Comic books and superheroes were often thought of in years' past as a nerd's pastime. Since the beginning of the Marvel and DC popular comic lines, little boys would buy comics and eagerly await next issues to see what their favorite heroes' or villains’ next moves were. As the storylines and technology grew, comics turned into television shows and motion pictures. The first movies stuck to the basic well known characters, for the most part— Batman, Superman, Spider-Man. Everyone has come to know the storylines of their favorite characters through the years. But in 2016, we’ve definitely entered into an age of superheroes and of reinvention— and comic characters aren’t just for kids or boys anymore.

Superheroes are all over the big screen and adults who grew up geeking out to their favorite comics are loving it. These movies aren’t just following the basic superhero plots that everyone has come to know— they are getting creative and pushing the envelope for an often more mature audience. Recent years have brought movies more geared toward adults such as the darker Batman vs. Superman and Deadpool, which was most certainly not a kids movie, but those that know anything about Deadpool know that he is not a kids’ character to begin with. Deadpool certainly pushed boundaries further than any superhero movie has before and adults everywhere were delighted with the twisted, downright vulgar comedy that didn't let Deadpool's true fans down.

Superhero movies are a treasure for the adults that still enjoy these storylines and the gift of the superhero world. The kid-friendly movies that are keeping some traditions of Marvel and DC alive while reinvigorating them for new generations are perhaps even more captivating for the wide-eyed kids that get to experience these stories for the first time. They get to see them in HD, 3D, and with incredible sound and state-of-the-art filmmaking technology. Many moviegoers aren’t so pleased with the deviation that some new movies take from traditional storylines— especially true fans of certain characters. But most everyone agrees that having so many superhero movies on the big screen is a treat for all.

Superheroes are on t-shirts, notebooks, shoes, backpacks, and every popular product you can think of. Most everything is customizable in 2016. The best thing about the current superhero craze is that comic characters aren’t just for boys anymore. Little girls are falling in love with female superheroes. Women who always had an interest in comics are finally getting to see their favorite female characters step into the limelight. Figures that have been around since the 1960s, such as Scarlet Witch, are finally getting more recognition— recently, Scarlet Witch made her cinematic debut in The Avengers, Age of Ultron. More female heroines are being developed and given bigger roles. It used to be impossible to find girls’ products with their favorite comic characters on them, but there are finally more options to choose from, such as girls’ Ninja Turtles bedding and clothing designs featuring heroes such as Batman, for little girls who look up to the protector of Gotham City. Girls are finally able to buy action figures of female idols as well.

Marvel and DC recently debuted new trailers for upcoming films and television shows at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con, including The Defenders, Iron-Fist, Justice League, (November 2017) Wonder-Woman, (June 2017) and Legends of Tomorrow. Suicide Squad, with Harley Quinn, will be released this month. Doctor Strange will be released in November. March 2017 will bring a Wolverine sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, will be in theaters in May, and Spider-Man: Homecoming, is set to be released in July. In November, Thor, Ragnarok will be in theatres. In 2018, we’ll get to see Black Panther, The Flash, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and The Wasp, and Aquaman. The years to come will surely be exciting for countless kids as well as all of those kids at heart.