From superheroes to fantasy heroes, we are inspired to become something more. But how to be a hero in real life, and what makes someone a hero? The truth is that without gaining magical abilities or finding superpowers, the path to heroism may be easier than you think. We all have the ability to become our best selves and embrace our inner hero.

In Darwyn Cooke’s The New Frontier comics, the Martian Manhunter, or J’onn J’onzz faces fears and rejection from the humans. But through his connection with King Faraday, J’onn J’onzz finds goodness in humanity. Through the story of the Martian Manhunter, we see that it is our compassion and empathy that make us the best version of humanity and ourselves.

Superheroes are, by their very nature, special. They exhibit incredible powers and hold themselves to incomparable moral standards. They exist to show us the best possible versions of ourselves. But the X-Men in particular serve to remind us that sometimes we all struggle with self-acceptance and feeling different. But that it is our own uniqueness that makes us special.

All Green Lantern had to do was think about something and his ring would make it real. But it’s more than creativity, the ring that runs on willpower and courage. And for me, the Green Lantern has come to mean overcoming fears, both external and those the reside inside of us.

Superman and Captain America – powerful symbols that represent the same ideals. Two characters with such different origins and abilities that, at their core, represent divinity and the humanity. And inspire us to be heroes ourselves.