What is "superhero"

1908 (in a translation of Nietzsche), from super- + hero. Used in 1930 of Tarzan; modern use is from 1960s.

n. Any kind of fantasy/science fiction crime-fighting character, often with supernatural powers or equipment, in popular children's and fantasy literature.

In modern popular fiction, a superhero (sometimes rendered super-hero or super hero) is a type of costumed heroic character who possesses supernatural or superhuman powers and who is dedicated to fighting crime, protecting the public, and usually battling supervillains. A female superhero is sometimes called a superheroine (also rendered super-heroine or super heroine). Fiction centered on such characters, especially in American comic books since the 1930s, is known as superhero fiction.

By most definitions, characters do not require actual supernatural or superhuman powers or phenomena to be deemed superheroes. While the Dictionary.com definition of 'superhero' is "A figure, especially in a comic strip or cartoon, endowed with superhuman powers and usually portrayed as fighting evil or crime", the longstanding Merriam-Webster dictionary gives the definition as "a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also: an exceptionally skillful or successful person". Terms such as masked crime fighters, costumed adventurers or masked vigilantes are sometimes used to refer to characters such as the Spirit, who may not be explicitly referred to as superheroes but nevertheless share similar traits.

Some superheroes use their powers to counter day-to-day crime while also combating threats against humanity from supervillains, who are their criminal counterparts. Often at least one of these supervillains will be the superhero's archenemy. Some long-running superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Wolverine, Green Lantern, The Flash, Hulk, Thor and Iron Man have a rogues gallery of many villains.

Superhero is a live album by singer/comedian Stephen Lynch. "Priest", "Mother's Day" and "Lullaby (The Divorce Song)" were originally recorded on his first CD A Little Bit Special. It was recorded live at four different comedy clubs in New York and New Jersey. Along with A Little Bit Special and The Craig Machine, the album has sold over 250,000 copies.

His second official album, Superhero, released in 2002, with What Are Records?, generally received better reviews than the first, partly because of strong audience response. The title track is 8 minutes and 58 seconds long, and largely consists of Lynch receiving the audience's suggestions for names for superheroes.

Superhero is a British Christian rock band. They come from Glasgow in Scotland ( United Kingdom). The band tour extensively throughout the UK, Europe and the United States. Superhero have toured with bands like: Delirious?, Skillet, DecembeRadio and have supported the likes of Switchfoot, Third Day, Newsboys, Rebecca St James and others as well as mainstream acts like Futureheads and Bell X1. More recently the band have started to Headline their own "tours" and festivals in the UK as well as in the US and Europe, such as Flevo, Big Boss, Festival de Paque, Slot and others. Superhero toured the USA from 2007 - 2010 and are now concentrating on the UK and Eastern Europe with particular attention to Estonia and Latvia. 2014 will see Superhero embark upon their first tour in Russia.

The band were signed to Delirious record label in 2004, securing a marketing and distribution deal with Fierce. The band released 2 albums through Fierce.

The band released their 5th studio album entitled: 'Things we need for the Journey' in 2013. The new record has been picked up by record labels both here in the UK and also distrobution in the USA.

In August 2010, Superhero announced plans for a 3 year 194 date tour. The tour, which began on 7 October in California has been titled the "Battle for your Soul" Tour and continues into the UK through 2011 / 2012 / 2013 with dates in the UK, USA, and throughout Europe. The band will be partnering with other artists, evangelists and local churches and Christian groups around the UK, USA and Europe. The main focus of the tour is reaching people with the Gospel and the aim is to see in excess of 5000 young people responding to the message over the course of the tour.

A superhero is a fictional archetype.

Superhero or superheroes may also refer to:

"Superhero" is the second American single released from the American version of British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow's debut solo album, Open Road. It was released on February 17, 1998, six weeks after the release of the album in America.

"Superhero" is a 1997 single by Danish Eurodance band Daze. It became one of the fastest selling singles of 1997 in Denmark and has sold both Gold and Platinum all over Scandinavia. The two follow-up singles "Toy Boy" and "Together Forever (The Cyber Pet Song)" were also big hits in Scandinavia.

Superhero is the 5th album by Brian McKnight released on August 28, 2001. It is the sixth studio album of his career. McKnight recorded this album to showcase his many musical influences and give listeners a glimpse into the past year of his life. Superhero mixes McKnight's usual R&B style with a touch of rock and roll and rap. Featured guests include Justin Timberlake, Nate Dogg, Fred Hammond, and the St. Lunatics.

Superhero debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 albums chart, moving 153,000 units in its first week. On October 24, 2001, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA. In 2002, three singles off of the album were nominated for four Grammy Awards.