If, like so many of us, you belong to the group of men who spent their teenage years reading Watchmen and dreaming of spandex-clad sidekicks (She-Hulk, anyone?), you'll no doubt be very much on board with the recent tidal wave of enthusiasm for all things super and heroic.
And with Mark Millar's Kick-Ass 2 already now out in cinemas, it seems audiences still haven't lost their appetite for caped crusaders. As geek to hero transformations go, Kick-Ass's Dave Lizewski is up there with the best, but here are some other favourites, courtesy of Style Pilot.
1. Peter Parker
Science geek Peter is the epitome of the unremarkable high school student made remarkable. When bitten by a radioactive spider, he transforms into Spider-Man, a baddy-bashing vigilante and Lycra-clad stud. Although we would never endorse the 'Spidey suit' as appropriate date wear, you have to admire Parker's ability to pull off a multi-coloured onesie.
2. Clark Kent
The meteoric rise of geek chic means that we would generally advocate dressing like bespectacled Daily Planet journalist Clark Kent rather than his traditionally more impressive alter-ego Superman. A sleek suit and hipster specs do, after all, tend to go down better in public than underpants worn over tights. But then this is fantasy land, so what the hell.
3. Neville Longbottom
The butt of many jokes in the first six instalments of the Harry Potter franchise, clumsy Neville finally managed to save the world in the end. The cosy knit cardigan he wore into battle is now internet legend, with Facebook page 'Fighting Voldemort in a cardigan because you're Neville F****** Longbottom' currently in receipt of 248,000 likes.
4. Scott Pilgrim
Michael Cera's endearingly awkward turn as Scott Pilgrim in Edgar Wright's 2010 graphic novel adaptation surely merits a place in the geek-to-hero hall of fame. The titular Scott single-handedly takes on Seven Evil Exes in a bid to win Ramona Flowers' heart, transforming from lovesick loser to certified badass in the process - and all while wearing basic graphic t-shirts, straight leg jeans and a solid pair of Adidas Originals.
5. McLovin'
Fogell, played masterfully by Christopher Mintz-Plasse, starts off as the ultimate high school nerd in the Seth Rogen-penned Superbad, but after adopting the ingenious pseudonym 'McLovin' on a fake ID, transitions into a drinking, smoking, gun-toting party animal. Legend.
(Image: All Star)
Latest
Related Reviews and Shortlists
