A superhero is a term used to define a person or creature who uses power, ability, or technology beyond that of the general public, in the pursuit of good. Superheroes come in various types:
* regular vigilantes who use natural prowess, advanced technology, or a combination of the two * magic-users or extraterrestrials who use abnormal powers * metahumans or bang babies
* regular human beings who use alien or magical technology * Aliens with biology that gives them powers
A superhero (sometimes rendered super-hero or super hero) is a type of stock character possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers” and dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes—ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas—have dominated American comic books and crossed over into other media. The word itself dates to at least 1917. A female superhero is sometimes called a superheroine (also rendered super-heroine or super heroine). "SUPER HEROES" is a trademark co-owned by DC Comics and Marvel Comics. By most definitions, characters do not strictly require actual superhuman powers to be deemed superheroes, although terms such as costumed crime fighters or masked vigilantes are sometimes used to refer to those such as Batman and Green Arrow without such powers who share other common superhero traits. Such characters were generally referred to as "mystery men" in the so-called Golden Age of Comic Books to distinguish them from characters with super-powers. Normally, superheroes use their powers to counter day-to-day crime while also combating threats against humanity by supervillains, their criminal counterparts. Often, one of these supervillains will be the superhero's archenemy. As well, some longrunning superheroes, such as Superman, Batman, Spider-Man and Iron Man each has a rogues gallery of enemies. As well, superheroes sometimes will combat such...