2. History of genre
Superhero fiction is a subgenre originating in and most
common to American comic books, though it has
expanded into other media through adaptations and
original works. The form is a type of speculative fiction
examining the adventures of costumed crime fighters
known as superheroes, who often possess superhuman
powers and battle similarly powered criminals known as
supervillains. Occasionally, this type of fiction is referred
to as superhuman or super-powered fiction rather than
superhero fiction in order to reflect that broader scope of
both heroes and villains, as well as cover those characters
with enhanced abilities that fall outside the classic
superhero/supervillain dichotomy.
3. Beginning of genre
Almost immediately after superheroes rose to prominence in comic books, they were
adapted into Saturday movie serials aimed at children, starting with Mandrake The
Magician (1939). Serials such as Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941), Batman (1943),
The Phantom (1943), Captain America (1944), and Superman (1948) followed.
In the following decades, the decline of Saturday serials and turmoil in the comic book
industry put an end to superhero motion pictures, with the exception of episodes of
the television series Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves, which had
been compiled for theatrical release, and Batman (1966) a big-screen extension of the
Batman television series starring Adam West. Another early superhero film was Ōgon
Bat (1966), a Japanese film starring Sonny Chiba based on the 1930 Kamishibai
superhero Ōgon Bat.
Original superhero characters emerged in other, more comedy oriented films such as
the French political satire film Mr. Freedom (1969) and the American B movies Rat
Pfink a Boo Boo (1966) and The Wild World of Batwoman (1966).
4. Characteristics of the Cinematic
Superhero Genre
American Monomythic Structure
- A community is threatened by evil; normal
institutions fail.
- A superhero emerges to renounce
temptations and carry out the redemptive
task; aided by fate.
- His decisive victory restores the community to
its paradisiacal condition.
- The superhero then recedes.
5. Outlined by Robert Jewett and John
Shelton Lawrence
• Threatened by evil
• Normal institutions fail
• A superhero emerges
• Victory restored
• Superhero recedes
