Keypoints:
- The article explores the evolution of iconic superheroes and superheroines in comic books and audiovisual adaptations, detailing their origins and major contributions.
- The first superheroes, such as The Phantom, Superman, and Batman, laid the foundations for the comic book universe with distinctive characteristics and superhuman abilities that were revolutionary for their time.
- The article also highlights iconic female characters and teams, as well as the significant cultural impact of certain heroes such as Black Panther and the X-Men.
Superheroes and superheroines, whether in comic books or in the various audiovisual adaptations, fascinate children and adults alike! If you're a fan of DC Comics or Marvel, this article is just for you. Here we present the complete list of iconic superheroes released between 1936 and 2004.
The Phantom
Release date : 1936
The Phantom, created by Lee Falk, made his debut in his own newspaper comic strip on February 17, 1936, in the United States. He is the pioneer of superheroes, whose storyline followed the exploits of Kit Walker.
The latter wore a mask and a purple outfit to metamorphose into The Phantom, also nicknamed "the walking ghost". The Phantom's pupil-less eyes influenced many later superheroes, including Green Lantern, Green Arrow and the famous Batman.
Superman
Release date : 1938
In the annals of superheroes, "Man of Steel" emerged in the world of comics with a memorable debut in Action Comics #1, now prized as a rare gem among publications. Superman, the first superhero with supernatural powers, amazed readers by outrunning express trains and performing prodigious leaps between skyscrapers. His repertoire of abilities expanded with each successive issue, including his ability to fly through the skies, his superhuman strength, and his X-ray vision.
Batman
Release date : 1939
The legendary Caped Crusader was born from the joint efforts of American artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his first appearance in the pages of Detective Comics #1. Originally, Kane sketched a bright red tunic, a black-eyed mask, and wings for Batman's costume, which was ultimately transformed into a much more menacing-looking outfit following key suggestions from Finger.
Captain Marvel
Release date : 1939
This character was released in the same year as Batman and enjoyed remarkable popularity in the 1940s, with his comic books outselling those featuring Superman.In the Marvel universe, Captain Marvel made his remarkable debut in Whiz Comics #2, which was published in February 1940, before joining the ranks of DC. In reference to the cry that transforms young Billy Batson into the imposing Captain Marvel, he is now also known as "Shazam."
Speaking of Marvels, you can see in our article how to view them in the right order:
Catwoman
Release date : 2004
As a shy graphic designer, Patience Phillips works for the cosmetics brand Hedare Beauty.
One evening, as she is about to present her project to her supervisor at the factory, she discovers a conspiracy: the cream has dangerous side effects.
After making this discovery, Patience is killed. An Egyptian mau awakens her and gives her cat-like abilities. Under the identity of Catwoman, she sets out to find those who caused her death in order to take revenge.
The comet
Release date : 1940
The Comet, the very first superhero to succumb, entered the superhero scene in January 1940. He first appeared in Pep Comics #1 and was resurrected several times from the 1960s onwards.
Suicide Squad
Release date: 2006
Third film after Man of Steel (2013) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – from the DC universe and the first production from DC Films, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. studio specializing in the production of films based on the DC Comics universe. The cast includes Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Joel Kinnaman, and Viola Davis. It centers on the team of supervillains known as the Suicide Squad.
A stand-alone sequel to the film will be released in 2021, this time starring Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Sylvester Stallone and Viola Davis.
Flash
Release date : 1940
The dynamic "Scarlet Speedster" is the result of a collaboration between artist Harry Lampert and writer Gardner Fox, first appearing in Flash Comics #1. The hero's alter ego was originally Jay Garrick, but the character has undergone several incarnations over time.
Fantomah and the Woman in Red
Release date : 1940
The claim to the title of first female superhero is contested between two comic book characters, including :
- Fantomah: She established herself as the very first superheroine with superhuman powers to make her debut in print with Jungle Comics #2, released in February 1940.
- The Woman in Red : created by Richard Hughes and George Mandel for Thrilling Comics #2, released in March 1940, she was the first masked, costumed superheroine of "natural" birth.
Elektra
Release date: 2005
Elektra is an American-Canadian-Swiss production directed by Rob Bowman, released in 2004.
He draws inspiration from characters in the Marvel universe from the Daredevil and Elektra series. After being murdered, Elektra Natchios is revived by Stick, the blind martial arts master. He teaches her the ancient art of Kimagure, which gives its practitioners the ability to foresee the future and resurrect the dead.
Black Panther
Release date: 2018
It is the eighteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the sixth in Phase Three, adapted from the Marvel Comics character T'Challa, aka Black Panther (played by Chadwick Boseman).
A showcase of African and African-American culture, it is the first superhero film to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture in 2019. It received seven Oscar nominations, including three wins.
Justice Society of America (JSA)
Release date : 1940
The JSA is the first superhero team, having been introduced on the cover of All Star Comics #3, in the winter 1940-1941 issue. The founding members included The Atom, Green Lantern, Doctor Fate, The Spectre, Hawkman, The Sandman, The Flash, and Hourman.
Captain America
Release date : 1941
This renowned superhero, having been conceived by artists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, made his spectacular debut in Captain America Comics #1 in March 1941. His distinctive symbol is Cap's round shield, introduced in issue 2, replacing the previous triangular version.
Aquaman
Release date : 1941
This is the aquatic marvel of the DC universe, a creation of Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger. Aquaman first appeared in the pages of More Fun Comics #1 in November 1941. His importance grew as one of the prominent founders of the Justice League of America.
Wonder Woman
Release date : 1941
The superhero scene in All Star Comics #8 saw the sensational arrival of Wonder Woman, with a cover dated December 1941. Despite its remarkable success, it wasn't until the summer of 1942 that DC Comics' own comic book featuring this iconic Amazonian heroine was launched.
Super-girl
Release date : 1959
She's none other than Superman's female counterpart, in the person of his cousin, Kara Zor-El. Imagined by Otto Binder (writer) and Al Plastino (artist), with reference to Superman's triumph, Super-girl made her debut, in May 1959, in the pages of Action Comics #252.
Blade
Release date: 1998
Blade is a Marvel Comics character created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan in 1973.
Blade is a hybrid, both human and vampire, whose mother, bitten during her pregnancy, is believed to have died in childbirth. Over time, with the help of Abraham Whistler, who took him in during his adolescence, he fights against enemy vampires, including Deacon Frost, who aspires to become the most powerful vampire in the world.
Blade meets Dr. Karen Johnson during an ambush in a hospital, who will support him in curing his bloodlust and avenging his mother's death.
A sequel to the American film was released in 2002 and again in 2004.
Man-Thing
Release date: 2005
This is a film about the character Man-Thing from the Marvel Comics universe. Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, and Gray Morrow created the character, but it was Steve Gerber who developed him in 1974 in Adventure Into Fear and then Man-Thing vol.
Justice League of America (JLA)
Release date : 1960
The Justice League or Justice League of America (JLA) is a renowned supergroup from the DC universe, released between October and November 1960. The original lineup of the group included Batman and Superman, even though they were only seen a few times in most of the adventures. There was also Martian Manhunter, who concluded his first stint with the Justice League in 1968.
The Fantastic Four
Release date : 1961
The Fantastic Four #1 was Marvel's first super team, born out of the very first collaboration between Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Released in November 1961, this group played a key role in the company's rapid growth during the 1960s.
Hulk
Release date : 1962
Under the impact of gamma radiation, Dr. Robert Bruce Banner underwent an extraordinary transformation, becoming the formidable green Goliath known as the Hulk, and thus joining the ranks of Marvel's most iconic characters. He first appeared in comic books in May 1962.
Spiderman
Release date : 1962
Who doesn't know Spider-Man? He's Marvel's web-slinging superhero, created by Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, whom fans first got to know in August 1962 in Amazing Fantasy #1. Then, in March 1963, The Amazing Spider-Man also got its own launch.
Iron Man
Release date : 1963
The arrival of Tony Stark's powerful alter ego was recorded in Tales of Suspense #39, published in March 1963. Robert Downey Jr. remains the most acclaimed superhero actor to date, thanks to the six films in which he played the man in the iron suit.
The X-Men
Release date : 1963
The first issue of X-Men, published on September 10, 1963, was originally intended to introduce the inhabitants of Professor X's school for gifted youngsters under the name "The Mutants." However, Martin Goodman, Marvel's publisher, feared that this name might be confusing for readers. That's why Stan Lee changed it to "The X-Men."
If you would like to see all the numbers in the correct order, we provide you with the list in our guide :
Swamp Thing
Release date : 1971
Len Wein (writer) and Bernie Wrightson (artist) brought to life the disturbing DC character Swamp Thing or "Swamp Creature". This character made his first appearance in House of Secrets #92 in July 1971, before receiving his own comic strip in 1972.
Wolverine
Release date : 1974
In 1975, Wolverine was recruited as one of Professor X's new mutants in Giant-Size X-Men #1. It should be noted that he was first seen in the last panel of The Incredible Hulk #180 in October 1974.
Ninja Turtles
Release date : 1984
In May 1984, Mirage Studios launched a comic book featuring the "half-shell heroes" Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. This publication was followed by an animated series in 1987. Originally created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, this quartet had a satirical essence, parodying four popular comic books of the time: Daredevil, Cerebus, New Mutants, and Ronin.
Kick Ass
Release date: 2010
Dave Lizewski is a high school student in New York who never gets noticed. He decides to become a superhero without having any specific physical abilities. On his first outing, he ends up in the hospital, but he doesn't give up and later saves a man's life, which makes him a media star when a video of his feat is posted on YouTube.
That's when he meets a duo of vigilantes who are much more experienced than he is, and the mafia begins to seriously consider him a superhero...
The Punisher
Release date: 1989
Frank Castle wants to kill all the mobsters in the city, including Gianni Franco, after the death of his wife and daughters. However, a Japanese gang kidnaps his son, and the Punisher is forced to collaborate with them to free the child on the condition that he kills them afterwards.
Two sequels were released in 2004 and 2008.
Deadpool
Release date : 1991
Issue #98 of The New Mutants, published in February 1991, introduced the character known as "The Merc with a Mouth." Initially an antagonist, Deadpool evolved into an ambiguous antihero, leading to the creation of his own miniseries in 1993, entitled The Circle Chase. Then there is the film Deadpool (USA), directed by Tim Miller and released in 2016, which holds the record for the most successful R-rated film.
Hellboy
Release date : 1993
Mike Mignola sketched the demonic superhero, who was first introduced in March 1993 as a prototype on the cover of the Italian fanzine Dime Press #4. Then, in August 1993, this character fully emerged in San Diego Comic-Con Comics #2.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Release date : 1993
Born of the successful 1993 TV series, a Power Rangers comic book series was published by Hamilton from November 1994. Subsequently, two separate series were launched by Marvel Comics. To pay tribute to the original series, Boom! Studios picked up the comic in March 2016.
The Incredibles
Release date : 2004
Pixar produced the film The Incredibles, which was released in 2004, setting a record for the company's opening weekend box office at the time. In 2009, the studio began publishing a mini-series of comic books based on the film. A sequel to the original film was released on October 25, 2018.
Who is the strongest superhero?
The Hulk has a cheat code: the angrier he is, the more powerful he is. Although the movie version had to refine his skills a little, the comic book version is really the best. He's already managed to take on Thor and Captain America simultaneously, destroying entire planets...
The Hulk is, on the face of it, the most powerful Marvel hero ever created, and his few flaws aren't really revealing. Indeed, as soon as his enemies are back in his head, the Hulk always finds a way to create a new, even scarier version of himself (Red Hulk,...)!
Who are the 6 Avengers?
Here are some of the superheroes who formed the Avengers:
The original Avengers team includes :
- Anthony "Tony" Stark or Iron Man;
- Thor Odinson or Thor ;
- Robert Bruce Banner or Hulk;
- Henry "Hank" Pym, or Ant-Man;
- Janet Van Dyne, or the Wasp;
- Steven "Steve" Rogers, or Captain America
By now, you're familiar with the characters who have marked the history of superheroes and superheroines to date. Which one do you like best? Tell us in the comments!
English
I love superheroes, and it's great to see such a detailed list of them.