Q&A for How to Create a Super Hero

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  • Question
    What makes someone a super hero?
    Melessa Sargent
    Professional Writer
    Melessa Sargent is the President of Scriptwriters Network, a non-profit organization that brings in entertainment professionals to teach the art and business of script writing for TV, features and new media. The Network serves its members by providing educational programming, developing access and opportunity through alliances with industry professionals, and furthering the cause and quality of writing in the entertainment industry. Under Melessa's leadership, SWN has won numbers awards including the Los Angeles Award from 2014 through 2021, and the Innovation & Excellence award in 2020.
    Professional Writer
    Expert Answer
    A super hero is just anyone who helps and assists others without putting an emphasis on their own safety and well being. There are plenty of everyday super heroes who don't wear masks or capes!
  • Question
    Where can I get inspiration for a super hero?
    Melessa Sargent
    Professional Writer
    Melessa Sargent is the President of Scriptwriters Network, a non-profit organization that brings in entertainment professionals to teach the art and business of script writing for TV, features and new media. The Network serves its members by providing educational programming, developing access and opportunity through alliances with industry professionals, and furthering the cause and quality of writing in the entertainment industry. Under Melessa's leadership, SWN has won numbers awards including the Los Angeles Award from 2014 through 2021, and the Innovation & Excellence award in 2020.
    Professional Writer
    Expert Answer
    Think about something you've always wanted to do to help people but can't because it would put you in harm's way. You can always look for real-world examples of people who help others and then add one or two different elements to make them "super."
  • Question
    Does it seem awkward if your hero's weakness is the sight of seeing people getting hurt?
    Avid Lepidopterist
    Community Answer
    No. This could also be their "core drive." Maybe the hero wants to be heroic, because they don't want anyone getting hurt!
  • Question
    How would I go about choosing a weakness for my superhero?
    Community Answer
    Choose something from his/her personality, like a fear. Or, perhaps, something that renders his/her powers useless ( such as kryptonite) or an old injury. Sometimes, you have to dig really deep into your character's personality or create a few comics before it becomes clear to you.
  • Question
    Can a hero have a pet?
    Community Answer
    Why not? This is your superhero, so it can have whatever companion you imagine it to have. While having an animal companion isn't typical, this could be a new and imaginative way that tugs at the heartstrings of your readers.
  • Question
    What about what they actually want to be? Would that affect their personality?
    Community Answer
    Giving your superhero some internal conflict about his or her powers and the duty placed upon them makes for a more dynamic and multi-dimensional character!
  • Question
    How many villains can a superhero have?
    Community Answer
    As many as you want! But, ideally, there will be at least one central villain that they grapple with over a longer period of time. This villain might have some connection to the hero in his past, or the villain might represent some key aspect or character flaw of the hero's.
  • Question
    How do I start designing my superhero?
    Community Answer
    Think of their powers and their personality. Let those develop the colors and style. Remember to put your own twist on the costume.
  • Question
    How do you draw superheroes?
    Community Answer
    We have an easy-to-follow guide for that you can check out here on wikiHow! Just use the search bar to find it.
  • Question
    Can my superhero have a sidekick?
    Community Answer
    Yes, of course! Try to make the sidekick unique and not too similar to your superhero. Also, try to give the sidekick a personal strength; don't make him or her weak/useless.
  • Question
    Does superhero have to be a human, and life in human world? Could it be an animal/human hybrid like a wolf, who lives in animal world?
    Community Answer
    Absolutely! Your hero can be anything you want. Wolverine from the X-Men is a great example of this. The Incredible Hulk is also a human who morphs into something more animalistic.
  • Question
    Can a super hero have a girlfriend or boyfriend?
    Community Answer
    Sure. Romance is often an important part of a super hero's story. Many popular heroes have romantic partners. For example, Iron Man has Pepper Potts and Ant-Man has Wasp.
  • Question
    How many friends does my hero need to have?
    Community Answer
    There's no limit to having friends, so your hero can have as many or as few friends as you want.
  • Question
    Does a superhero need a logo or symbol?
    Community Answer
    Not necessarily, but giving them a logo or symbol makes a superhero more interesting.
  • Question
    How will I design a super hero if I can't draw?
    Community Answer
    You don't have to draw to design! You could write down a very detailed appearance sheet and fill it or you could pay someone to draw your superhero. It's up to you!
  • Question
    Should a superhero's persona be based on the superpower he has?
    Community Answer
    You should at least consider the powers while making the personality.
  • Question
    What should I call a kid girl who can fly?
    Community Answer
    Perhaps some sort of aerial animal or object. "Swallow," "Jet," or "Mockingbird," for example.
  • Question
    Does anyone have any creative or unusual superpowers for my female protagonist?
    Community Answer
    What about turning into a shadow? Or she could be able to mimic any sound, duplicate any object, control gravity (which in turn, would give her control of light, and thus, time travel), the kiss of death, or (my favorite) being able to see microscopic things other people can't see.
  • Question
    What are the best colors for a superhero named The Begetter?
    Community Answer
    If he is a down-to-earth person, use a brown color scheme. If he's more passionate, maybe red. Try to tie it into his powers or personality, and you'll be impressed with the results.
  • Question
    Can your hero be a nerd?
    Community Answer
    Sure. Your hero can be whomever you want him/her to be.
  • Question
    Can I make a hero based on a TV cartoon show?
    Community Answer
    Yes you can, just make them more original. For example: the Power Rangers. You can use this as a mold for a superhero like "Megas," a team of heroes that use radiation caused by technology to turn into monsters from another dimension. Be creative.
  • Question
    What do you do if a superhero you made has the same name as a superhero from an unpopular/kids show?
    Community Answer
    Try to give your hero an original name.
  • Question
    What would be a good name for an earthbender who controls animals?
    Community Answer
    Choose a name (or two words) that has to do with nature or animals. If there is a particular animal that your superhero is good with, consider using that animal as part of the name.
  • Question
    Can I kill the hero in the end and thus give the story a tragic turn?
    Community Answer
    Though this may seem like a good idea, but most fans like having the hero being victorious at the end. If you kill the hero and something helps bring him back to life, this can make a good comic.
  • Question
    Should my superhero's identity be public or secret?
    Community Answer
    That's up to you and it depends on the your character's personality. Is he outgoing like Iron Man or a man of mystery like Batman? You decide!
  • Question
    What if I have cheap supplies and I can only really draw one pose?
    Community Answer
    I know where you're coming from. The best advice I can offer is that practice makes perfect! Get creative! As for the cheap supplies, I would put aside maybe 10% of the money you earn to save up for better supplies. See if you can do extra chores for a bump in your allowance.
  • Question
    Can my hero be a creature or anything not human?
    Community Answer
    Sure, as long as you've got a plausible backstory, your superhero can be whatever you want.
  • Question
    What if the hero is based on the Grim Reaper? What could the name be, and what could his power be?
    Community Answer
    It could be "The Phantom" and his/her power could be to raise the dead and/or control an army of ghosts.
  • Question
    If most of my superheroes don't have powers (they train a lot or make weapons), does it mean I'm copying Marvel?
    Community Answer
    Not necessarily. Marvel didn't invent the idea of heroes without powers, those kinds of characters have been around for thousands of years. As long as you work to make your characters unique, you're fine. It's okay to take inspiration from others.
  • Question
    My greatest character I ever made is a lot like one from a popular show and I know I can no longer make him. What should I do know?
    Community Answer
    You can have him almost die or make a villain take out powers and accidentally put new ones in, better ones that will be unique.
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