SALT LAKE CITY — For National Superhero Day here is the list of the most underrated and overrated superheroes.

Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes. They have their own super power and origin from money to alien DNA, mutant power to regenerate to a devil’s curse.

However, not all superheroes are created equal.

We’ll start with the underrated heroes.

Honorable mentions: Captain America can’t get enough superlatives, but he is the best of us and should always be mentioned. Black Panther was close, but he is getting his own movie, and people do like him. Kitty Pride made it almost from the merits of “Uncanny X-Men.” She made Joss Whedon’s story special. Also, Swamp Thing was next up, but it’s hard to gauge his popularity.

5. Aquaman

Aquaman is awesome. He has super strength, speaks with sea animals and he's a member of the Justice League for goodness sake, but he’s the butt of every joke in the DC universe. When people name the Justice League members they start with Superman and Batman, and finish with Aquaman. Nothing against the rest of those members, but imagining Aquaman as this weakling is just a crime.

The first six issues of recent reboot were the best first arc of DC’s New 52. He’s the King of Atlantis. Namor the Atlantis in the Marvel universe is loved for being a Golden Age comic hero. Meanwhile, Aquaman is reviled for being the same guy.

4. Invincible

Why is Invincible on this list? Because you haven’t heard of him. OK, hopefully some of you have, but looking at how small his comic numbers are most don’t know him.

Invincible is an Image Comic book with the tagline “The best superhero comic in the universe,” which is true. This won’t turn into a discussion about his book, but about him. He has super strength and flight from his father, who is an alien super-race. However, his human mother has given him that humanity needed to make tough decisions. He isn’t funny, he is a father and he struggles with his marriage. He is a hero with all the power in the world while being all too relatable.

3. Daredevil

Matt Murdock was in an accident as a child where toxic waste spilled on him. The waste took his sight but gave his other sense super ability. He learned how to read braille and became a lawyer with his friend Foggy Nelson.

Daredevil would probably be No. 1 on this list if it weren’t for the fact that he is the en vogue character, thanks to the spectacular Netflix series. Public perception has quickly turned back in his favor after the unsuccessful movie. A second season is confirmed, and if they can keep up the pacing and cinematography from the first season it could be something special.

It’s not the show that made him the hero that he is. He’s a street-level hero looking to clean up Hell’s Kitchen. He is an American dream story. After his father was killed, he had to fend for himself and became a lawyer who used his alter ego to get justice. Mark Waid’s comic run, which is ending soon, is a gem for comic fans.

2. Cyclops

As a pure superhero Cyclops shouldn’t be here, but you read this and thought, “ugh, Cyclops? He sucks.” His treatment in the first three big screen X-Men adaptations turned him into a whiny child.

In the comics, he is a radical leader who will do anything for his mutant family. In “A vs. X” he turned the corner from hero to villain because he stood up against humanity in its extermination of mutants. After Scarlet Witch announced, “No more mutants” the population dwindled to around 300. Cyclops was ready to raise an army and fight to stay alive.

He is now more often seen as the foil to the Wolverine, but that’s what makes him great. He has ideals, and he sticks to them no matter what. Respect the first X-Man, Cyclops was right.

#poll1

1. Iron Fist

Not a household name yet, but next year when Netflix releases his series, Iron Fist will have his day in the sun. He should have more publicity, but his origin isn’t spellbinding to casual readers. The Iron Fist title is passed down through citizens of K’un-L’un in a kung fu competition that gives the winner the right to fight Shou-Lao the Undying, an immortal dragon.

First off, if a dragon fight gets into the Netflix series it could be amazing. Second, as another street-level crime fighter based in New York he doesn’t have to have crazy adventures to keep involved. However, and last, his abilities and back story lend to some interdimensional adventures based in a kung fu world. He’s not a fast-talking jokester that so many in the Marvel universe are. He’s straightforward, calm and smart.

Read his run by Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction called, “Immortal Iron Fist” for further confirmation of his greatness.

What 'Daredevil' Might Be Up To In Season 2... http://t.co/ugO6rpXaJL — Christopher Marc ΩU (@_ChristopherM) April 22, 2015

Now for the most overrated superheroes, which is a lot harder, because people have to like them to be overrated. It’s not about how cool they are, or how great their powers are. 5\. Wolverine ============

Yes, he is overrated. It’s hard to describe overrated because they don’t have to be dumb, they just have to be too big for their britches. Wolverine just got too big. Everyone loves him, and that is a problem. No one thinks he’s a tad too good at everything, despite being a tad too good at everything.

He went from lovable loner to headmaster at the mutant academy and a leader in the Avengers despite having his core persona stagnant. He’s awesome, but when 10 percent of the costumes at Comic-Con’s involve Wolverine with a leather jacket and a cigar, it’s gone too far.

4. Deadpool

I love Deadpool, but at this point his popularity has outweighed his production. Good for Marvel and his comic run where he fought zombie presidents was awesome, but he’s just overrated. If 10 percent dress up at Comic-Con as Wolverine then 20 percent are Deadpool. He’s funny, he has cool powers and there is a lot to like, just not nearly enough.

3. Mr. Fantastic

#poll

The Fantastic Four is Stan Lee’s baby and has had a long successful run. However, Mr. Fantastic, the leader of the four, just isn’t as cool as he should be. He’s part of the Marvel Illuminati — the smartest of the smart — and he has stretch powers, which is awesome, but his story isn’t as good as his team. He gets the hot Sue Storm; he doesn’t light on fire; and he’s not made of rocks. He got everything, so his story just isn’t as good.

2. Batman

I really didn’t want to put him in here, but can we just stop the “Batman ‘nuff said” memes. I love the Dark Knight because his story is about control and perseverance, but people think he can just walk outside and beat anyone. There are lots of times that he would fail if his villains weren’t slightly bumbling. He still might be a top-3 superhero of all time, but he has become deified when he is still a man.

1. Superman

We love superheroes because they are a reflection of society. We see something in them that brings out the best. They overcome, they adapt, they change and we relate to them. Superman hasn’t done any of that, and we feel like he has this great story.

Sure his planet is gone, but he never knew it. His adoptive parents were amazing. His loved ones are still around. He has a fine job. He also essentially can’t die. He has every power and recently just got another one. He fights for truth, justice and the American way, but America is a group of scrappy underdogs. We relate to the little guy, the 12-seed going deep in March Madness. Superman is the Yankees and we try to make him some sob story. He’s super-powered and super overrated.

Related topics