the “expression of idea” is precisely “how something is done” or am i missing something... idea: superhuman who flys around saving people expression: superman

the “expression of idea” is precisely “how something is done” or am i missing something... idea: superhuman who flys around saving people expression: superman, alternative expression: ultraman both protected respectively by copyright (imagery, stories, movies etc)... do they also need patents? i think the answer here is “no” and it’s the same for software... but again, please correct if i’m missing something edit: spelling/formatting