Superheroes have a rough job and sometimes, they need somewhere to unwind. Whether it be a single hero or a team of them, superhero headquarters have provided their denizens with not only some great places to live but also everything they needed to fight evil. The heroes of both the DC and Marvel Universes use some pretty iconic headquarters, places where they can make their plans, do research, and lick their wounds.
However, not every headquarters is created equally, as some are greater than others. They've become iconic locations, known to fans worldwide. These locations have leaped beyond the comics, sometimes becoming massive parts of the heroes' mythos.
10 The X-Mansion Was Great But It Was Also A Massive Target
Before it was the first home of Marvel's Merry Mutants, the X-Mansion served as the residence of the Xavier family. However, Professor Charles Xavier decided that it would be best used as a school for mutants like him. The X-Mansion would become one of the most important locales in the Marvel Universe, serving as the spiritual home to mutantkind.
The mansion acted as a safe haven for mutants, a place where they could use the Danger Room to practice their skills and learn how to control their powers. However, the X-Mansion was as much as a target as anything else, getting destroyed many, many times over the years.
9 The Legion of Superheroes Headquarters Was One Of The Most Advanced Ever
The Legion of Superheroes is one of the largest and most powerful teams in comics. Based in the 31st century, the team is one of the first and last lines of defense for the United Planets and they needed a headquarters that was both secure and would allow them the resources to figure out how to defeat their foes.
Their headquarters was a massive tower and it was chock full of the kind of amazing technology that could only come from both the far future and the mind of Coluan super genius, Brainiac 5. It stood up to all manner of attack and was a beacon of hope to all who saw it.
8 Titans Tower Is A Striking Visual
The Teen Titans started way back in the day but wouldn't get a proper headquarters until the second incarnation of the team. The first Titans Tower was constructed on an island in the East River, its iconic T-shape an amazing visual that was perfect for the young team. The design was so beloved by the team that they stayed with it, building another when the first was destroyed and a third when the team moved to San Francisco.
Titans Tower is one of the most visually distinct superhero headquarters of them all, recognizable not only to comic fans but entire generations who grew up on Teen Titan cartoons.
7 The Baxter Building Was The Home To The First Family Of The Marvel Universe
The Fantastic Four were the First Family of the Marvel Universe and their first home was the Baxter Building. Bought by Reed Richards, this 35-story building in Manhattan served as the team's headquarters, a place where they could unwind after their adventures. It also served as the center of Reed's experiments and the associated businesses, even if Doctor Doom liked to try and launch it into space occasionally.
Unlike a lot of superhero headquarters, the Baxter Building made money for the team, as Richards was smart enough to rent out space in the building to others. While they no longer use it, it's still one of the most iconic buildings in Marvel's NYC.
6 Avengers Mansion Was The Team's First Home
Avengers Mansion was once the home of the Stark family but Tony Stark opened it up to the Avengers once he helped found the team. Living in the Mansion was one of the biggest perks of joining Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the Stark's family butler, Jarvis, was known as one of the best cooks in comics. Situated in downtown Manhattan, it was the perfect home for the team.
Generations of Avengers called the Mansion home and while it was often destroyed, the team would rebuild it. Eventually, the team would start using other headquarters but Avengers Mansion is fondly remembered by members and fans alike.
5 Avengers Tower Was So Great It Became A Part Of The MCU
After Scarlet Witch's attack on the team destroyed Avengers Mansion for the umpteenth time, Stark moved the New Avengers to Stark Tower, renaming it Avengers Tower. The Tower would become the Avengers' headquarters for years and its strikingly iconic visual would transfer over the MCU, where it would house the team in its early years.
Avengers Tower in the comics would be different than the ones in the movies but it was still a great headquarters for the team regardless, one that was more fitting for a group of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes than just about any other.
4 The Fortress Of Solitude Is One Of The Greatest Headquarters In The DC Universe
Created by Kryptonian technology, the Fortress of Solitude served as a place Superman could go and work on anything he needed to. Filled with mementos from his years of superheroing, it served as the perfect headquarters for the perfect man, a place unlike any other in the world. It was the one place Superman could go and truly be himself, away from the prying eyes of others.
The Fortress served Superman well over the years and while he's moved it other places, it's always been the one place he can go to when he needs to figure things. Presented in comics, movies, and TV, the Fortress of Solitude is one of the most iconic locations in the DC Universe.
3 The JLA Watchtower Was The Team's Best Headquarters
The Justice League has had many headquarters over the years- Mount Justice in Happy Harbor and the orbiting Justice League Satellite, to name a few- but the best was easily the JLA Watchtower. Located on the Moon, the Watchtower was a creation of Martian, Kryptonian, and New Gods technology combined with the best of Earth.
The Watchtower served every purpose the League needed it for, allowing them to not only watch the Earth but the surrounding space for any threats. It also looked amazing, a massive silver spire surrounded by futuristic architecture. The Watchtower was the perfect headquarters for the League.
2 The Batcave Is The Creme De La Creme Of Superhero Headquarters
There are few more iconic headquarters in comics than the Batcave. Everyone knows the Batcave- it's been in comics, movies, TV shows, and more. The home of Batman, it's his base of operations and for years, it was one of his greatest secrets- only Batman's most trusted associates were allowed in.
The Batcave is full of amazing technology, Batman's plethora of vehicles, and iconic features like the giant penny and tyrannosaurus statue. It's become a safe haven for not only him but also the Bat-Family of heroes and it set the tone for every superhero headquarters that came after it.
1 The Mutant Island Of Krakoa Is The Perfect Home For The Mutant Race
The X-Men have been through a lot of big changes in recent years and one of the catalysts for those changes is moving their operation to the mutant island of Krakoa. Krakoa has allowed the X-Men and mutantkind to have things they never had before- security, a homeland, and actual power in the world. Krakoan flowers supplied the mutant race with something they could sell to the humans and from there they were able to start a new country.
It's pretty much the best home base imaginable- not only can it grow anything the various X teams need, from habitats to cutlery, but since it's alive, it actually cares about the people that live on it. The X-Men haven't lived there long but it's easily the best superhero headquarters of them all.