There certain attributes that every super-hero has in their lives. These attributes are exceedingly important in truly defining the super-hero. While other humans can be defined by a multitude of things super-hero’s have specific requirements that determine their identity and their purpose. These requirements can be found in many of the comic book heroes that we so adhere and adore.


The first of these requirements is an estranged birth.


A super-hero must be born in a weird and unnatural way. This birth happens twice in a person’s life. The first is their physical birth. Usually this birth defines the culture and the atmosphere that will create a sense of true injustice in the super hero’s life. The second birth is when the super-human part of this person starts to form. Sometimes these two births happen at the same time, but there are times when there are singular moments when this super identity is truly formed. This can be seen in many of our own favorite super heroes.


Let’s look at Spider-man. Unfortunately the movies did not necessarily tell the best story of this super-hero, but Spider-man is a super-hero that had two births. Peter Parker was physically born with two parents who die when he is young and then is raised by his aunt and uncle. However, his powers don’t come to him until he is bitten by a radioactive spider during a science demonstration. Peter is a teenager when he inherits these powers and struggles with them for years. He desperately seeks out fame at first and then realizes that power is not something to take lightly. This lesson is taught by the loss of his uncle and his girl friend.


Every Super-hero has two births. One that is purely natural and one that is absolutely super natural. These two births usually conflict with each other and cause a tension between natural inclinations and super natural desires.