Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time

Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time

Written by Zeromage 5,620 Comments
Last Updated:: May 23, 2008

Here it is folks, the biggest debate on the whole interweb. Never has there been a more well thought out argument for a completely non-existent thing. Which superhero could beat up which other superhero. Never has a group of people spent more time drawing graphs, doing calculations, making charts, and writing computer programs to prove that the hero they love is in fact the toughest. These people do more literature searches than a graduate student writing their dissertation on literature. One can only imagine what world problems could be solved if comic book nerds would instead focus this same energy on say; poverty, healthcare, the climate, pollution, the economy, childhood obesity, cancer, sudden infant death syndrome, racism, genetic disorders, violence against women, the melting ice caps, sending a man to mars, depression, solving Goldbach’s conjecture, creating a unified field theory, un-raveling the mystery of DNA, figuring out what happened before the big bang, resolving religious tensions in the Middle East, finding peace on Earth, making cleaner cars, sustainable energy, nuclear fission, getting rid of hippies, and the million other things that would make this world a better place to live in.

So in order to finish this debate once and for all we here at OW have finally finished THE list of the most powerful superheros. This is it folks. As every faithful reader knows that we here at OW are always right, we have proved it in the past. There can no longer be any debate. No more argument required. This list has taken us years to complete, and has threatened to destroy all that is OW. While making this list there was lots arguing, name calling, some shouting, a little bit of snuggling, more shouting, lots of your momma’s, but we finally came up with the definitive list of the most powerful superheroes of all time. We can’t be more clear on that last point, this is it. None of what you are about to read is opinion, it is fact. Next time one of your nerd buddies starts to argue you need only refer to this list, kindly pat him the head a give him one of the problems listed above to argue about. Here’s how we did it. First we excluded all super villains, this is heroes only, next we eliminated all exorbitantly overpowered cosmic beings (Phoenix, Odin, or the Highfather). And finally we ignored all heroes that would be considered ‘normal’ but have similar powers as those listed below. Then we plugged in all the facts and figures into the OW super computer and waited. Exactly 137 days later the answer was spit out. It then took us one year to figure out what that answer meant. Finally its over, these are the most powerful superheroes. Fact.

10. The Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)

Despite coming in at number 10, The Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) is one tough hombre. As a member of the Green Lantern Corps, he wields a power ring that can generate a variety of effects and energy constructs, sustained purely by the ring wearer’s strength of will. The greater the user’s willpower, the more effective the ring. The limits of the power ring’s abilities are never defined, but it has been referred to as “the most powerful weapon in the universe” on more than one occasion. It’s precious. Over the years, the ring has been shown capable of accomplishing almost anything within the imagination of the ring bearer. Often the rings are used to form solid-light constructs, the power and size of which are limited only by the ring-bearer’s willpower. And, if that wasn’t powerful enough, DC recently (in 2006) retconned the ring’s longtime lack of effect on yellow objects, stating that the ring-bearer need only feel fear and overcome it in order to affect yellow objects. With his protective bubbles and mean green energy bursts, the Green Lantern has fought with, and at varying times against, such heavyweights as Superman and Captain Marvel. But he’s still no match for number 9 on our list…

9. Doctor Strange

Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Steven Strange, has unparalleled sagicity of the mystic arts, and stands as humanity’s first and last line of defense against all magic-based menaces that threaten our dimension. I think Doc Strange is probably one of the more powerful characters in the Marvel Universe, and light years ahead of any of the crappy sorcerers from DC (although Zatanna is way hotter). Given that he can do pretty much anything that the person who is currently writing him can imagine, he could potentially beat any of the other characters in this list. In fact, he could probably beat some of them by simply wiggling his finger. Of course this assumes that he would enough time to do so. The problem is that most of the other heroes on this list won’t give him even that small amount of time. His lack of super speed, super reaction time, super senses and any sort of super human invulnerability, make Dr. Strange one of the easiest characters to defeat on this list. For this reason alone we put Dr. Strange at #5. If he had unlimited prep time before each fight, he could easily be number one on this list.

8. Black Bolt

Our seventh most powerful superhero of all time is Black Bolt, the king of the offshoot of humanity known as the inhumans. Black Bolt has often been described as one of the most powerful superheroes in the Marvel universe by other heroes, and for good reason. Through electron gathering and manipulation, Black Bolt can increase any aspect of his physical nature to superhuman levels, including his strength, speed, stamina and durability. In times of great need, he can channel this power into a single devastating punch called “The Master Blow”. He can also harness the electrons for matter transformation; the controlled projection of energy as concussive blasts or quasi-solid particle/electron fiends, broadcasting jamming frequencies, and flight. But Black Bolt’s most salient offensive weapon is his cacophonous voice, as a hypersonic shout that can level an entire city, and his merest whisper has been shown capable of stunning the Hulk. It’s even been suggested that his voice is capable of destroying an entire planet.

7. The Flash

People who don’t know a lot about comic books often assume that the Flash can run really fast, but is otherwise a normal guy. He can turn his opponent into a statue, or phase his hand through his opponent’s head, causing it to explode. He is also impressively durable for a normal human, and most, though not all, of his impressive feats of durability have been while moving faster than normal. Many times he’s taken hits from Class-100 opponents, various energy blasts, ect. and ranged from quickly recovers to unfazed. Not only is Flash faster than Pre-CRISIS Kryptonians(and Silver Age Superman was so fast, not only count he travel through time and dimensions through speed, but he nearly broke the barrier between Life And Death and was about to crash into Heaven), but he’ll probably have a few examples of simply phasing through to avoid, as well. And Flash doesn’t need to cause the charge that causes matter to explode every time he vibrates through something.

6. The Martian Manhunter

The Martian Manhunter’s chief super power is super strength. Super strength and durability. His two powers are super strength, durability and flight. His three powers are super strength, durability, flight and shapeshifting. Amongst his many powers are super strength, durability, flight and shapeshifting… I’ll come in again. The Martian Manhunter is basically the Swiss army knife of Superheroes. Along with all those powers, he has super speed and “Martian” vision, both at levels close to those of Superman himself. He not only can turn invisible but also alter his density to become incredibly strong, tough and ultimately intangible. In addition to his physical powers, J’onn is also a very powerful telepath. He also possesses 9 different senses, though these are ill defined and often forgotten by comic book writers. And if superhuman physical strength and mental powers aren’t enough, J’onn also has the ability to regenerate. In the past he’s even regenerated his entire body from only his severed hand.

Pages: 1 2

5,620 Comments

#1 Alberto says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:18 am

I think Dr. Manhattan is at the level of Firestorm or above.

There is not enough evidence to prove it. So a case can’t be made for him.

Austin if you are writting about hero and heroism I suggest for you to check Superman or Captain America. Batman, Wolwerine and the Punisher will give you another look at the topic of hero and heroism.

#2 Alberto says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:47 am

Oh shit I fuck up

I was so happy and exited that I fuck up myself

No Superman cannot breath in space

Superman does not need to breath

So say it Magus!

Superman does not need to breath

SAY IT

#3 Austin says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:57 am

Well put Fury05, I needed to brush up on my Watchmen, most of the points which you discussed I forgot about entirely.

Also one thing that he has that no one else has; which by no means makes him the best, but still gives him an edge, is that even his mind exist within a quantum level; which attributes to him perceiving the past, present, and future simultaniously, but also gives him the ability to think and perceive things on a level that transcends any of the others. Without a doubt he is the smartest, well at least it seems like he is. Cognitivily he can easily perceive perplexing aspects of the cosmos that anyone else couldn’t comprehend in their wildest dreams. Of course Moore would unable to write so thouroughly about his knowledge because, well he is only human.

Another interesting fact that I recalled is that he does not need any food, or for that matter any supplies of energy at all to feed on. He is the definition of immortal.

Although more written material would be helpfull to argue his case, I think more specifically the biggest problem is that the universe of the Watchmen does not contain any of the other heroes or villains, and of course they don’t make any cross over appearances into the other comic books in order to compair and contrast any of them

#4 Furyof5 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:57 am

SH:

“I’ve read the Watchmen.”

Good, its a great read.

“Doctor Manhattan didn’t create life. Well, we don’t know if he did. That wasn’t confirmed.”

Yes, it wasnt, but it was insinuated he did, and could have, by the narrative, and by him saying he would. But to simply say “he didnt” isnt true, because its not known that he didnt.

“Doctor Manhattan wasn’t fighting against ennemies of the like of Imperiex, Anti-Monitor, Despero, Galactus, Loki, etc.”

Of course he wasnt, he was the only superpowered being, but that doesnt mean he is weak, simply because there is no being in the self contained story to compare to.

“We don’t know if he could even beat one of the Superhero in the list. That’s just wishfull thinking.”

Its about as much wishful thinking as saying Superman could beat Thor, or anyone from another universe can beat someone else.

The thing is with the powers he possesses he is obviously above several of the superheroes on this list, as I have shown before. I mean he basically has the abilities of Molecule Man, whom is one of the most powerful beings in Marvel(was?), now I dont know if on par(there is no real proof he is or isnt, who can say hes not even above Molecule man, as youve said enough hasnt been given about him)

The thing is though, going upon what is given, which is still a very good lot of information on his powers, it is fair to say whom he can beat on this list, and I think he could beat Green Lantern, MMH, Black Bolt, and Flash, as they couldn’t do anything to him (Manhattan could go through GLs projections, MMH couldnt hurt him(nor could anyone through normal physical means as he can completely control his entire being and can phase) Blackbolt has some form of manipulation of energy etc, but obviously not on par with Manhattan, and his whispers couldnt damage him, and Flash wouldmnt be able to damage him, because no matter how fast he moves Manhattan has complete perception of all of his time and could follow his movements, and can not be damaged physically, and can obliterate him as he controls all matter)

I think just going on his abilities as show he can defeat a lot of heroes, I simply wouldnt say he can beat the magic(k) users on this list, as I dont know how he would fare against a magic user(honestly I think anything can be based off of Molecule Man)

“There is not enought information about him to claim that.”

I think there is as Ive shown, not when it comes to the stronger of the list such as Superman, Captain Marvel, Thor, Silver Surfer,Sentry(Dont think he should even be on here) and maybe Doctor Strange, because Idk how hed fare against magic users, and maybe power cosmic for that matter(Plus I think Superman has resisted beings with matter manipulation abilities before, besides hes Superman)

“Same goes for Gold Superman Prime.”

Although youve used him before multiple times on here.

#5 Austin says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:59 am

O, and Alberto thanks for the advice

#6 Furyof5 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:03 am

“I think Dr. Manhattan is at the level of Firestorm or above.”

Ok I dont know much about Firestorm, so which level would this be?

“There is not enough evidence to prove it. So a case can’t be made for him.”

I have made a case based on what evidence was given of whom on this list he can beat, simply going on what is shown I feel that these can be accurate.

#7 Furyof5 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:11 am

Austin: V For Vendetta is a good one as well, as it goes to the very fringes of hero, Wolverine is th anti hero, Hellboy would be an example of a shunned hero or unaccepted hero, then theres tragic heroes, I mean this is a great field to study.

#8 Austin says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:12 am

Furyof5: Now that I think of it there is actual proof he did create life. He can see the future, and well he wouldn’t say such a thing if it really wasn’t going to happen.

#9 Austin says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:14 am

Yeah Ive actually been wanting to read V for Vendetta for a while; good idea. I appreciate all of the advice.

#10 Furyof5 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:21 am

Austin: Yea I mentioned that before, I wouldnt exactly say it is “proof” but more or less evidence, the narrative insinuates he did, and they pretty much left his abilities open so there was no upper limit, but I would not put him as number one, simply because the depth of his abilities were never known, I think he should be number 5

#11 ShadowHunter says:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:07 am

Fury : He won’t be added for the same reasons I said. Not enought information.

I used Gold Superman Prime because he’s the last evolution known of Superman. We can actually use it because it’s how Superman is going to be someday. I just said that because we don’t know much about his powers (they are pretty much unlimited but still..) we can’t be sure that he could take out anyone easily. I’m pretty sure he can take out Rune King Thor but there’s not enought proofs to back me up.

#12 Furyof5 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:10 am

SH: Which comic book series is Golden Superman Prime from?

#13 ShadowHunter says:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:18 am

DC One Million

#14 Furyof5 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:21 am

When did he become Golden Superman Prime? I though he was Superman One Million

#15 ShadowHunter says:
March 18th, 2010 at 3:26 pm

I never really understood that part but I think he really became Gold Superman Prime after spending years in the sun. Not sure.

#16 Furyof5 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:35 pm

Unless the real Superman died and Superman Prime took his place!(not so smart now are you DC? )

#17 Furyof5 says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:20 am

Does no one want to tlak Superheros anymore?

Ok who thinks we should take Black Bolt and Sentry off?

Suggestions to replace them with? I have a few…

Hulk

Dr Manhattan(I have given reasons why, and people whom he could beat based on what was given, but this can be left out, its meh)

Captain Atom(Hes good, Idk though, simply because I think there are many others better, and I dont agree he should be above Superman or Thor)

I think Strange should be swapped for Fate.

Superman should be Number one, and I Honestly would move Thor and SS down, Idk whom to put before them though, Not Hulk.

I think someone is missing from this list I cant put my finger on, and should be number two, but whom exactly, I dont know.

#18 ALBERTO says:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:16 am

I should be #1

« Older Comments

Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time

5,620 Comments

Leave a Comment