A few months ago, I wrote an article about a few TV show characters who were almost superheroes, but not quite. These were characters who had special abilities and saved people, and maybe even had secret identities, but just missed the mark on being a full-fledged superhero.
Of course, with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. coming up later this month, we’ll have to redefine everything we once knew about what makes a superhero show a superhero show. Or will S.H.I.E.L.D. even count as a superhero show? There will be superheroes in it, but the main characters aren’t superheroes and oh no I’ve gone cross-eyed.
For now, the one other important thing that these shows have in common is they are all available on Netflix (in America, at least), so you can get your almost-superhero fill for the next few weeks until the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premiere.
With all that in mind, here are a few more characters who are just a cape away from being superheroes…
5. Sam & Dean Winchester, Supernatural
Sam and Dean are certainly supernatural heroes, but superheroes? Yeah, kinda.
The boys have both had superpowers at one point or another, and their knowledge and fighting skills certainly counts as a special ability. No case is too big or small for the Winchesters, as long as there are ghosts or monsters or whiskey involved. And as for secret identities, they change those every week.
No capes, sure, but the Impala is basically the Batmobile, if Batman blasted Kansas from his stereo.
4. Bo, Lost Girl
Now, here we have a character that’s got the whole package. Superpowers, sex-appeal, kick-ass moves, a kick-ass ass, tight clothes, boobs… what was I saying?
Bo’s got superpowers and certainly doesn’t shy away from some freelance heroing. In addition to her seduction powers and the whole chi superstrength deal, Bo’s ability to move among both the Light and Dark Fae makes her unique even among the other superpowered peeps in her world.
Basically, Bo’s one skintight outfight away from being a full-on superheroine. We can only imagine what that would look like…
3. Angel, Angel
After Buffy’s inclusion on the last list, you all had to know this was coming. Angel’s whole journey is centered around his desire to be a hero, to do heroic things, and generally act heroically. But is he a superhero?
Angel’s got the powers, and a smidge of identity issues (cough ANGELUS cough), and his long coat is pretty cape-like. His motto is “We help the helpless”, and that is basically what he does. Even when he gets the gig running Wolfram & Hart, Angel is all about being a good little hero.
So I guess what I’m saying here is that Angel is a hero. And he has superpowers. But mostly the hero thing.
2. Sydney Bristow, Alias
Perhaps the most badass of the three women on this list, Sydney may not be a superhero, but she’s definitely a superspy.
Syd’s got all the skills a superspy should have: trained in several martial arts, excellent marksman, speaks multiple languages, and has the all-important ability to play an undercover role to perfection. If the title of the show didn’t give it away, then let me tell you now: Syd’s got some identity problems. Hiding her spy life from her friends in the early seasons is only the tip of the iceberg, but is also the most superhero-y part of the show.
That and her single-handedly taking down international crime organizations. That helps.
1. Kiera Cameron, Continuum
This one jumped out at me about halfway through the pilot. Kiera is nothing if not a crime fighter; it’s as much a part of who she is as anything else. Like the fact that she’s from the future or has this cool suit that would give Tony Stark a run for his money.
Using her futuristic technology and knowledge, Kiera becomes quite the little superhero. Honestly, aside from her working as a cop, it’s hard to find a way that she isn’t a superhero: she’s got the tech, the suit, the secret identity. Oh, right, she doesn’t have a mask. Okay, well, I guess nobody’s perfect.
Do you think any these characters, or similar ones, should be classified as superheroes? Is the costume really that important? Or is it enough to know that they will be there to protect us when we need it? Sound off below or send your thoughts to us on Twitter!