Superheroes have become a much more popular brand over the years with the rise of new technology and ever-developing stories that keep readers invested. Whether you’ve been a longtime fan of these characters for years or have become interested thanks to the popularity of the MCU or Arrowverse, both Marvel and DC have become the titans of the comic book industry.
One area that has become affected by this surge in popularity is literature as a whole. While comic books are what started it all, YA novels are incredibly popular now, so here are the 10 best superhero novels.
10 Runaways: An Original Novel by Christopher Golden
One of the first novels that deserves to be on this list has to be Runaways: An Original Novel by Christopher Golden. Set in the Runaways corner of the Marvel Universe, the story itself takes place after the Runaways have been forced to take out their evil parents, who were the villains running L.A.
On the run, the teen heroes discover more about their parents' backstories, and that evil isn’t just infecting the city, but everything. It’s an original tale that has also helped keep interest in the hit Hulu series based on the Runaways more popular than ever.
9 Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
Not only is Wonder Woman one of the original members of DC Comics Trinity, but has gained more popularity in recent years thanks to the incredible performance of Gal Gadot as the Amazon warrior and demigod in the DCEU. The novel Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo has only served to keep that popularity alive and well.
The story takes readers to a time before Diana of Themyscira became Wonder Woman. Dreaming of becoming an Amazon warrior, she risks her future and exile by saving a mortal woman, but there is more to this woman than she could possibly know.
8 Black Panther: The Young Prince by Ronald L. Smith
One of the most popular characters in the Marvel universe in recent years has to be T’Challa, King of Wakanda and the Black Panther. Played by the incredible Chadwick Boseman, T’Challa has established himself as one of the leaders of the MCU going forward. However before he was a King or the Black Panther, he was a Prince.
In author Ronald L. Smith’s novel Black Panther: The Young Prince, T’Challa is sent to America to attend school in the heart of Chicago. Along with his friend M’Baku, they must navigate life and a string of mysterious happenings at the school.
7 The Flash: Hocus Pocus by Barry Lyga
A great way to create fresh new YA books centered around popular superheroes is to make them tie-ins with already existing media. A great example of this is The Flash: Hocus Pocus by author Barry Lyga. The novel is set within the Arrowverse show The Flash, with Barry Allen at the center of the plot.
Set in a reality where Flashpoint didn’t happen, a metahuman with the ability to control people’s minds takes center stage, and when The Flash has his mind taken over, his team must find a way to stop their friend and the meta behind it.
6 Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds
One of the most popular Marvel heroes in recent years has to be the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales. Originally replacing the Peter Parker of the Ultimate Universe, Miles joined the main 616 Universe after the events of Secret Wars. That’s why he was the perfect character for author Jason Reynolds to tackle in the YA novel “Miles Morales: Spider-Man”.
Juggling his scholarship to a prestigious school, life with his best friend Ganke, a crush and his life as Spider-Man, Miles navigates a growing mystery at his school and a malfunctioning Spider-Sense that makes life more difficult.
5 Supergirl: Age of Atlantis by Jo Whittemore
Delving back into the Arrowverse, this next YA novel is a fan favorite and introduces one of DC Comics most powerful kingdoms into the Arrowverse. Supergirl: Age of Atlantis by Jo Whittemore takes place in the world of Kara Danvers, Supergirl and hero of National City (and the entire Earth really).
The story finds Supergirl patrolling the skies and working with the Department of Extranormal Operations (otherwise known as the DEO), when suddenly they discover a humanoid aquatic creature, who seems to be tied to a rise in superpower granted citizens of National City, leaving Kara to investigate the mystery.
4 Iron Man: The Gauntlet by Eoin Colfer
Probably the most popular character of all of the Avengers in Marvel Comics has to be Iron Man. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Tony Stark has become the most talked-about hero in Marvel and MCU history. One of the defining characteristics of Tony as a character is his history as an arms dealer and the struggle he has after leaving that life behind.
In author Eoin Colfer’s novel Iron Man: The Gauntlet, the Armored Avenger struggles with this concept as he hosts an ecosummit in Ireland, but assassins infiltrate the summit to take out the ecoministers staying there.
3 Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas
One of the most popular authors to tackle a YA book about DC Heroes has to be Sarah J. Maas. The author of the popular Throne of Glass YA franchise, the author took on one of DC Comics most popular anti-heroes, Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman.
In Catwoman: Soulstealer, the popular thief and sometimes hero returns to Gotham after escaping the slums two years earlier. Making friends with Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, the trio begins plundering Gotham while Batman is away. However Batwing, aka Luke Fox, is seeking to prove his worth as a hero, putting them at odds.
2 Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl
Another massively popular character after the events of Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame has to be Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow. After her heroics in the MCU’s final film of the Infinity Saga, the hero’s notoriety only grew more. However it wasn’t the first time the character became a fan favorite amongst Marvel fans.
Author Margaret Stohl brought Natasha to life in the YA original story Black Widow: Forever Red. The story followed Natasha as she explored her backstory, her journey back to the Red Room, and a mysterious young man who shares a connection with her and her truly mystifying past.
1 Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
One of the best YA novels written about a superhero has to be Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu. Everyone knows the story of Bruce Wayne and his transition into becoming Batman. From the tragic loss of his parents to the training he endured and the promise he made to become the thing criminals fear the most in Gotham, Batman’s story is one of superheroes most prominent stories.
In this novel, the author tells the tale of Bruce Wayne as a young man, inheriting his parent’s fortune and company, but discovering a mysterious woman who may very well be his enemy.