Superhero saves old gondolier (7)
I believe the answer is:
boatman
'gondolier' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'superhero saves old' is the wordplay.
'superhero' becomes 'Batman' (DC superhero).
'saves' indicates putting letters inside.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'batman' placed around 'o' is 'BOATMAN'.
(Other definitions for boatman that I've seen before include "One in charge of a small vessel" , "Water transport provider" , "George - or Harris, maybe" , "Sailor" , "One having row with" .)