Former Adelaide entrepreneur Andre Pech talks about his children’s party business, Superheroes Inc

THERE is something about putting on a cape and a mask that is transformative: turning the normal into super. The human into hero.

And that’s what former Adelaide entrepreneur Andre Pech always loved about turning himself into a superhero.

“I grew up loving (superhero) characters,” the now Sydney-based businessman said. “In 2002 I realised that I could link my business degree — which I was studying at the time — with my intense love of superheroes.”

And his flourishing children’s party business, Superheroes Inc, was born. Today, his company offers 200 characters and does on average 2000 events each year.

And more than half of those parties are superhero-themed. Why? Because kids love superheroes: They’ve loved the crime-fighting, folkloric, secret-identity characters since they first started appearing in popular fiction in the early 20th century. Masked avengers then surged in popularity in the late 1930s when the so-called “Golden Age” of comic books was born.

Next Saturday, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail is launching the Marvel Ultimate Super Hero Comic Collection — a 14-day series featuring Marvel favourites such as Thor, the Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow and Spider-Man.

Dr Justin Coulson, above, author of the best-selling book 21 Days to a Happier Family, said superheroes were exciting, spontaneous and full of action, which is what made them ultra-appealing to children.

“(Superheroes) do amazing things, they have superpowers — I mean, who doesn’t want superpowers?,” he said. “Kids love the fact that these characters can only do things from their dreams and they create a sense of fantasy and creativity and imagination.”

However, Dr Coulson warned that children needed moderation in all things, including superhero culture.

“Children need to have balance,” he said, adding research was beginning to find that too much exposure to ultra-masculine characters could have a negative impact.

Mr Pech, 36, said when he jumped into a party dressed as his company’s own “Super Trev” the kids look on in awe.

“I love how the kids react to you and how, through our show, we empower,” he said.

“But we also talk about how superheroes don’t just fight bad guys.

“We regularly get calls from grateful parents weeks later saying their child is now eating their vegies because Super Trev said it would help them discover their superpowers.”

Meet your superheroes in real life and pick up your secret Marvel reward today, Rundle Mall, and tomorrow, Moseley Square, Glenelg 10am-4.30pm.

Resource: news.com.au