Write your comic superhero’s past. Brainstorm, develop a character sketch that answers where the superhero comes from, if he had a tragic childhood, if he was exposed to some radioactive substance that gave him his particular powers, or if he was just born different. Remember to keep extensive records of all your ideas.
Establish your superhero’s residence. Determine if your superhero lives in a small town, a big city or in the outer regions of darkest space. Make sure that wherever your superhero resides, he is needed and has a reason for being there.
Determine what your superhero’s greater purpose is. A superhero may be needed to protect a fictional planet or perhaps to protect Earth’s most secret treasures. Comic superheroes must have a reason for existing.
Imagine a unique superpower for your superhero. His power can be anything from the mundane to the most fanciful. Remember to steer clear from unique powers exhibited by well-established superhero characters. It is imperative that your superhero is an original creation.
Invent an antagonist for your superhero. Every superhero should be paired with at least one super villain. To create a great superhero story, there absolutely must be a force of conflict. An antagonistic super villain should be evil enough to cause real havoc in the superhero’s life. The super villain may also exhibit some of the same qualities that the superhero has only in an altered form. He could be the evil version of the superhero’s good.
Create a super weakness for your superhero. This weakness may at times be the super villain's greatest power over the superhero, like Lex Luthor confronting Superman with kryptonite.
Develop a fantastically outrageous superhero costume that differentiates your superhero from the normal people he will come in contact with on a daily basis. Think about typical superheroes. Many wear capes or some sort of spandex uniform that is specifically geared to the superhero’s purpose. Always make sure that your superhero’s clothing is a necessary part of his identity.
Create a “civilian” wardrobe and secret identity for your superhero. He must have a secret identity that allows him to blend into society when he isn’t needed. This protects the superhero’s friends, family and co-workers. Think of Spider-Man’s "Spidey" suit in contrast to Peter Parker’s street clothes and camera.
Design a special weapon or gadget for your superhero. Make certain that it is a weapon that fits your superhero’s character. Think along the lines of Batman’s techno gadgets or Wolverine’s adamantium claws. Make his weapon unique and believable in your comic book world.