In case you haven’t noticed, comic books are kinnnndddd of having a moment (and giving us plenty of Halloween costume ideas to boot!). From the Suicide Squad to the X-Men crew, these beloved animated characters are making the leap from their respective glossy pages to the big and small screens (we’re looking at you, Jessica Jones!), and just about everywhere in between. Incidentally, September 25 just so happens to be National Comic Book Day, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to take a look back at some of the celebs that have answered the call of superhero duty this year. Acting as inspiration for us all, these stars are here to prove that anyone can be a superhero (especially when you consider the fact that most of them actually started off as villains: hello, Margot Robbie!) — maybe not the telepathic, super strong/fast/flying kind, sure, but with a few good intentions and a little (or a lot!) of makeup, it’s easy as pie. See for yourself below!
1. Margot Robbie, Suicide Squad: A former psychiatrist (and thus extremely manipulative) criminal tapped as a US government agent, it’s the formerly evil Harley-turned-hero. Fans were so taken with the crazy character that she’s rumored to be getting her own movie, directed by none other than Margot herself. (Photo via Warner Bros./Suicide Squad)
2. Jennifer Lawrence, X-MEN: Apocalypse: Jennifer Lawrence’s mutant X-Men character Mystique has been hailed as one of the most evil comic book characters of all time, and yet, in this new adaptation of the series, we see her changing her ways, joining the X-Men as a bonafide hero. Maybe it’s all that blue goop Jennifer reportedly wants to kick to the curb due to its chemical makeup? (Photo via 20th Century Fox)
3. Ben Affleck, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice: Though he is duped into fighting the wrong guy (AKA Superman) for much of the film thanks to the evil villain Lex Luthor, we still consider Batman a good guy at heart, merely doing what he believes to be right. Ben Affleck is the latest in a long line of celebs to take on the iconic role of the man in black, holding his own against favorites Michael Keaton and Christian Bale. (Photo via Warner Bros./Batman vs. Superman)
4. Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool: Ryan Reynolds not only took on the film’s lead character of regular guy Wade who becomes a wisecracking superhero after an experimentation gone wrong, but he was an integral part of having it made. Fans are certainly happy he did — as perhaps Betty White put it best, [he] “looks so f*cking handsome in his red suit!” (Photo via 20th Century Fox)
5. Scarlett Johansson, Captain America: Civil War: Another former bad-girl-turned-good, Scarlett’s Natasha Romanova, AKA Black Widow, was initially an enemy to the Avengers as a member of the USSR, but now fights alongside them, using her powers of intelligence and tactical weaponry for good. (Photo via Walt Disney Pictures/Captain America: Civil War)
6. Robert Downey Jr., Captain America: Civil War: Much like the Batman/Superman sitch, Robert Downey Jr.’s reprised Iron Man character is pitted against a fellow hero in the form of Chris Evans’ Captain America in his 2016 Civil War role. He’s still considered a hero, however, with the real villain, the evil Zemo, on the loose. (Photo via Walt Disney Pictures/Captain America: Civil War)
7: Chris Hemsworth, Thor: Ragnorak: Chris not only morphed into a superhero in 2016 — he reprised his role as a God. Set for release on November 3, 2017, the upcoming film see’s Chris’s heroic character reportedly fighting in a series of gladiatorial games as he simultaneously attempts to save the world — you know, everyday hero stuff. (Photo via Ethan Miller/Getty)
(Featured photo via Walt Disney Pictures)