Superpower (ability)
Definition
There is no rigid definition of a "superpower." In popular culture, it is often associated with unusual abilities such as
Generally speaking, superheroes like
In fiction and fantasy, superpowers are often given scientific, technological, pseudoscientific, or supernatural explanations. They come from sources such as magic, technology, or the character's own physiological nature (being an alien, a supernatural being, or a mutant).[2][5]
In manga and anime
Superpowers are a commonly used concept in
The types of powers featured vary from series to series. Some, such as Dragon Ball and Fullmetal Alchemist, feature many different characters who have the same types of powers. Others, like One Piece and Bleach, feature characters with a wide range of different powers, with many powers being unique to only one or a few characters.[6]
In Animation
Superpowers are commonly used in animated television.
In shows such as Ben 10, American Dragon: Jake Long and Danny Phantom, young protagonists are bestowed with transformative powers which lead them to live a double life. Winx Club and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe feature characters who adventure in fantastical worlds which put their inherent superpowers to the test. In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Road Rovers and Street Sharks, the characters' superpowers are the result of being transformed into anthropomorphic animals (either from animals or humans), combined with combat training.
Other examples include:
In Live Action TV Series
Superpowers feature in subgenres of tokusatsu, a form of television characterised by heavy use of special effects. This is embodied by the franchise Super Sentai, known for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and its counterpart Kamen Rider.
In Western television, superpowers are often depicted in adaptations of comic books. However, drama series such as Heroes and Misfits are original to television. They use superpowers to heighten the conflicts of otherwise ordinary characters, without strong ties to other superheroic tropes such as codenames or costumes.
References
- ^ "The Golden Age Of Comics". www.pbs.org. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ a b Lovece, Frank (July 16, 2008). "The Dark Knight". (movie review) Film Journal International. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
Batman himself is an anomaly as one of the few superheroes without superpowers…
- ^ "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes". IGN. 2011.
- ^ "Superhero | Definition of Superhero by Merriam-Webster". Merriam-webster.com. March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- ISBN 978-0-471-02460-6. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 6, 2015.
- ^ a b "Superpowers Characters | Anime-Planet". www.anime-planet.com. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
External links
- 8 Super Powers, an online Wired Magazine article on how certain superpowers might work
- The Physics of Superheroes, by James Kakalios- a book examining how the powers of several comic book characters would work if they were real.