Apparent homage: The headline of a front page of a newspaper seen in the film reads, "HERO OR MENACE?". This is the same headline that appears in Marvel Comics' "The Amazing Spider-Man" comic on the front page of The Daily Bugle newspaper.
The protagonist pronounces his name as "Defen-Dor". When we see him leaving his secret lair above the entranceway it reads "Defendoor", same as his pronunciation.
Elliot Page was rumored to star at one point. He starred in the similar themed Super - Shut Up, Crime! (2010).
Arthur sees the world simply as a comic book plot; which is why he chooses to be a hero. They choose to help save people against argument.