Superhero comics follow the adventures and lives of various characters throughout universes, such as Marvel, DC, and Valiant. These heroes often have a day job, something that allows them to live something of a normal life, while making an income to support their good deeds. While some of these occupations were held long before a character became a superhero, others were adopted as a means of supporting their new crime-fighting lifestyle.
A good day job doesn’t just help a superhero make an income. It can also give them a solid alibi. Many heroes worry about being identified while on the job, but actively pursuing a specific profession allows them to establish credibility. While there are countless jobs available, some day jobs seem better suited for heroic individuals.
10 Being A Lawyer Can Be Useful For Heroes
Heroes such as Matt Murdock (Daredevil) and Jennifer Walters (She-Hulk) live their lives as accomplished lawyers. However, these heroes can sometimes find themselves on opposite sides, with some opting for defense work while others lead the prosecution.
Having lawyers for superheroes means that if other heroes find themselves in legal problems, they have natural allies in the courtroom. However, depending on the side of the law, it can also put a target on the heroes’ backs if they cross a super villain.
9 Archeology Gives Heroes A Link To Mythology
Heroes like Kent Nelson, aka Doctor Fate, and Carter Hall, aka Hawkman, love their professions as archeologists. In fact, this profession of exploring the past often aids them in their super heroics or serves as the catalyst for their adventures.
In the case of Hawkman and Hawkwoman, their ties to history help them understand their past lives and reincarnation powers. For heroes like Doctor Fate, it was through archeology that they first discovered the artifacts that made them a superhero.
8 Most Kid Heroes Are Students
While technically not a job, it would be tough to discuss superhero professions without mentioning the dozens of heroes who are students. Ranging from the high schoolers to college kids, most heroes on the younger side of Marvel and DC are still pursuing their education.
Younger heroes often aren’t in positions to make an income, leading them to depend on older heroes to finance their crime fighting lifestyle. This makes things even more exciting when they complete school and start making a life of their own.
7 Many Heroes Are Teachers And Mentors
From Charles Xavier’s school for mutants to Firestorm’s high school coach partner, schools are a good place to find heroes. One of the best is Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning, a superhero who acts as a mentor to his students and to younger heroes.
Being a teacher by day helps heroes develop better empathy, especially when it comes to the younger heroes and sidekicks. It also gives them the patience to lead teams, as evidenced by the fact many great superhero team leaders are either teachers, parents, or both.
6 Private Detectives Have A Finely Tuned Mind
One of the proudest and oldest traditions of comics is a good private eye hero. Dating back to the 1930s, private investigators like Mr A have proved very helpful in the worlds of Marvel and DC. Armed with their wits, they pursue criminals too elusive for the police and heroes.
Some of the most popular private detective characters include The Spirit, Rorschach, Mr A, and Detective Chimp. However, for these private investigators, their day job often overlaps with their superhero identity, making them one and the same.
5 Law Enforcement Strengthens A Sense Of Justice
Throughout the years, the big two have introduced many heroes who started their crime-fighting careers as police officers. From Renee Montoya’s evolution to Question to Spectre occupying detective Jim Corrigan’s body, police officers make for good heroes.
The police officers — often times detectives — can use their work on the clock to help inform their missions in costume. Sometimes, the police aren’t enough to bring a criminal to justice, and prompting these heroes to work beyond the law and do what they know is right.
4 Some Of The Best Heroes Have A Military Background
Not only did many heroes begin their careers as soldiers, some are actually still enlisted. The most prominent of these is Captain America. Steve Rogers tried his hardest to become a soldier in the WWII, eventually becoming the mascot-turned-superhero for the army.
The popular indie superhero, Spawn, spent his previous life as the special forces operative, Al Simmons. Military training and discipline can prove key in a superhero’s life. Military backgrounds have also been used to advance patriotism in comics and to strengthen a hero’s sense of honor.
3 Many Heroes Have To Balance CEO Responsibilities
From Bruce Wayne to Tony Stark, many heroes depend on the wealth that comes from owning a business. This gives heroes the resources to bankroll superhero teams, as well as build their own technologies that help regular humans ascend to superhero status.
Being a member of the business world doesn’t just come in handy for being a hero. The extensive finances also allow these heroes to be philanthropic in their regular lives, where they earn a reputation for being good people. It also helps them establish alibis for not being vigilantes.
2 Being A Scientist Comes In Handy When Battling Evil
Ranging from Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four to Rex Tyler, a lot of superheroes, as well as villains, have advanced education in science. Many heroes put their intelligence and research to good use, either in becoming a superhero or trying to find a cure for their altered state.
Even Marvel and DC’s swamp monsters — Swamp Thing and Man-Thing — both started out as scientists, becoming victims of their own research. Being a superhero scientist can have its downsides, but without their brilliant minds, superheroes would be much less capable of battling villainy.
1 Journalism Keeps A Great Hero Honest
Arguably the go-to job of the most inspirational heroes in comics, journalism perfectly matches with the mantras of truth, justice, and responsibility. Characters like Clark Kent and Peter Parker both work in journalism, albeit in different capacities.
Apart from battling supervillains, heroes with jobs in journalism also serve justice by gathering evidence and using their investigative skills. For Peter Parker, his skills allow him to make money getting pictures of Spider-Man, while Clark Kent uses his to help expose corruption in the world.
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