2017 NPWU convention

The 2008 Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto's Big Night Out benefit reminded guests of the night's superhero theme by placing them on the tables. The design team created colorful centerpieces by placing images of original comic book characters in tall plexiglass boxes on stands.

Primary colors are a distinct part of any superhero's costume, and that visual inspired the monochromatic menu for Raw's industry party in Toronto. The architectural firm passed items such as Parisienne potatoes topped with blue-dyed whitefish mousse and blue sea salt, beef tartare with beet-dyed horseradish in heirloom tomatoes (pictured), and chicken salad with green peas and pesto in green pepper cups.

The Robin Hood Foundation created graphic, superhero versions of the presenters for its 2011 gala, including host Brian Williams.

To make the guests at the Los Angeles premiere of The Amazing Spider-Man premiere feel like superheroes, Sony Pictures erected a climbing wall inside the party.

As a playful way to extend the night's motif to the bathroom, the organizers of the 2010 Smirnoff Experience in Toronto placed decals with small dots and speech balloons on mirrors to give guests' reflections a comic book effect.

New York's Robin Hood Foundation, which hosts one of the largest and most successful benefits in the city, tapped contacts at DC Comics to help create a superhero theme for its 2011 gala. The planning and design team created an emblem and slogan—"the forces of good are gathering"—that marked the night's invite and main cocktail area.

Staffers are a big part of setting the tone at events. For Maxim's superhero-inspired Super Bowl party at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, servers wore capes and black masks.

Columbia Pictures washed the first floor of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with green-hued lighting to give the space a glowing, moody look for the Los Angeles premiere of The Green Hornet in January 2011.

Comic-book-style images can be turned into live installations at events. Animated graphics and videos at the 2011 Robin Hood Foundation gala, helped add energy—and eye-catching decor—to the cocktail area of the 3,000-person fund-raiser.