Places We Wish Were Real
Do you ever look at a comic book or superhero movie and just think to yourself, "Man, I'd love to be there right now"? Well, you're not alone! While some heroes exist in real-world cities and places, others have their own fictional worlds to call home. So let's take a quick look at the 20 comic book locales that would be on our bucket list—and just might be on yours, too.
1. Wakanda (Black Panther)
Let's start with the obvious crown jewel. Imagine the most high-tech city you can think of, then multiply it by Vibranium. Wakanda is basically what happens when you mix advanced tech with ancient African culture and then crank everything up to 11. Plus, their public transport makes our cities look like they’re stuck in time.
Marvel Studios' Black Panther - Official Trailer by Marvel Entertainment
2. Themyscira (Wonder Woman)
Now, Themyscira is an island full of warrior women who could kick you off to the other shore while reciting ancient philosophy. No phones, no emails, no problems (no men)! Just endless beaches, epic training grounds, and architecture that would make your history teacher weep with joy.
Wonder Woman (2009) - Ending by robohobosam
3. Atlantis (DC Comics)
What if we actually find the lost city of Atlantis? Well, DC has already imagined it and made the other sunken world depictions look like kiddie pools. Bioluminescent buildings, merpeople zipping around on seahorses, and technology that somehow works perfectly underwater (don't ask about the physics, just go with it).
Kingdom of Atlantis | Aquaman [4k, IMAX] by Flashback FM
4. Attilan (Inhumans)
Home of the Inhumans, this city has some serious commitment issues. Attilan can't decide if it wants to be on the moon, in the mountains, or chilling in the ocean. But that's what makes it cool. It's like a cosmic mobile home with some of the weirdest residents you'll ever meet.
Inhumanity - A Marvel Comics Event - OFFICIAL Marvel | HD by Marvel UK
5. Gotham City (Batman)
Gotham is what would happen if the architects mix Halloween and Art Deco to create a township and promote it on "True Crime" podcasts. Yes, you might get mugged, but at least it'll happen in front of some really gorgeous architecture and a chance to meet Bruce Wayne.
Batman: Arkham City - Tips & Tricks - Exploring Gotham City by Batman Arkham Videos
6. Metropolis (Superman)
If New York City had a glow-up and started harboring superheroes, you’d get Metropolis. Everything's shinier, everyone's more optimistic, and there's a 50% chance you'll see a dude in blue tights zooming overhead. The “Daily Planet” building would be a giant mood ring for the city—If the globe's spinning, everything’s probably fine.
Superman - Teaser Trailer Tomorrow by DC
7. Latveria (Fantastic Four)
Have you ever wondered what would happen if a tech genius supervillain ran a whole country? Latveria is your answer. There are Medieval vibes on the outside and sci-fi parties on the inside. Just don't make fun of Doctor Doom's cape. That's a one-way ticket to diplomatic incident town.
Fortnite For Latveria, but it’s a music video… by Jace
8. The Savage Land (X-Men)
Take "Jurassic Park" and "Lost" worlds. Then, minus the whole "corporate theme park gone wrong" thing. The Savage Land is in Antarctica, but don't pack your winter coat because this pocket of prehistoric utopia keeps it tropical year-round. Where else can you ride a T-Rex to brunch?
Fausto García-Menéndez on Unsplash
9. New Genesis (New Gods; Jack Kirby's Fourth World)
New Genesis is Jack Kirby's cosmic playground where the laws of physics go to a party. Everything's huge, colorful, and probably powered by something called "quantum" or "cosmic." It may look like heaven, but not like the ones in the books. This land has way cooler tech and better outfits.
NEW GODS #2 | Why Jack Kirby's Fourth World Is One Of His Best Creations! by The Comic Lounge
10. Asteroid M (X-Men)
Magneto's floating bachelor pad might have questionable politics, but the views are unbeatable. Zero gravity gardens are cool until you realize someone has to catch all the floating plant water. Still, it is the best place in the universe to play with magnetic fields.
11. K'un-Lun (Iron Fist)
The land that only shows up on Earth every few years—talk about exclusive! You’d be looking at a whole city hidden among the Himalayas, and the only residents are the martial arts masters who could beat your high score in Street Fighter (and in life). Plus, the immortal dragon sightings would be worth the hike.
12. Madripoor (X-Men)
Madripoor’s Hightown has got bling that can make Beverly Hills look like a dollar store, while Lowtown... well, let's just say you'll want to keep your tetanus shots up to date. The Princess Bar is where all the cool spies hang out. Just don't make eye contact with anyone wearing an eyepatch.
13. Kandor (Superman)
The ultimate tiny home! This miniaturized Kryptonian city in a bottle is like the world's most elaborate ship-in-a-bottle display, except everyone inside is still alive and probably judging your primitive Earth technology. It may cause extreme feelings of claustrophobia and an urgent desire to learn Kryptonian physics.
Bottle City of Kandor | Display Prop Build by TYRANTH
14. Gorilla City (The Flash)
It’s not in the name—a hidden city run by super-intelligent gorillas who are probably better at quantum physics than you. They've got tech that would make Tony Stark jealous, and their chess club is absolutely brutal. You’ll have to keep your “monkey business” jokes to yourself.
Justice League escapes Gorilla City by Princess Darkseid
15. The Blue Area Of The Moon (Fantastic Four)
Here’s space tourism with a twist. Yes, there's no atmosphere in most of the moon, but this special spot comes with an exclusive air bubble. The commute's a pain, but the Earth-rise views are to die for. Also, you might catch The Watcher doing his thing (which is basically just... watching).
Blue Area of the Moon | Marvel vs Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes by Fists Will Fly, at This Location
16. Genosha (X-Men)
The Memorial Garden grows flowers that might try to read your mind because regular flowers are just too mainstream. Plus, once the mutant equivalent of Silicon Valley meets Paradise Island, it becomes more of a powerful memorial site. It's like Pompeii for the spandex crowd but with more electromagnetic residue.
17. Nanda Parbat (Batman, Justice League, And Other DC comics)
Hidden in the Himalayas because, apparently, all the cool mystical places got together and decided that's where they should set up shop. Nanda Parbat is like a combo of Hogwarts and a ninja dojo but with better meditation rooms. Your GPS will definitely have a nervous breakdown trying to find this place.
18. Asgard (Thor)
Asgard is when Vikings meet the Star Trek, and the Renaissance Faire is thrown in for good measure. The rainbow bridge would make every other bridge look like a sidewalk, and their feast halls would make Golden Corral look like a snack bar.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017) - "Hela vs. Legion Of Asgard" | Movie Clip HD by Marvel Universe Entertainment
19. San Fransokyo (Big Hero 6; Marvel Comics)
Here, cable cars zip past cherry blossoms while AI robots help old ladies cross the street. The food scene is what happens when you let Japanese and American cuisine have a fusion dance-off. In that place, your taste buds won't know what hit them, but they'll be happy about it.
Big Hero 6 - Baymax Memorable Moments by Po Bralk
20. Coast City (Green Lantern)
After being destroyed (a major bummer), the Coast City rebuilt itself into the ultimate tribute to second chances. The Green Lantern theme park would be like Space Disney, complete with constructs you can actually ride. Their city motto might as well be "What doesn't kill us makes us install better defense systems."
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
