Unit One:Finding Your Personal Power

David Bowie

“We can be heroes, just for

one day”

Everyday Heroes

We all have heroes in our everyday life, from police

officers to firefighters...

But there are other kinds of heroes...

Definition of a superhero:

A character possessing “extraordinary or superhuman powers” who is normally dedicated to protecting the public, as well as fighting crime and evil forces.

Superheroes always have an ORIGIN story.

It explains what led the hero to become a hero.

Why was this normal person born or transformed into a superhero?

What is an origin story?

Character Motivation

Not everyone is going to just put on a costume and fight crime.

So what MOTIVATED him or her to dress up and fight evil?

MOTIVATIONS

• Motivation pushes characters to do things, both in their heads (internal) and because of the world around them (external).

For example: you are motivated to go to school either by your own desire to succeed, or because people are telling you that you must.

Origin story example:

As a child, Bruce Wayne witnesses his parents being killed by a mugger.

This event changes him...

• Filled with rage and sadness, Bruce is motivated by both internal and external forces to dedicate his life to stopping crime.

• He becomes a detective, and trains to be able to fight.

Origin story example:

Peter Parker: a nerdy high school student is bitten by a radioactive spider and gains superpowers.

At first, he uses these powers selfishly.

The event changes him...

Peter has the opportunity to stop a criminal, but decides not to. This criminal ends up murdering Peter’s uncle.

Filled with regret, he considers his uncle’s advice — with great power comes great responsibility.

Peter realizes he must use his powers for good, and becomes SPIDER-MAN!

Origin story example

Superman is an alien, who lands on Earth as a baby and is raised as Clark Kent.

This event changes him...

As his powers develop, Clark struggles with whether or not he SHOULD use them to help others.

Clark’s adoptive father raises him with strong morals which inspires Clark to use his powers for good.

Should you choose to take it...

Your Assignment

...is to create your own superhero and write a two (2) page ORIGIN story for that character.

Things to consider...• What happened to your

character that transformed the normal person into a superhero

• What are the internal and/or external forces that motivated the change?

A cool name

• Your hero needs a name — they can’t just be Crimefighter McGee.

• The name should strike fear into the hearts of criminals.

The costume should also tie into your superhero’s name.

Batman dressed as a butterfly would never work.

A costume...

A secret identity...

Who is your hero when he or she is not wearing a mask?What does he or she do during the day? Is it at all related to the crime fighting?

• Superman’s secret identity, Clark Kent, is clumsy reporter for The Daily Planet, a newspaper in Metropolis.

Being a reporter allows him to be near dangerous events, where he can intervene as Superman.

Iron Man’s not-so-secret identity is Tony Stark — a billionaire industrialist and weapon designer.

As an engineer, Stark is able to build and modify his Iron Man suit and design other nifty gadgets.

What are their powers or special abilities? Do they have any?

How did they come by these powers or abilities?

Powers, Abilities, and Equipment

Do they have special equipment or gadgets?

How does this equipment help them fight crime?

Weakness

No one is fully invincible — even Superman has been killed — so what is your hero’s weakness?

What would slow your hero down?

What can kill your hero?

Villains

Every great protagonist needs an antagonist — who is your hero’s nemesis?

Consider imagining the villain's background so that you fully understand the villain’s motivation.

Costume --Your hero can’t fight crime in everyday clothes!

What is the costume like? Does it have anything to do with his or her name?

Does the costume have a cape?

Does the costume help with his or her powers or abilities? Does it include armor?

Get ready to give birth to a new superhero!

• Viewing Image - Fireman.jpg. Digital image. Viewing Image - Fireman.jpg. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://www.bemorehealthy.com/CaliforniaDays/CalFires2003/fireman.htm>.

• Thank You Mr Policeman. Digital image. Alicias Little Moments. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://aliciaslittlemoments.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/thank-you-mr-policeman/>.

• Infographic Reveals ‘The Many Masks of Spider-Man’. Digital image. ScienceFictioncom RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://sciencefiction.com/2014/04/20/infographic-reveals-many-masks-spider-man/>.

• Viewing Image - Fireman.jpg. Digital image. Viewing Image - Fireman.jpg. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://www.bemorehealthy.com/CaliforniaDays/CalFires2003/fireman.htm>.

• Thank You Mr Policeman. Digital image. Alicias Little Moments. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://aliciaslittlemoments.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/thank-you-mr-policeman/>.

• Infographic Reveals ‘The Many Masks of Spider-Man’. Digital image. ScienceFictioncom RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://sciencefiction.com/2014/04/20/infographic-reveals-many-masks-spider-man/>.

Works Cited

• Batman & Robin Fan Art: Batman and Robin. Digital image. Batman and Robin. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/batman-and-robin/images/9933097/title/batman-robin-fanart>.

• "Green Lantern." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lantern>.

• Super Man Photo: Superman Flying. Digital image. Superman Flying. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014. <http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/super-man/images/36720158/title/superman-flying-photo>.

• A Year of Cool Comic Book Moments - Day 22 - Comics Should Be Good! @ Comic Book Resources. Digital image. Comics Should Be Good Comic Book Resources RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014. <http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2009/01/22/a-year-of-cool-comic-book-moments-day-22/>.

• Batman & Robin Fan Art: Batman and Robin. Digital image. Batman and Robin. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/batman-and-robin/images/9933097/title/batman-robin-fanart>.

• "Green Lantern." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 20 Sept. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lantern>.

• Super Man Photo: Superman Flying. Digital image. Superman Flying. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014. <http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/super-man/images/36720158/title/superman-flying-photo>.