Superman –Symbol of hope in steel shell

Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938 for Action Comics, Superman became the first true superhero. His image embodied the American dream of immigrants. In cinema, Superman began in the 1940s serials but gained fame in 1978 with Richard Donner's "Superman," which earned $300 million. Modern blockbusters like "Man of Steel" (2013) have rebooted the myth, adding a darker tone. Fan theories even draw parallels between Superman and Christ. The upcoming film by James Gunn in 2025 promises a fresh perspective.

Batman –Dark knight in mask of vengeance

Bob Kane and Bill Finger created Batman for Detective Comics in 1939 as a shadowy avenger. The character evolved from a comical hero in the 1960s to a psychologically complex anti-hero in Frank Miller’s comics. The cinematic breakthrough started with Adam West’s TV series, but the real game-changer was Tim Burton’s "Batman" (1989), which made $411 million. Christopher Nolan’s trilogy starring Christian Bale raised the stakes, grossing over $2 billion, while Matt Reeves' "The Batman" (2022) added more noir elements to the story.

Catwoman –Graceful thief or stubborn feminist?

When discussing Batman, one must also mention Catwoman, the anti-heroine balancing between crime and justice. The character Selina Kyle was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1940. Since then, she has evolved from a femme fatale to a complex feminist, reflecting themes of independence and moral ambiguity. Catwoman made her film debut in the 1960s series. Iconic portrayals include Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton's "Batman Returns" (1992) and Zoë Kravitz in Matt Reeves' "The Batman" (2022), both of which grossed billions.

Wonder Woman –Amazon of strength and equality

William Moulton Marston created Wonder Woman in 1941 for All Star Comics, inspired by feminism and suffragists. Her character evolved from a World War II warrior to an icon of empowerment. Her on-screen story began with a series in the 1970s, but the true breakthrough occurred in 2017 with Patty Jenkins' "Wonder Woman," which earned $822 million. The sequel, "Wonder Woman 1984" (2020), added a new vibe. Fans compare Wonder Woman to the strong and warrior-like ancient goddess of hunting, Diana.

Iron Man –Genius in armor of innovation

Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby created Iron Man in 1963 in Tales of Suspense as Tony Stark, a billionaire reborn through crisis. His character evolved from an anti-communist figure to a techno-humanist battling addiction. The cinematic journey began in 2008 with Jon Favreau's “Iron Man,” which made $585 million. The trilogy grossed $2 billion, culminating in "Avengers: Endgame" (2019). Interestingly, one fan theory suggests that Tony Stark's consciousness was reborn as an AI after his death.

Captain America –Shield of patriotism in storms of time

Joe Simon and Jack Kirby created Captain America in 1941 for Captain America Comics. Their Steve Rogers became a symbol of the fight against Nazism and evolved from a wartime hero to a critic of American government actions. In film, Captain America started in the 1940s serials, but the breakthrough came with “Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011), which grossed $370 million. The MCU trilogy, with "Civil War" as its peak, surpassed $2 billion. Fans believe Old Steve could return in "Secret Wars" as a multidimensional warrior.