THE SUPERHERO HANDBOOK: HOW TO BECOME A SUPERHERO IN 30
MINUTES OR LESS!
In order to become a superhero, you have to figure out what your superhero identity is.
As we’ve discussed in class, a superhero has several qualities. It isn’t much of a stretch to
take “Mr. or Ms. Ordinary” and make him or her into a superhero. All you have to do is
“hyperbolize” yourself and qualities you already possess, and wa-la! Instant superhero.
The following are the components of the superhero that we identified in class. Use the
space below to brainstorm about your superhero qualities.
All superheroes have a superpower, something that makes them “better than everyone
else” in some way. Something that makes them “super” natural or “uber”
extraordinary. Search within yourself for a quality you possess that makes you
special, unique, good, a positive force in the universe. Perhaps you are someone
whose practical nature makes everyone turn to you to solve problems. Perhaps you’re
great with tools or with a paintbrush. Perhaps you can fix up machinery that others
find puzzling. Whatever your quality is, you can hyperbolize it (exaggerate it) and
then symbolize it so that it becomes part of your superhero identity. Sometimes this
quality is something that others wouldn’t think is special at all, but to you, it is.
Sometimes, you haven’t discovered your “superpower” yet, so it manifests as a
negative. Also, sometimes there is a “down side” to your superhero power, at least in
the regular world. Your superhero power gets in the way, making it hard for you to be
“normal,” to blend in with the crowd.
My quality I wish to hyperbolize into a superpower:
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Does this quality so distinguish you that it makes it hard for you to blend in? For
example, in the movie The Incredibles, Violet’s superpower is that she can become
invisible and create barriers that keep offenders at a distance. Such a power is great for a
superhero. But in her life, her gift was her curse. She was so good at making herself
invisible and putting up barriers that she had become a very lonely girl in the “real”
world.
The “down side” to my superhero ability is:
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A superhero’s power usually manifests in symbolic form. For example, Violet’s mother
Elastagirl has the power to stretch herself and change her form to meet any need. The
perfect skill for a mother and wife, don’t you think?! So, how does your superhero
quality manifest in the world? What magical power do you possess? How does that
power go with your quality?
Superheroes always have emblematic names: Spiderman, Batman, Sarcasto (that’s my
husband’s superhero identity). What is your superhero name going to be and why?
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What is the thing in your life that most gets in the way of your expression of the
power/quality you’ve identified?
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Now turn this thing into your arch-nemesis.
What power does he or she have, and in what manner does that power
manifest?________________________________________________________________
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Use examples from popular culture as models (The Riddler, The Joker, Two-Face, etc.)
Now try to figure out what your central weakness, the place where you are “marked” like
Oedipus (his very name means “wounded foot”) or Achilles. Another example is
Superman’s weakness to Kryptonite. Why was he vulnerable to this rock? Find your
kryptonite and explain it below.
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Your job is to assemble your superhero identity from the notes you’ve taken so far. Use
the separate sheet (or compose your own) as a resource. Follow these steps:
1. Draw your superhero figure in the outfit design of your choice. For your
convenience, you may find images or make them in the computer. Stick figures
are ok as long as you draw them completely and carefully.
2. Under your superhero figure, write the superhero name (i.e. Spiderman, Sarcasto)
3. Next, write your superhero power somewhere on the assignment. For example,
“able to leap over buildings in a single bound!
4. Draw your superhero nemesis figure somewhere on the page. Use a “thought
bubble” to have him say his power, for example “I’ll destroy you Sarcasto. Just
wait until I get to stamp you (the stamp shows “normal” on it)”.
5. On the back, write a one page comparison to Beowulf. In what ways are you like
Beowulf and unlike him? What similarities and differences do you see between
your identify (the superhero and the mortal identity it represents)?
SUPER HERO IDENTITY FOR _____________________________________________
Draw your superhero figure and your Nemesis below—remember, a superhero is only as
good as his or her outfit!
Example:
