Happy Super Hero Day

April 28 is Super Hero Day!

Who established Super Hero Day?

National Superhero Day was founded by Marvel Comics in 1995. Now, every year since its birth on April 28, 1995, people come together annually on this day to celebrate all their favorite heros. No matter if your fav heroes are fictional or real, this is the day to be thankful for them.

Well, how fun!

When I was a child, Superman wasn’t near as popular as he is today. Now super heroes are everywhere.

Why should I teach about Super Heroes?

According to Brittanica.com, during the late 1930’s to 1950’s, the Golden Age of Comic Books were created. Modern comic books were first published and rapidly increased in popularity among the masses. The first Super Hero ever was created in 1936? The superhero was named Phantom, and he started with his own comic strip in a U.S. newspaper. This was the first known beginnings of a published superhero, and now there are hundreds of well-known heroes that everyone loves.

The superhero archetype was created and many well-known characters were introduced, including Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Captain America, and Wonder Woman. Most superheroes served as a figure who inspired hope. This hero could save us all from dark and difficult times. Superhero stories promote the ideas of peace, safety and freedom. Some experts consider this message a necessary reassurance in difficult times. The message isn’t about a country succeeding, but recognition that there are others with similar hope for a peaceful future.

Students love to design a Super Hero costume. Here are a few pointers:

Figure out the color scheme of the costume. Usually, the whole costume should include 3 or fewer colors/shades only. This helps ensure that the costume does not distract from your superhero. It will also make it easier for you to replicate the look in a comic. Think of your superhero’s powers, motivations, and backstory. Lighter colors tend to indicate heroism, while darker colors indicate a conflicted nature; rich colors point toward sophistication, while bright colors tend to reveal youthful energy. If you’d like to read more about costume design, see my post: Your Secret Teaching Allies–Super Heroes
Classic superheroes tend to dress in some combination of red, blue, and yellow, which can denote energy and determination. A mix of black, grey, and green, though, could denote mysterious and naturalistic qualities.
Nail down the basic costume before accessorizing it.Design the actual outfit first, before figuring out the logo, or whether it will include a mask, cape, etc. Once you have designed your base costume, it gives you a blank slate to work with. Feel free to take cues from iconic superhero costumes, but be sure to refine them into your own creation. Skin-tight, full-coverage bodysuits tend to be the standard base layer for male superheroes, while female heroes often show a bit more skin. You don’t have to follow in this tradition, but body-hugging base layers do provide a clean palette for accessorizing.

What Color Scheme Should I Use?

Figure out the color scheme of the costume. Usually, the whole costume should include 3 or fewer colors/shades only. This helps ensure that the costume does not distract from your superhero. It will also make it easier for you to replicate the look in a comic. Think of your superhero’s powers, motivations, and backstory. Lighter colors tend to indicate heroism, while darker colors indicate a conflicted nature; rich colors point toward sophistication, while bright colors tend to reveal youthful energy.
Classic superheroes tend to dress in some combination of red, blue, and yellow, which can denote energy and determination. A mix of black, grey, and green, though, could denote mysterious and naturalistic qualities.

What About a Logo?

Nail down the basic costume before accessorizing it. Design the actual outfit first, before figuring out the logo, or whether it will include a mask, cape, etc. Once you have designed your base costume, it gives you a blank slate to work with. Feel free to take cues from iconic superhero costumes, but be sure to refine them into your own creation. Skin-tight, full-coverage bodysuits tend to be the standard base layer for male superheroes, while female heroes often show a bit more skin. You don’t have to follow in this tradition, but body-hugging base layers do provide a clean palette for accessorizing.
Consider if a cape is right for your hero. While capes are often considered synonymous with superheroes, plenty of famous ones — like Iron Man and Wolverine, for instance — go without them. Capes can help accentuate motion or indicate flight (think Superman), or add a layer of mystery (as with Batman). However, they can also be an unnecessary complication for a well-designed costume. If you can’t think of a good reason why your hero should have a cape — either for practical (e.g., concealment, protection) or expressive (e.g., flair, royalty) purposes — it may be best to exclude it.
Create a memorable logo or other distinctive element. Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man are arguably the three most famous superheroes, and each has a simple chest emblem — the ‘S’ shield, bat, and spider — that immediately identifies them. Don’t obsess over the small details of a totally-awesome costume before you’ve nailed down the iconic logo, symbol, color, etc. Make sure it’s easy to recognize and repeat, and that it can adapt to variations on your design. Brainstorm logo ideas based on the hero’s name, origins, or powers: in the last case, for instance, consider the lightning bolt used for the Flash.

My Super Hero Drama Lessons

If you’d like some drama lessons with super heroes as the focus, I have several here: DramaMommaSpeaks

One lesson I developed focuses on storytelling. Using postcards as a springboard for a story, students take elements from the postcards they randomly choose. But, there is a secret requirement which is LOADS of Fun. You can learn about Storytelling with Super Heroes here: Storytelling with Super Heroes Postcards

Another lesson students enjoy is Costume Design with Super Heroes. In this lesson, students study costume design and learn a bit about the characteristics of a super hero costume. Then they design one costume plus write a letter explaining their choices. You can find this lesson here: Costume Design with Super Heroes

If you want further study, try movement with Super Heroes! These movement exercises are a great way to begin or end your class celebrating national super hero day. Word of warning–your student may leave class with a “zap” so if you are okay with that, you are good! Tableau and Movement with Super Heroes

I think Super Heroes are here to stay. It does me good to see children imitating them, especially our girls. Here are my two granddaughters having fun as Super Heroes. I doubt either of them have seen many television shows or movies with Super Heroes in them since they are so young, but they know enough to understand super heroes protect people and try to make the world a better place. At this point in their short lives, I think that’s a good start.