5 Strangest Day Jobs of Superheroes (#1 Was a Real Low Point For The Justice League)

Besides protecting the innocent and preventing crime at all costs, most superheroes have a life outside of being their alter egos. Some have lavish jobs like Batman, leading his own company for a better future in Gotham City. Superman is one of the world’s best reporters working at the Daily Planet, the premier newspaper of the DC universe. Yet not all the day jobs of our favorite superheroes are as glamorous as we’d imagine. In some instances, they have minimum wage jobs and try to make ends meet on top of being superheroes. Take Spider-Man, for instance: a freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle, it’s enough to get him by, but his struggle is just as impactful as being a superhero.

While some may be devastated seeing their favorite characters struggle to find meaningful jobs to fulfill themselves, there’s a massive human element to that. To others, watching your favorites have a job that doesn’t satisfy them as a person can add another layer of relatability to some of them. We relate to Spider-Man because of the struggle he faces as a photographer, and we want to see him make it in the world. Alas, much like life, not every job is going to be “normal,” and these heroes are perfect examples to show that. No matter how much they match what their careers are.

5) Hal Jordan, Traveling Toy Salesman

For a very brief window in time, just before the “Hard Traveling Heroes” era, Hal Jordan was a Toy Salesman. He’d travel from place to place and door to door selling toys. It lasted for roughly six issues, but we’ve never forgotten about it. Hal went from a test pilot for jets to a toy salesman, and it couldn’t be stranger. On top of that, he even had a rival who did the same thing.

While he’s held many jobs over the years, this one is always brought up as a joke. Sure, it’s always a cheap joke at his expense, but it’s incredibly out of place in every way. But at the end of the day, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime type of job to have, and it makes for an interesting part of Hal Jordan’s crazy history.

4) She-Hulk, Superhero Lawyer

She-Hulk being a lawyer is a huge part of her character, and she is considered very good at her job. It’s a respectable job, and Daredevil famously does the same thing, but the difference is, she does her job as She-Hulk. Unlike the TV show, She-Hulk can’t transform back into Jennifer Walters, thus making her go to court in lawyer attire while green and seven feet tall. It’s an odd sight to say the very least, but she makes it work for herself.

Jennifer later would make it a point to be a lawyer for other superheroes. Helping keep[ their identities safe and work as a solid defense attorney. When she’s not beating Titana to a pulp or conversing with the audience, she makes for one of Marvel’s most compelling lawyers.

3) Wolverine, College Professor

As popular as he is, and being one of the most popular members of the X-Men, I think Wolverine would be an awful professor to have. Ever since the Fox movies introduced the idea that the classic X-Men would be professors at the school, Wolverine was forced to become a teacher. It makes for some of the funnier scenes in the X-titles, but it has us very curious as to what he’s like as a professor.

On top of smelling like a warthog (his words), he’s the last professor I think any of us would want if we couldn’t sit still or accidentally interrupt him. It’s a thought that keeps me up and night, but as long as he teaches the new classes of mutants how to fight, I think it’s a net good after all.

2) Guy Gardner, Social Worker

Guy Gardner is often the butt of Green Lantern jokes and easily the cockiest of Green Lanterns. While he’s good at what he does and carries the “bad boy” attitude, I always scratch my head at the fact that he was a social worker. Guy has always been depicted as only caring for himself, but wanting to help others and work through their issues is insane to think about for Guy.

While it was his job briefly before his character shift happened, it’s a similar case to Wolverine as a college professor. Outside of the fact that we have images to prove it happened, it’s difficult to imagine that this even happened. I do hope sometime in the future we do see him do his job again; it would be better than seeing him as a cop once again.

1) Wonder Woman, Fast Food Worker

Yes, you read that right, Diana, Princess of the Amazons, worked as a fast food worker. This was during an era when she was presumed dead and realised she needed money. So naturally, she ended up in fast food, and that’s how we got one of the strangest yet amazing comic covers with Wonder Woman #73.

It’s hard to imagine a nigh unstoppable warrior as the person who answers the call window for a taco joint. Serving up trays of tacos, she eventually became one of the best workers “Taco Whiz” ever had. While it may look dull for many of us, it’s one of the most interesting stories we’ve ever had for her.

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