It really depends on what we mean by “superhero”. If we stick to the archetypal Western examples, you’re probably right. But things becomes less clear if we consider something like Watchmen, V for Vendetta (V is pretty super), or the many gray area types Marvel and DC have (I’m leaving that vague because I’m not too familiar with the canon), not to mention various manga and anime heroes (Lelouch?) But maybe we wouldn’t call them superheroes precisely because they don’t fit the “only act in response to clear, certain evil”. Mostly, I think this points to the fact that, to no one’s surprise, {Supervillain, Superhero} is not a comprehensive summary of thinking styles, nor are they sharply defined categories.
It really depends on what we mean by “superhero”. If we stick to the archetypal Western examples, you’re probably right. But things becomes less clear if we consider something like Watchmen, V for Vendetta (V is pretty super), or the many gray area types Marvel and DC have (I’m leaving that vague because I’m not too familiar with the canon), not to mention various manga and anime heroes (Lelouch?) But maybe we wouldn’t call them superheroes precisely because they don’t fit the “only act in response to clear, certain evil”. Mostly, I think this points to the fact that, to no one’s surprise, {Supervillain, Superhero} is not a comprehensive summary of thinking styles, nor are they sharply defined categories.
Many of those examples are probably classed as antiheroes. Punisher would be a great example of a hero who changes the status quo (by shooting it.)
Aim to be an antivillian? Someone who wants to conquer the world and rule it with an iron fist, but is unwilling to use evil means to do so...