The Process of Writing a Superhero Story

The Pen & The Pad reports:

"There are many different ways to create a superhero story, but there are several key elements that are necessary to make it real and popular. Learn how to make the perfect character and how to make the story [believable]...If you have read many comic books...you know that the majority of superheroes gain their powers in a way that also defines the power itself...Make sure you don't forget to give them weaknesses as well as powers - give your villain a chance to win...Heroes and villains are similar in every way except one: the initial choice of what they do with their power. A superhero usually has something tragic happen in his life to make him want to fight crime or help the innocent, or even simply declare war on a villain. Make sure your hero has some motivation to do whatever he is doing...If your hero has a dual identity, make sure that he has all the difficulties of normal day-to-day life...Make their job a difficulty too - turn the hero into a real person that people can relate to. Give him some character flaws - make him really impatient or some other little quirk to make him more interesting...The [v]illain in the story is just as important as the hero, and should have all the same characteristics: a cause for his power (if he has one), the motivation to do whatever he is doing...The difference is that a villain does not always necessitate a dual identity or second life - he can simply plot and scheme in his lair, or he can simply be hard to find. Give him the same amount of detail as you give your hero, because everyone loves a good villain. Also, if you decide to make this villain your hero's [archnemesis], make him have powers that somehow cancel out that of the hero. This not only makes it easy to have multiple engagements with the same villain and hero, but [also] allows you to think of new ways for your hero to use his powers, using different manipulations of power to try to overcome his enemy...As your hero continues through the story, make sure you keep his character consistent - especially when it comes to his morals and motivation. If he ever has a change of heart, or makes a serious life decision, be sure to build up to that point very carefully. [M]ake him slowly come to realize that he needs to change, or that he's not doing what he wants. Make his decisions the way a person makes decisions - remember you want it to be as real as possible...Don't be afraid to stray from this outline - be creative and make it original...If you make a team, create the individuals first and then define their relationships. Just because they're a team doesn't mean they're friends - they don't even have to like each other very much."