defeat them in the martial arts tournament. The rebooted Mortal Kombat (2021) is more stylized, but the original is over-the-top fun with fisticuffs and the unforgettable “MORTAL KOMBAT!” scream and soundtrack gets you ready to fight.
7 Unbreakable (2000)
The only man to survive a derailed, crashing train was not just serendipity. In this M. Night Shyamalan production, the superhero film is turned on its head with suspenseful intrigue. Why David Dunn (Bruce Willis) has a superhuman power is unknown until a handicapped comic book store owner (Samuel L. Jackson) takes advantage to study him closer. It is a clever, nontraditional take on the superhero genre that deals with brains and brawn.
6 Kill Bill (2003-2004)
Uma Thurman is Black Mamba who leaves the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad to lead a normal life. The assassins try to prevent her aim with an attempt on her, and her unborn child’s, life. When they fail, she adds them to her hit list, along with their leader, Bill AKA Snake Charmer, her former lover, and the father of her daughter (played by David Carradine of Kung-Fu fame). Quentin Tarantino’s film blends many action and adventure genres, from the Japanese samurais to spaghetti Westerns; there is a movie and hero in Kill Bill for everyone.
5 The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
A martial hero movie starring two master martial artists, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Boston teen, Jason Tripitikas, who loves kung-fu movies shops for them but is forced to rob the store, gets a golden staff, and a mission to return it to the Monkey King. The choreography of the fighting sequences never miss a beat and the hero’s journey for Jason is well done.
4 Watchmen (2009)
Anti-heroes and big government intermingle in this social commentary from the dystopian comic book series from Alan Moore. Heroism is outlawed and authoritarian sentiments reign, making you question whether unconventional interventions and superheroes are good or bad for the whole of society. Watchmen is a good think piece compared to the nonstop action of other comic book movies.
3 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Winning the love of your girlfriend by defeating her seven ex-boyfriends while trying to land a record deal as a budding musician is not an easy task. Based on the comic book series by Bryan Lee O’Malley, the stylized visuals and cinematography heighten the humor in this teenage, zero-to-hero cult film.
2 Kick-Ass (2010)
Self-made, real-life superheros take to the streets to exact their own brand of justice. A comic book character inspired by comic books (meta that rivals Deadpool’s broken fourth wall) gives crime-fighting a shot with comedic and crushing results. Nods to the comics are satirized as well, with Nicolas Cage as Big Daddy, who looks like Batman on steroids with guns. This adaptation will leave a grim grin across your face.
1 The Green Hornet (2011)
Predating Batman, Britt Reid works as a newspaper tycoon by day and fights crime by night as the Green Hornet. Seth Rogen’s debauchery has strangely celebrated this 1936 radio drama, its 1940s serials, and its 1966 television show. A 2006 French short film of the hero exists, and is more faithful to the jade-colored do-gooder, but the bumbling crime busts here are still entertaining. Similarly, director Leigh Whannell and acclaimed screenwriter are set to make another reboot of the Green Hornet.
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