Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time

Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time

Written by Zeromage 5,568 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.

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5,568 Comments

#1 Darryl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:52 pm

They shouldn’t of try to expand story any further with beyonder. I like beyonder just as cosmic being. Another thing you should remember Alberto a part of what makes Eternity/Death & Galactus so powerful is that they keep balance in the universe. So destroying any one of them can lead to destruction of universe fairly quickly.This is reason why no one beside Thanos try to destroy them. Most common universal plots is for cosmic being to try to kill Galactus then somehow try to take his place in the order of things.

#2 Darryl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 9:25 pm

Hey was reading your comment’s Kagemusha.

Superman get ahead of CM mainly because has extra abliliy like heat/xay vision & super hearing. In head to head fight DC even admit superman has disadvantage against CM do to his weakness to magic. In my opinion it’s true superman would lose to CM more time then would wins but mainly do to his weakness to magic. But this blog most powerful not who would win a fight which mean have to take the extra thing Superman can do into consideration and that make marginly more powerful then CM but those thing would not help in fight against CM.

#3 Darryl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 9:38 pm

Kagemusha about your comment about Sentry. I think most people think Sentry is overhype by Marvel so don’t want to put up to high. I truly don’t where Sentry going to fall because it appears Marvel still making adjustment to him. Something he seem very powerful something very questionable how powerful he is. I thing we going have give it some time to see where really falls.

#4 jesse says:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:31 am

But as the keeper of the rock, baston abandons his role as superhero and disqualifies himself from this list. Upon taking taking the wizard’s place, Baston becomes more of a cosmic entity.

Superman, Sentry, and Thor may have (now or at some point) possessed the powers of a deity but the fact remains that they still operate as superheros (pursuing or defending against villains often). The lines do get kind of fuzzy, but its safe to say that we cannot count Baston as the Keeper as a superhero.

#5 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 6:26 am

Jesse : Being the Keeper doesn’t stop him from saving people. Superheroes don’t need to be in some kind of league like the JLA or The Avengers. Captain Marvel needs to stay close to the rock but he can get away from it during 24h. It’s like Shazam. I think he should be in that list, only if people don’t consider him as a cosmic entity. I think Shazam is stronger than Doctor Strange. When I am talking about Shazam, I mean the real one. The wizard.

#6 Desperado says:
March 16th, 2010 at 11:13 am

@Alberto:
The thing with the Beyonder and the Celestial fight on their home base was also a reton, in which it was not actually the celestial’s headquarters, and they made it appear as if they were being defeated in order to test his abilities or something along the lines.

#7 Darryl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 2:53 pm

ShadowHunter

Having these abilities Omnipresent, Omniscience, Omnipotent would make him GOD! Just having one of those would be enought to kick a person off this list as cosmic entity.
Yes he would be too powerful!

#8 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 3:55 pm

@Desperado

Now I really hate that crap.

I just wonder why writters don’t stick to the rules.

Companies should make a power graph and make the writters work with it.

And when ever they don’t like something just crisis it and “fix it”

Beyonder rest in peace

Molecule Man rest in peace

#9 Darryl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

Alberto

A lot that crap happens in comics. I agree I wish there was more hard rules for writers to follow.

Hey Alberto I don’t have a scanner but in All-star Squadon 36 & 37 its shows Capt Marvel beating silver age Superman (PC). This one of the few fights in comics that really living up to the hype & give some really good reasoning why Capt Marvel beat Superman. Two main reasons is 1st Capt Marvel is magical being and Superman resistance to magic is low this cause CM punches to hurt superman fastest then most other super strong foes. 2nd is Capt Marvel stamina is better then Superman. Capt Marvel basically never tire this explain too during the fight. Capt Marvel able basically to wear Superman down until he knocks Superman out. All their other able about a wash. Superman use his heat vision but has little to no effect on CM. The speed was slightly advantage CM. CM just as fast as superman and slilght more agility then Superman thank to abilities obtains from Mercury. Strenght was amost even slighty advantage Superman. Superman does mention his strenght makes Hercules look like 90 pound weakling but CM shows his strenght is greater then Hercules label this is do to the fact that his other abilities enhance his strenght such the power of Zeus.

It’s good read if you get the chance to read it.

#10 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:01 pm

Darryl : Captain Marvel punches aren’t magic… His punches affect him just like General Zod.

#11 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:01 pm

Darryl : Captain Marvel isn’t omnipotent. He got RELATIVE Omnipotence. It’s not the same.

#12 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

Darryl : There is only one person in DC universe that got all these three powers and that’s The Presence.

#13 Darryl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:42 pm

Shadowhunter
Not according to DC Capt Marvel is consider a magical being and this play apart in his fight with superman.

#14 Darryl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:49 pm

Shadowhunter are you saying is Relative because his tie to the Rock?

#15 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:25 pm

Darryl : Captain Marvel is a magical being but he doesn’t have magic punches… He can use some lightning bolts from Zeus, that’s how he is magical.

He is tied to the Rock but he’s far away from being as powerful as The Spectre… Far away from being equal to The Presence too. Keeper Captain Marvel is enought strong to beat OF Thor, Modern Superman, etc… He might be equal to Rune King Thor but he’s not the most powerful being of the universe.

#16 Ernest Manigo says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:40 pm

Superman is more powerful than Captain Marvel. Magic can harm Superman but it cannot nor has it ever defeated him.

A baseball bat can harm me if you swing it, but it’s unlikely you’ll defeat me with one since I’m an martial artist.

Also, I guess I’m a little bias to Reed Richards’ take on magic; I think it’s really a science that if figured out, it can be explained logically. It’s just that most people can’t connect the two. Only possibly Dr Doom.

Dr. Strange and others like him seem to never want to admit that if they were asked directly. They maintain the mystery.

Shazam and his ability is probably science based, just like the high evolutionary/eternals/inhumans connect; or apocalyps (spelling) and mutants… or Warlock/Her creation…(which is prob like doomsday)

Tony Stark would agree per his experiences with the Mandarin

To that end, when I get the opportunity, I will write an episode that will immune Superman from magic once and for all (I’ll come up with something)

#17 Darryl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 9:43 pm

Ernest & shadowhunter

As far as Capt Marvel being magical it what DC say not me. How magic work on superman it actually low his aura of invinicible. That why it’s state that magic thing can hurt superman at high rate then non magical attacks. Per All Star Squadron issues it indicate this why CM punches have greater effect on him then normal punches from a being was non magical being.

I would agree magic by itself has not prove to be enought to stop Superman except in rare case such as Dr. Fate (Kent Nelson version)& Spectre who has defeat Superman before by using magic.

#18 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:39 pm

@Darryl

Thanks for the heads up, I’m going to look for it.

About Superman and Magic

I was reading the other day, That magic is effective in Superman only as much as He believes on it. So if He believes that a magical punch from Captain Marvel can KO him, then He will get KO, If He believes that a spell from Blaze will do squat to him, then the spell will not be effective.

Something along the lines of the skeleton key.

I can beleieve that PC Captain Marvel, could defeat PC Superman. On terms of feats PC Superman has better feats, but DC has always make sure that this characters stay on the same power level, except for that one time.

If We go for feats the PC Superman can only be defeated by PIS, which I think this was the case back then. I still look foward to read the story

#19 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 3:06 am

Alberto : What do you mean by PIS?

Alberto, again : Your saying that if Thor hit Superman with his hammer, only Superman knows what will happen to him?

#20 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 3:17 am

“Alberto : What do you mean by PIS?”

What i meant with PIS it was on the PC Captain Marvel VS PC Superman.
PC Superman was so powerful, that the only way you can defeat him is with PIS.

“Alberto, again : Your saying that if Thor hit Superman with his hammer, only Superman knows what will happen to him?”

No, what I am saying is that magic is effective on Superman as much as He believes on it. That is what I read and is a perfect explination, because sometimes you see him resisting transmutations from Blaze and sometimes you see him getting hurt by vodoo. It does not make sense. One magic is too powerful and yet He resist it and the other one is too weak and yet it hurt him.
Is the same way “magic works” in our world
It “works” if you believe on it.
This depends totally on Superman, but since He was reaised as a farmer, I’m pretty much sure He believes in most magic.

#21 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:23 am

Alberto : Well, he should learn how to use all the kind of magics. He learned some things with Zatanna but he should have learned from Shazam or even The Spectre (Even if he must be really busy).

#22 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 4:25 pm

You have to remember that “weaknesses” like magic, red sun and Kryptonite were introduced to make the character vulnerable and easy for the writters to come up with stories. That was the everyday bread back in PC era golden and silver age. Superman vs Kryptonite.

If Superman lost that thing with magic can you imagine how we will be discusing this thing about Thor? Even as it is is hard to make a case for Thor to defeat Superman, This will be even worse.
And just to let you know, It seems that Superman will change in the future, due to the legal rights of the character, DC has to come up with a new secret origin.
I’m sure this will change some things in the Superman story.

#23 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:08 pm

OK

I got this thing, please imput so I can improve it.

No hate just suggestions please

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLyVdQ0DrJo

#24 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:55 pm

Superman without his magic weakness would beat Thor anytime.

#25 Brett says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:54 pm

@Alberto: ur video is cool. but my suggestion for u regardin it is to use feats of superman by himself. all the strength feats u had for him was with the help of someone. all the feats u had for thor were solo. so to make a lil more fair u should make everything solo.

#26 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:33 am

@Brett

Thanks I will change that

#27 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:12 am

Brett : Well, for the book, since Ultraman lifted it alone, that means Superman can do it alone too.

#28 Brett says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:20 am

@Shadowhunter: We’re not talkin about the feats of Ultraman/Superman. we’re talkin about the feats of superman and superman alone.

#29 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:26 am

Brett : You were saying that all the feats he showed, he was always with someone else. The one with the planet earth, Superman was the only one moving it if I good remember. Hal Jordan only made the construct.

#30 Brett says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:38 am

@Shadowhunter: I believe GL helped because why wouldnt supes be able to move the planet without it? couldnt he just push it?

#31 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 2:26 am

Brett : We all know Superman is better at flying. With this construct, he could fly and bring it with him. He’s flying faster than he run.

#32 Brett says:
March 16th, 2010 at 2:29 am

He can still fly and push Earth without the construct is what im sayin.

#33 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 2:36 am

I just updated the video

I put a new feat of Superman when He alone slow down a 70 mile ship, that travels so fast that it goes between universes, while probably the size is not that impresive, the speed of it and the momemtum are.

The other one is the mageddon warhead

Thanks for the heads up.

I have been getting a lot of hate

But hey. It is what it is

I’ll make one later one of

Thor vs Hulk
Super vs Hulk
Silver Surfer vs GL

and the rest of the big guns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRzskaeaiHw

#34 BERSERKR says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:19 am

Stamina should have been a draw at least, and ANYTHING to do with energy manipulation, creation, absorption etc, Thor easily wins hands down. and does a “double” black hole even exist? i dont think two black holes in one would make the gravitational pull any more severe.

#35 BERSERKR says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:22 am

And Superman unarmed combat winner are you serious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! who cares who trained Superman Thor has been fighting and training for hundreds if not THOUSANDS of years, Fighting is what he IS he is a warrior born after all, even Captain America said himself “He is an expert combatant, having been trained for hundreds of years in the art of war.” “His understanding of tactics and strategies ENCOMPASSES the teaching of cultures over several centuries.”

#36 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:22 am

BERSERKR : Does Thor exist? We don’t give a shit if a double black hole exist. It’s a comic. It’s not real. Energy Absorbtion? Every second of his life Superman absorb energy to stay alive (Yellow sun). I would have given him the win for this one. The fact that he survived the blast of the Imperiex Prime is a freaking incredible feat. This guy is a beast.

#37 BERSERKR says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:23 am

Also Thor defeated Grog the god crusher without his powers, super-strength, and being a mortal-Thor-#397

#38 BERSERKR says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:24 am

Take away there powers and Thor would beat SUperman as a Man bears his dick.

#39 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:27 am

BERSERKR : Who is the best guy to teach someone how to fight? Not hard to answer : Batman. Batman is one of the finest human combatants Earth has ever known. He trained in the US for various martial arts for 3 years. He has mastered 127 styles of martial arts including Muay Thai, Escrima, Krav Maga, Capoeira, Savate, Yawyan, Taekwondo, Judo, Jujitsu, Ninjitsu, Kendo, fencing, swordsmanship, Kenjutsu, Kali, Bojutsu, Francombat, Boxing, Kickboxing, Hapkido, Wing Chun, Parkour, Shorin Ryu, Silat, Chin Na, Kyudo, Aikido, Varma Ati, Jeet Kune Do, Shaolin, Ba Gua, Hung Gar, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Kenpo. His primary form of combat[citation needed] is an idiosyncratic admixture of Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Muay Thai, Karate, Boxing, Jujitsu, and Ninjitsu. Plus, Superman know the Kryptonian martial art. I agree that Batman didn’t show him all those kinds of martial art but Batman is the best person to show to Superman how to fight. Wonder Woman is a warrior and she helped him too. Superman is more intelligent than Thor. If you can’t agree with that, you should go learn who’s Superman.

#40 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:28 am

BERSERKR : With what you wrote, I know that your a Thor fanboy. I am going to go sleep. Before saying anything, think about it. I am giving you the night to think about it.

#41 ShadowHunter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:31 am

By the way, Thor without his powers would get his ass kicked by Batman.

#42 BERSERKR says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:32 am

Superman is more intelligent in a scientific way yes, but Thor is not a moron as so many seem to believe, Batman is a Mortal he has barley lived half a century, Captin America is at least as good at fighting as Batman and even he knows he could not beat Thor if Thor was Powerless, Superman cannot outfight Thorm no way, no how.

#43 BERSERKR says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:34 am

And i am not a fan boy i just ook at the facts, A Thor versus Superman fight would be far more even then Superman Fanboys want to believe, if Thor went all out and used all the powers and abilities at his disposal, He would clearly Win the fight, but if it was a fair fight, then it would be a very hard fought battle where either one could become the victor.

#44 reggie says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:57 am

3 letters WWH. the only thing that stopped THIS VERSION of the hulk was himself. it was stated that if he took a couple more steps the eastern seaboard would be knocked out and if he jumped or ran the world could possibly break. even more scary(and maybe inconsistent) is his son Skaar who fully yields the old power now and not only has hulk’s strength but is in absolute full control of whatever planet he is on. WWH even defeated sentry. and dont get me started on how formidable the red hulk is.

#45 Reporter says:
March 16th, 2010 at 9:42 am

@BERSERKR

Has Superman defeated some one while depowered?You bring a good point when you pointed the issue were Thor defeated Grog the God Crusher while being mortal.

#46 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 3:39 pm

If there is something fishy in comics is this battle against Grog, Why? Because on the mighty Thor #396 Thor is striped from his powers and He is suposed to be powerless, yet you see him on the next issue Breaking chains and Knocking gods arround two issues later on the same story, he says He does not have his LEGENDARY strength, and then a few pages later He gets his full strength back.
He was not fully depowered, He was a mortal, but not in the sense of Batman Mortal, He was a mortal with a good deal of superstrength, lower than Spiderman but higher than Batman.

Talk about Spiderman/Firelord exemptions with this one. Thor not fully powered defeats Grog the God crusher.

So in short He did in fact have a good deal of superstrength that It returned gradually during the whole story, So he was not completelly depowered.
He was “Mortal”, but not depowered.

Superman has a few of those feats too, of fighting with out powers. I have to look for them and then I’ll give issue #

#47 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 3:52 pm

I think is a fight between Cap and Thor at the same mortal level. Cap will win hands down.
In the Marvel U there is no better fighter that Cap as far as I know.

Cap and Batman are the top fighters in their universes.

Superman VS a Kryptonian Commander

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu200/biensalsa/Superman/supervsgrog.jpg?t=1262274647

Yes is offical Superman knows martial arts, FROM BATMAN!!!

#48 Alberto says:
March 16th, 2010 at 4:10 pm

If Stamina goes into draw and energy generation/ manipulation goes to Thor, it will be a tie

And actually energy generation goes into a draw

Because there is no cauterizing a wound in the cosmos feat

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu200/biensalsa/Superman/supes2po7.jpg?t=1262275356

There is also one more thing on both sides, while I’m sure Thor can absorb every single heat blast from Superman with Mjolnir, is also true that Superman can created enough static energy to create a shield against Mjolnir, either to increse his protective aura or to separate Thor from Mjolnir,

This had happened before against Asorbing man