Top 20 BEST Superhero Origin Stories
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most iconic origin stories in comics. Since we’ll be breaking down these heroes’ humbling beginnings, some spoilers may be ahead.
When pilot Cliff Secord stumbles upon a top secret experimental flying rocket pack, his whole life changes. A helmet is quickly made to go along with it, and soon Cliff ends up saving the life of a pilot with alcohol use disorder. He’s soon dubbed “the Rocketeer,” and gets into adventures set across the colorful backdrop of late-1930s Americana. He might not have the most explosive origin story, but if anything that’s what makes this superhero so cool. No convoluted lore, no multiple retcons, just a period piece about a guy with a rocket and a heart of gold and that’s really it. It’s that simplicity that makes this blast from the past so timeless!
Young orphan Billy Batson’s world changes when, on one fateful day, a magical subway train leads him to the Rock of Eternity, where he meets the wizard Shazam. Bestowed with great powers, all Billy has to do is say the word “shazam” to become the iconic - and adult - Captain Marvel. He’s pretty much the magical equivalent to Superman. But what sets him apart is how he’s still just a kid. He’s a superhero who can juggle buildings but also has to juggle homework. It's the kind of fairy tale that so many kids wish they could have. Gain immense superpowers with just a word? We’d take that deal too!
A research scientist working in the Louisiana swamps, Alec Holland created a powerful (and lucrative) biorestorative formula. It was meant for good, but an evil organization called the Conclave had other plans. Alec was killed by them, but not before getting bonded to the formula and exposed to the swamp, turning “him” into Swamp Thing. This is probably one of the most out-there origin stories. It’s the birth of Swamp Thing, but also the death of Alec Holland. That’s right, he really died! It’s a story of not just style, but also substance. It raises deep questions about consciousness and identity. This isn’t just a superhero getting their start, it’s a philosophical examination of what makes you… you.
You should know never to make a deal with the Devil, but just in case you don’t, Ghost Rider serves as a cautionary tale. Selling his soul in order to cure his mentor Crash Simpson’s cancer, Johnny quickly learns that Mephisto is only in business for himself. The demon engineers Crash’s demise anyway and forces Johnny to bond with Zarathos, the spirit of vengeance. Ghost Rider’s story is a timeless warning not to gamble with forces you can’t comprehend. It’s also a Faustian bargain, and you really don’t see that in comics too often. Still, being able to turn into a flaming skeleton and ride motorcycles is pretty freaking cool. Even if you have to deal with Hell along the way!
It’s all in the hands, except when you’re Doctor Stephen Strange. The once-gifted surgeon lost the use of them in a devastating car accident. Stephen sought ways to heal them, but what he couldn’t get from medicine he got from magic instead. As Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange defended the Marvel universe against the strangest magical beings. It might sound surprising, but this hero wasn’t a very noble person at first; in fact, he was kind of a jerk. That’s why it’s fitting how the mystical Doctor Strange could only really become who he was after gaining a lesson in humility. You can’t warp multiple realities without getting your own reality warped first!
What makes this story so interesting is that most probably only know the half of this shell. Sure, we know that four young turtles get imbued in ooze and become mutated ninja warriors. But the very first iterations of these characters are a lot darker. The original version is mostly the same, but it also involves them battling and brutally beating any and all foes. They practically killed the Shredder in their debut, for crying out loud! Needless to say, they’re a bit of a tonal mismatch to the turtles we know today. In a way, this origin is like a time capsule: it’s a look into the turtles’ past and a reminder of how far they’ve come since the ultra-violent 1980s.
While scientist Saul Erdel toyed around with a teleportation machine searching for discoveries, he managed to pull J’onn J’onzz to Earth, separating the martian from his family and civilization. Unfortunately, J’onn would soon become the last of the green Martians. There’s a lot of tragedy within his backstory: his entire people and way of life were extinguished! It’s an origin that’s pretty similar to Superman’s. But what makes J’onn’s story different is how he was an adult when he lost everything. He knew what life on Mars was like, which makes his tragedy all the more devastating. While these losses could break anyone, J’onn instead dedicated his life to protecting Earth. His inability to let his past break him is nothing if not inspirational.
After Green Lantern Abin Sur crash-lands on Earth, he entrusts his ring to none other than headstrong pilot Hal Jordan. Gaining a weapon like a green lantern ring can be a bit of a learning curve - fortunately for Hal, he’s a quick learner. He hasn’t just excelled as a Green Lantern, he’s become arguably the greatest of them all. Hal’s initiation into the Green Lantern Corps is a wonderful fish out of water tale. While he can be a bit too cocky at times, that fearlessness of his is what makes him one of the galaxy’s best protectors.
Bruce Banner’s life transformed when he was hit by gamma radiation while trying to rescue Rick Jones from a dangerous testing site. From there, you already know the drill: when Bruce gets angry, the Hulk comes out to play. However, this barely scratches the surface. His origin is a lot more heavy. He isn’t just a giant green guy punching problems away. He’s a monstrous force of nature that was born from rage and pain. Writers such as Peter David, Al Ewing, and others, would expand upon the lore surrounding Hulk. More specifically, honing in on Bruce’s fractured psyche, estranged relationship with his father, and all its implications. In short, he’s one of the strongest (and most complex) heroes there is!
Do you believe in the impossible? You will! One night Barry Allen is suddenly hit by lightning while working in his lab. If that wasn’t shocking enough, he’s also exposed to highly volatile chemicals in the process. The incident permanently changes Barry and allows him to run faster than humanly possible. No longer an ordinary forensic scientist, he puts his speed to good use and becomes the Flash. This backstory helped push superheroes into the Silver Age, an era where heroes were rooted in science rather than fantasy. It was also an origin so good that DC used it again, with a similar lightning-fueled incident also being how Wally West got his powers. Hey, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
How many superheroes can claim they were created from a clay statue and given life by Greek gods? Growing up an amazon, Princess Diana enjoyed the benefits of living a secluded life among immortal women. But when an American pilot crash-landed on their island, a whole new world opened up to her. After she won the right to return the stranger to the outside world, she chose to start a new life there. Man’s world needed the message of peace and justice that she brought with her in her new guise as Wonder Woman.
Frank Castle was a United States Marine with an affinity for getting the job done – and the weapons to do it properly. While on leave in New York, he took his wife and children to Central Park – but they… did not have a good time. The Castles unfortunately found themselves witnesses to a mob hit – and the gangsters didn’t want anyone who saw it to talk. Frank survived, but his family didn’t. Wrong move, bad guys. Naturally, he wanted justice, but the police were in the Mafia’s pocket – so Castle put on a costume, grabbed some weapons and brought vigilante justice to a whole new level.
Tony Stark had it all: women, money and genius. But his charmed life took a nasty turn while demonstrating his new micro-transistor technology in Vietnam, which was later retconned into present day Middle East. Stark was injured in an explosion and ended up with a piece of shrapnel dangerously close to his heart. Taken prisoner by rebels, Stark is held hostage and told to engineer weapons for them to be used against the United States. Stark pretended to work for his captors but instead, he created a suit of armor that protected his heart from the shrapnel and gave him great power. Using the suit to escape, Stark started a new life as a superhero, eventually going on to form the Avengers.
While most of the X-Men have interesting origins related to the discovery of their mutant powers, Wolverine’s story is definitely the most fleshed out. When his adoptive father was killed by his birth father, John Howlett’s anger brought forth his mutant abilities consisting of bone claws and the ability to heal from almost any injury. The healing power kept Howlett young throughout the decades, and helped him pull through some seriously messy fights. He eventually became part of a secret government program, which used a painful procedure to fuse his bones with adamantium, making his bones and claws almost indestructible. Wolverine eventually joined up with the X-Men – and sales figures speak for themselves.
One of the few Marvel heroes with a secret identity, Matt Murdoch is a lawyer from Hell’s Kitchen. Matt’s father, a boxer who’s seen better days, wanted Matt to get an education and make something of himself. As a result of an accident with some chemicals, Matt lost his ability to see – but this also heightened all his other senses, more than compensating for his loss of eyesight. After his father was killed by the mob for refusing to throw a fight, Matt decided to fight crime and clean up Hell’s Kitchen. By day, he was lawyer Matt Murdoch with a visual impairment; by night he was Daredevil, the Man Without Fear.
Scientist Reed Richards’ admittedly lofty dream was to explore space. With buddy Ben Grimm, fiance Sue Storm and Sue’s brother, Johnny, Reed piloted an experimental manned rocket into space. After being bombarded by cosmic rays, the four found they had developed unusual abilities. Reed could stretch his body like a rubber band while his wife Sue could turn invisible and project force fields while Johnny could burst into flame and fly. Ben got the short end of the stick and his body was permanently transformed into stone. The quartet banded together as the Fantastic Four – and overnight reversed the financial fortunes of an ailing Marvel Comics.
In the days leading up to America’s involvement in World War II, a plan was needed to battle the Nazi spies on the home front. 98-pound weakling Steve Rogers was chosen to be the subject of a super-secret Super Soldier project. Injected with an experimental serum, Rodgers became a muscled and agile fighting machine. Unfortunately, a spy not only killed the creator of the serum, but also destroyed all traces of the serum itself. The only beneficiary of the serum, Steve became Captain America, a symbol of the ideals America would soon be fighting for.
Who doesn’t know this story? With his home planet Krypton facing destruction, baby Kal-El was placed in a rocket and sent to Earth. A kindly elderly couple, the Kents, raised him as their son, Clark. The yellow sun of the Earth gave the boy powers beyond imagination, and made it clear to the Kents that their son was indeed someone truly special. Clark took on the guise of a mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet, but he sheds this disguise to fight crime and save the Earth as the one and only Superman. Oh, and he also gave birth to the entire superhero genre along the way.
Teenage drama is well expressed in the story of Peter Parker, a nerdy student who was the butt of derision by the cool kids. Bitten by a radioactive spider, Parker found himself gifted with enhanced strength, an ability to climb walls and a handy-dandy “spider sense” that let him know danger was near. Parker’s initial reaction to his new powers was to earn money by fighting in a wrestling tournament. When a thief ran by him, Peter didn’t bother to get involved – and regretted it when the thief killed his beloved Uncle Ben. From that moment on, Spider-Man vowed to use his awesome powers for good.
Billionaire playboys who become heroes, like Green Arrow, got their influence from the Dark Knight. As a young boy, Bruce Wayne saw his parents brutally gunned down in front of him. He spent years training to achieve peak physical and mental condition, in order to fight criminals like those that killed his parents. One night, while pondering how he could use criminals’ natural cowardice against them, a bat flew in Bruce’s window. He took that as a sign and became the dreaded Batman, the scourge of evildoers everywhere. It’s been told many times, but it still packs a considerable punch.
#20: The Rocketeer
When pilot Cliff Secord stumbles upon a top secret experimental flying rocket pack, his whole life changes. A helmet is quickly made to go along with it, and soon Cliff ends up saving the life of a pilot with alcohol use disorder. He’s soon dubbed “the Rocketeer,” and gets into adventures set across the colorful backdrop of late-1930s Americana. He might not have the most explosive origin story, but if anything that’s what makes this superhero so cool. No convoluted lore, no multiple retcons, just a period piece about a guy with a rocket and a heart of gold and that’s really it. It’s that simplicity that makes this blast from the past so timeless!
#19: Captain Marvel (Shazam)
Young orphan Billy Batson’s world changes when, on one fateful day, a magical subway train leads him to the Rock of Eternity, where he meets the wizard Shazam. Bestowed with great powers, all Billy has to do is say the word “shazam” to become the iconic - and adult - Captain Marvel. He’s pretty much the magical equivalent to Superman. But what sets him apart is how he’s still just a kid. He’s a superhero who can juggle buildings but also has to juggle homework. It's the kind of fairy tale that so many kids wish they could have. Gain immense superpowers with just a word? We’d take that deal too!
#18: Swamp Thing (Alec Holland)
A research scientist working in the Louisiana swamps, Alec Holland created a powerful (and lucrative) biorestorative formula. It was meant for good, but an evil organization called the Conclave had other plans. Alec was killed by them, but not before getting bonded to the formula and exposed to the swamp, turning “him” into Swamp Thing. This is probably one of the most out-there origin stories. It’s the birth of Swamp Thing, but also the death of Alec Holland. That’s right, he really died! It’s a story of not just style, but also substance. It raises deep questions about consciousness and identity. This isn’t just a superhero getting their start, it’s a philosophical examination of what makes you… you.
#17: Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)
You should know never to make a deal with the Devil, but just in case you don’t, Ghost Rider serves as a cautionary tale. Selling his soul in order to cure his mentor Crash Simpson’s cancer, Johnny quickly learns that Mephisto is only in business for himself. The demon engineers Crash’s demise anyway and forces Johnny to bond with Zarathos, the spirit of vengeance. Ghost Rider’s story is a timeless warning not to gamble with forces you can’t comprehend. It’s also a Faustian bargain, and you really don’t see that in comics too often. Still, being able to turn into a flaming skeleton and ride motorcycles is pretty freaking cool. Even if you have to deal with Hell along the way!
#16: Doctor Strange
It’s all in the hands, except when you’re Doctor Stephen Strange. The once-gifted surgeon lost the use of them in a devastating car accident. Stephen sought ways to heal them, but what he couldn’t get from medicine he got from magic instead. As Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange defended the Marvel universe against the strangest magical beings. It might sound surprising, but this hero wasn’t a very noble person at first; in fact, he was kind of a jerk. That’s why it’s fitting how the mystical Doctor Strange could only really become who he was after gaining a lesson in humility. You can’t warp multiple realities without getting your own reality warped first!
#15: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
What makes this story so interesting is that most probably only know the half of this shell. Sure, we know that four young turtles get imbued in ooze and become mutated ninja warriors. But the very first iterations of these characters are a lot darker. The original version is mostly the same, but it also involves them battling and brutally beating any and all foes. They practically killed the Shredder in their debut, for crying out loud! Needless to say, they’re a bit of a tonal mismatch to the turtles we know today. In a way, this origin is like a time capsule: it’s a look into the turtles’ past and a reminder of how far they’ve come since the ultra-violent 1980s.
#14: Martian Manhunter
While scientist Saul Erdel toyed around with a teleportation machine searching for discoveries, he managed to pull J’onn J’onzz to Earth, separating the martian from his family and civilization. Unfortunately, J’onn would soon become the last of the green Martians. There’s a lot of tragedy within his backstory: his entire people and way of life were extinguished! It’s an origin that’s pretty similar to Superman’s. But what makes J’onn’s story different is how he was an adult when he lost everything. He knew what life on Mars was like, which makes his tragedy all the more devastating. While these losses could break anyone, J’onn instead dedicated his life to protecting Earth. His inability to let his past break him is nothing if not inspirational.
#13: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
After Green Lantern Abin Sur crash-lands on Earth, he entrusts his ring to none other than headstrong pilot Hal Jordan. Gaining a weapon like a green lantern ring can be a bit of a learning curve - fortunately for Hal, he’s a quick learner. He hasn’t just excelled as a Green Lantern, he’s become arguably the greatest of them all. Hal’s initiation into the Green Lantern Corps is a wonderful fish out of water tale. While he can be a bit too cocky at times, that fearlessness of his is what makes him one of the galaxy’s best protectors.
#12: The Hulk
Bruce Banner’s life transformed when he was hit by gamma radiation while trying to rescue Rick Jones from a dangerous testing site. From there, you already know the drill: when Bruce gets angry, the Hulk comes out to play. However, this barely scratches the surface. His origin is a lot more heavy. He isn’t just a giant green guy punching problems away. He’s a monstrous force of nature that was born from rage and pain. Writers such as Peter David, Al Ewing, and others, would expand upon the lore surrounding Hulk. More specifically, honing in on Bruce’s fractured psyche, estranged relationship with his father, and all its implications. In short, he’s one of the strongest (and most complex) heroes there is!
#11: The Flash (Barry Allen)
Do you believe in the impossible? You will! One night Barry Allen is suddenly hit by lightning while working in his lab. If that wasn’t shocking enough, he’s also exposed to highly volatile chemicals in the process. The incident permanently changes Barry and allows him to run faster than humanly possible. No longer an ordinary forensic scientist, he puts his speed to good use and becomes the Flash. This backstory helped push superheroes into the Silver Age, an era where heroes were rooted in science rather than fantasy. It was also an origin so good that DC used it again, with a similar lightning-fueled incident also being how Wally West got his powers. Hey, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
#10: Wonder Woman
How many superheroes can claim they were created from a clay statue and given life by Greek gods? Growing up an amazon, Princess Diana enjoyed the benefits of living a secluded life among immortal women. But when an American pilot crash-landed on their island, a whole new world opened up to her. After she won the right to return the stranger to the outside world, she chose to start a new life there. Man’s world needed the message of peace and justice that she brought with her in her new guise as Wonder Woman.
#9: Punisher
Frank Castle was a United States Marine with an affinity for getting the job done – and the weapons to do it properly. While on leave in New York, he took his wife and children to Central Park – but they… did not have a good time. The Castles unfortunately found themselves witnesses to a mob hit – and the gangsters didn’t want anyone who saw it to talk. Frank survived, but his family didn’t. Wrong move, bad guys. Naturally, he wanted justice, but the police were in the Mafia’s pocket – so Castle put on a costume, grabbed some weapons and brought vigilante justice to a whole new level.
#8: Iron Man
Tony Stark had it all: women, money and genius. But his charmed life took a nasty turn while demonstrating his new micro-transistor technology in Vietnam, which was later retconned into present day Middle East. Stark was injured in an explosion and ended up with a piece of shrapnel dangerously close to his heart. Taken prisoner by rebels, Stark is held hostage and told to engineer weapons for them to be used against the United States. Stark pretended to work for his captors but instead, he created a suit of armor that protected his heart from the shrapnel and gave him great power. Using the suit to escape, Stark started a new life as a superhero, eventually going on to form the Avengers.
#7: Wolverine
While most of the X-Men have interesting origins related to the discovery of their mutant powers, Wolverine’s story is definitely the most fleshed out. When his adoptive father was killed by his birth father, John Howlett’s anger brought forth his mutant abilities consisting of bone claws and the ability to heal from almost any injury. The healing power kept Howlett young throughout the decades, and helped him pull through some seriously messy fights. He eventually became part of a secret government program, which used a painful procedure to fuse his bones with adamantium, making his bones and claws almost indestructible. Wolverine eventually joined up with the X-Men – and sales figures speak for themselves.
#6: Daredevil
One of the few Marvel heroes with a secret identity, Matt Murdoch is a lawyer from Hell’s Kitchen. Matt’s father, a boxer who’s seen better days, wanted Matt to get an education and make something of himself. As a result of an accident with some chemicals, Matt lost his ability to see – but this also heightened all his other senses, more than compensating for his loss of eyesight. After his father was killed by the mob for refusing to throw a fight, Matt decided to fight crime and clean up Hell’s Kitchen. By day, he was lawyer Matt Murdoch with a visual impairment; by night he was Daredevil, the Man Without Fear.
#5: Fantastic Four
Scientist Reed Richards’ admittedly lofty dream was to explore space. With buddy Ben Grimm, fiance Sue Storm and Sue’s brother, Johnny, Reed piloted an experimental manned rocket into space. After being bombarded by cosmic rays, the four found they had developed unusual abilities. Reed could stretch his body like a rubber band while his wife Sue could turn invisible and project force fields while Johnny could burst into flame and fly. Ben got the short end of the stick and his body was permanently transformed into stone. The quartet banded together as the Fantastic Four – and overnight reversed the financial fortunes of an ailing Marvel Comics.
#4: Captain America
In the days leading up to America’s involvement in World War II, a plan was needed to battle the Nazi spies on the home front. 98-pound weakling Steve Rogers was chosen to be the subject of a super-secret Super Soldier project. Injected with an experimental serum, Rodgers became a muscled and agile fighting machine. Unfortunately, a spy not only killed the creator of the serum, but also destroyed all traces of the serum itself. The only beneficiary of the serum, Steve became Captain America, a symbol of the ideals America would soon be fighting for.
#3: Superman
Who doesn’t know this story? With his home planet Krypton facing destruction, baby Kal-El was placed in a rocket and sent to Earth. A kindly elderly couple, the Kents, raised him as their son, Clark. The yellow sun of the Earth gave the boy powers beyond imagination, and made it clear to the Kents that their son was indeed someone truly special. Clark took on the guise of a mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet, but he sheds this disguise to fight crime and save the Earth as the one and only Superman. Oh, and he also gave birth to the entire superhero genre along the way.
#2: Spider-Man
Teenage drama is well expressed in the story of Peter Parker, a nerdy student who was the butt of derision by the cool kids. Bitten by a radioactive spider, Parker found himself gifted with enhanced strength, an ability to climb walls and a handy-dandy “spider sense” that let him know danger was near. Parker’s initial reaction to his new powers was to earn money by fighting in a wrestling tournament. When a thief ran by him, Peter didn’t bother to get involved – and regretted it when the thief killed his beloved Uncle Ben. From that moment on, Spider-Man vowed to use his awesome powers for good.
#1: Batman
Billionaire playboys who become heroes, like Green Arrow, got their influence from the Dark Knight. As a young boy, Bruce Wayne saw his parents brutally gunned down in front of him. He spent years training to achieve peak physical and mental condition, in order to fight criminals like those that killed his parents. One night, while pondering how he could use criminals’ natural cowardice against them, a bat flew in Bruce’s window. He took that as a sign and became the dreaded Batman, the scourge of evildoers everywhere. It’s been told many times, but it still packs a considerable punch.
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