Archetypal Superhero - Research

Looking at descriptions, my idea of an archetype may be different. Longer publication series also have the potential to fall into more than one archetype. For example, the green lantern evolved from being a gimmick and a gageteer, to being a superman and a gageteer. Batman has been most of these.

2 Fisted Vigilante – He has a mask, his wits and a desire to do good, usually with his fists. He fights crime in the most literal sense, shooting it, punching it ect. Examples: Zorro, the Phantom, sometimes Batman.

The Vigilante Detective – He doesn't fight crime, he solves crime. He looks for clues, elicits confessions, and does everything we expect cops to do, but instead of a gun and a badge he has his mask and his wits. Examples: The Sandman, Batman, Sherlock Holmes.

Hero From the Past – One of King Arthur's knights, an Amazon princess, or a wizard. They may not actually be from the past, but their methods and morals usually harkens back to a better time "when justice ruled." Examples: Thor, Wonder Woman, Vigilante, Captain America (Lately, when he was introduced he was quite hip.)

The Superman – The guy with all the power, faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive. He doesn't always have a lot of powers, but even the one power separated him so far from humanity that he can laugh off attempts by the local police force or even the army that tries to stop him. Examples: Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, the Martian Manhunter, The Flash.

The Outsider – An alien or a member of an ancient race, a mutant, ex-con or sometimes just a foreigner. This character just doesn't fit in. He is the one people society looks down on or is afraid of. But he wants to make the world better so he fights crime. He is often a Superman or a Gimmick as well. Examples: Martian Manhunter, the X-Men, The Hulk (sometimes), just about any alien super hero who is not a hot chick.

The Gageteer – Whether by his own invention, a powerful patron or just dumb luck, this guy has the right tool for the job. Power armor, sleep guns, a utility belt or a magic sword. Without his special weapons he is just a guy like everyone else, but when he has them he can take on the dark forces that threaten men. Examples: Iron Man, The Sandman, Starman,

The Gimmick: This guy only does one thing or has a very limited range of abilities. They are almost always tied to a limited theme. He flies or turns invisible. He can read minds or he is a super computer genius. The specialist of the super hero world. Sometimes he is so powerful even with the one ability that he is also a superman, but there is (mostly) just the one ability. Example: The Flash, Hawkman (mostly early years), Oracle, Spiderman, any of the Fantastic 4.

The Million Dollar Man – He is not a Superman, but he is better than most men. Olympic level athlete, smarter than the average bear, rich beyond compare or a master martial artist. He may or may not be supernaturally powered, but he is no so far above the curve that a couple of thugs with pistols aren't a threat. Examples: Batman, the Green Arrow, Nightwing, Captain America (although he has also been a superman.)

Meta Archetypes- Most heroes also fall into these archtypes in addition to one or more of the archtypes above:

* The Avenger – He doesn't want justice, he wants blood. Criminals are subhuman and need to pay. Ex. Punisher, Wolverine.
* The Protector – Some people fall through the cracks and need looking after. This guy watches out for them. Sometimes because the system has failed. Ex Zorro.
* The Boy Scout – Truth, Justice and the American way. Even criminals have lives worth saving, and you should eat brush your teeth three times a day. Basically, this hero is good to the point where it borders on stupid. Ex. Superfriends version of any superhero.
* The Champion – This hero upholds ideas, but not to the extreme of the Boy Scout. The ideals change, but are generally considered noble and upstanding ideals. Superman