From Classics to Capers
Origin stories have a way of defining the characters they create, and some stories are so spectacular they continue to live on in the minds of fans decades after being told. With that in mind, here are some of the coolest origin stories that exceed the limits of comic creativity.
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1. Superman
Superman made his first appearance in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and has been accredited for telling essentially an immigrant story. Kal-El arrives on Earth in a rocket and is quickly adopted by a kind-hearted farming couple and is raised in Kansas. By learning down-to-earth values, he ends up becoming one of the noblest and nicest people around, despite his godlike power.
2. Magneto
While Superman’s story is full of heart and hope, Magneto’s is full of darkness and bitterness. Magneto’s story also hits close to home, as he is a survivor of one of the most traumatic events in all of Earth’s history. After going through untold oppression at the hands of Germany, one can’t blame Magneto for his hatred of humanity.
3. The Joker
Another villain that has stunned fans is certainly the Joker. While other characters have clear-cut origins, the Joker’s remains a mystery, and that’s why it’s so enticing. There’s nothing more enigmatic than a chaotic clown prince of crime you simply can’t pin down. Many writers have played with his mysterious past, having him lie about events that shaped him. Some writers say he was just a regular man who once had a very bad day, leading viewers to believe anybody can become the Joker if faced with enough adversity.
4. Hulk
There’s nothing more classic than the usual experiment-gone-wrong superhero route. But what makes Hulk so unique is that while many heroes have gotten their powers this way, Hulk is as cursed as he is blessed. While he’s able to transform into a behemoth due to gamma radiation exposure, it comes at the cost of untold anger, creating a great premise for storytelling.
5. Spider-Man
For many fans, nothing quite beats the simple story of Spider-Man. An everyday nerd ends up becoming the coolest guy around due to an unlucky (or arguably lucky) encounter with a radioactive spider. This makes Spider-Man the ultimate insert-fantasy, as many people find him relatable and can see themselves through his eyes.
6. Ghost Rider
Taking things to darker territory, Ghost Rider is another character fans can relate to, as many people have considered the all-too-tempting thought of dealing with the Devil. In Ghost Rider’s story, Johnny Blaze makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his mentor and ends up transformed into a fiery and vengeful spirit.
7. Batman
Dark alleys and lost parents weren’t exactly classic superhero tropes until Batman defined them as such. This is an origin story fans are almost tired of seeing again and again. But there’s something so impactful about a boy losing his family and letting the darkness transform him into something more. The fact that, at the end of the day, Batman is just a regular guy makes his story all the more inspiring.
8. Metamorpho
Of course, random luck and tragedy don’t always lead to cool powers and acclaim. In the case of Metamorpho, an encounter with a mystical artifact turned him into a monstrosity. With mismatched skin and body parts, he became something out of a horror flick. Despite wanting to do his best to help people around him, Metamorpho is stuck in unforgiving skin and can never take the “mask” off.
9. Wolverine
Wolverine is another character with a sad story to pair with his bitter attitude. While adamantium claws and innate healing may seem like a fun time, it came at the cost of violent government experiments and a mysterious past that makes it hard to ever feel human.
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10. Green Lantern
The story of how one becomes a Green Lantern is another inspiring fantasy-insert for most. Rather than a chance encounter or random luck, the Green Lantern rings scour the galaxy looking for the worthiest souls to take up their mantle.
11. Injustice Superman
While Superman is often considered a total boy scout of a character, there have been many dark takes. One of the most infamous interpretations is Injustice Superman, which shows just how far one bad day can take a character. After the Joker kidnaps Lois Lane and tricks Superman into doing the unthinkable, Clark has no choice but to accept his fall from grace and turn into a tyrant.
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12. Iron Man
Plenty of us probably have wondered if we could make a superhero suit with enough money and time. Well, Iron Man puts that to the test after being trapped in a prison with only his wits and scraps of metal to get him out. His story is one about redemption and shows how even unlikely candidates can save the day.
13. Daredevil
Sometimes the characters in question already have conditions that make their life difficult. In the case of Matthew Murdock, blindness was once a weakness until he turned it into a strength. By relying on his other senses, he was able to enhance his abilities and become a vigilante on the same playing field as Batman. This story is especially inspiring as it shows people that disabilities don’t define capabilities.
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14. Dr. Doom
Like many villains, Dr. Doom was unable to escape his obsession, despite how innocent it was. In most iterations, he’s a scientist pushing for good, but fails to heed the warnings of others, like Reed Richards, due to pride and hubris. This results in a terrible experiment-gone-wrong scenario and leaves Victor with surprising powers.
15. Shazam
For many children reading comic books, Shazam was the perfect escapist fantasy. Plenty of kids dreamed about being able to summon the power of gods and turn into a fully-grown super-powered adult.
16. Dex-Starr
In true comic book fashion, it isn’t always people that end up with resounding powers. Sometimes, it’s cats. In the case of Dex-Starr, after the loss of his owner, he was fueled with enough rage and anger to turn into a Red Lantern.
17. Loki
Loki has become quite the popular anti-hero in recent adaptations, and who can blame him, as his story always had the makings of redemption. Many people can relate to being outshined by an older, more perfect brother, and Loki’s rivalry and desire for vengeance are all too fun to miss.
18. Captain America
Plenty of interesting stories have come out of the World War, but the idea of a sleeping super soldier is probably best reserved for the pages of comic books. That being said, Captain America follows a scrawny nobody easily changed into a strapping hero after drinking a concoction. Nowadays, many stories take advantage of government-grade drinks able to give powers.
19. The Fantastic Four
Rather than one character, the Fantastic Four follows the transformation of multiple people as they are faced with their opposites. While space missions gone wrong are a common trope for superpowers, the Fantastic Four builds on this by emphasizing the need for family and teamwork.
20. Mr. Freeze
Finally, one of the most influential origin stories is undoubtedly that of Mr. Freeze, as he leaves us wondering about the limits of villainy. Sure, the guy does crime, but he only does it to fund his research to save his wife. After all, plenty of us would do whatever it takes to save our loved ones. The more sympathetic the villain, the better the story.
