The document explores the concept of superheroes through an international survey assessing definitions and recognition across different countries. It discusses key characteristics that define a superhero, such as sanctioned missions, superpowers, secret identities, and costume motifs, while examining both American superheroes and those from other cultures. The analysis includes examples from various countries and invites further exploration of superhero identity globally.

1. Superheroes around the World CarrieLynn D. Reinhard, PhD. Roskilde University

2. What is a superhero?

6. But what about these?

8. What makes some characters superheroes, and others not? Do they all have to be from the United States? What do people outside of the United States think about superheroes?

9. International Survey Spring of 2009, International survey: Advertised across different country specific Facebooks, from the United States to Japan, from South Africa to Sweden. 1000+ partially completed the online survey. Of this group, only the 112 who answered all the close-ended answers and provided a real country of origin were included in the analysis. Discuss: What defines a superhero? How well know American superheroes? What other cultures’ heroes could be superheroes?

10. What defines a superhero?

11. Main Definitional Categories Sanctioned Mission Engages in missions sanctioned by society/culture in which stories originate Either as “the calling”, assigned or personally taken up Superpower(s) Possesses some ability that is beyond what a normal human could do with training or technology Secret Identity Engages in mission-related activities under a pseudonym to protect real identity and loved ones Codename Pseudonym, or the operational name given when engaging in mission-related activities Costume Motif Iconic representation of what the character stands for, is able to do, overall theme/power Worn in mission-related activities, often to protect real identity

12. American Superheroes Superhero Sanctioned Mission Super-power(s) Secret identity Code-name Costume motif Superman X X X X X Batman X X X X Wonder Woman X X X X X Green Lantern X X X X X The Flash X X X X X Green Arrow X X X X The Martian Manhunter X X X X Spider-Man X X X X X Iron Man X X X X X Wolverine X X X X X The Hulk X X X X Storm X X X X X Captain America X X X X Ghost Rider X X X X X Thor X X X Mr. Fantastic X X X X The Human Torch X X X X Punisher X X X X Hellboy X X X X The Shadow X X X X X Zorro X X X X

13. The percentages of people who agree or disagree or are not certain that the specific characteristic is necessary for defining a character as a superhero.

14. How well known are American superheroes?

15. Recognizing Superheroes: DC

16. Recognizing Superheroes: Marvel

17. Recognizing Superheroes: Other Comic Book

18. Recognizing Superheroes: And Others Still…

19. What is the reason for such patterns of recognition?

20. What other cultures’ heroes could be superheroes?

21. Would-Be, Could-Be Superheroes Superhero?? Sanctioned Mission Super-power(s) Secret identity Code-name Costume motif Ultraman X X X X X Kamen Rider 1 X X X X X Power Rangers X X X X X Gatchaman X X X X Sailor Moon X X X X X The Guyver X X X X NERV X X X Samurai Pizza Cats X X Mamoru Kusanagi X X X Pretty Girl Sammy X X X X X Witch Hunter Robin X X X X Card Capturer Sakura X X X The Knight Sabers X X X Vash the Stampede X X X X Voltron X X Astro Boy X X X Jesus X X X Hercules X X Robin Hood X X X Beowulf X James Bond X X X X

22. Recognizing Superheroes: Japanese

23. Do other cultures, countries have superheros?

24. North America Canada: Captain Canuck, Fleur de Lys, Nelvana Argentina: El Eternauta Mexico: El Santo, Kaliman, Blue Demon

25. Europe France: Fantômas Italy: Diabolik, Zagor Spain: El Guerro del Antifaz, El Capitán Trueno United Kingdom: Tank Girl, James Bond, V, Judge Dredd, MarvelMan, Promethea, Sherlock Holmes

26. Middle East Israel: Sabraman, Adiri Atchelet Kuwait: The 99

27. Asia Indonesia: Gundala, Gatotkaca, Garuda Putih China: The 108 Heroes of The Water Margin Japan: Volton, M.K.R., Akazukin Chacha, Saint Tail, Astro Boy, Godzilla, Saint Seiya, Biomen

28. Let’s Break It Down…

29. Codename: El Santo Secret Identity: Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta (sorta…) Superpower(s): strength, wrestling moves Sanctioned Mission: to fight supernatural creatures, evil scientists, criminals Costume Motif: silver mask, cape, leggings

30. Codename: Gundala Secret Identity: Sancaka Superpower(s): shoot lightning, super speed Sanctioned Mission: to fight crime Costume Motif: Blue spandex, red boots/gloves, winged ears

31. Codename: Robin Hood Secret Identity: Robert Fitzooth, Earl of Huntingdon, Robin of Loxley Superpower(s): marksmanship Sanctioned Mission: to ”rob from the rich to give to the poor” Costume Motif: green, and a hood

32. Codename: Samson Secret Identity: ... Superpower(s): tremendous strength Sanctioned Mission: to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines Costume Motif: his long hair, toga/loincloth

33. Codename: Jesus Secret Identity: Son of God Superpower(s): miracles Sanctioned Mission: to ease human suffering Costume Motif: long hair, beard, simple and flowing garmets

34. Codename: Diabolik Secret Identity: unknown Superpower(s): technology Sanctioned Mission: to steal from criminals Costume Motif: black spandex covers all but eyes

35. Codename: Pippi Longstocking Secret Identity: Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Ephraim's Daughter Longstocking Superpower(s): super strength Sanctioned Mission: to mock and dupe bad adults Costume Motif: long red pigtails, patchwork dress, long stockings

36. Appropriation versus Parody

37. Other Appropriations La Mujer Murcielago (1968) Japanese Spider-Man (1978) Turkish Superman (1979) Indian Superman (1987)

38. Parodies Canada’s Mr. Canoehead Superlópez from Spain Falafel Man from Israel Supershlumper from Israel Italian Spider-Man (2008)

39. To learn more… International Catalogue of Superheroes http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/ My writings: http://issuu.com/ourmediapolis