Top 10 Superhero Lairs

Most superhero lairs are pretty spacious, but none compares size-wise to the Green Lantern Corps hang out: an entire planet. Technically, it's really the lair of the Green Lanterns' bosses, the Guardians of the Universe but there are a heck of a lot of lanterns to accommodate. Most of Oa is desert, but the main city is a mélange of futuristic alien architecture. In addition to housing the battery that powers all the Green Lantern's rings, Oa features housing for the Lanterns, cells for dangerous criminals, an awesome library and a training hall.

Located in suburban Fairfield Connecticut, the B.P.R.D. serves as the headquarters for the demon-turned-hero known as Hellboy. While not exactly a secret, there's no signage to identify the building, so only those who have a reason to visit this government facility access it. The building doesn't look especially ominous or imposing from the outside, but it emits some serious vibes that the supernaturally inclined pick up on. Inside, it's overflowing with all research labs, training facilities and gadgetry that is out-of-this-world. Still, you wouldn’t want to intern there.

A T-shaped building, while impractical, makes for a really cool looking HQ. It's even cooler on the inside as it severs for the base of operations and living space for a team of teenage superheroes. Located either just off of Manhattan in the East River, or in San Francisco depending on the universe, this is definitely one costly abode with it’s recreational areas and sate of the are training facilities. The current Tower also includes a memorial hall with statues of Titans who have fallen in the line of duty.

This, is not an aircraft carrier, this first-class headquarters is a flying aircraft carrier. As Shield’s mobile base of operations the Helicarrier comes equipped with enough advanced weaponry to fend off just about any foe. However, being always in the midst of danger, the Helicarrier has been destroyed from time to time and there have been many different versions of the Helicarrier throughout the years. Originally designed and built by Tony Stark, Reed Richards and Forge, this headquarters is a symbol of the Marvel Comics universe.

Foregoing the need for secrecy, the Fantastic Four chose to locate their headquarters atop a skyscraper in the very heart of New York City. Located at 42nd Street and Madison Avenue, the Baxter Building has been constantly attacked after Reed Richards and company took over the top five floors. As a result, it is now reinforced with a steel alloy framework, 2-foot-thick windows and armoured exterior walls. That however, didn’t save it from being launched into space and blown up.

Never one to be outdone by the likes of the Fantastic Four, Iron Man made the magnificent Stark Tower the headquarters of Stark Industries. The top three floors of the 93-story building have been graciously turned over to the Avengers; and are outfitted with all the training rooms, dormitories, laboratories and kitchen facilities that the superhero team could ever need. Located right off Columbus Circle, the Tower is vibranium reinforced, making it one of the most costly structures in the world.

DC's mightiest super-heroes have had a number of cool lairs, including the Hall of Justice. But the coolest is the Watchtower. Sometimes located on the moon but usually found orbiting the Earth, the Watchtower is uniquely positioned to give the League more than just a great view. Being orbital puts the base out of reach of most criminals, while giving the super-powered team easy access to all points on Earth. Equipped with advanced monitoring technology, the League is in the position to act on menaces quickly and efficiently. The rooms of individual members are decorated in their own distinctive style and taste, and the common areas include a trophy room, armoury, aquarium and hydroponic garden.

Publically known as Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, the X-Mansion serves as a learning environment for young mutants, while keeping them safe from outside prejudice. However, the school is only half of the mansion’s function, as it also houses the older and more experienced members of the X-Men. Below the mansion can be found the famous Danger Room, a training facility where team members' skills are put to the test in simulated combat environments.

A fortress built in the middle of the Arctic might be the last word in privacy, but Superman still has to throw in a massively heavy key to make sure no unwanted visitors intrude. Hey, why not? At various times, he's had a gigantic diary made of steel, a bottle containing a miniaturized Kryptonian city, a zoo full of strange alien creatures, the gateway to the Phantom Zone, a bunch of Superman robots and irreplaceable trophies. Turns out Supes is a bit of a hoarder. The Fortress has changed many times over the years, but it remains a fitting monument to Earth's mightiest superhero.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions:

Sewer Lair
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Sanctum Sanctorum
Dr. Strange

Arrowcave
Green Arrow

Fate Tower
Dr. Fate

Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Let's get real: nothing beats the Batcave. Sure, it's a little corny, but it's also incredibly awesome. Forget the mansion, who wouldn't want to have a cave as a hideout? Then there are all those souvenirs and trophies, like the giant penny and the robot dinosaur. Throw in space for the Batplane, Batmobile, Bat-sub and Bat Computer and Batman’s digs just can't be beat. Darkness? No parents? Just come down here and hang out with all this cool stuff!


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