May 5th: DC Comics

DC Comics was founded in 1934 by Malcom Wheeler-Nelson, and it was originally called National Allied Publications. In its beginning, the publishing company was releasing genres of funny comics, as well as Western comics, and a major publication was Detective Comics (This is what DC stands for).

In June, 1938, Superman was first introduced in the Action Comics anthology of Detective Comics, Inc. This was the first comic involving a superhero, and it focused on where Superman was from, a planet called Krypton. The first comic also included Superman’s love interest of Lois Lane.

Another series of Detective Comics began in 1939, this time focusing on the character of Batman. This introduced Batman as a masked vigilante in Gotham City, his Batsuit and his Batmobile. The Wayne-Manor was also introduced at this time.

In the 1950s and 1960s, superhero comics did not have major success, and so DC Comics focused again on funny comics, and Western ones. It wasn’t until the success of Marvel Comics in the 1960s with the creation of The Fantastic Four that DC began to feel the pressure to change their creative output. As a result of this, DC recruited several writers and illustrators from Marvel Comics, hoping to be able to create more superhero characters with exciting story lines.

DC Comics created the character of Green Lantern, as well as The New Teen Titans as a response to Marvel’s The X-Men. DC also wanted to create its own DC Universe, and in order to do so had to publish The Crisis on Infinite Earths, which essentially allowed DC to realign and create continuity between character’s backstories.

This lead to the eventual formation of the Justice League, which includes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman as constant characters, and several others through various comics. The Justice League’s main purpose is to fight the evil alien forces that try to invade earth.

Superman

Superman was born on the planet of Krypton, and his parents sent him on a spacecraft to earth in order to save him before the planet got destroyed. He lands in a rural area of the U.S., and gets adopted by a couple who name him Clark Kent. As he gets older, his parents start to realize he has superpowers, which they teach him how to use and control. Clark Kent’s alter ego becomes Superman, and he uses his powers to fight crime. He eventually moves to “Metropolis,” a large city, and works as a reporter at the Daily Planet, where he meets Lois Lane, his love interest. The only thing that weakens Superman’s powers is Kryptonite, which is a substance from his home planet.

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is from the island of Themyscira, and her full name is Princess Diana of Themyscira. She is the daughter of Zeus and Queen Hippolyta, who sculpted her from clay. Her mother and her are part of the Amazon tribe, and she has superhuman powers and gifts from the Greek Gods. Her character was created during World War II, fighting the Axis powers, but overtime she has also fought monsters from Greek mythology. She uses her powers to fight crime for normal civilians, and her civilian name is Diana Prince. Wonder Woman is a founding member of the Justice League.

For more info on Wonder Woman, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpHaCjDxXsg

Batman

After witnessing his parents get murdered at a young age, Bruce Wayne swears to fight crime in his city of Gotham. He trains himself physically, and develops the Batsuit, Batmobile, and extensive amounts of weaponry. Batman has several supporting characters, including Robin, as well as his butler Alfred, and police commissioner Jim Gordon. There are also many villain characters that became very popular from the Batman series, including The Joker. There is also The Riddler, The Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn.

The Flash

The Flash is a unique character because several people over three generations have held this title. Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, and Wally West have all been the Flash and various times, having been granted the “Speed Force” which are superhuman powers of velocity. This power also enables The Flash to travel in time, and into different dimensions.

For more info on The Flash, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Img49q_NTIU

Carolyn’s Superhero!

Once I had a dream about talking and walking by myself and when I woke up I realize that wasn`t true.   Always I wanted to try everything when I was little girl. I am wondered if I could talk what my voice sound like and if I could walk what that would be like.  

I wonder being a hero because I can do so many things disabled people can`t do like taking care of myself each day. Like going to bed, taking a bath, getting up in the morning and exercise on my bike.

To be a super hero, I would like to make people’s problems go away tell people don’t you worry about a thing. I would be able to fly and make other people fly in our wheelchairs.  

Another super power I would like is fixing speaking devices and computers and iPads.  

Gabriel’s Superhero!

The superhero’s appearance, the personality and the superpower in my mind are so similar to Robert Parr and Dash Parr of the Incredibles movie. The superhero wears uniform and has extra ordinary ability and power, and is known for his martial and fighting skills.  He also has courage and strong moral standards.  He can be tolerant to pain and has a great sense of responsibility with mental stability.  He has the ability to run so fast.  

Kerr’s Project: Batman

Setting: The story takes place in a big city called Gotham
Origin story:  After witnessing the murder of his parents as a child, Bruce swore vengeance against criminals. An oath tempered by a sense of justice.
Secret identity: He crafts a bat inspired persona to fight crime. He conceals his identity to be able to to live a normal life as Bruce Wayne.
Super power: Bruce uses his wealth which he acquired by training himself physically and intellectually. He is the only superhero who does not have powers.  
Super villain: Joker, Penguin, Two-Face, Riddler, Bane, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Catwoman, Ra’s al Ghul. Sidekick: Robin

May 4th: A Hero’s Journey, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Thor

A Hero’s Journey:

This is a plot structure that was developed by Joseph Campbell in 1949. It is meant to be relevant to all heroic stories, and this includes superhero fiction. Some of the steps of A Hero’s Journey are very common in stories, and sometimes some are not applicable at all. However, generally we can identify most of these steps in the stories of superhero fiction.

Captain America

Captain America first appeared in 1941, from Timely Comics, and he was created as a an American Super Soldier to fight in World War II. He was the most popular superhero during the wartime, and he is now established as being a patriotic superhero and the leader of the Avengers.

Captain America’s alter-ego is Steve Rogers, and he wanted to be a soldier in World War II but he was very weak in physical stature and ability. Because of this, and because was a very caring and patriotic person, he gets accepted into an experimental program run by the United States where he gets injected with a Super Serum in order to contribute to the war effort. This makes him get bigger, and it makes him super strong, fast, agile, and overall a great fighter. He then uses his powers to fight in the war, leading the Allied powers to victory.

Captain America experiences a plane crash into icy waters, and this freezes him for 70 years. He is eventually brought back to life by SHIELD, which is run by Nick Fury. SHIELD is the agency that supports Marvel Superheroes and started The Avengers.

Here is the Marvel Website that gives a description of Captain America: https://www.marvel.com/characters/captain-america-steve-rogers

Here is a video about Captain America’s origins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g17s9yxCicM

Iron Man

Iron Man’s secret identity is Tony Stark, who is the wealthy owner of Stark Industries, a company that creates weapons for the U.S. government’s military. Tony Stark is a genius, and shows this in his creations of weaponry and the creation of the admired Iron Man suit. He eventually becomes the technological brains behind the Avengers.

In the movie, Tony Stark goes to the Middle East to see how his weapons work on the ground for the U.S. army. A bomb goes off, and Tony Stark and another U.S. weapon designer get captured by terrorists. Tony is injured in his chest, and so while they are ordered by the terrorists to make weapons for them, they make a suit for Tony using the arc reactor for Iron Man’s chest.

When Tony Stark returns to the U.S., he refines the suit and uses it to combat crime and terrorism.

Here is the Marvel website that gives a description for Iron Man: https://www.marvel.com/characters/iron-man-tony-stark

Here is a video about Iron Man’s origins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk7kzuzntIU

Captain Marvel

Captain Marvel is an ex-US Air Force fighter pilot as well as a member of the alien-species, the Kree. Therefore, she acts as a bridge between earth and space, and she is constantly battling between her unemotional Kree-side and her “flawed” human side. She is extremely powerful, and is able to save the earth from alien invaders called the Skrulls.

Captain Marvel also becomes a main character for the Avengers, as she comes down to earth occasionally to help rescue other Avengers members.

Here is the Marvel website that gives a description of Captain Marvel: https://www.marvel.com/characters/captain-marvel-carol-danvers

Here is a video about Captain Marvel’s origins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY9WaVukFJo

Thor

Thor’s character and plot line is based off of the Norse Gods, and he is the God of Thunder. He is the son of Odin, who is also a Norse God, and he is the King of Asgard.

Thor is the heir to the throne of Asgard, which is a mythical place in space. He does not become the King of Asgard, because he reignites a conflict with Jotunheim, another mythical location in space. Because of this, Odin strips him of his title and banishes him to earth. Thor is left with his hammer, Mjolnir, which only allows the worthy to wield it.

He eventually joins forces with the Avengers, and later he joins forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy. His half-brother, Loki, another Norse God who is the God of Mischief, is the main enemy in many of the Avengers battles.

Here is the Marvel website that gives a description of Thor: https://www.marvel.com/characters/thor-thor-odinson

Here is a video about Thor’s origins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H3CwENDXn8

Jean-Luc’s Project: Captain America

Setting:  

In the first Avenger movie, the setting starts in New York City where, a weak,
skinny, Steve Rogers is several times rejected for military service for various
health and physical problems.

Super power:

While initially a very weak individual, through a super soldier treatment with
special serum and vita rays, Steve Rogers becomes Captain America, a super
strong hero ,with a shield painted with a star, that fights evil around the
world. A byproduct of the treatment is that every trait is amplified.
As an example, if an individual is kind and compassionate, he will become very
kind and compassionate.

Secret Identity:

Steve Rogers does not keep is identity secret as Captain America.

Sidekick:

Bucky Barnes, a childhood friend, while not a sidekick, will gravitate from
being a friend to being an enemy and back as a friend through the series of
Avengers movies.

Villain: 

The evil Hydra organization but also any bad around the world.

Jean-Luc

Carolyn’s Project: Wonder Woman

My superhero is going to be about Cn Wonder Woman 

Once the class went to see the movie wonder woman and I enjoyed so much. I think it take place in New York.   Her homeland is called Themysscira and her name there is Princess Diana. Her name in the real world is Diana Prince.  Her super power were strong, fast, smart, good warrior and swordswoman.  She hide her identity in her normal life. 

April 30th: Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics, originally known as Timely Comics, was started in 1939 and founded by Martin Goodman. Timely Comics introduced many superheroes during the “Golden Age” of comics in the 1940s, including Captain America. Timely Comics went through a few transitions until it became Marvel Comics in the 1960s. At this time, its rival company DC Comics was also coming to the forefront of superhero fiction, and so Martin Goodman decided to focus the direction of Marvel on The Marvel Universe.

The Marvel Universe began thanks to the writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, when they released Fantastic Four comic no. 1 in 1961. In order to create the universe, Marvel decided to have the comic book characters interact with one another in a realistic way, often working together or fighting or arguing with one another throughout the comic books. Other characters introduced during this time were Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, and the X-men. Stan Lee wrote the majority of the books and created most of the characters, and Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko were the most influential artists.

Since the early 2000s, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has reached great success. Starting with the first Iron Man movie in 2008, there have been three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and these phases are called, “The Infinity Saga.” This includes over twenty films, the last one being Spider-Man: Far From Home. These movies have been transformative in spreading the stories to the stories to the masses, and they are all interconnected to one another in the Marvel Universe.

Stan Lee

Stan Lee was the main writer and creator for Marvel for decades, and he started at Timely Comics in 1941, writing in the third comic book for Captain America. Stan Lee created over 200 characters, and he eventually succeeded Martin Goodman as Publisher of Marvel in 1972. His idea for superheroes was different than the norm at that time, as he wanted them to be flawed just like ordinary people to give them character. He was not interested in writing superhero stories such as Superman, where the hero has little personality. Stan Lee also tried to incorporate messages for social issues in Marvel comics, such as anti-drug use and racial equality.

“Of course, it was the natural thing to do, instead of disorienting or alienating people who were different from us, I made the X-Men part of the human race, which they were.” – Jack Kirby

“I wanted them to be diverse. The whole underlying principle of the X-Men was to try to be an anti-bigotry story to show there’s good in every person.” – Stan Lee

Here is an interview with Stan Lee talking about developing Spider-Man as a realistic character: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9-A_GDsjvw

Here is an interview by the New York Times of Stan Lee talking about his experiences: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQGKjlTbIWg

Weekend Assignment: Creating a Superhero

Here is a video of Stan Lee discussing what makes a superhero story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSGf6is3U2w

In this video, Stan Lee talks a lot about making superheroes relatable, as well as writing stories for yourself and not others. Based on this, come up with a superhero character that is relatable to you. Think about what physical characteristics and personality traits you want the superhero to have. Decide on their superpower, and whether they need a special item to enable this power.

You can base your superhero on yourself if you would like, but give a good and detailed description of your superhero’s appearance, their personality, and their superpower.

Hope you enjoy the weekend, and try to get creative with this assignment!! 🙂 Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!

Here is the video of Stan Lee talking with Larry King about his experiences and how he created superheroes for Marvel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_29DHdH_ig

Irene’s Project: Wonder Woman

Wonder woman is a fictional superhero. She lived in the nation of Themyscira. Her title is Princess Diana of Themyscira.  In civilian life she was called Diana Prince. Wonder Woman original story tells us that she was sculptured from clay by her mother Queen Hippolyta and was given superhuman powers as gifts by Greek gods. Later her story was changed. Now she is the daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta. She has an arsenal of advanced technology , including the Lasso of Truth , a pair of indestructible bracelets , a tiara which serves as projectile. Wonder Woman has many enemies bent on eliminating the Amazon , including classic villains such as Ares , Cheetah , Doctor Poison , Circe, Doctor Psycho and Giganta along with more recent enemies such as Veronica Cale and First Born. She partnered with Superman , Batman , Wonder Girl Steve Trevor and teamed up with Justice League , Department of Metahuman affairs and Justice League Dark.

Gabriel’s Project: Superman

Gabriel Ly’s Homework Assignment

About a Superhero based on Marvel / Comic Stories

This is about the story of Superman.

Metropolis is a fictional city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, best known as the home of Superman. Metropolis is described as a prosperous and massive city in the Northeastern United States, close to the city of Gotham.

Superman gets his power from the yellow sun of Earth. Forced under a red sun related to the red sun of his homeworld, Krypton, or exposed to red sun radiation, Superman rapidly loses his powers, reverting to the stature of a normal human.

Superman possesses the powers of flight, superhuman strength, x-ray vision, heat vision, cold breath, super-speed, enhanced hearing, and high-invulnerability. 

The Superman shield, also known as the Superman logo, is the iconic emblem for the fictional DC Comics superhero Superman.

Superman is a boy on the Earth, whose name is Clark Kent, and one day he discovers that he has superpowers for some unknown reason. In Metropolis, Superman (as Clark Kent) works as a reporter at the Daily Planet “a great metropolitan newspaper”, which allows him to keep track of ongoing events where he might be of help.  Largely working on his own, his Superman identity is easily kept secret.

Lex Luthor is Superman’s most well-known and feared villain.  Lex Luthor has used his ruthless intellect to combat Superman in every way possible.  Lex is cunning as well as very wealthy.  General Zod, Doomsday, Brainiac and Mister Mxyzptlk (pronounced Miks-yez-pittle-ik) are also superman’s greatest villains.

Although technically Superman never had a sidekick in the same way that Batman did, he still had a place in his heart for one true Pal, in the form of The Daily Planet’s own cub reporter Jimmy Olsen.