Create your superhero. While some may think this is simply assigning a set of superpowers to a two dimensional character, if you really want your stories to be compelling, you need to flesh your hero out as fully as possible. Detail his likes and dislikes, create a back story (where he comes from, who his family is, etc.) and concoct a compelling origin. Readers will eventually want to know how your hero became super in the first place. Create a file to keep track of your hero’s information for later reference.
Create your super villain. A wise storyteller once said a hero is only as remarkable as the villain she overcomes. If you do not put the same, or more, effort into crafting your villain, your hero will certainly come off as far less heroic when she vanquishes the thin threat a poorly thought-out villain. You’ll also need to create a file to keep track of your villain’s information for later reference.
Discover the conflict. Once you have fleshed out your hero and villain, you will come to discover that each character has a unique set of motivational factors that are not always focused on the same goal. If your villain seeks world domination, and your hero champions free will, then obviously they are on a collision course if they both possess the motivation to achieve super status.
Resolve your conflict. A truly compelling story at some point will hit a moment where the villain has the upper hand. Only through true heroism can your protagonist save the day. This cannot be by chance, but only through direct action taken by your hero. Discovering the true tenants of heroism also makes for a great tale. Through self sacrifice, your hero ends the villain’s quest to rule the world and the day is saved.
Leave the door open for future stories. Most superhero fans grow extremely attached to the characters themselves, far more so than the story. If you eliminate your hero or villain in the first tale, you will not have the groundwork for your next adventure.