• Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time

  

  Written by Zeromage 1,942 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. Professor X
  

  So how does someone whose Kryptonite is stairs make it onto the list of the ten most powerful superheroes of all time? Well, despite being wheelchair-bound, Professor Charles Xavier is one of the most powerful heroes in comic-dom. Born a mutant, Professor X is the world’s most powerful telepath. He is able to read or project his thoughts into minds within a radius of hundreds of miles. He can psionically manipulate the minds of others, warp perceptions to make himself seem invisible or project illusions, cause loss of particular memories, and induce pain or temporary mental and physical paralysis. Within close range, he can manipulate almost any number of minds for such simple feats. Taking it a step further, against one opponent he take full possession of their mind, although he must strictly be within that being’s physical presence. He can even project powerful mental bolts of psionic energy, enabling him to stun the mind of another being into unconsciousness and completely shut down minds and bodies, or cause death. But, while Professor X may possess the most powerful melon on Earth (and one of the most powerful in the galaxy), his delicate body would prove to be too much a liability against the other eight powerhouses 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 Sentry

  Empowered by an enigmatic professor’s secret formula, The Sentry absorbs solar radiation for strength and moves his molecules an instant ahead of the normal timeline. His superpowers include super strength, speed, stamina, and senses, along with the power to create energy fields and of course the power of unaided flight. He also possesses a number of mental powers, having displayed the ability to implant his memories into another person’s mind. To top all that off, he emits a form of radiation that calms down the Hulk, severely limiting the Jade giant’s rage-fueled powers. It’s been mentioned a number of times that he possesses the power of “a million exploding suns” and that he is “the most powerful human in the galaxy”. Unfortunately, his primary weakness appears to be his mental instability, as he is often referred to as an agoraphobic schizophrenic, and he is very susceptible to mental manipulation and inculcation.

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1,942 Comments

1. #1 Desperado says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 6:32 am

   Thor withstands multiple blasts from Arishem, then knocks him on his ass, and still has enough strength to lift and throw the Odinsword through Arishem

   http://i5.tinypic.com/42lgnjl.jpg
   http://i19.tinypic.com/4737uz8.jpg
   http://i19.tinypic.com/4fy2hzm.jpg
2. #2 General Grievous says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

   Alberto, that’s the point I’m making. Galactus is so far above Imperiex its ridiculous. And Thor is more powerful than Beta Ray Bill…but even still, Galactus could disentegrate BBR, Thor or Superman with barely a second thought.
3. #3 big guns says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

   I do agree full power Galactus is more powerful then any one superhero in Marvel or DC. There are many example where Marvel state & shows power of Galactus. Eternity & Death both treat Galactus as equal no other being/entity has that relation with both them. Truly beside handful cosmic being in Marvel or DC very few could survive or battle fully load Galactus.

   I’m tired of people trying said Beta Ray Bill is more powerful then Thor. Thor is god which gives him certain level of invincible that Beta Ray Bill don’t have. Thor has godly force allow him do thing Beta Ray can’t do. Thor can do the godblast/warrior rage & control weather and there no comparison if thown in Odinforce with Thor powers.
4. #4 ShadowHunter says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 11:37 pm

   Hmm I really think Galactus would be no match against Superboy Prime.
5. #5 Alberto says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 3:39 am

   Wow! wow! wow!

   Not too fast General I agree that Galactus could defeat Imperex Prime but He is not FAR ABOVE.

   The only reason why Galactus will be the victor is because he has survived the end of the universe before.

   Now on the cosmic entyties in Marvel Galactus is BELOW The-One-Above-All (not the celestial), the Living Tribunal and Eternity, if Eternity respects him is because Eternity sees Galactus as a “brother” but He is Below Eternity and that was proven in the INFINITY GAUNTLET SAGA.

   Plus Galactus has a “weakness” the others don’t

   If Galactus is not feed he can be defeted and We have seen that in the past (too many times if you ask me)

   But yes a full powered Galactus is something that needs to be respected as well as an Imperex Prime

   They are not pushovers.

   Everytime this type of guys loose a battle against smaller beigns is because they don’t see the smaller beigns as a threat, pretty much like me steping into an ant mount and staying there until is too late.

   I also believe that a Hungry Galactus can be defeted by Superman or Superboy Prime. I mean If Thor can do it, Why Superman can’t?
6. #6 Alberto says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 4:06 am

   @General Grievous

   Ok a few more things

   Superboy Prime and Earth 2 Superman (Kal-l)

   Both are Pre-Crisis Kryptonians

   They are the same guys who survived the Infinite earths saga, THE SAME.

   On the black hole thing with lantern helping

   Delta never left critical information out

   Superman did in fact contained the black hole from expanding and THEN lantern help him to move it, to the worm hole site, then Superman created ENOUGH Static Electricity to cantain the black hole then Lantern apply magnetism to corral it into a field and THEN Superman THROW the black hole into the wormhole

   The feat still stands as Superman Containing a mini black hole, with his hands and then with static electricity generated by him

   And as Superman lifting and Throwing a mini black hole

   On Superboy Prime altering reality with his punches
   I don’t think He was in the perfect place to do it, Even Alexander Luthor is surprised when he sees the results. They were not even on the time stream.
7. #7 Rablex says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 8:32 am

   Son Goku of the Dragon Ball comics. Draws on power from his love for all that is good and true. Gets stronger after every near death experience. Does not need to be close to you at all to deliver a fatal energy blast. Can sense your power easily when you are planets away and obviously out of vision, even on alternate worlds (planet Kai). Has ’super speed’, immense strength (obviously not anything near superman), can fly and has been brought back to life. Cannot survive in space.
8. #8 Yanni says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 3:05 pm

   1. Gladiator (No other non-cosmic level character has feats that compare to his)

   2. World War Hulk (tough call here, because regular Hulk once beat Gladiator…proof that Hulk could absolutely crush Superman. But I think Glads feats still warrant him being #1)

   3. Sentry (This guy is basically a skyfather. He would destroy the Surfer, Thor and Superman all at once)

   4. Dr. Manhattan (part of me wanted him to be #1)

   5. Silver Surfer

   6. Thor (if he still had the Odin Force, he’d be tied for #4 with Dr. Manhattan, just behind the Sentry)

   7. Captain Marvel (6, 7, and 8 are almost a tie in my book)

   8. Iron Man (with Hulk Buster armor)

   9. Superman

   10. Supergirl (she’s constantly been shown to be stronger and a more powerful hero than her older cousin, BUT…Superman is more well known, so I’ll put him ahead…just barely. In another year she’ll probably be #9 and I’ll push Supes down to #10)

   Honorable mentions: Beta Ray Bill – Honestly I think he would beat Superman, but he’s not well known enough.
9. #9 Rulk says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

   How is Red Hulk not on this list??????? Are we forgetting he knocked out the Watcher? (Who Galactus said was as powerful as he is). Or Thor with Odin Force? Or KILLED the Silver Surfer??????? Took on all the Avengers. Stomped even the Hulk? Red Hulk is #1!
10. #10 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

    Rablex : We’re not talking about Dragon Ball here. They can’t even be considered as Superheroes.

    Alberto : If you think Galactus would beat Imperiex Prime, what about The Anti-Monitor?
11. #11 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    General Grievous : For the thing that Galactus can kill Superman in a sec, you are totaly wrong. Thor managed to beat him and still Superboy-Prime (Who’s way more powerful than Thor and Superman), got his ass kicked by Supes. If Thor can beat your ”Galactus”, Supes can certainly beat him too. Supes survived the blast of The Imperiex Prime, the same blast who killed Doomsday (became a pile of ashes) and beat The Anti-Monitor. Do I have to give you the name of more villains that he managed to beat? Emperor Joker, Superboy-Prime, DarkSeid, Mongul, Bizarro, etc..
12. #12 General Grievous says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    #1. Under no circumstances should Thor ever have been able to beat Galactus. Spiderman has beat Firelord. Do you think Spiderman is equal to a herald of Galactus? If you look at his feats, Galactus would destroy Superman, Superboy Prime, and Thor all at once with little effort.

    #2. How is someone being able to beat Bizarro supposed to mean he can beat Galactus? And Darkseid has been getting his ass beat a lot lately. Emperor Joker and Imperiex Prime are no match for Galactus either. I’ve already posted arguments why on the Superman vs Thor article.
13. #13 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    Bizarro is supposed to be weak? lol? He is as strong as Superman is. I pretty sure Galactus would get beat by Superboy Prime. Do I have to say more since he’s Pre-Crisis and he’s wearing almost the same armor that the Anti-Monitor was wearing?
14. #14 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    Yanni, if that is your list, Superman should be first. Gladiator is maybe strong but he doesn’t have Supes speed and many other abilities.
15. #15 Alberto says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:06 am

    @General Grievous

    “#1. Under no circumstances should Thor ever have been able to beat Galactus.”

    Sorry to break the news, but already happened

    “Spiderman has beat Firelord. Do you think Spiderman is equal to a herald of Galactus?”

    No, but it has already been explained why this happened

    “If you look at his feats, Galactus would destroy Superman, Superboy Prime, and Thor all at once with little effort”

    You mean a Full Force Galactus would destroy Superman and Thor, not the Hungry avatar that We are used to see

    “Emperor Joker and Imperiex Prime are no match for Galactus either. I’ve already posted arguments why on the Superman vs Thor article.”

    I don’t think so. Imperex Prime is a match for a Full Force Galactus and will own the regular hungry Galactus. Emperor Joker is another story, He will defeat Galactus the same way he did to the Spectre The Living Tribunal counterpart in DC
16. #16 Alberto says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:06 am

    @Rulk

    Rulk is not a superhero
17. #17 Alberto says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:09 am

    @ShadowHunter

    I don’t think a Full Force Galactus will be able to defeat the Anti-Monitor
18. #18 Alberto says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:12 am

    @Yanni

    Thanks for sharing you opinion, but a lot of people will disagree with it
19. #19 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 12:21 am

    Alberto : I just saw that there is alot more ”Monitor” in DC. Is it true or just false information?
20. #20 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 1:32 am

    We should maybe think of adding Sodam Yat in the list.
21. #21 Alberto says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    @Shadowhunter

    There is AT LEAST 52 monitors 1 for each universe

    Sodam Yat by himself it could make it to the list.

    I think his status of hosting a cosmic being, will probably get him out of the list, however the list says:

    “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”

    I don’t know, he might get a chance, if he gets in he could be #1

    I can see Sodam Yat, defeating Superman
22. #22 Alex says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    The Silver Surfer is so far ahead of Superman its ridiculous. How is the Surfer #3?????!!!!!
23. #23 GG says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    This list is ridiculous and based more on fanboy preference than actual objective reasoning. With the power cosmic at his disposal Surfer should be at the top of the list followed by ‘million exploding suns’ Sentry. Captain Marvel is much slower than Superman, has no vision powers and can’t be considered a sorcerer by any stretch of imagination. He doesn’t belong on this list. The Flash, on the other hand, is a glaring omission. Next time you make these lists at least spend a little time googling for feats will ya?
24. #24 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Alex, we already debated on that.
25. #25 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Alberto : Thank you for the information.
26. #26 Alberto says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Is this the new list?

    I don’t see Hulk anymore
27. #27 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    He got replaced by Captain Marvel.
28. #28 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    But Hulk should be in the list. Black Bolt shouldn’t be in it, I think.
29. #29 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Alberto : Well, Sodam Yat with Ion inside him would beat anybody, lol.
30. #30 Alberto says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    @ShadowHunter

    I guess if he is approved he will claim #1

    I mean after all He is powerful, but not crazy powerful, he still have a weakness even as The host of ION he got defeated and he is still alive in the 31st century.

    He should be #1

    I won’t even say nothing against that

    Sodam Yat 4 president
31. #31 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 9:46 pm

    Sodam Yat : Yes he can!

    Well, he got a weakness : led. But he got a Power Ring that remove that weakness BUT The Guardians have the control on Ions power when he wears it. And yeah, he should be #1 on the list and I think everybody agree with that.
32. #32 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    That suck that we can’t put The Spectre in the list lol!
33. #33 Pete says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    @GG

    I agree. The Surfer needs to be #1.
34. #34 Kevin says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

    Sorry, Pete, but Superman is much more powerful than the Silver Surfer, and probably Thor as well. IMO the list should be:

    1. Superman
    2. Thor
    3. Silver Surfer
    4. Captain Marvel
    5. Sentry
    6. Martian Manhunter
    7. Wonder Woman
    8. The Flash
    9. Black Bolt
    10. Orion
35. #35 Pete says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Superman is more powerful than the Surfer? LOL. Only if the Surfer forgets that he can turn the sunlight powering Superman into kryptonite radiation or strawberry jell-o.
36. #36 Pete says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    Not only that but Superman really doesn’t have any defense against Surfer just going back in time and blowing up Krypton’s sun a few billion years ago, or turning him into a pastrami sandwich, or aging him billions of years, or teleporting him into another universe, or turning intangible and taking a nap, or replacing Clark’s blood with adamantium, etc, etc…
37. #37 ShadowHunter says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    Silver Surfer has prooved that he was strong but sometimes, he prooved that he was really weak too.
38. #38 Pete says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 7:58 pm

    Yes, and Superman has proven to be weak as well. How about getting hurt by an explosion of a gas station? Or almost being taken out by one nuke? Or getting his ass kicked by Batman? The Surfer high end feats completely dominate Superman’s. End of story.
39. #39 big guns says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    I like that Capt. Marvel is getting his respect. I personally think it’s a bad move to take Hulk totally off this list. I know there was big movement from DC fans to have Hulk remove and Superman move up on the list. I like Superman so I don’t mine where he is on the list. I think different between Surfer being 3rd & Superman in 2nd is all just matter of opinion. I personally think Surfer should be 2nd in my opinion but I can see how Superman could be picked over him. I think Sentry is hero who power is over exaggerate and should be remove for this list but that just mine opinion. I like to know what information cause Mage Zero to remove Hulk altogether. I was very satisfied with Zero Mage explanations on why Thor was more powerful then Superman. See his comment on Thor vs. Superman blog.