Is the superhero era over or just in need of a breather?

It’s easy to forget now, but the superhero wave also resurrected dormant franchises such as Tron, Ghostbusters, Blade Runner, and Dune. Entire genres came back into public consciousness because superhero films proved there was a paying audience for genre storytelling.

So yes, I love these movies. Many of them deserved every bit of the adoration they received.

But here’s the truth: everything peaks. Everything plateaus. And sometimes, you need a break.

This year’s summer line-up was supposed to be a return to form. Big-budget superhero releases were back. But the response has been mixed, at best.

I don’t think these films can carry the weight they once did — not because the genre has failed, but because it may have simply run its course for now. And as someone whose business has benefited from their success, I say this without cynicism: it’s okay to hit pause.

In fact, it might be necessary.

A breather could bring much-needed clarity for creators, for studios, and most importantly, for fans. The risk with overexposure is not fatigue, it’s indifference. And no one wants that for a genre that’s given us so much.

I just got back from San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), arguably the biggest pop culture convention in the world, and if there’s one thing I took away, it’s this: the fandom will survive. Superhero movies may take a backseat, but fans won’t stop showing up.

Because fandom has always been bigger than just superheroes.

What most people don’t realise is how wide the landscape has become. Sure, the anime wave is loud and growing, but there’s more: Sci-fi, fantasy, classic cinema, comic books, indie zines, webcomics, niche games, manga, nostalgia merch, vinyl toys, Labubu collectables (don’t ask) — the sheer range is staggering. And fans are moving across categories with ease. You can be a One Piece fan and a Star Wars nerd. You can love Breaking Bad and spend weekends reading underground comics.

We have moved past monoculture. Everyone’s in five fandoms at once.

At SDCC this year, I met fans who had lists of exclusives to buy but who were equally excited about discovering new creators, going to obscure panels, and walking the artist alley. I saw collectors hunting for that one rare item, but I also saw people just soaking it in; the vibe, the conversations, the shared joy. The panels were packed. The lines were long. The city was buzzing. If this is what a “post-superhero” era looks like, I will take it.

Because that’s the thing: fandom isn’t going anywhere. It just looks different now.

In fact, I would argue that fandom culture today can’t even be defined by superheroes anymore. It was for a long time, and rightfully so. But now, there are more eggs in the basket. The fan is no longer just a Marvel or DC loyalist. They’re curious. They want stories that surprise them. Just look at the rise of creator-owned comics, indie Kickstarter campaigns, and fan art zines. People are not just buying IP, they are backing vision.

And maybe, just maybe, this is exactly what the superhero genre needs, too. A reset.

Less pressure to expand the universe. More room for weird, personal, grounded storytelling. Think Logan. Think Into the Spider-Verse. Stories that didn’t feel like obligations, but choices.

To be clear, I don’t want superhero films to disappear. I still love them. But I want to miss them a little. I want to look forward to the next one because it’s been a while, not because it’s Tuesday.

If anything, SDCC reminded me why I fell in love with this world in the first place. And why I will never be done with it.

Take the break. Let it breathe. The fans will still be here. We always are.

The writer is the founder of Comic Con India.