Because I don’t know if this question refers to your typical superhero (crime-fighting, larger-than-life fictional figures like Batman, Superman, etc.) or just a person, whether fleshy or fictional, that I happen to admire, I’ll answer in the most honest fashion possible.
If I had to pick an iconic Superhero (with a capital “S”) that inspires me, I’d have to say Wonder Woman. Why is that? One simple reason: she’s the only female Superhero that a novice to the complex world of Marvel and DC characters could think of off the top of her head. And I can’t help thinking that there’s something very wrong about that.
Wonder Woman is great. Her lasso of truth and super strength are fascinating facets for a bold, daring female hero. She was created by a man, designed to encourage women and, finally, after an unpleasant period of Diana Prince being relegated to the back of the Superhero shelf, she’s back in the spotlight with a new DC film that wowed varying audiences. She’s been inspiring girls for decades, telling them that, yes, they can become independent, confident women.
But.
The mark of sexism is still evident on Wonder Woman, and, it would seem to me, on the comic universe. The fact that the only female superhero that occurred to me - someone, granted, with only a hazy understanding of the players in this world and familiar with names alone - is still wearing what is essentially a metallic bathing suit (when battling the forces of evil?!) - well, it’s just sad. And let’s not forget her almost unrealistic beauty and the fact that, when she was shoved to the bottom of the comic hierarchy, it was due to her gender. The justice-seeking Wonder Woman simply became Diana Prince, plots of her formerly epic adventures now revolving around her love life. I’m not saying all comic-lovers and comic-creators are sexist, that they haven't created diverse, unique, powerful female characters - only these said characters need to be known. To gain fame, just like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and so many more - so that the next time a teen - girl or boy - thinks of the stars of Superhero-dom, more than one valiant female face comes to mind.
And to anyone who helps this happen - who fights against the virus of sexism still creeping through the veins of our society; who speaks and supports, who fights and writes for social change - you are my Superheroes.
No matter the size of the “s.”