Flight
There are those that can fly organically, and there are those that need a little engineered help. Either way, being able to lift off at a moment’s notice is invaluable when you have to mount an important rescue mission in double quick time.
The ultimate flying superhero is obviously Superman. Like a solar-powered Rocketeer, Kal-El can take to the skies faster than a speeding bullet. This comes in handy when he’s trying to drag General Zod away from populated areas and up into space, or when he’s trying to spin the globe backwards to turn back time.
Since Superman took off, we have seen the rise of the flying suit (Steel, Iron Man, War Machine and Falcon) and watched superheroes achieve aerial domination with purpose-built vehicles (Batman, Nite Owl II, The Incredibles, Rocket The Raccoon, Star Lord, and of course, the Avengers). Then there are those oddities, like Thor, who can essentially fly courtesy of his magic hammer (Mjolnir), and Hulk, who can jump so high that he may as well be flying.
There is arguably more to the flight of the superhero than just a logistical battle advantage. The power of flight is symbolic of liberation from the binding ties of earth’s gravitational forces – the rules by which others must abide. Having these crusaders – caped and otherwise – independently aerially enabled sets them apart from everyone else. These characters don’t fly commercial, and you won’t find them at luggage claim. They chart their own routes, which, in narrative terms, is something to aspire to.
