We all love the heroes who have taken the lead in the comic book industry throttle. The superhero genre was specifically made for the punches and exclamation bubbles on the page. Superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and all characters from Marvel and DC are known without having to read a comic book or see them in action on the big screen. Though they rule comic books, there has been a fair share of superhero stories behind pages and pages filled with words. Besides the written word, there’s another side of graphic novels to explore. Like comic books, manga is distinct in drawings and action, bringing its flare of superhero fighting and storytelling. Each exciting as reading a comic book, these next entries expand on the lives of people with incredible power.
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Obtaining powers doesn’t automatically make someone a hero. College roommates Victor and Eli certainly don’t become heroes after tempting with life and death, their experimentation on themselves awakening special abilities. Proving the existence of EOs (ExtraOrdinary) for their college thesis, their friendship is torn apart as Eli throws Victor in jail for ten years after an unfortunate incident. Calculating and unforgiving, Victor is out for revenge on the self-proclaimed hero. Two friends-turned-arch-nemeses, Victor and Eli, play as typical hero vs. villain, but it’s not what it seems. I highly recommend this book. It’s so well written, the words pull you in as you follow Victor’s goals. He’s more likable than Eli, but it’s also lamentable how two good friends are suddenly after each other’s necks in a dangerous mind game of cat-and-mouse.
Super Human by Michael Carrol
Young heroes who’ve barely discovered their powers suddenly face an all-powerful centuries-old villain. And not just any villain, but the four-thousand-year-old first superhuman ever in the history of Earth. With immortality, the ability to read minds and impenetrable skin, this villain is set to conquer the world. With more than two books, the Super Human series left an impression on my eager love for the superhero genre as a kid. The one thing I remember is feeling sad, especially with the third book. Get ready to feel the dissolution and waterworks.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes by Hideyuki Furuhashi
A spin-off to the main storyline of My Hero Academia, Vigilantes follows Koichi Haimawari, a young man who wants to be a hero but misses his chance after being late in taking the high school entrance exam. With the determination and heart of a hero, Koichi becomes the vigilante known as The Crawler, helping out with heroes from the main series. With incidents involving the quirk-enhancing drug known as Trigger, Vigilantes ties in events mentioned in the main manga. If you were confused by the sudden mentions of Aizawa’s friend Shirakumo (later becoming Kurogiri), their fleshed-out high school days are shown in Vigilantes. Besides the curiosity of what a young Aizawa was like before he became the gruff teacher we know and love, this darker take on hero society is worth a read.
Go! Go! Loser Ranger! By Negi Haruba
A very dark take on the Power Rangers formula, you’ll be shocked at the darkness of the manga. Forced to put on a show for the public after their defeat and imprisonment, monster minion Fighter D has had enough. After 13 long years of being the Dragon Ranger’s punching bags, while the crowd cheers on, Fighter D seeks revenge. To do that, Fighter D has to infiltrate as one of their own, finding the chance to strike back. Intense and gruesome, you’ll be rooting for Fighter D as the true nature of the Dragon Rangers is revealed. If you don’t feel like reading, the first season is already out as a binge-worthy show.
Powerless by Tera Lynn Childs and Tracy Deebs
In a world where everyone has a special ability, Kenna can only look at her loved ones ahead of her in greatness. Without any powers of her own, Kenna feels less than ordinary. Overshadowed by the extraordinary, Kenna finds a way to join in the spotlight. Interning in a special research project, Kenna might’ve found a way to obtain powers for herself. Unfortunately, villains break into the lab, but Kenna might be better off without powers. With one of the villains saving her life and secrets that shatter Kenna’s perception of the world, she must work with the villains to save her loved ones. Whatever is revealed will determine what it means to be powerful and ordinary. We’ll see if someone like Kenna can be more of a hero than those with abilities.
The superhero genre will always be led by Marvel and DC, the ultimate big guys in the industry. However, it’s more interesting to read deconstructed superhero stereotypes like Vicious.
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