National Superhero Day is on Wednesday, April 28, 2027, and it falls on April 28 every year. It celebrates heroes of comics, film and TV, along with the real-life helpers who inspire them. Fans dress up, binge movies and thank the people who keep their communities safe.
When Is National Superhero Day?
It’s always April 28. It’s an unofficial day, popular with comic shops, schools and fan communities.
Who Started National Superhero Day?
The day is widely credited to a group of Marvel employees in 1995. Wright State University’s student newspaper, among others, has reported this origin, but no announcement from Marvel itself has been found.
From the start, the idea was to honor real heroes, such as medical workers, firefighters, police officers and military members, as well as fictional ones.
Background: how the superhero genre began
The superhero genre is generally traced to Action Comics No. 1 in 1938. It introduced Superman, created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. The Smithsonian has since acquired that comic, along with Captain America Comics No. 1, by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.
Once dismissed as lowbrow, superheroes are now seen as a distinctly American contribution to world culture, the Smithsonian notes.
Who owns the word “superhero”?
For decades, Marvel and DC jointly held a U.S. trademark on “super hero,” filed in 1967. In 2024, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled it after a British comic creator argued the term was generic. Marvel and DC didn’t respond to the petition.
Why Celebrate Superheroes?
Superhero stories are about courage, responsibility and helping others. The day uses that fun to point at people who do heroic work for real.
How to Celebrate National Superhero Day
- Dress up: wear a costume, a cape or your favorite hero’s colors to school or work.
- Thank a real hero: drop off a card or snacks at a fire station, hospital or police station.
- Visit a comic shop: pick up a first issue of a new series or a graphic novel for a young reader.
- Create your own hero: invent a character, power and origin story, then draw a comic strip.
- Host a movie marathon: watch films in release order, or pick one hero’s whole series.
- Donate to a hero cause: support a children’s hospital or a first-responder charity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first superhero?
Superman, introduced in Action Comics No. 1 in 1938, is widely seen as the start of the superhero genre. Earlier masked and pulp heroes paved the way.
Can anyone use the word “superhero” now?
The joint “super hero” trademark was canceled in 2024. Individual character names and logos are still protected, so check before using them commercially.
How can kids celebrate Superhero Day at school?
Many schools hold a costume day, invite community helpers to speak or have students design their own hero.