7 Times Superheroes Needed Help From Supposedly Weaker Characters

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Superhero stories, a popular and thriving element of contemporary pop culture, have been incredibly successful. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies have significantly boosted interest in superhero tales among viewers, while selected DC productions have also left an indelible mark on the genre. Notably, these narratives are chiefly centered around the heroic protagonists, who are portrayed as extraordinary beings with exceptional talents. These characters are often depicted as invincible, even if the films suggest they might be vulnerable. This can create an impression that heroes primarily rely on other heroes for assistance, especially when the situation demands a more powerful or suitable ally than the one in distress.

Sometimes, even superheroes – who often tackle their toughest battles alone – rely on assistance from allies who might seem weaker. Despite their strength, there are moments across the history of the genre where heroes have had to lean on less powerful characters to keep fighting against wrongdoing. It’s only right that these seemingly weaker characters receive due credit for their crucial contributions to the heroes’ battles.

1) Batman is Saved by Robin – Batman Forever (1995) 

In popular culture, Robin is arguably the most well-known sidekick, spending numerous years as Batman’s apprentice across various forms of media. While the film “Batman Forever” (1995) was criticized by some Batman fans, it did showcase an important moment for Robin – saving his mentor from near death. After taking on Two-Face alone, Batman was almost killed; but Robin stepped in to rescue him. This act of help came unexpectedly and without being asked, adding a sense of timeliness, spontaneity, and perhaps a touch of embarrassment for the Dark Knight, as he had initially declined Dick Grayson’s offer to join his crime-fighting activities.

2) Iron Man Needed a Kid’s Help – Iron Man 3 (2013)

In “Iron Man 3,” we find Tony Stark grappling with the aftermath of the incidents in “The Avengers.” These events prove to have a significant impact on this billionaire superhero. After being targeted by the Mandarin, who strikes while Stark is still dealing with the emotional trauma from the Battle of New York, he seeks refuge in a quaint town. Here, a young girl named Harley Keener provides assistance, playing a crucial role in helping Stark regain his composure to confront Aldrich Killian, even though Iron Man is one of the key Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

3) Vision & Scarlet Witch Are Saved by the “Secret Avengers” – Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

In “Avengers: Infinity War,” an important milestone for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) occurred as various characters united, signaling the commencement of the Infinity Saga’s conclusion. The story began with Thanos’ forces attacking Earth, targeting heroes such as Vision and Scarlet Witch. Despite their impressive abilities, they struggled against the onslaught until the Secret Avengers intervened to lend a helping hand. Although these heroes – Captain America (Steve Rogers), Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), and Falcon (Sam Wilson) – lack powers of their own, their arrival enabled Wanda and Vision to be saved at the last moment.

4) Batman Calls Alfred For Help With Scarecrow’s Toxin – Batman Begins (2005) 

Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy presented a realistic take on Batman, yet it was clear that this legendary detective relied on others for assistance. In the film Batman Begins, after being exposed to Scarecrow’s fear gas, Batman reached out to Alfred for help. Despite Bruce Wayne’s extensive training, he required Alfred’s aid in recruiting Lucius Fox to develop an antidote, demonstrating that even the most skilled superheroes may occasionally need support from seemingly less powerful individuals.

5) Krypto Saves the Day – Superman (2025) 

In 2025, the version of Superman we saw offered a fresh take on the legendary hero, and it also made clear that even the mighty Man of Steel requires aid from his comrades. Following his initial defeat against Ultraman, Superman sustains severe injuries and is carried by Krypto to the Fortress of Solitude for healing. Although Krypto has powers of his own, he’s evidently no match for Superman’s strength. However, had it not been for Krypto’s assistance, Superman might have perished, emphasizing the significance of his intervention.

6) Steve Trevor Stopped Ludendorff’s Gas – Wonder Woman (2017)  

In the 2017 film “Wonder Woman,” the titular character was brought into the DCEU and demonstrated that she occasionally requires assistance from humans. Throughout most of the movie, Diana fell in love with a human (Steve Trevor), who ultimately made a selfless sacrifice in the film’s climax. With Ares posing a threat and General Ludendorff’s deadly gas bombs about to be unleashed, Wonder Woman couldn’t handle both situations simultaneously. Steve Trevor intervened to prevent the release of the gas bombs, thus proving that even superheroes can’t be in two places at the same time – a lesson that was reinforced when DC brought Steve Trevor back in the sequel.

7) Miss Tessmacher Saves Superman – Superman: The Movie (1978) 

“Superman: The Movie” is still one of the most cherished big-screen adaptations of the superhero character. It also underscored that heroes can rely on support from even the unlikeliest characters. In a critical moment, Superman was saved from Lex Luthor’s lair by Miss Tessmacher, who switched sides out of concern for her mother’s safety. Had she not intervened, it is probable that Superman would have been unable to foil Luthor’s scheme. Consequently, Miss Tessmacher’s rescue of the hero became a pivotal moment in his cinematic legacy, despite her lacking superpowers.

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2025-07-29 14:10