Picture this: you're sitting at your desk, staring at a blank page, when suddenly a lightning bolt of inspiration strikes! You've always loved the idea of creating your own superhero stories, but where do you even begin? Well, fear not, aspiring writer, because we've done the hard work for you. We've scoured the depths of Reddit's r/WritingPrompts and hand-picked the most captivating, creative, and downright entertaining superhero writing prompts out there. These prompts are guaranteed to kickstart your imagination and help you craft tales of heroism, villainy, and everything in between. So, whether you're a seasoned writer looking for a new story idea or a newcomer to the world of storytelling, get ready to unleash your inner superhero and embark on a thrilling writing adventure!
Unconventional Powers
Tired of the same old super strength and flight abilities? These prompts will make you think outside the box and come up with some truly unique superpowers. Imagine a hero who can wipe memories, or a villain who can control people's emotions. How about a character who gains powers based on their tattoos? The possibilities are endless! These unconventional powers will add a fresh twist to your superhero stories and keep your readers guessing.
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You are a superhero without powers. You know a good bit about martial arts and you're resourceful, but the main reason you're so successful? Every time a villain monologues their plan, you calmly and clearly explain to them why their plan won't work.
Everyone can bend a single element just like in avatar.However these are actual elements like Argon.Most powerful individuals bend metals or flammable materials.But not you you bend carbon.You bend the carbon in people’s bodies.
For every 10 lives you save, you get an extra life for yourself, shown as a number visible only to you on your wrist. Waking up with bad hangover after a particularly rowdy night, you look at your arm through blurry eyes to see the faintly glowing number: 700,000,000.
Your power is that Any insect that gets within 30 feet of you is vaporized. One day on your regular walk to work a man steps in your field and is turned to dust in the middle of the street. People start fleeing in a panic, except for a few standing about 30 ft away staring at you hatefully
You’ve been kidnapped by the SCP foundation. Why? You have the ability to ‘Mr. Magoo’ yourself out of anything. Sniper about to assassinate you? You bend down to pick up a penny just in time, SCP-049 about to touch you? A Sudden cannonball knocks them away. All with you being none the wiser.
In a world of incredible heroes and villains, you have the most dangerous power of all: forcing actual, real world logic and physics to take place
You have Adoptive Muscle Memory. Whenever you see someone do an action you can immediately recreate it. You use it mostly for card tricks and martial arts. This all changes when you watch Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Some say that your power is future sight. Others insist that you have superhuman intellect. They're wrong. Your power is the ability "Quicksave."
Humans are reverse Kryptonians. They are weak on their home planet but strong everywhere else. No one knew this until Earth was attacked and humanity was taken off of earth to be enslaved.
You can magically sense when a car you are driving next to is on a course to be in a fatal accident. The only way you can prevent that outcome is by cutting them off and slowing them down. You are this city's most unsung hero, known by most as 'that asshole driver'.
Secret Identities
What's a superhero without a secret identity? These prompts delve into the juicy world of alter egos and hidden personas. Picture a hero and villain who are actually roommates, or a retired villain's spouse who's been keeping a big secret. The tension and drama practically write themselves! These prompts will let you explore the complexities of balancing a normal life with saving the world, and the consequences that come with keeping secrets from those closest to you.
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"A superhero fights crime as a part of a team, apparently with the ability to hit his target perfectly with whatever weapon he shoots or throws on the first try. In reality, he has terrible aim, and his actual power is to stop time. He goes through extraordinary efforts to maintain his secret."
The staff of an obscenely rich billionaire realises their boss feels purposeless and suicidal, which could put an end to their employment. The trusted head butler convinces the boss to wear an outfit and fight criminals, who in reality are costumed staff members just trying to keep their jobs.
Of course the hero and the villain know each other's secret identities: they're roommates and coworkers. They just do this epic battle schtick in the evenings because they're so bored at work.
The Villain uncovers the Hero's true identity, and targets his family. Unfortunately, the Hero's spouse is a retired villain even more powerful than the current one.
When the world's most beloved superhero died defending them, the people mourned. Little did they know, the hero's secret identity was an organ donor, and people who received one of the hero's organs are starting to exhibit some of the same powers.
You are a mutant in Xavier's school for gifted youngsters with the power to teleport, well that's what you tell everyone. In reality you can pause time and you're not ready to be an omega class mutant.
John Wick is contracted to take out what seemed like a usual mark. Billionaire, heir, playboy, general layabout, Bruce Wayne.
You are a superhero, no one knows about your alter ego. Not even your spouse. You return home tired and disappointed one day after failing to capture your archnemises. You enter your bedroom to find your spouse struggling to get out of the costume of your archnemises.
You recently discovered that your father, whom you never knew, is actually a crime-fighter with no free time, and he is unaware that you are his son. In order to talk to him, you become a villain.
You recently discovered that your father, whom you never knew, is actually a crime-fighter with no free time, and he is unaware that you are his son. In order to talk to him, you become a villain.
Origin Stories
Every great hero (or villain) has an origin story, and these prompts will help you craft some truly memorable ones. From a world where humans gain superpowers when they leave Earth to a character who becomes the most powerful hero through sheer luck and coincidence, these origin stories are anything but ordinary. You'll have a blast coming up with creative ways for your characters to gain their powers and embark on their journeys of heroism or villainy.
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"You think I'm trying to get revenge for my father that was the king or lord or whatever title you could pull out of your head? No, my father was one of those incompetent and harmless guards you killed!
'Dragon' isn't the name of a particular creature, but a title granted to any being that attains a certain level of legendary power. Anything can become a Dragon, from a wyvern to a human, to a stag, or even a cat. Write a story about an unlikely Dragon.
"How did a mere peasant become the most powerful hero in the land? Sure you're immortal but that can't be all" "Well you'd be surprised how many artifacts will grant you ultimate power in exchange for your life."
You were once an adventurer but when was turned to stone. Your party tried to save you but it was too late, so they place you in the center of a town they founded, now years later an army marches onto that town and with every once of willpower you try to move…and with groan you take a step.
At the age of 16 everyone gets teleported into a small room. In front of you is a table with all kinds of meals from apples to gourmet meats. Whatever you take a bite of will determine what superpower you'll get. You are the first Person to take a bite of the table itself
The Sol system was an experiment by aliens to determine if life would evolve under hyper hostile physics. Unfortunately, it was forgotten about. Years later, humans are leaving the solar system, only to discover that upon passing an invisible barrier, they essentially gain superpowers.
The Suit is powerfull. A mech for some, body armor for others, always unique to each person who wore it. Those who wear it, hear the words "not original user, booting basic mode" As a joke, your sergeant gives you The Suit and the first thing you hear is: "User detected: Welcome back, Commander"
Everyone has magical control over a single thing. When a person finds thier domain, they are called The (blank) Witch/Wizard. You don't seem to have a domain. That is, until one faitful day at a pizza shop, where you find it. Now begins your legend. Now begins the legend of The Pinball Wizard.
A phenomena begins to occur where newborn babies are found amidst the aftermath of natural disasters. Tsunamis, avalanches, wild fires, destructive lightning storms, etc. These 'Storm-Born' humans grow up with powers based on the disasters that birthed them.
Supervillains
Let's face it: villains are just as important as heroes, and these prompts give them the spotlight they deserve. Imagine a villain who's actually making the world a better place, or one who's so devoid of ego that they're nearly impossible to defeat. These prompts will let you explore the motivations and complexities of your villains, and maybe even make your readers root for them! After all, who doesn't love a good villain story?
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The heroes confront you with the legendary mystical weapon that can defeat you. Unbeknownst to them, it's actually the one thing you needed to conquer the world. You were having trouble finding it, so you started the legend of the weapon yourself, to get some poor schmuck to find it for you.
You are a supervillain with healing powers. The only reason your labelled a supervillain because the American healthcare system is intimidated by you
You're a prison psychiatrist being yelled at by your boss; every supervillain you've treated has gotten over their obsessions and hang ups, and become vastly more efficient and dangerous once free.
The most difficult part of being a Supervillian? Find love, not because other people won't like you, but because the stupid Superheros will swoop in and "rescue" your date every time, but this time you have a plan, and it's going to work.
You're a super-villain who took over the world because you thought you'd do a better job of running it and you were right. You've created a peaceful, just, equal and scientifically driven global society everyone likes, except for a cadre of former super-heroes who are now radical terrorists.
You are the villain's right hand man and you are the true power behind their criminal empire. The villain would never have achieved their status as a super villain without you, so when the hero finally arrested the villain, nothing actually changed.
You own a construction company that especiallise on supervillians hideouts, you make tones of money and usually work in paradise islands, but dealing with your clients and keeping their ideas within OSHA standards is not an easy job
The world's greatest villain and hero clearly like each other. His monologues when she's captured tend to turn to conversation, and she "accidentally" lets him escape arrest. While they're convinced they're enemies, his henchman and her sidekick are just trying to get them together already.
You are a minor supervillain. Your antics aren't illegal, but they're quite devastating to the local hero population. You replace the flimsy fruit stands that are frequently destroyed in car chases throughout the city with nearly indestructible replicas.
Instead of being a super villain like your parents, you ended up joining a company. Now your wildly successful and quite frankly much more closer to world domination than your parents. Your parents can't handle it.
Other
Not every superhero story fits into a neat little box, and that's where these prompts come in. From a retirement home for elderly heroes to a cabdriver who specializes in transporting superheroes, these prompts offer a fresh take on the genre. They'll let you explore the more mundane aspects of superhero life and add some humor and heart to your stories. So, if you're looking for something a little different, these prompts are the perfect place to start.
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You're a superhero's sidekick. But he doesn't pay you, so you're also moonlighting as the minion of a supervillain your hero never faces. Until one day, he does.
You work at a retirement home for superheroes who've gotten too infirm and senile to continue their work. The hardest part of the job is keeping them here, instead of gallivanting off on a foolhardy quest to relive their glory days.
You are a cabdriver. But you don't drive any cab, you drive The Herocab, a cab that any superhero can call if they need to be somewhere urgently. Today you were called, only to find the hero a bloody mess on the ground and a villain, the hero's phone in hand, standing over them.
You're a superhero, you would consider yourself C-list at best power-wise but the greatest superhero team in the world keeps calling you back to help with big villian disasters. Oddly enough your memories of each event are vauge at best. one day you figure out why
"Listen. Those dishes need to be washed, these lights need to be kept on and these bills gotta be paid. I don't care if I'm the only one able to defeat the big bad guy- I'm not working for free."
A senile, old superhero still goes out to fight crime. None of the younger heros respect him anymore but all the villains have a soft spot for him.
You're the owner of a cafe frequently visited by vigilantes and anti-heroes who absolutely adore your sweetness and acceptance of who they are. One day, though, a particularly rude customer comes in and trashes the place. Your friends aren't too happy to hear about that.
You are a 'Professional Hostage' hired by villains to secretly arrive at robberies and other crimes to be taken prisoner should the police or local heroes get involved. While out shopping you accidentally get taken hostage by a complete amateur who has no idea who you are.
Life has definitely slowed down since retiring at 70 as a super hero. To your surprise, your old evil arch nemesis appears at you door, claiming the doctors said he doesn’t have much time left. You two decide to spend a day golfing to reminisce about your glory days one last time
Your father comes from a long line of superheroes. Your mother comes from a long line of supervillains. Every year, against your parents wishes, your relatives come together to celebrate your birthday. It's your eleventh birthday and the city's evacuated as your relatives start to arrive.