V for Vendetta is an interesting one as for a start it is set in London, England – whereas most of the other Superhero stories are set in America. We finally find a British hero. The mysterious masked figure calling himself “V” wears a cloak and a Guy Fawkes mask. To explain who Guy Fawkes was, please continue reading. Guy Fawkes lived around 1600 and in 1605 plotted to blow up the English parliament (as it was at that time). This was still located in the same place in London as it is today. The large long building with “Big Ben” to the side. It is known as “the Houses of Parliament” in Britain and houses the government of the United Kingdom. What Guy Fawkes attempted to do was use gunpowder in barrels to destroy the building and all the people in it at the time (it was a time of unrest between the Protestants and Catholics and arguments over who should be King/Queen). This all took place on November 5th and the British “celebrate” this every year in a tradition they call Bonfire night. They set fire to large bonfires of wood and set off fireworks, which is like a re-enactment of what Guy Fawkes would have witnessed had he been successful.

V effectively had the same idea but not in the same way. He rescues a young girl from a gang of policemen who are intent on abusing and killing her. He kills most of the gang of police and escapes onto a roof with the young girl. Once on the roof ,he detonates a bomb inside the empty and deserted Houses of Parliament (note: This story is set with there being no set government any more in the United Kingdom and different “gangs” of police control the people). V then goes after three people from his past, although this is unknown at the time until the connection is uncovered. The connection turns out to be that V was held in a prison camp in England and was tortured while there. The three people turn out to be the camp doctor, the governor and the prison chaplain and hence the “vendetta”.

As the story progresses, “V” is in turn killed by the head of the regular police force,and the young girl who was taken under his wing and become his pupil, takes on his mantel and the costume to become “V” herself. She then captures another person who will eventually take over from her.

Unlike most other superheroes, we never “know” who “V” actually is. His original identity is forever a secret, making it easy for someone else to become “V” later on.

If you fancy a change from the usual superheroes, our stock of “V” outfits is just the job, and as “V” is not a dual identity in the strictest sense of the word, male or female can be “V”

Superman came to live amongst normal people from the planet Krypton. He was transported from the planet as a baby in a “pod” when the planet was about to be destroyed. He landed on a farm in Kansas and was raised by the farmer and his wife as their own son. As he grew into a young boy he discovered his powers and as an adult resolved to only use them for the good of mankind.

As he was “adopted” by the farmer and his wife they named him Clark Kent. Clark goes to the city to find work (and well, he can be with more people and therefore help them sooner) and secures a position at a newspaper in Metropolis called The Daily Planet. As his cover he accepts the position of a reporter and never progresses higher through choice.

At the Daily Planet, Clark meets and falls in love with Lois Lane, she however, is not interested in Clark, she is only interested in Superman who she falls madly for. As she does not know that Clark IS Superman this causes a bit of confusion at times. No-one but his parents actually know that Clark and Superman are one and the same, although they are NEVER seen together, you’d think someone would work it out!

Superman’s powers are ranging, an oft repeated phrase associated with him is that he is “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound”. Of course he has superhuman strength (which is common amongst super heroes), he also has X-ray vision, which means he can see through most things (walls, doors, floors, ceilings etc.), the only known component he cannot see through is lead. He also possesses super hearing, which enables Superman to know when someone is in trouble as they tend to yell, scream or shout for help, which he can hear from miles and miles away. Super breath is another useful power, this enables him to blow freezing breath at things to freeze them as well as “moving” large bodies of water to extinguish fires.

Superman’s nemesis (all superheroes have one) is Lex Luthor, who tries various and always unsuccessful means of defeating Superman. Unfortunately for Superman, Lex discovers the one and only weakness he has. It is green Kryptonite, which is a radioactive mineral from when his home planet exploded. To this end, Lex always seems able to find a supply of this mineral (how?) and therefore tries to use it against Superman. When he is in contact with the Kryptonite Superman looses all his powers and is basically as weak as a normal person. Fortunately for Superman, there is usually someone on hand to help in the situation and they remove/move/hide whatever the mineral and Superman wins the day again.

Superman is one of the best known and longest running superheroes, and so as a result of that we have a wide stock of outfits for the person with a longing to BE superman.

Did you know that Bananaman is actually English? He lives at 29 Acacia Road and his real name is Eric. He is an ordinary schoolboy until he eats a banana – and wow, he converts into a superhero with superpowers. He leads a really fantastic double life with lots of exciting adventures to live through.
This character is actually a play-off or spoof of the American Captain Marvel and Superman combinedwhen Eric, who really is just a very ordinary and sadly weak boy transforms into Bananaman and saves the world from all evil tyrants. He is even more dumb that his schoolboy oounterpart but luckily for him the villians he has to fight off are even more stupid than he is. So happily he is usually able to ward them off and save the world. However, he can be thankful that he has a side-kick just like Batman, but this time it is in the shape of a black crow…..and his name? Well, Crow. Crow is very intelligent and is always there to give Bananaman a good helping of sensible advice when they run into trouble.

The comic strip was written and produced by Steve Bright and based perhaps also with a smattering of the British Marvelman too. A somewhat convincing trio. Bananaman’s suit is a very distinctive bright blue and yellow with a very unusual comic-looking yellow cape that actually is meant to resemble an open banana skin. After consuming his banana he is able to fly, take on the strength of twenty men and defend the world from its enemies.

At any time Bananaman needs extra power he just needs to eat a few bananas – but he has to be careful because if he eats too many of them provided by ever-present friend Crow he can become just huge or even just grow in one particular part of his body.

Apparently the story of where Bananaman comes from is that he rocketed to Earth from the moon when he was only a tiny baby. This is very similar to the story of Superman who was rocketed to Earth as a child when his planet of Kryton disintegrated. Superman gets weak when he sees kryptonite and likewise so does Bananaman when he sees mouldy bananas.
Margaret, who is Eric’s sister, sometimes is brought into the series as Bananagirl so she also sometimes help him fight for justice.

Bananaman is not nearly as famous as Superman or Batman although he is nevertheless popular with kids all over the world because he does remind them of their famous flying heroes.

If you the idea of being a bit of a silly buffant that people can laugh at and laugh with this costume is just perfect for the party you are going to. It is good to come as something different instead of the same old ones like Superman or Batman. Be brave and be slightly different so that people will notice you.