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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#48: Superpower

The faces of superheroes have long emblazoned everything from our t-shirts to our lunch-boxes. For over a decade, the Marvel movies have dominated box offices, and for almost a century, superhero comics have remained prized possessions.

A Smithsonian article describes the broad appeal of superheroes: "At their best, superhero origin stories inspire us and provide models of coping with adversity, finding meaning in loss and trauma, discovering our strengths and using them for good purpose. (Wearing a cape or tights is optional.)"

This week's prompts are for anyone who's ever wondered, "If you could have one superpower, which one would it be?" And as always, our prompts are open to interpretation! Whether your entry includes familiar superhero tropes, or ends up being a piece of literary fiction about someone who just so happens to move faster than the speed of light is up to you.

This week's prompts

Write about someone who has a superpower.

Middle School – 333 stories

Write about someone who always comes to the aid of others.

Teens – 108 stories

Write the 'origin story' of a person who goes on to achieve great things.

Fiction – 128 stories

Write about a person who collects superhero comics.

Middle School – 89 stories

Write a story that features a protagonist with an archnemesis.

Character – 112 stories

Stories

“Anniversary Paper” by Ken Coomes

Submitted to Contest #48

Ron set his BCW magazine and document bin, sized for comics from the Golden Age, on the counter in Jeremy’s comic book store. But he didn’t let go of it; not just yet. Then he looked up as Jeremy finished a sale and headed his way.“What’cha got?” Jeremy asked with a smile. “Some more Archie and Jughead?” This was a standing joke between the two of them. Jeremy knew full well that Ron didn’t care for what they referred to as “funny books” instead of comics. He was a full-on dedicated collector of superhero comics. And while Jeremy was knowled...

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“Sidekicks and cupcakes ” by Neppi A

Submitted to Contest #48

You're six feet tall, with traces of a semi uncut beard and armpit hair enough to grow thousands of bacterial colonies, towering over a boy half your height, both of you had each others fingers curved over the two ends of the final comic copy left in the store from the latest release. You obviously got to the comic first, but the kid staring up at you just wouldn't let go of his grip.You would've called it a battle of the wits, but you were already at your wits end and the little guy was going to cry sooner or later. You kept thinking of a p...

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“I need a hero” by Lee Dohann

Submitted to Contest #48

Jessica is squeezed between two large females. This was the only seat available when she entered the carriage. Normally, she wouldn’t care much for a seat. However, this day is a day which requires the art of sitting. In less than an hour, she will be sitting down for her final examination. The two previous ones were done over a space of 12 months each. This one had to be rushed – a new job is on the horizon! Without this last one, a difference of close to half a million’s worth of earnings is on the line. She makes her way through the crowd...

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“A Hero to Me” by Teeba Aamir

Submitted to Contest #48

If you're as crazy about supernaturals and magic as I am, this is the place for you. My name is Adrian. I'm a pretty average high school boy, and totally not struggling with my math formulas like the rest. Seriously, how do you calculate the volume of a sphere? Back to the point, I love supernatural comics. And when I use the term 'love', I mean it. Come on, page 17 of Mindful Command? That pow was hilarious! How about we start from a few months ago? I was walking home from school, as per usual. Nothing of interest here. Have you clicked awa...

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“Prophecy ” by Skylar Schylar

Submitted to Contest #48

Overlooking the huge black bookshelves tightly packed to the seams with old comic books still in mint, Joey considers where to begin. During his contemplation with a vexed tap of his foot, he heavily sighs, almost a grunt, feeling inconvenienced. “It’s been 10 years, and I haven’t gotten rid of these witless comics Mom just had to save for me. When I said I wanted a legacy, I was not talking about this!” His mother was a comic book author and illustrator back in her youth. Before she passed, her dying wish was to gift her entire collection...

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“The Superhero Fan” by Rishab Gupta

Submitted to Contest #48

The sun let out an eye piercing heat wave as Ken Morrison, living in 6897 W, Orchosacharian Shea, sat in his car carrying a pile of books from the library. His curly and dark brown hair soaked up the sun’s attack and warmed him. His cotton shirt was turquoise. He had a matching color of Under Armor shoes and shorts. His photo-chromatic eyeglasses were shaded. The glasses were absorbing the heat completely. His face was beaded with sweat. He was sitting just beside the driver’s seat. In the driver’s seat, sat his mom. She was wearing her avia...

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“The Story of Ganis” by DERRICK CHU

Submitted to Contest #48

"Where am I?" asked Ganis. You were blown to shore by a HUGE wind," said the natives that lived on the island Portugais. "Oh, it must have been the doing of Ternagis!" 1 day earlier Ganis was trying to track down Ternagis, his archenemy. He has been staking out at his hideout, Fort Hesimass. He must have known that Ganis was here, for he is a powerful wizard that rivals even the powers of Ganis, the descendant of The Shrine God, Portaganis. He got his name from him. It is a tradition whenever the former Shrine God transfers his power, th...

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“Revived” by Brooklyn F

Submitted to Contest #48

“Is it true what they say? That humans need company or else they lose their minds?” “I wouldn’t know. Haven’t been alone long enough to find out.” How quick he is. No matter what I say, he always seems to have a retort. Under normal circumstances, that would piss me off. But here, now, with him trapped in the one-room he can’t escape? It’s tolerable. Maybe if I had invested in some duct tape I’d be doing just a little bit better, but beggars can’t be choosers. “Let’s try, hm? With the amount of hatred you hold for me, I ass...

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“Poison” by Miss Anon

Submitted to Contest #48

It was an icy winter day, the kind that makes you not want to leave the house. An eerie feeling began to consume my flesh starting from my toes, creeping up to my spine making the little goosebumps rise to my neck, to a tickle on my shoulder. At that moment I knew I wasn't alone. Trying to remain calm, picking up my dog and running to the door, that same feeling stopped Me in my tracks. Who was it, or what was it? I could smell the stench of hard liquor and cigarettes both of which I hadn't been doing in a year or so after I became sober, so...

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“Escarole Salad” by Meriam Abada

Submitted to Contest #48

Welcome. My name is Osiris, but you can call me Oz, and this is my story. I’ve always lived an ordinary life by myself. Once I was 18, I moved out of my parent’s place to get away from all the nagging and fuss that surrounds that kind of environment. I work from home doing coding for a tech start-up. I wouldn’t say I was a loner; I just haven’t really had the need or see a purpose in surrounding myself with other humans. Too much of a headache. I’ve never had high expectations for myself, you know, I just live a simple life of solitude. M...

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“Nemesis” by Nyx _

Submitted to Contest #48

25 June 2018 01:00 pm Becky or as the city of Stanmore knew her when she was covered in that designer pink superhero suit of hers- ‘Nyx’, she sat on top of the highest building in town, her legs dangling off the edge, while she sipped on a refreshing lemonade. It was rather quiet for a city that was very often attacked by a supervillain, another rather sneaky and unknown female who only ever attacked from the shadows, who never possessed a rather large threat to anyone in the city, someone who supposedly wasn’t courageous enough ...

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“The Loiness' Hunt” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #48

It was a perfect day? Well, it had been until that horrible thing had happened! For once, Calamityville had been perfectly calm. No robberies, explosions or maniacal geniuses to stop. Lioness had actually been able to be her lovable alter ego, Pennilope "Penny" Patterson. The happy, unassuming Computer Forensics major, Penny loved to study and hang out with her friends. On that day, all she had to focus on was studying for her Criminology final. Then, her arch-nemesis, Hyena, had stalked back onto the scene. Lioness absolutely hated Hyen...

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“The Hidden Door” by Sashaa Pillai

Submitted to Contest #48

Grabbing my suitcase hauled it into our new house. I inhaled the smell of old paint and dust. I opened my mouth to complain but guilt held me back. My mom had sacrificed a lot to buy this house and I truly can’t complain whilst maintaining a good conscience. I leave my bags next to the stairs and walk back to the tar to help my five-year-old brother with his bags and his toy bin. We walk into the house to see our mom already unpacking the kitchen utensils and setting the living room up. Leave it to my mom to be organized. I am a bit enervate...

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“Violet & Mr. Anx” by Kat Gruszka

Submitted to Contest #48

“Ready?” Mom asked as she shut off the car. I nodded in return, unbuckled my seatbelt, and opened my door. Grocery shopping may not seem like a great adventure, but I always enjoyed seeing the organized rows of products and creative end caps meticulously put together. I was sure this would be a quick trip to sustain us for the couple of days that separated us from a weekend, when the real shopping extravaganza occurred. At the start of this adventure, mom and I had exchanged a short conversation about each of our days. Neither of us ha...

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“A dragon kind of love” by Leanne Drain

Submitted to Contest #48

It was me against them , two headed dragon breathing fire out of there snouts I go in for the kill , my battle is arched with fear as I tackle the demons of my past. They want me to feel bad , as I come into the castle armour in hand ready to tackle them Harsh heads to the ground . The way they move in sequence , with themselves one is a girl dragon the other her lover Dragon , it’s me against them and I’m a dragon too the only difference is that womaniser dragon stole my heart and he left me no choice but to grab the sword a...

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$50

Prize money

770

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 03, 2020 EST

Won by Jeff C. Carter 🏆

Title: Primum Nil Nocere

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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