Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time

Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time

Written by Zeromage 5,550 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

5,550 Comments

#1 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 12:21 am

Banudorm : Franklin Richards isn’t the most powerfull Superheroes. You are just forgetting a couple.

#2 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 12:59 am

I didn’t say he was, just broached the question as to who can beat him and how…..the same as I’m sure has been asked of the others on this list.

#3 Furyof5 says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:13 am

Banudorm says:

“Furyof5: i was actually trying to give u a complement….I know Toons are bought/won in court battles(Captain Marvel) from other now defunct publications. Hell prob half the golden/silver age heroes were acquired from smaller writers/publications.”

Oh dont take it the wrong way, I was simply adding a little more, thank your for the compliment, I just felt like continuing to add more.

“I brought up not letting cosmic beings on because I wrote something about Dr. Manhattan and someone said he was cosmic that or Franklin Richards, it wasn’t clarified to which he was referring.”

Well you simply didnt state that, thats fine though, I had thought you were refering to not allowing them in general.

“Superman- has the type of energy transference powers as Captain Atom or Captain Mar-vell which I wouldn’t consider cosmic.”

Superman is a cosmic being, it has been said before in the comics, ShadowHunter can back me up on this

“Green Lantern- His origin story is magic enhanced weapon. The power came from a great battery which was powered by a huge green gem. The writers have gone weirdo on what the Lanterns can actually accomplish, but it still came from the green gem power.”

Well Green Lantern became a god/cosmic being at one point as he was The Spectre, thats why I said he was.

“Sentry- Your right again I never liked him as a character….what exactly is his powers and how did he get them…these writers are screwing him up almost as bad as killing Captain Mar-vell WAY before he should have been, then trying to bring bring him back…..FAIL”

Idk if this one is directed towards me, but Ill say, Sentry is still a cosmic being being that he is Galactus(and if he is “God” he is way beyond that of a cosmic being)

“Captain Marvel- He’s actually a boy given magic powers by the wizard Shazam.”

Reguardless of how he got the powers, they are still granted to him by gods and other mythological beings. SHAZAM is the collective names of: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury. So this is why I wonder if he can be considered, even if he is a boy/mortal, the point is he becomes a being all in itself, and his powers stem from gods and cosmic beings.

#4 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:15 am

Given his powers

Warp Reality: Omni-Mutant level
Control Matter: Omni-Mutant level

Psionic:telepathy, telekinesis, precognition,concussive force blasts,astral projection

I would say that he’s allot like Dr. Strange, in that he has no real physical means of beating someone. He just has VASTLY superior powers than the Doc.

#5 Furyof5 says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:18 am

Either way this list is just dumb, everyone knows the strongest superhero Captain Underpants, I mean geez people…

#6 Furyof5 says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:20 am

Psh, Franklin Richards…..HULK SMASH ANNOYING BABY!!!

#7 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:24 am

Fury : Captain Marvel cannot be considered as a cosmic being. Rock Keeper Captain Marvel IS a cosmic being since he’s Omnipotent, etc..

#8 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:36 am

*Captain Marvel: is given powers like that of said beings not the literal power of them. Not to mention that half of them weren’t gods at all Solomon(king),Hercules(mortal),Atlas(titan),Achilles(fabled warrior)

The (Wizard) (magically) gave him the (mythical) powers of said beings.

*Green Lantern: Which one? The list just refers to (The Green Lantern) whether it be Hal,Kyle,Guy,Jade,etc.???

*Sentry: He got his powers from a potion….

*Superman:Which one? The writers have changed him so many times its not funny. Is he cosmic because he’s from Kripton? If that’s so then Captain Mar-vell is because he Kree…..or The good Martian because…..u get the point.

#9 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:41 am

Omnipotent in comics refers to them having unlimited power…meaning like a battery not as in supreme god

#10 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:44 am

Banudorm : Rock Keeper Captain Marvel can take out Galactus itself. Even Franklin Richards doesn’t stand a chance.

#11 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:44 am

Hulk can’t even breath in space he shouldn’t even be considered on the list of most powerful….all he has is strength….easily dispatched by someone who can create whatever they wish in a single thought.

#12 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:48 am

Dude He brought back Galactus from death by thinking it.What are you talking about?

#13 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:55 am

Superman is a direct descendant of the God Rao. That might be the reason. In case you didn’t know, since he’s young, The Quintessence (A group of powerfull people like Zeus, Phantom Stranger, Ganthet and Shazam), have been watching Superman (Clark Kent). They were pretty much afraid of him and they were PISSED off when Superman destroyed Imperiex Prime. They even brought him in a kind of tribunal so they could punish him. The Spectre was acting as Supermans lawyer.

#14 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:56 am

Banudorm : I suggest you make some research on Rock Keeper Captain Marvel. I’ll be waiting.

#15 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:01 am

Then your a descendant of our sun….that’s what it means.

Rao is the name of Kripton’s red sun.

#16 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:04 am

Kriptonians called the sun there god because it lorded over them. In the creation on Kripton The (God)
Rao had an epic battle with the (God) of water.Sounds like a greek myth eh…..prob because thats what it was before DC flipped it into another novel.

#17 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:05 am

whoops Kryptonians

#18 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:07 am

Rao is the founder of the -El familly. His priest was even a member of the -El.

#19 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:09 am

You don’t get it I guess…….It’s apart of Kryptonian mythology akin to Greek mythology.

#20 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:16 am

Kryptonian Mythology? Who gives a shit? Superman is a demi-god. How the hell do you think he managed to take out being such as Zod, Bizarro, Doomsday, Brainiac? Zod is supposed to be is equal. Still, he won. That’s the answer to those questions. It always have been like that.

#21 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:18 am

Zod was his equal in power….not mind…true they were both Kryptonian

#22 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:19 am

Think of it Like this Rao is Zues
Superman is Hercules

#23 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:22 am

I don’t remember him killing Doomsday either

#24 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:22 am

And…? Hercules gets his powers from his father.

#25 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:23 am

I never said he killed Doomsday, be carefull.

#26 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:24 am

I do remember DC killing off supes then bringing in a bunch of replacements….and a weird blue electric supes in a containment suit…..Oh DC there so comical.

#27 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:25 am

Mythicaly yes he does receive them from zues, but we both know where supes gets his power….not Rao but our very own God/Sun

#28 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:27 am

Well is if you ask what “Take Out” means to say Lobo……

#29 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:33 am

If you’ve read Sandman’s Endless Nights… you’d read that Rao (gave birth) to the El family by not saving Krypton and letting just the El name live on….It was what the God thought of as Beauty. Out of great tragedy and death…springs life.

Thats myth……Rao in actuality destroyed Krypton

#30 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:36 am

He gets his energy from out very own sun, yes. But what proof do you have agains the fact that he might be able to absorb MORE energy than any Kryptonian? Just take a look at Gold Superman Prime for example.

#31 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:39 am

Ok why does it matter how much energy he absorbs? It just proves that his power is energy transference….Basically Captain Atom right?

#32 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:48 am

Take the yellow sun away from supes…what is he?

#33 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 2:51 am

Dead! especially if Lobo is within a few solar systems of him. The two to fought to a stand still and Lobo has hated it since.

#34 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:02 am

He’s not dead without the Yellow Sun kid. Superman can use electricity to get his powers back.

#35 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:09 am

That’s just dumb

#36 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:10 am

his powers are radiation based.

#37 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:12 am

Would supes beat Fraklin Richards w ithout a sweat? If not then that’s reason enough to atleast have him on the list.

#38 ShadowHunter says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:12 am

He was able to absorb the electricity to get them back. Superboy Prime was able to absorb the power of a Guardian of the Universe and use it as a new power source.

#39 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:15 am

Hell Doc Strange is at #5 would he have a chance against Frank?

#40 Alberto says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:18 am

@Banudorm

Let me school you a little bit on the subject

Man of steel #127

Rao is an actual living God, Zeus hates Rao and warns Superman about mentioning Rao’s name in front of him ever again.

Man of stell #126

The Gods tell Superman that Rao is their father, so Superman is like their “brother”

Last God of Krypton

Cyntonia a Kryptonian Godess, wants to kill Superman because He is a direct descendant of the “Sun God Rao”, She even says “You look just like him”

For kryptonias Rao is the creator as in hebrew mythology GOD, THE CREATOR, GEOVHA.

There might be a reason why Zeus hates Rao

#41 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:19 am

Thor’s a god, in the same publication, same universe, same time line……could he absolutely stomp Franklin?

#42 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:24 am

Lol and before all of that in Sandman’s novel it speaks of Rao as Myth…..

That novel was written far before those scripts….they took that one passage from a SANDMAN novel and decided to make it into to a story….

thanks for the teaching

#43 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:26 am

and you should now that zues’s father in greek mythos wasn’t Rao

#44 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:30 am

It is described in detail in E. Nelson Bridwell’s Krypton Chronicles that later on in Kryptonian history, Rao went from being the sun to a much more cosmic, monotheistic concept, which is “he who ignited the sun.”

#45 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:31 am

that’s from wiki

#46 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:32 am

DC took what was previously wrote as just Kryptonian myth, and made into a new comic spin off

#47 Alberto says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:35 am

@Banudorm

Hm?

Did I said Zeus father in Greek mythology was Rao?

I never said that.

Second

The Sandman: Endless Nights is a graphic novel written by Neil Gaiman it was published in 2003

The last God of Krypton was published in 1999, I don’t see how they can read a novel in the future in 1999

It was actually the other way arround, Neil took parts of the last god of krypton for his graphic novel.

(>^u^)=o-

#48 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:40 am

El actually means- star and always has in kryptonian…Kael means- son of

Hence son of the star….DC later took this and ran with him literally being the son of Rao…the god that came far after we already knew that the star was Rao

#49 Banudorm says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:42 am

Either way does it really disprove my point?

#50 Alberto says:
March 15th, 2010 at 3:46 am

Rao is being arround since Pre-Crisis as a class 3 red sun.

Only in modern times is that Rao has been given a physical body.

Which in part could explain why Superman is vulnerable to certain types of magic and why so resistent to other types. It seems like a mental block, partly because He was raised in small-ville with superticious believes.

« Older Comments

Newer Comments »

Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time

5,550 Comments

Leave a Comment