When it comes to being a superhero, almost all of them have a great start. They have a story which is so memorable everyone knows it, even outside comics. If they’re lucky. Not all are as memorable, for instance I love Superman but let’s be honest he had a weak origin to start. We know Superman was rocketed from Krypton but details have been changed and added for decades. The original story provides little detail. Krypton changed several times, the details of how it exploded changed, the lack of survivors changed, the Kents weren’t even developed for years! Originally Kal El was found by a “passing motorist”. What happened in Smallville? How did Clark discover his powers? How/why did he go to Metropolis? All of this is missing in that original tale. Plus Superman didn’t get his powers through any special ways they’re native to his people if under a yellow sun. So for eighty year the origin has evolved and changed, but bares only a slight resemblance to the original story. This why there have been so many revised versions of the origin from everyone from Mort Weisinger to John Byrne to Geoff Johns.
Flash has the same problem. We know Barry Allen was doused with chemicals same time he was truck by lightning but..what was next? Others no one knows, like Aquaman’s or Wolverine’s (ok ok the movies helped this one). The coolest origins are the one’s which are almost iconic and never change, no matter how many times they’re told. If you go back to the original source material it’s basically the same story just maybe a detail or two added. Here the five best in my opinion:
#5.Green Lantern
I first came across this origin on an episode of “Superfriends” and over the years it never really changed. Abin Sur crashed his vehicle into Earth, and since he was dying he ordered his ring to find another who was honest and without fear. The ring picked Hal Jordan. Yes slight changes have been made over the yeas, I mention the Guy Gardner retcon before, and the reason why Sur crashed has changed a million times. But that scene of Hal finding the spacecraft and getting the ring has always remained the same.
#4.Iron Man
I never knew this origin until the first movie, but since I am not a Marvel fan I can’t really blame the character for that. In fact it was watching the AT4W episode on him that I realized how close to the source that movie was. They changed the war of course. But it was the same story, a kidnapped Tony Stark was forced to create a weapon. Instead he created a suit of armor that not only kicked ass bit literally keeps him alive at the same time. There’s more to it, but we all know it by heart.
#3.Wonder Woman
The cool thing about Wonder Woman’s origin is that she had to prove herself. She wasn’t just selected to be Wonder Woman one day. Diana was born from Queen Hyppolyta (crafted from clay but that’s another story) and was raised the Amazon way. She was not allowed to participate in the tournament that would declare who would be the “Wonder Woman”. Diana wore a disguise and entered anyway, and won. Her mother had no choice but to allow Diana to leave and became the hero she would become. It just wish creators would settle on a consistent look for the character.
#2.Spider-Man
This origin isn’t very big but something about it just resonates. It’s really simple, Peter Parker was bit with a radioactive spider and acquired the powers of a spider. And decides to use his powers to make money. That’s an interesting change, you don’t see that often. But the important part comes after, when he could prevent a thief from running off and doesn’t only for that thief to end up killing his uncle. It’s a powerful way for Peter to learn that “with great power comes great responsibility”. I was surprised when I saw this done in the first Spider-Man story how familiar with it I was.
#1.Batman
Yeah no surprise here. There is a reason this origin has been reenacted a million times. This origin is so simple but so effective. Thomas and Martha Wayne are gunned down in front of their young son. The son dedicates himself to avenging their deaths by warring on all criminals. He knows he needs a disguise which will instill fear in villains (who are a cowardly, superstitious lot). What will he be? A BAT! True details have been added over the years like expanding on the training Bruce went through and whether or not he ever caught the killer, but overall it’s the same origin now as it was eighty years ago. Why? Because it’s simple and relatable. We may not be able to understand what it’s like to have power and abilities beyond mortal men, but we can certainty understand what seeing our parents killed in front of out eyes might feel like. It’s one the reasons this character has endured for eight years.
Plenty more where these came from. Let me know if I missed your favorite.
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