What Is Your Origin Story?

The world is obsessed with superheroes right now. As I take a step back and try to figure out why this might be the case, my mind is drawn to the “origin story.” Every hero has one. It’s also incredibly important to get it right, or else people won’t connect with the hero. There’s a lot we can learn about ourselves by taking a closer look at the structure of a hero’s beginnings.

Let’s start with one that we are all familiar with: A nerd named Peter gets bitten by a spider and wakes up with all sorts of cool new abilities. He uses those abilities for his own gain and ignores the bad in the world. That comes back to bite him when the criminal he lets live ends up killing his uncle. Now Peter understands the responsibility that accompanies this newfound power. Boom! He is a hero! But let’s take this step by step and see what superhero origin stories can teach us about our own lives. 

Step 1: Something the main character wants (or thinks they want)

Before superhuman abilities powers are uncovered, our not-yet-hero wants something. Spiderman wants to be noticed by the cool girl next door. Batman wants justice for his parents’ death. Thor wants the throne. Wonder Woman wants to prove herself as a valiant Amazon warrior. Superman (the ultimate hero, in my biased opinion) just wants to live peacefully among humans. 

Now look at yourself as the hero. If this is your origin story, what is it that you want? It could be romantic, career-driven, a family, a car, anything! What do you want? For me and my origin story, it was a career. I wanted to move to L.A. and become a producer. That is the desire of my origin story. 

Step 2: Something (usually an accident) gives them powers

After establishing what drives the character, something happens (usually in pursuit of that initial motivation, but not always) that makes the hero “embrace" their powers. I say “embrace” because not every superhero is given powers.

Spiderman was bitten by a radioactive spider. He went to bed without powers and woke up with powers. He was straight-up given his powers but still had yet to embrace their accompanying responsibility. Superman, on the other hand, had his god-like powers from the moment he landed on earth. He grew up having those powers. He “embraced” his powers when he decided to stand as a symbol for hope (and truth and justice, but mostly hope)! That’s the moment he officially become Superman; when he embraced who he was and what he wanted to be to the world. 

Similarly, we have abilities and talents that we might not even be aware of! What are your superpowers? What experiences have you had that led you to better understand your full potential? That’s a tough one! Most of us don’t know! Sometimes we may think we know, but our answers change over time as we gain a new perspective. For me, I knew one of my superpowers was the ability to grow trusting relationships quickly. But beyond that, I wasn’t sure. As I moved toward that initial desire of moving to L.A. and becoming a producer, I discovered (and still discover) superpowers I didn’t know I had. 

Step 3: They use their powers selfishly

This is the most human part of the origin story. We’re all imperfect, I’m sorry to break it to you. It’s where the main character uses their powers how they deem worthy. They aren’t yet concerned about “the greater good” — at this point, they simply use their powers to protect what they most value.

For example, Superman grows up using his powers to help his parents. Not a bad thing, but it does reveal that his family is what he values most. Once he truly understands his greater potential for improving the world, the way he uses his powers changes.

Spiderman enters a wrestling match so he can win just enough money to get a car to impress a girl. He is a teenager! Of course what he wants most is a girlfriend!

Batman, once he receives his training, goes for revenge. He goes to find and kill Joe Chill, the man who killed his parents. 

The examples are endless. 

Looking back, I can see how I’ve used my “powers” according to what I valued most. My “superpower” of building trusting relationships was used to get my teachers to like me in elementary. Then I used it to get a girlfriend in high school. Later, I used it to get a job. All good things! This really reveals my priorities at each phase of my life.

How have you used your "powers" in life? You have some great talents—how have you used them? Does it reveal what you value most? Maybe you’re proud of your use of talents, or maybe you wish you had done better. If the latter, you’re in good company. 

Step 4: Something happens that becomes their motivation to be a hero and determines their values

Characters have a reason for choosing to be a hero. It’s the most difficult part of superheroes to get right in movies and TV, because if you get it wrong, decisions made in the future are unpredictable.

For Bruce Wayne, this came early in life when his parents died in front of him.

For Spiderman, it was when his uncle was shot, as a direct result of our hero’s inaction.

For The Flash, it’s when his mom died and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

For Black Panther, it’s when his dad is killed, and the throne/protective mantle is given to him earlier than expected.

For Raven, from the Teen Titans, it’s when they found out her father is a demon; she feels the need to atone for the sins of her father.

Martian Manhunter—when his family and species become extinct because of a civil war.

Swamp Thing—when he realizes a woman still loves him despite him being a monster and he comes to understand the good he is truly capable of.

You get the point.

Each character has a sense of values instilled in them. We all do. It’s when those values are tested that we see the true measure of her conviction. Superman is such a “boy scout” because he was instilled with values so deeply by his parents that nothing can challenge that. Batman, on the other hand, has to figure out what those values are as he goes. Spiderman adopted the values of his uncle to honor him and ensure his death wasn’t for nothing. 

This is an interesting one in my life. As a religious guy, there were many people questioning my desire to go to Los Angeles and try to make it in the entertainment industry. Nearly everybody I respected in my life gave me advice (warranted or not) on how hard this was going to be. It put my desire to the test. It put some strain on what I valued as important and I had to decide in that moment who I was and what I would fight for. Would it be worth it?

What are your values? Have they been challenged? What was the moment that you decided those values are more important than your desires? Have you learned that?

Step 5: Supervillain is introduced - the exact opposite of what our hero stands for

This is when we meet the person that is going to vex our hero for years to come. This is the person that tests our hero in any and every way. This character challenges our hero’s values in every way.

This is Lex Luthor, who seeks power and status, while Superman hides his true self, so no one knows who has that much power. Clark Kent avoids the status; Lex Luthor wants it for himself. 

Magneto wants the exact opposite of Professor X. Magneto thinks that mutants are superior to normal humans. Professor X believes there is no superior race, and everyone should be treated equally. 

The Green Lantern uses willpower and courage to use his powers to spread light. Sinestro uses the power of fear to control everyone in darkness. 

And the Mac-daddy of supervillains, the Joker. The crazy, eccentric laugh monster of chaos is the exact opposite of the stoic and controlled Dark Knight.

Ironically enough, my supervillain is called The City of Angels. When I moved to Los Angeles, it tried to chew me up and spit me out. Finances, fear, traffic, competitive atmosphere, and the unknown. The city challenged my values by telling me that what I stand for and what I want to accomplish in life is not possible. 

Who/what is your supervillain? What is the thing that is going to stand in your way and tell you everything you don’t need to hear? Is it a person? Is it a thing? Is it a voice in your head? Is it the devil? Or is it yourself?

(Spoiler alert: your greatest enemy is always yourself. Be kinder to yourself!)

Step 6: The Standoff and The Moment

This might be the absolute, most important moment in the hero’s story—the moment that decides their fate. Do they become a superhero? Do they lose? Or do they become the supervillain?

The hero finds themselves in a stand-off against their greatest threat. It’s when Wonder Woman fights Ares, believing the world will be freed from hate if she kills him. In The Dark Knight Rises, it’s when Bruce sees that the woman he was falling for turns out to be the supervillain, and he now has to fight her and the giant Bane of his existence. It’s when The Avengers lose to Thanos, but still decide to take him on for a second time. It’s the climax of every superhero movie you have seen.

Then, during this battle, there is always one pivotal moment. It’s the moment that transforms our hero into a superhero—the moment that defines a character! It’s the moment when everything our hero knows to be true is put into question and a decision has to be made. Are they strong enough to make a tough decision?

Even after Thanos absolutely destroys Captain America (breaks his shield and stabs his leg), Cap boldly gets back up and keeps fighting.

In Logan, it’s when Wolverine makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the family he didn’t know he had.

 It’s when Superman, in order to save humanity from a murderous warlord, decides to kill the only fellow Kryptonian he’s ever known.

When Wonder Woman discovers that she, herself, is the ultimate god-killer weapon, she must decide whether it’s even worth killing Ares. Maybe humanity should fend for itself?

In The Dark Knight Rises, it’s when Batman’s back is broken and he’s put in an inescapable prison. Can he possibly escape? is there any chance of defeating Bane? 

Most of us haven’t had this moment. If you have, what decision did you make? I’m not sure I’ve had to make this decision yet. I hope to emulate these heroes of mine when I do. That’s why I love superheroes. I can look at them, translate their morals into my own life, and try and be a hero! 

What kind of hero do you want to be?