Every superhero I can think of has had either some impending sense of loss in their lives or started their lives off as misfits who were out of place in a society that never wanted them to begin with. The Punisher's family was brutally murdered by mobsters. Spider-Man's uncle was killed in a car jacking by an armed robber. Superman's planet was obliterated. Wolverine woke up with a nasty hangover and couldn't remember a damned thing. If you've got a family, pet, or a job, you really shouldn't even think about re-tailoring your techno-colored UnderArmour into anything sexy.
2. BE A LITTLE OFF CENTER
Suffering an impending sense of loss can put a person
through a psychological and emotional wringer. But if you haven't suffered any such loss and feel that your most paranoid ideas are justified since "they really are out to get you," you might have a leg up on the next guy at being a super hero. Simply consider just what type of a lunatic would don a mask and run straight into harm's way for the benefit of a greater, collective good that's never been properly defined and outlined.
through a psychological and emotional wringer. But if you haven't suffered any such loss and feel that your most paranoid ideas are justified since "they really are out to get you," you might have a leg up on the next guy at being a super hero. Simply consider just what type of a lunatic would don a mask and run straight into harm's way for the benefit of a greater, collective good that's never been properly defined and outlined.3. KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING INTO!
The likes of Dr. Doom, Dr. Octopus, and even Galactus are far too powerful to care about what effect your puny efforts will have over the outcome of their diabolical plans. In reality, the guy down the street is breaking into a car because he's tired of life and society and he's likely to get a decent sum of money for whatever he's looking to steal in the back seat. He is very much like you, only without a longing desire for social stability, and so has decided to tread the low road. As such, there would be a better likelihood than not that said evil-doer may have some sort of weapon to do away with meddlers. in a situation like this, it's best to use the hero's most powerful weapon in his or her arsenal - the cell phone! Call 911 and give the most detailed description of the assailant that you can, to include height, race, clothing cut and color. If you're able, take a photo of the assailant without being seen. Then write it all down so that you're able to provide the police with an official statement. Then commit what you saw to memory, as you will more than likely be called as a witness at the assailant's trial. You may be called a few times to testify against the villain.4. HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION
Spider-Man was bitten by a radio active spider that had given him the strength and
agility to leap a two to three story building and run faster than world-record-breaking track stars with very little effort. Superman can fly face first into an Abrahm's tank without blinking. Heroes like these have what it takes to take out criminals head on. In reality, a professional UFC heavyweight champion can probably take out so many men mano-a-mano before being taken out by a lucky shot at the depths of his fatigue. On the other hand, one Marine Corps scout sniper can take out platoons of enemy combatants with one little finger. However, as your underlying goal is to avoid apprehension and incarceration (and advisably detection), you want to bear in mind that as a super hero, you're working on the side of justice! So you might not want to add to social chaos by breaking laws with carrying weapons or needlessly assaulting people. You might want to formulate a plan of action that balances out a proper crime-stopping objective that's suited to your skill level. This is essential in keeping you healthy, living, and in keeping you on schedule so that you can get home in time for dinner with your favorite, widowed aunt.5. HAVE AN EFFECTIVE EXIT STRATEGY
Superman can fly. Batman has The Bat Mobile on average and a plethora of other vehicles and disappearing techniques to his repertoire. Spider-Man leaps high and can swing away on his webs. If you're going to take criminal scum head on, it would help if you had a quick and efficient means for a tactical withdrawal in the event that any confrontation should get hairy. If you ever had an aptitude for hockey, in-line skates would be great. However, you would require a lot of padding and head gear, as fighting criminals on solid ground can be fast and furious. On skates, rest asure, it would be way nowhere near as easy. But once you've saved the day, an effective exit strategy would ensure that you'll live on to return to effectively fight and deliver justice another day.NOTE: A skateboard works exceptionally well if you're experienced, AND happen to be fighting crime in some town situated at the top of a hill. Otherwise, you'll lose major cool points trying to 'kick / push' away from an advancing number of angry villains bent on something worse than world domination - kicking your ass.
6. YOU HAD BETTER BE PRETTY BAD-ASS
Consider the mindset of a villain: he or she might be selfish, self-absorbed, aggressive, with an often lack of consideration to consequences. Just off the top, these are qualities that are often shared with athletes; Alpha types in constant search of the next great rush while maintaining absolute control of their situations. These villains may be hard-hitting football players who contribute to team wins; gymnasts with agility, focus and drive; wrestlers with the strength to tear the heads from the shoulders of lesser men. If you find yourself ready to do battle with any of the above, you better have a neat trick up your sleeve that can knock the Alpha on his ass.Spider-man's spider bite gave him the natural ability of a spider. As you're only human and as these things just don't happen in the real world, you're going to need to shed your fair share of blood, sweat, and tears while enduring a great deal of pain in order to acquire your super-human abilities. The Punisher acquired his skills by way of advanced military training. He was originally chronicled as a Navy Seal, then eventual story lines had him involved with Marine Force Reconnaissance. Whatever your method, you should remember the tenet of the infantry warrior, whether he be Solider or Marine - The more you bleed and sweat in training, the less you will bleed and sweat in combat. That said, you may wish to provide considerable attention to two main features of your repatoire as a superhero: physical fitness and fighting prowess. Each of the two, need to be based on each of their sub points:
PHYSICAL FITNESS
You should be able to run very fast - up hills and over big obstacles in little time. This aspect of your ability as a super crime fighter will be of absolute importance as you will need it to evade and escape from the authorities and outnumbering villains*.
FIGHTING PROWESS
Take a martial arts class. Mixed Martial Arts is perhaps the best I've seen as it best instructs the practitioner at street fighting. However, you'll want to put some emphasis on defending yourself against multiple assailants. It's not as difficult as one would presume, but it's not as dynamic as the movies would make it appear. In reality, fighting against multiple assailants requires a focused balance of endurance and technique. Always remember: BLOCK / OUTFLANK / STRIKE /, BLOCK / OUTFLANK / STRIKE / OUTFLANK, BLOCK / OUTFLANK / STRIKE / OUTFLANK, BLOCK / OUTFLANK / STRIKE / OUTFLANK, AND there's absolutely no shame in running. In fact, it's all part of the process as your underlying goal is not to take out the criminal, but to gather reconnaissance (that brings us to point #7 (coming soon).
