Each season of Heroes is designed to involve ordinary people who discover extraordinary super powers, and how these abilities take effect in the character's daily lives.

The first season, known as "Genesis", begins as a seemingly ordinary group of people gradually becomes aware that they have special abilities.

Mohinder continues his late father's research into the biological source of the change, while Noah represents a secret organization known only as "The Company".

While coping with these new abilities, each of the characters is drawn, willingly or unwillingly, into the Company's conspiracy to control superpowered people and into a race to stop an explosion from destroying New York City.

Heroes began development early in 2006, when Tim Kring, creator of NBC's Crossing Jordan, came up with the show's concept.

He began thinking about how big, scary and complicated he felt the world is, and wanted to create a character-driven series about people who could do something about it.

[31][32] Before he began putting his ideas together, he spoke with Lost executive producer Damon Lindelof, with whom he had worked for three years on Crossing Jordan.

"[40] Doug Elfman of the Chicago Sun-Times stated, "the show's super strengths are its well-developed filmmaking, smooth pacing and a perfect cast.

Barry Garron at The Hollywood Reporter also stated, "Heroes is one of TV's most imaginative creations and might, with luck, become this year's Lost.

"[41] Less favorable reviews included the Philadelphia Inquirer, who commented that although the show had many "cool effects," it "lands, splat, in a pile of nonsense and dim dialogue."

The website's consensus reads, "The first season of Heroes promises a fresh take on the superhero genre, with enough style and foreshadowed intrigue to attract a following.

[51] The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People nominated Heroes on January 9, 2007 for an Image Award in the "Outstanding Drama Series" category.

[58][59] When the second part was released, a complete first season boxset was also released on the same day on both DVD and HD DVD formats[60] The complete first season DVD includes nearly 3 hours of bonus features including: an extended 73-minute version of the pilot episode with audio commentary; 50 deleted and extended scenes; behind the scenes featurettes, including the making of Heroes, stunts, a profile of artist Tim Sale, and the score; and audio commentaries with cast, crew and show creator Tim Kring.