If you could have a superpower, what would it be? The ability to fly? To be a webslinger with Spidey senses? Or maybe someone who’s really good at bowling, an ability that could unexpectedly dish out some justice, as you’ll see if you keep reading this post! Personally, I wish I could read books faster, so that I don’t have to be a sloth juggling half a dozen books at once. But that’d only count as a superpower if you consider readers or library workers to be superheroes!
Relatable superheroes who specialize in serving justice in fiction books, graphic novels, and TV shows are always fun to root for. When it’s backed by a gripping good versus evil narrative, what’s better than flipping through the pages of a comic book to see flashy fights with onomatopoeias or watching the high-octane and colourful action scenes on the big screen?
Superhero Books
Ever read about a superhero who uses their professional bowling skills to defend himself and others against “New-Neo-Nazis?” Well, now you can! The Holy Roller by Andy Samberg et al. (one of the authors is Joe Trohman; any Fall Out Boy fans here?) is a graphic novel about the consequences of hate, while also displaying violent strikes paired with bowling- and situational-related zingers — with flair. It fuses dark humour with action-packed sequences, largely thanks to Levi’s vigilantism and newfound dedication to bowling the heads of bad guys.
Superman is perhaps the most top-of-mind name when it comes to superheroes; however, the titular hero in Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent by Tom Taylor et al. shouldn’t be overshadowed by his father. In this graphic novel, Jon must go toe-to-toe with Ultraman, the source of his demons, in the multiverse to prevent the deaths of other Supermen. But when Jon enters another world, it’s familiarly unfamiliar — in a way that’s unsettling. What roles do the superheroes take on here? And who can be trusted?
Imagine Batman — but with no holds barred. In The Batman Who Laughs by Scott Snyder and Jock, the Joker has infected Bruce Wayne with a dose of his own sadistic nature, elevating Batman’s levels of sadism in new brutal shows of violence. Is Batman now a hero? Or is his new version trampling onto his hero image, forcing him into something bolder and more abrasive? Turn your perception of Batman upside down with this graphic novel!
Anime and Manga
Did you know that June 1st was Mitsuri Kanroji’s birthday? If you’re not familiar with that name, Demon Slayer will absorb you into a gorily heartfelt series that follows Tanjiro, whose sister Nezuko was turned into a demon yet still possesses a human side, going up against all odds in attempts to turn Nezuko back human and slay Muzan, the leader of the demons. Volume 14 in particular showed off Mitsuri’s twisty sword, an elegantly flashy weapon, while she faces off against an Upper Rank demon, a testament to the abilities of a Hashira, the highest rank within the Demon Slayer Corps.
The first season of My Hero Academia will prepare you for the main eight-season storyline of one of anime’s hottest shows. To celebrate the recent drop of the special episode “More” and the upcoming MHA In Concert that features the show’s headbang-worthy soundtrack, there’s no time like now if you want to delve into the world of heroes versus villains, which has a particular focus on Deku, the series’ protagonist who’s born Quirkless — somebody without any special abilities — yet inherits great power from All Might, the number one hero and Symbol of Peace. While at times it’s lighthearted and whimsical, the development of the characters and their relationships, the themes of doing good no matter the cost, and the joys of rooting for an underdog, among other reasons, are why it’s so easy to be hooked into the series’ flashy yet emotional world. Grab a box of tissues once you make it to seasons six, seven, and eight!
Dragon Ball Super: Volume One will hit you harder than a Kamehameha, especially for those who grew up with the original Dragon Ball Z series. It rehashes some lore that you may have already seen in the theatres, such as Battle of Gods, but does so in a different art style with a few subtle changes. Much like our protagonists from the two previous recommendations above, Goku has pure intentions and fights for his loved ones and for the greater good. However, unlike the previous two entries, there are more lasers and intergalactic travel, meaning more high fantasy elements in case you’re craving an anime or manga that’ll take you to space and present you with threats to/from multiple planets, galaxies, and even universes, particularly later down the road when you get to the Tournament of Power.
Video Games
Spider-Man 2 puts you in the driver’s seat in the heroic, intertwined lives of both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, the dynamic Spidey duo who swing across New York to administer justice against evildoers. They each have their own abilities and skill trees, opening the possibilities of multiple gameplay styles that’ll suit the needs of how you’ll decide to embark on your superhero-ing adventures. If the immersive gameplay, engaging story, or diverse cast of characters don’t sell it for you, the trophy hunters out there should know that this is also a fun and easy platinum trophy to work towards!
While you can technically play as the villains in Overwatch 2, a free-to-play first-person shooter that’s all about teamwork and chemistry, let me try to persuade you to stay in the light with Overwatch: New Blood by Ray Fawkes and Irene Koh, a graphic novel centred around cowboy and gunslinger Cole Cassidy, who’s called back to rejoin the heroic Overwatch organization. Afterwards, he takes on the role of a recruiter, passing along the message of Overwatch’s reformation and seeking other fan favourites, including D.Va and Zarya, to join the cause. The IP’s diverse cast brims with unique backstories that are resonant, so if you’re looking to plug in your controller, then consider reading or watching the lore of the games to power up your experience!
To end it off, let’s blur the lines between heroism and villainy with Sleeping Dogs, a game where you play as Wei Shen, an undercover police officer in Hong Kong whose initial overarching goal is to infiltrate a triad by first gaining their trust. As the violent, dramatic story progresses, Shen forms relationships with the triad and its members. Will he be caught between the police force and his new affiliation with the triad? Who would you root for while playing the game, and will your loyalties change? Play it to find out!
To further delve into the world of superheroes, swing through our catalogue to see the graphic novels, movies, and other items within our collection!