Every Comic Book Fan Should Be Able To Name These Superheroes
- by Theo Kogod
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Superheroes are at once modern day myths and pop culture sensations! Ever since Superman first appeared in 1938, this genre of hero has permeated stories in comics, movies, and on TV. And why not? Superheroes represent the best of us, showing everything humanity has to offer. Furthermore, their impressive powers cater to the sorts of wish fulfillment that we all can aspire to. Who wouldn't want to be able to fly or move faster than a speeding bullet or swing from buildings on artificial webs? That they fight to literally save the world on a regular basis just further emphasizes their mythic status.
These heroes are the icons of the modern pantheon, inspiring us with their heroic feats and their incredible powers. From Aquaman to Zatanna, we learn the names of these heroes. We discuss who would win in a contest between Batman and Superman. We ask ourselves what Tony Stark and Spider-Man are likely to do in the next movie. We talk about how movies for characters like Wonder Woman and Black Panther change the cultural narrative and the landscape of Hollywood. Every true comics fan should be able to identify all of the heroes listed below. Up to the challenge?
Who is Gotham's Dark Knight?
This fearless hero protects the people of Gotham from a criminal underworld that has sprung up amidst the poverty and corruption of a city where the mayor dines with mob bosses and supercriminals rule through terror. With an array of gadgets, this vigilante uses his indomitable will and detective skills to instil fear in the criminals preying on his city. He is called the Dark Knight, the Caped Crusader, and the Detective, but there is another name by which he is best known.
Identify this Daily Planet reporter.
This bespectacled Kansas farm boy works as a reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis. At least, that’s his civilian identity. In reality, he is the last son of the planet Krypton who traveled to Earth in a rocket as a baby and grew up to find that in the light of Earth’s yellow sun, he had superior strength, speed, and other abilities, like heat vision and flight. These made him arguably the strongest person on the planet. What is this red-caped superhero called?
Name this Asgardian God of Thunder.
Born on the realm of Asgard, he is one of the Aesir—the Gods of Asgard—and he is noted for being the God of Thunder (though his lightning and his deeds as a warrior who protects others are more noteworthy on his portfolio of godly acts). With his hammer Mjolnir, he smites his foes. But it was his role as a founding member of Marvel’s Avengers that led him to gain to followers on Earth. It doesn’t take divine inspiration to name this god. Who is he?
Who is this metal-clad Avenger?
This industrialist inventor superhero is the ultimate self-made man, a guy who had his whole life stripped away and yet built himself a super suit with nothing but his mind and his bare hands (and the help of a supportive friend). When he returned to the world, he used his wealth to continue building, improving himself and his metal suits even as he worked to improve the world. He helped start the Avengers, built equipment for various other heroes, and traveled to space to battle Thanos. What’s this man called?
What title does this Wakandan leader go by?
The King of Wakanda is more than merely the monarch of a reclusive African nation. Rather, this is a sacral kingship which grants the king certain duties as a protector of the nation, a warrior who challenges all threats to his people. As Wakanda is one of the most technologically advanced and resource rich nations on the planet, this hero has great tech at his disposal, as well as an arsenal of weapons made from the rare metal vibranium. Who is this Wakandan warrior king?
Who is this Marvel superhero?
One of the most famous Marvel heroes, this character grew up on Long Island, where he was raised by his aunt May and (until a tragic incident and a speech about great power and responsibility) his uncle Ben. This web-slinging war crawler was given the powers of a spider after being bitten by a radioactive spider in a science lab on a school fieldtrip. Swinging through New York, he catches criminals in his web. Who is this hero with arachnid abilities?
Quick! Name this hero.
He’s the fastest man alive. Connected to the Speed Force—an energy force which permeates reality and has sway over various Speedsters—he can move faster than anyone else alive, outrunning bullets and even outpacing the speed of thought. He can also move fast enough to vibrate through the solid objects. While the Scarlet Speedster is based out of Central City in the Midwest, he has been known to do laps around the globe. Quickly, tell us who this DC superhero is!
What’s this super spy’s secret codename?
This Russian super spy has infiltrated groups of organized crime and has fought off alien invaders. She is a skilled martial artist, an expert marksman, and an intelligent manipulator capable of extracting information from a target without them even realizing it. She has performed some truly stunning feats in combat against truly terrifying foes. So far, she always manages to come out victorious, bringing intelligent solutions to the challenges of intelligence work. What name is this master of espionage best known by?
What’s this mutant go by?
Called Logan by his friends, this mutant is the best at what he does, though what he does is not very nice. He lost his memories many years ago to an experiment that coated his whole bone structure with adamantium, including the claws which pop out of his hands. Because of his healing ability, he survived the experiments, as well as every other brutal encounter he’s had since. With a fierce temper and an indomitable will, he’s even tougher than his metal skeleton. What is this X-Man's mutant title?
Identify this founding member of the Justice League.
Born to a human father and an Atlantean mother, this man is the rightful heir to the throne of Atlantis. While often maligned as merely being able to “talk to fish,” he actually uses telepathy to control sea life to obey his commands. Beyond this, he has incredible strength, the ability to breathe underwater, skin that can resist the crushing pressure of deep sea depths, and great hair. Arthur Curry is the name he grew up with on land. To the people of Atlantis, he is called King Arthur. What’s his superhero name?
Who is this X-Man?
She is one of the original team of X-Men, a mutant with psychic powers that manifest as both telepathy and telekinesis. In a world where so many use increases musculature and eye beams to fight, she is proof that mind really can triumph over matter. But this X-Man is extremely gifted in a unique way as she can control the cosmic power known as the Phoenix Force. Unlike many heroes, more often than not, she goes by her real name. What is that name?
By what superhero name is Sam Wilson best known?
Sam Wilson is one of the Avengers and one of Captain America’s closest friends. He made his film debut in the movie Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where he teamed up with the Captain to take on the forces of H.Y.D.R.A. A veteran, in the film he is seen dedicating his free time to help others heal from the trauma of what they’d seen. With a set of high tech wings, he can rise above almost any challenge. What is Sam’s superhero title?
Who is this member of the Justice League?
This DC hero has had a number of major turning points in his life. He was once a star Football player. That all changed when his body was crippled and he only survived because of the technology his scientist father engineered for him, making him a mixture of man and machine. The next big change occurred when he started his superhero career, fighting to keep the world safe. This hero is proof that one can overcome anything. Who is this metal-bodied man of action?
Identify this vigilante archer.
This superhero was born to privilege and acted like a total brat until his boat crashed, stranding him on a deserted island where he had to learn archery to hunt for food. After returning to civilization, he became a straight shooter, aiming to use his wealth and all he’d learned to improve the world. But the world doesn’t like to change, and so he took up his bow once again to fight for those who could not fight for themselves. What identity did this Robin Hood imitator go by?
Who is this Avenger?
Big things sometimes come in small packages. That is one of the lessons imparted by this Marvel hero. With the ability to shrink down to a minuscule size and also to control ants to do his bidding, this hero is has never let size get in the way of seeing the big picture or accomplishing great things. While some of his actions might really bug some people, he means well and does his best to make a difference. Who is this Marvel hero?
Name this superhero.
Here is another hero who proves that small deeds can make a big difference. This character has close ties to a number of the Avengers, but is best known for her romantic attachments to Ant-Man. In addition to having the ability to shrink, she can shoot blasts at her enemies and fly on a set of wings. Though some might be tempted to underestimate her, she has a level of dedication that surpasses that of her partner, Ant-Man . Name this Marvel superhero.
What’s this android called?
Evil robots are one of the classic villains of science fiction, and are particularly prominent in the superhero subgenre. This android takes that old trope and subverts it by choosing to be good when he was created for evil. Demonstrating free will is something even pre-programmed machines can achieve, he fights alongside the Avengers to keep the world safe. In addition to his incredible physical strength and intelligence, he has the ability to fly, phase through solid matter, and shoot lasers. Who is this android Avenger?
Identify this martial arts master.
One of the toughest women in the DC Universe, this heroine proves one doesn’t need to have access to vast wealth, divine parentage, or alien abilities to fight for what’s right. While she has the ability to generate powerful sonic attacks when she screams, her true gifts come as a martial artist, as she has trained with some of the greatest hand-to-hand combatants on the planet to become a master of close quarters combat. This hero often teams up with her partner in crime fighting, Green Arrow. Who is she?
Who is this mutant leader?
This character is the leader of the X-Men. Years ago, he started a school to train mutants in an ideology of peaceful coexistence with humans while fighting to save the world from various threats, including those threats created by other mutant groups. This bald-headed psychic is confined to a wheelchair, but as he is one of the most powerful telepaths on the planet, his mind achieves amazing feats without ever allowing his disability to dampen his commitment to touching other minds. Who is this leader of mutants?
What’s this Kryptonian called?
While Superman may be the Last Son of Krypton, this is the planet’s last daughter. Like other Kyrptonians, she has been granted extra powers due to the light of Earth’s yellow sun. As such she is strong enough to bench press the planet on which she lives, faster than a firing neuron, and able to shoot lasers from her eyes. Also, she can fly. What's more, this super cool superhero is actually Superman’s cousin. What is the superhero name people of Earth use to address this heroine?
Who is this New York vigilante?
This Marvel superhero is the defender of one specific neighborhood where he grew up in New York’s crime-riddled streets. Matthew Murdock was raised by his single father, the boxer Battlin’ Jack Murdock, but when Matt was blinded by a chemical spill while saving an old man from an oncoming truck, the boy’s life changed forever. Though he lose his sight, but his other senses improved. Now he fights crime by day as an attorney, and at night fights it on the street as a vigilante martial artist. What’s this hero called?
Name this Marvel hero.
The son of a human woman and an alien father, this Marvel space traveler spends his days exploring the different corners of the galaxy with a crew of his fellow miscreant heroes. Easily identified by his iconic helmet and jetpack (as well as the red flowing jacket he often wears), this smart-mouthed hero might not always think before he speaks, but almost always manages to think of a way to save the day—and the galaxy. Who is this planet-hopping Marvel hero?
Identify this galactic heroine.
The daughter of the alien villain Thanos, this green guardian of all that’s good in the galaxy is insanely strong, even by the standards of the militant alien cultures that populate the far reaches of the spaces. Interestingly, she seems to prefer fighting with a sword over other weapons, demonstrating her bravery and her adroit fencing skills as she gets up close and personal with hordes of enemies, cutting through them and making it look easy. Real fans will have no trouble identifying this hero.
What’s this space cop called?
In brightest day, in darkest night, no evil shall escape his sight. Thus begin the words of the oath this superhero took to protect his sector of the universe. Given a ring by an alien who crashed onto earth, he uses the ring to channel his willpower into constructs of hard light. Anything his mind can conjure he can manifest in the real world. That he likes to conjure boxing gloves and giant staplers suggests the limits of his imagination, but not of his willpower. Who is this cosmic cop?
Who is this English occultist?
This trenchcoat-wearing Englishman is a detective, occultist, con artist, and old school punk. A devilishly handsome magician, he is not beyond making a deal with the devil or tempting angels to take a fall. He’s saved the world more than once, but often the cost is paid by his loved ones. Like the English poet Lord Byron, this arcane antihero is “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.” Despite all that, he does tend to work for the greater good. Who is this British magician?
What’s the true identity of this master spy?
This man is in charge of the Earth’s defense, saving it from secret threats most people will never know exist as he works in the cloak and dagger world of espionage. This one-eyed spy has his gaze on all the threats facing the world at once, and yet almost never seems to get blindsided by his opponents. He flies about the skies in his mobile command station, the helicarrier. While much about him is secretive, his name is considered declassified information. So just what is his true identity?
Who is this Harlem hero?
He is called the Hero of Harlem and he is a bulletproof man with a city-saving plan. A local sensation, he is a role model for the youth of Harlem and a protector for those have all too often had no one to stand up for them. In a world where superheroes flit about the skies, battling mad scientists, ancient ninja clans, and alien invasions, the people of Harlem had no one to look out for them. Then this man stepped in to fill that role. Who is this heroic Harlemite?
Identify this galaxy-traveling guardian.
Generally speaking, raccoons aren’t known for flying spaceships to save the galaxy from external threats or wielding arrays of alien weaponry in intensive combat situations. In these regards, this character defies expectations. This member of the Guardians of the Galaxy is ill-tempered, short-sighted, and over-reactive, but he still manages to save the galaxy from cosmic threats time and again. With his best friend, a sentient alien tree, he has battled sentient alien planets, stopped Ronan the Accuser, and challenged the armies of Thanos. Who is this radical animal?
He is…?
This is a character of few words. In fact, one of the only three words he is known to say is his own name. That said, this alien tree has immense strength and the ability to grow his limbs at an accelerated rate and even regenerate limbs if they are damaged. His best friend is an alien raccoon, and together they form a two-person team that works with the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy to save whole planets from destruction. Who is this arboreal alien?
Name this superpowered P.I.
This superpowered private investigator runs Alias Investigations. Not a typical hero, she is more interested in paying her rent and making it to happy hour than in saving the world. She is not the traditional superhero, and eschews the silly bright outfits so many of them wear. That said, with enhanced strength, speed, and limited flight abilities, she is able to handle almost any threat that might menace one of her clients, and often goes above and beyond to try and do a job. Who is this cynical superpowered detective?
Who is this winged warrior?
This superhero first appeared in ancient Egypt, where she and her partner met, fell in love, and then encountered a tragically short ending. She was then resurrected, as was her lover, and the cycle began again. And again and again and again. For millennia, she has continued to be resurrected to meet and fall in love with her partner, Carter Hall, forever caught between the pull of love and destiny. However, she also has done some remarkable things throughout her many lives, flying through the skies and protecting the weak. Who is this superhero?
What’s this fiery hero known as?
This superhero is actually comprised of two people. One of them is Martin Stein, an elderly scientist. The other was Jefferson Jackson, a young hot-headed lad. Together, they combine into one being, a single person whose head is living flame and who is capable of changing the chemical composition of matter on an atomic level, rearranging molecules to perform miraculous feats. This hero can turn cinderblocks into table salt or convert chemical fires into Styrofoam. But always of two heads, he is often at war with himself. What is this hero called?
This X-Man goes by what superhero name?
This X-Man was one of the original members of the team, leading them into the field against Magneto. His eyes can shoot optic blasts with enough force to knock planes out of the sky and blow the roofs off buildings. While he has also demonstrated amazing feats of physical strength, that’s not a superpower. He just works out a lot. This hero is known for his rivalry with his teammate Wolverine and his romantic relationship with Jean Grey. Identify this X-Man.
By what name is this mutant hero known?
Another member of the X-Men, this mutant has the power to control the weather. She can summon storms, draw down lightning, conjure the winds, and cause the sky to tear open with downpours. In the field, she rains down elemental fury upon her enemies or turns back tidal waves. This silver-haired heroine is a natural leader, standing confidently whether she is on her own against the world or alongside her teammates. True fans will have no trouble naming this member of the X-Men lineup.
Who is this electric-powered hero?
Who is this superhero with electric powers? His real name is Jefferson Pierce, a superhero who can shoot lightning from his fingertips. This highly educated man is a principal at Garfield High School and an Olympic level athlete. He takes on street gangs and supercriminals with the same bold daring, unrelenting in the face of adversity. With the other heroes of the DC Universe and his city, he tries to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It should not take more than a small spark of inspiration to guess this hero’s name.
What’s this Avenger called?
This Avenger tends to get a bad rap. He can’t fly. He’s not an alien or god. He doesn’t have extrahuman strength or a mechanized combat suit or the ability to do whatever a spider can. All he has is a bow, a quiver full of arrows, and his years of training to rely on. And yet, with those simple bronze age tools and a whole lot of stubborn determination, he manages to bullseye every target he sets his eyes on. Who is this archer on the Avengers roster?
Who is the Sorcerer Supreme?
The Sorcerer Supreme is the protector of all supernatural elements of Earth in the Marvel Universe. Trained by the Ancient One, a Tibetan Master of the Mystic Arts, the current Sorcerer Supreme started his adult career as a surgeon, one of the world’s greatest medical practitioners. After being injured in an accident and having his career as a surgeon ruined, he started studying the mystic arts. With the Eye of Agamotto and an array of spells at his command, the Sorcerer Supreme wards this world from occult threats. But what’s his real name?
By what name is this anti-hero known?
Whether or not this man is a hero is a matter of perspective. Nevertheless, he hunts bad guys. He just seeks a slightly more permanent conclusion to such encounters than the other Marvel heroes. A veteran and a decorated hero of combat, he came home only to watch his family destroyed in front of him. He took all of his training and hate, and waged a one-man war on the criminal underworld. Who is this black clad vigilante with a skull on his chest?
What’s this alien superhero known as on Earth?
This alien came to Earth from the planet Mars, where he was one of the Green Martians—a race of Martians who could shapeshift and who had telepathic abilities. On Earth, blends in by creating a human form and walking unseen among humankind. But he is also one of Earth’s superhero protectors, using his abilities to fight against threats of all kinds, be they supercriminals, vicious monsters, or other aliens. He just has one weakness: fire. Who is this hero from another world?
This armored Avenger goes by what name?
Rhodey is a decorated war hero who has given years of his life serving his country. He's also the best friend of Tony Stark, the billionaire industrialist superhero also known as Iron Man. As such, Rhodey’s military training came in handy when he took a combat suit from Tony and became a superhero, teaming up with his best friend to stop an army of drone battle mechs created by the weapons designer Justin Hammer. He is also a member of the Avengers. What is his superhero name?
Name this Amazon warrior.
This Amazon is Diana from the island of Themyscira. She traveled to the world of man to serve as an ambassador to her people and a protective champion guarding the planet. She wields the Golden Lariat—a lasso which compels people to tell the truth—and is descended from the Gods of Olympus, empowered with the divine gifts from the Greek Gods. One of the strongest people on the planet, she is a founding member of the Justice League. Who is this Amazon warrior?
Who is this plant elemental?
After an incident involving a fire in the Louisiana swamps destroyed the house, lab, and life of scientist Alec Holland, he ran out into the bog while still aflame and was swallowed by the dark waters. What emerged from the swamp was a plant monster, a creature of living vines and mosses, inhumanly tall and smelling of the fetid wetlands. This being was something new. It was not Alec Holland, but it did possess his memories. It was a plant elemental, a protector of the Earth itself. Who is this character?
What’s this vampire hunter called?
This superhero was one of the most popular characters of the early 2000s, a gothic vampire hunter who wields an arsenal of edged weapons against the forces of darkness. While he is a dhampir (or half-vampire), he is able to walk in daylight without being harmed by the sun, for which he is called the Daywalker. He has faced off against the god of the vampires and their demons, and even fought the legendary vampire Dracula. Who is this heroic vampire hunter?
Name this backwards-speaking magician.
This magician is one of the most popular DC superheroes. She uses magic to achieve remarkable tasks, speaking words backwards to cast her spells. Of course, her secret identity might be one of the coolest of all time. She hides in plain sight, working as a stage magician who uses slight-of-hand to impress audiences with the “magic” of her showmanship. She started her career at a young age, and has worked alongside both the Justice League and famous occultists like John Constantine and Doctor Fate. Who is this mage?
What’s the Winter Soldier’s real name?
The Winter Soldier is a legend of the battlefields, a Cold War superstition whispered about in the inner circles of those who do intelligence work. When he emerged in the events of the story Captain America: The Winter Soldier, his identity was a major twist that deeply hurt Steve Rogers, cutting through him as painfully as any weapon ever could. The Winter Soldier is a figure from Steve’s past, someone Steve cared for even before he enlisted. Who is the Winter Soldier?
This scientific genius goes by what name?
Ray Palmer is one of the greatest scientists alive. But like so many scientists, he was not content to work in a lab. After discovering a way to shrink down to a minuscule size, he became a superhero, using his size and his brain to protect the world. He has recently appeared in the TV shows Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, and was a popular character on the animated series Justice League Unlimited. What is this superhero name Ray Palmer goes by?
Who is this hero that believes in fair play?
This DC hero is a perfect mix of everything that is great about both modern superhero stories and the classic ones of ages past. The black mask on his face is in the shape of a letter T, while his weapon of choice is a creation of his own design—a series of floating intelligent mechanized orbs called T-spheres. On the sleeve of the black leather jacket he wears are the words “FAIR PLAY,” showing the ideals he fights for. Who is this superhero?
Identify this winged warrior.
This warrior began his careers of heroics millennia ago in ancient Egypt. He has destiny tied to another DC hero, each of them fated to meet, fall in love, and then meet some tragic end in one life after the next, being resurrected again and again through the ages. In his short lives, he continues to find love, but also to do great deeds, fighting with an impressive set of wings and a mace—both made from Nth metal. Who is this winged hero?
What’s this New Yorker best known as?
Born in the Bronx under the name Steve Rogers, this Marvel hero signed up to join his fellow G.I.s in World War II. At bootcamp he was given the Super Soldier Serum, a powerful compound that enhanced his muscles and physical abilities beyond those most people are capable of. Clad in red, white, and blue, this hero goes into battle carrying a circular shield which he throws like a boomerang, bouncing it off the heads of his enemies and back into his hand. What other name does Steve Rogers go by?
Who is this extreme vigilante?
While he is not known for being part of the main Marvel or DC Universes, this superhero is one of the most famous in history, and appeared in the only graphic novel to make it onto Time Magazine's list of 100 Greatest Novels. He also appeared in the 2008 film The Watchmen and will make an appearance in the upcoming HBO show based on the comic. Known for his extreme method of handling criminals and his inkblot mask, this hero was actually inspired by an older one--the Question. The real question: who is this vigilante?