The Best New York Superheroes, Ever

by matt_fried
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September 18, 2009

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Is it weird to still believe in superheroes? Or, to be 26 years old and drop $30 every few weeks at local comic shop just to keep up with them? Maybe. But it's not going to stop me from reading. New York City has long served as the template for many comic book characters, popular and otherwise. Since the resurgence of the superhero movie franchise, more people than ever are looking to dive into a world once occupied by geeks, dweebs, and Primus fans. Maybe you don't read comics anymore (nerd), but there's no reason why you shouldn't cram your brain with everything in this guide. Because, Heaven help you if you ever find yourself talking about the influence of Neil Gaiman and you're made to look like an idiot.

Spiderman

I don’t think I have to give much explanation here. Spiderman – hero, viligante, life-long New Yorker. I think part of the reason why he’s so endearing is because he’s lived every nerd’s fantasy: he’s a bookworm with super powers who still lives with his parents and married a supermodel girlfriend. At the heart of all of Spiderman’s stories, though, are still the same themes: responsibility, honor, doing the right thing instead of the easy thing. Sometimes, too, Spidey’s own adventures don’t end the way you want, but that’s what makes him so New York. Because this city can eat you alive sometimes, but what matters is if you decide give up or push on.

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Midtown Comics

200 W 40th St Ste 2, New York, NY 10018

The mecca of New York City comic stores. Midtown is known to everybody… including the tourists (groan). However, surfing the crowds is worth it considering their monstrous selection and awesome “50% off” shelves.

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Batman

Okay, so yeah, he fights in Gotham City – not New York. But, c’mon, we all know that the only difference between the two cities is their name. Since the 1970s, Batman morphed from an “Aw, shucks” kind of good guy into the guy you think will actually kill a man. The modern Batman wants justice and peace, but is often questions what justice is worth without full retribution, not unlike a few cases from the New York justice system. It’s a cruel, cruel world in Gotham and – like it or hate it – somebody’s got to clean up the streets.

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Planet Forbidden

840 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

The downtown spot for all your comic needs. Forbidden Planet beats Midtown Comics in the graphic novel department with a selection of indie and alternative titles that can’t be beat anywhere else in the city.

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Matt Fried Must Reads

Spiderman: Blue
“A brilliant Valentine’s Day story arch about Peter Parker’s two loves: Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson. Set in the 1960s, the art is beautiful and the story is classic Spiderman: just as Peter comes to full grip with his great responsibility, he notices that Aunt May isn’t the only girl in his life that worries about him. Very funny and very sweet.”

Watchmen
“Read. This. If there is only one graphic novel you ever read, let it be this one. The film adaptation comes out in March and I don’t know what to expect. Do yourself a favor and read this first before you even think about buying tickets.”

The Dark Knight Returns
“This classic Batman graphic novel was the basis for the most recent film. Set twenty years in the future, Batman emerges from retirement to clean up the infested streets of Gotham. It’s got everything: action, thrills, and a very sweet fight with The Joker.”

Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1 “Unmanned”
“The first volume of the Y: The Last Man series, a comic that imagines a world where all the men have died from a mysterious illness – save for Yorick, a magician from Brooklyn – and leaves the planet in the hands of women. As the Western Civilization begins to tank, Yorick ventures across the world to reunite with his girlfriend in Australia. Only one word: ‘Awesome.’”

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The Punisher

Frank Castle, a certified nut job and one-man wrecking crew against the evils of New York. The Punisher knows no mercy against bad guys, since they knew none against his innocent family. Like The Taxi Driver, The Punisher often questions the role of vigilante in the lawless of New York. Some people would call him reckless, others the just dessert for bad guys.

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Cosmic Comics

10 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010

Cosmic Comics is one of the foremost places to look for expertise on indie titles and lesser known mainstream stuff. Plus, their staff picks are usually dead-on.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Before they were an international sensation, the Turtles were an underground comic book. Written as a parody on mainstream comics, TMNT also catered to a rawer, darker sensibility that quickly became popular with an adult audience. The comic is set in New York City and the Turtles also obsess over the New York cuisine of choice: pizza. Both Dominos and Pizza Hut have tons of sales from the late ’80s to mid ’90s, all thanks to a amphibian quartet.

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The Fantastic Four

Four freaks of nature decided to save the world and all they get in return are two sub-par franchise films. The FF aren’t the X-Men, but The Thing is always at Joe’s Pizza getting a slice and The Human Torch spends his weekends club-hopping in the Meatpacking District. Four scientists get shot into space and come back with super powers. Sure, they’re good guys, but that doesn’t mean they still don’t have every day problems like all the other New Yorkers.

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The Watchmen

Sssssooooooo good; so good that it’s possibly the greatest comic ever written. The Watchmen – for the uninformed – was the first adult comic of its kind. It combined elements of pulp, classic superhero stories, and Greek tragedy to imagine a world where retired superheroes (essentially costumed vigilantes) are being picked off, one-by-one. It’s dark, gothic tone evokes New York at its seediest and doesn’t kid around: not all of characters jump to the call; some are cynical, self-obsessed, or downright psychotic. The best of the best.

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Jim Hanley's Universe

4 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001

The unknown of the New York comic shops, probably because it’s right across the street from the Empire State Building. And don’t all the real New Yorkers hang out in that neighborhood? Still, worth the trip.

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Comic Shops and The Geekiverse

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Wes Autry

Call me corny, I don’t care. Wes Autry is the closest thing New York has had to a real life superhero in a long time. For those that don’t know the story, in 2007 Autry saved a young film student who had a seizure on a subway platform. When the student fell onto the tracks – with a 1 train en route – Autry acted quickly: he jumped onto the track, held the student down as he convulsed, and depressed his body as the train RAN OVER them, but missed them both by only inches. No its not gritty or exploitative but it’s a display of bravery and selflessness that the people of New York haven’t seen in a long time.

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St Marks Comics

11 Saint Marks Pl Apt 4, New York, NY 10003

One of the oldest shops in the city. St Marks Comics underground selection is impressive. You’re bound to find stuff long out-of-print or published exclusively below 14th Street. Just watch out for the punk panhandlers on the street.

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The Stack

Alex, Justin, and Pete are three comedians I know who also host the live talk show, The Comic Book Club. They recently began recreating the show online as The Stack, where they talk about… comic books. Before you say anything: yes, they do have female companions and yes, they will make you look like idiot if you know nothing of pop culture.

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You’re dreamgirl looks like Jean Grey and cooks for you like your mom.
Wearing a completely black outfit makes you feel invincible and helps you speak in the plural first person.
You’ve gone blind… from reading the work of John Romita.
You’ve founded a new religion: Brian Wood is God, Gareth Ennis is Satan, and you’re Job.
You spend more than fifteen minutes surfing internet message boards, posting rants about the failure of the Hulk and Punisher movie franchises.
You list Brian K. Vaughan as one of your favorite writers on your Match.com profile. (Hello ladies, wink)
Your parents still drive you to Comic-Con, every year without fail.

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About The Author

matt_fried

Brooklyn

I'm a writer and comedian living in Brooklyn. You may've seen me around town at The Peoples Improv Theater, Upright Citizens Brigade Theater and Under St. Marks. I write funny stuff and maintain the blog, Sssh, don't tell anybody, but every single female Guidetripper and Maven is crushing on m...