Ever wonder what it’s like to fly at lightning speed or to save the world before breakfast? Superhero fantasy lets you do all that and more! Superhero fantasy is where larger-than-life powers meet rich, imaginative worlds, blending the awe-inspiring elements of fantasy with the fast-paced excitement of caped crusaders. It’s speculative fiction’s answer to what if humans had superpowers—with all the complications that come with it.
What is Superhero Fantasy?
Look, superheroes don’t always have to wear spandex and swing between skyscrapers. Sometimes they wield enchanted swords, throw spells like punches, or protect magical realms from dark forces. Superhero fantasy blends the best of both worlds, showcasing epic heroes with the magic dialed up to 11. Characters have powers, but instead of saving the modern world, they’re protecting enchanted forests or battling mythic gods. Superhero fantasy combines fantastical powers and larger-than-life characters with stories that often explore good vs. evil, morality, and personal sacrifice. In this subgenre, you’ll find characters with superhuman abilities or magical prowess battling threats far beyond the scope of normal humans. Unlike traditional superhero stories (think comics), superhero fantasy thrives on complex, sprawling worlds where powers often come with deep lore, mystical origins, or divine influences.
Common Tropes
Superhero fantasy has its fair share of iconic tropes that make the genre stand out—characters gifted with extraordinary abilities, shadowy organizations controlling the fate of cities, and climactic battles that decide the fate of entire worlds. Here are a few others you might not have thought of:
- The Reluctant Hero: Not every superhero dreams of saving the day. The reluctant hero trope highlights a protagonist who’s been given great power but wants nothing to do with it—whether out of fear, past trauma, or simply wanting a normal life. Their journey is about accepting responsibility and growing into their role, often with emotional and moral complexity. I love to think of Emery Anden from Jade City by Fonda Lee with this trope. When forced to become a Jade Warrior even though his mother died from the “Itches” he had to make an important choice: fight for the Kaul or be exiled.
- The Power Corrupts: Superpowers don’t always have a perfect moral compass. This trope explores the dark side of power—what happens when the hero’s abilities become their curse or when someone with good intentions spirals into villainy because of their unchecked power. This adds depth to the genre by making heroes more than just the good guys; they’re flawed and human, even if they’re not exactly human anymore. If your immediate thought was Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, perfect. Willow, one of the most powerful witches, gets pushed to the point that she once came within seconds of wiping out all life on Earth.
- The Secret Society: In superhero fantasy, behind every masked figure or magic-wielder, there’s often an ancient secret organization pulling the strings. These societies can be protectors, conspirators, or something in between, and they add layers of intrigue and mystery. They also open the door to complex worldbuilding, giving writers plenty of room to expand on their universe. But where could you find an example of this? Think of the Alexandrian Society in Atlas Six by Olivia Blake where magical academicians select only the most talented magicians for initiation.
Why I Like Superhero Fantasy
I’m here for heroes who use both their brawn and their sorcery to take down the big bad. Superhero fantasy lets me embrace the chaos and the heart of human stories wrapped in powers and spectacle. As a writer, I love how the subgenre allows limitless imagination—characters can fight dragons one day and save an alternate dimension the next. Plus, there’s something profoundly compelling about exploring what it means to be heroic in a world where the stakes are sky-high, and the boundaries of “good” and “evil” aren’t always clear.
Why YOU Should Explore Superhero Fantasy
Writing in the subgenre of superhero fantasy lets you explore complex moral quandaries. Will your hero be able to handle all the power and responsibilities? Or will it go to their head? Here are three reasons to get you started:
- Character Transformation: The powers characters gain (or lose) are often metaphors for inner growth or conflict. This is a goldmine for character development and offers writers the chance to show heroes evolving both physically and emotionally.
- Moral Ambiguity: In superhero fantasy, it’s rarely as simple as good vs. evil. You can play with shades of gray, where heroes might make questionable decisions, and villains might have sympathetic motives, making the story richer and more thought-provoking.
- High Stakes: The genre is full of world-ending crises, inter-dimensional threats, or personal stakes like saving a loved one. These high stakes give stories an edge of urgency that keeps readers hooked while also offering space to explore deeper, universal themes—like sacrifice, identity, and redemption.
So, grab your cape (or enchanted armor), and start writing!
Superhero Fantasy that We Love:
My choice questions the “hero” in “superhero,” but it’s Brandon Sanderson’s Steelheart. A small group—known as the Epics—has been granted power, but as Suz’s trope points out above, corruption is a serious problem. Enter the Reckoners, a group that analyzes these controlling figures for weaknesses…and then assassinates them. But what happens when they target an Epic that seems to be invincible? Excellent worldbuilding, and a super fun spin on the superhero concept!
Truthfully, I’m not huge on superhero stories. Around the 15th Marvel release, I got a little tired. BUT, that doesn’t mean I’ve managed to completely escape the genre. I’m an avid webcomic reader, and Villain with a Crush on Webtoon is probably my favorite superhero story out there. 1. It is absolutely hilarious. 2. It pits morally supreme heroes against those who are just there to collect a paycheck (or online followers). If you’re a fan of webcomics, like a good laugh, and don’t mind a focus on romance, give this one a read.
Who needs sleep when Worm exists? It is a webserial that’s basically like a superhero sandwich stuffed with every imaginable topping: action, drama, chaos, and characters who will steal your heart and then break it in two (but in the best way possible, of course). Each chapter is like a rollercoaster of plot twists, with stakes that keep getting higher and higher. You’ll be hooked, glued, maybe even emotionally wrecked—but it’s all worth it for the wild ride.
If you’re looking for a bit of a twist on the superhero trope, look no further than Marissa Meyer’s Renegades. In the aftermath of a crumbled society, the Renegades overthrew the villains and established peace. The main character isn’t a superhero, but rather someone loyal to a villain. There are twists, moral ambiguity, anarchy, and of course, superheroes. Sit back and let the Renegades and Anarchists take you on a wild ride!