MARC SUMERAK
1 Spider-Man. Many of us grew up in a time when Peter Parker was already an adult, so it’s easy to forget that he was one of the first teen heroes to star in his own title. He was also one of the first young characters in comics whose life seemed genuinely “real.” He had problems at school, problems at home, problems with girls. In fact, nothing ever seemed to go smoothly for poor “Puny Parker”—a feeling with which almost every young reader can relate.
2 Bucky. What could possibly be nobler than fighting for your country? How about serving alongside the living embodiment of freedom as his handpicked sidekick? That’s what young James Buchanan Barnes did when he strapped on a mask and took to the battlefield with Captain America as the kid-hero called Bucky. And when he sacrificed his own life to save his country, Bucky was instantly upgraded from hero status to legend.
3 Robin. At first Batman faced the dark streets of Gotham alone. But it wasn’t long before a plucky orphan in bright-colored tights joined the fight, and the Caped Crusader became part of the world’s most famous duo. Robin infused a splash of color (and a bit of fun) into the gritty crime-filled world that he and his mentor patrolled each night. As Batman’s protégé, Robin learned firsthand what it truly meant to be a hero and, over the years, evolved into much more than a sidekick: Robin became a superhero legacy.
4 Kitty Pryde. The original X-Men started their careers as teen heroes attending Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, but living in a world that hates and fears mutants is enough to age any character before his or her time. By the time the “All-New, All-Different” X-Men roster came around, Xavier’s first class was all grown up—and their stories matched in maturity. Thankfully, the introduction of an intangible girl named Kitty Pryde helped re-introduce a youthful innocence that the title had long been missing. Kitty not only provided a fresh perspective on the mutant condition, she also served as the perfect foil to the most popular X-Man, the gruff Wolverine.
5 Captain Marvel. With just one word, young Billy Batson transformed from an ordinary boy into one of the most amazing heroes ever, Captain Marvel. His was a magical world where childhood fantasies came to life—not just talking tigers and evil worm geniuses, but the idea that a normal boy could find the power to save the day. As Captain Marvel, Billy had abilities equal to some of the greatest “supermen” in comics. This unique formula made Captain Marvel a character with whom every kid could connect…and one they dreamed they, too, could become with just a simple yell of “Shazam!”
6 The Runaways. Discovering you’re actually a teenage superhero? Awesome. Discovering your parents are actually supervillains? Not so awesome…unless, of course, you happen to be a reader along for the ride. When the children of the super-secret criminal organization known as the Pride discovered the truth about their sinister lineage, it was only the beginning of one of the greatest adventures of the last decade. Their journey was less about fighting bad guys and more about self-discovery, learning that their family history didn’t dictate who they would become.
Marc Sumerak has been writing and editing stories of young heroes for more than a decade. He has had memorable runs on Power Pack, Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius, and Marvel Adventures: Superman. His most recent book, All-Ghouls School, continues his exploration of teen characters in extraordinary worlds.