There isn’t a single agreed-upon “first”—it depends on what you count as a superhero.

• First modern comic‑book superhero (and the one who launched the genre): Superman, Action Comics #1 (1938), by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
• First costumed, masked crime‑fighter in a superhero-style suit: The Phantom (newspaper strip, 1936), by Lee Falk.
• Earlier “proto‑superheroes” that shaped the idea: the Scarlet Pimpernel (1905), Zorro (1919), and the super‑strong comic‑strip character Hugo Hercules (1902).

If you mean a specific medium or definition, I can narrow it down.

The concept of a superhero has evolved over time, but the first character widely recognized as a superhero is Superman. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1, published on April 18, 1938, by National Allied Publications (which later became DC Comics). Superman's debut marked the beginning of the superhero genre as we know it today, introducing key elements such as superhuman abilities, a secret identity, and a mission to fight for justice.

Why Superman is Considered the First Superhero:

• Superhuman Powers: Superman possessed extraordinary abilities like super strength, flight, and invulnerability, setting the template for future superheroes.
• Dual Identity: His alter ego, Clark Kent, introduced the idea of a superhero living a normal life while secretly saving the world.
• Moral Code: Superman's dedication to protecting humanity and fighting evil established the ethical foundation of the superhero archetype.

Predecessors to Superman:

While Superman is credited as the first true superhero, there were earlier characters with heroic or superhuman traits that influenced the genre: - The Phantom: Debuting in 1936 in newspaper comic strips, created by Lee Falk, The Phantom was a costumed crime-fighter with no superpowers but a strong sense of justice. He is often considered one of the first costumed heroes. - Mandrake the Magician: Also created by Lee Falk in 1934, Mandrake used illusion and hypnosis to fight crime, predating Superman but lacking the physical superpowers associated with modern superheroes. - Mythological and Literary Heroes: Figures like Hercules, Gilgamesh, or even early 20th-century characters like Zorro (1919) and The Shadow (1930) share traits with superheroes, such as exceptional skills or a commitment to justice, but they lack the full combination of traits (costume, powers, dual identity) that define the modern superhero.

Superman's immense popularity in 1938 sparked the "Golden Age of Comic Books" and inspired the creation of countless other superheroes, such as Batman (1939) and Wonder Woman (1941). Thus, while there were heroic figures before him, Superman is universally recognized as the first superhero in the modern sense.

That's an excellent question with a surprisingly complex answer! It really depends on how you define "superhero."

Here’s a breakdown of the main contenders for the title.

The Simple, Most Common Answer: Superman

For most people and historians, the answer is Superman.

• Debut: Action Comics #1 (June 1938)
• Why he's considered the first: Superman was the first character to have all the key ingredients that we now associate with a modern superhero. He created the archetype.
  • Superhuman Powers: Flight (later), super strength, invulnerability, X-ray vision, etc.
  • Costume: The iconic blue suit, red cape, and "S" shield.
  • Secret Identity: The mild-mannered reporter, Clark Kent.
  • Mission: A clear goal to fight for "truth, justice, and the American way."

Before Superman, there were costumed adventurers and powerful figures, but he was the one who put it all together in one package and launched the "Golden Age of Comic Books."

The More Nuanced, Historical Answer: The Precursors

If you look at characters who had some of the elements of a superhero before 1938, there are several other important "firsts."

1. The First Costumed Hero: The Phantom

• Debut: Comic Strip (February 1936)
• Claim to Fame: Created by Lee Falk, The Phantom was the first hero to wear the skin-tight costume and mask that would become a staple of the superhero genre. He had no superpowers but was a skilled fighter with a mystical aura.

2. The First Heroes of the Pulp Magazines

Pulp magazines of the 1930s featured many characters who were direct inspirations for comic book heroes.

• The Shadow (1930): A mysterious vigilante with a secret identity (Lamont Cranston) who fought crime. He had quasi-supernatural abilities, including the "power to cloud men's minds," and was a master of disguise.
• Doc Savage (1933): Called "The Man of Bronze," he was raised from birth to be the perfect human specimen with near-superhuman strength, a genius intellect, and incredible skills. He is a primary inspiration for Superman.

3. The First Masked Avengers

If you go back even further, you find the literary characters who established the "dual identity" trope.

• Zorro (1919): The original masked avenger. The seemingly ineffective nobleman Don Diego de la Vega who secretly fights injustice as the swashbuckling Zorro. He was a direct inspiration for Batman.
• The Scarlet Pimpernel (1905): An English aristocrat who leads a double life rescuing people from the French Revolution. He perfected the "foppish alter ego" to hide his heroic identity.

Conclusion: Which is the "Right" Answer?

• Superman is the first true superhero, as he codified the genre and combined all the necessary elements.
• The Phantom is the first costumed hero in the way we recognize today.
• Zorro and The Scarlet Pimpernel are the first heroes with secret identities.

So, while others came before, Superman holds the most widely accepted title of the "first superhero."