Who’s the strongest superhero? A question that’s had people across the globe ranting and debating for decades. So, we thought we’d weigh in with our own take, gathering a list of the true heavyweights of our time.
When compiling the who’s who of superhero powerhouses, our rankings considered all of the mightiest characters from Marvel, DC, and beyond, analyzing their abilities, feats, and influence to work out who is truly deserving of the title. From Superman’s godlike strength to Doctor Manhattan’s reality-altering powers, discover how these heroes compare in terms of combat skills, intelligence, and sheer, mind shattering force.
Superman (DC Comics)
Abilities: Super strength, flight, heat vision, super breath, near-invulnerability, super speed, and more.
Feats: Lifting planets, surviving supernovae, pulling galaxies, defeating cosmic-level threats.
Influence: The archetypal superhero, setting the standard for power levels in comics.
Though he was far weaker during his early days, Superman’s strength – and his powers in general – have increased dramatically over the years. Superman is widely regarded as one of the strongest superheroes of all time due to his vast array of powers, which include near-limitless strength, flight, heat vision, freeze breath, invulnerability, super speed, and many, many more.
As a Kryptonian under Earth’s yellow sun, his abilities surpass almost all other heroes, allowing him to lift planets, withstand supernovae, and battle cosmic-level threats. His moral compass and unwavering dedication to justice make him more than just a powerhouse – he’s an inspiring symbol of hope, bringing positivity to the superhero realm. As the original hero archetype, Superman has set the standard for strength, heroism, and resilience; a powerhouse, and almost without equal.
The Hulk (Marvel Comics)
Abilities: Unlimited strength (increases with rage), near-indestructibility, rapid healing, and resistance to mind control.
Feats: Holding up a collapsing mountain, destroying an asteroid twice the size of Earth, knocking out cosmic beings.
Influence: The ultimate embodiment of brute strength in Marvel Comics.
The Hulk stands as one of the most formidable superheroes in the Marvel Universe, primarily due to his unique ability to exponentially increase his strength when he becomes angry. This means that the angrier he becomes, the stronger he gets – with no definitive upper limit to his power.
This limitless potential has been showcased in various instances; such as when he supported a 150-billion-ton mountain range during the “Secret Wars” storyline. Unlike other superheroes whose strength has defined limits, the Hulk’s power continues to escalate endlessly, making him an unpredictable, and nearly unstoppable, force. This dynamic is unique amongst his superhero peers, and why he’s often regarded as one of the strongest of all.
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Abilities: As a god, he possesses super strength, flight, near-immortality, weather manipulation, and magic-based abilities.
Feats: Battling celestial beings like Galactus, cracking planets with his hammer, surviving in black holes, and wielding cosmic power as Rune King Thor.
Influence: A bridge between mythology and superheroes, showcasing both power and nobility.
Thor, the God of Thunder, is renowned for his immense strength and combat prowess, making him one of the most formidable figures in the Marvel Universe. As Asgard’s “God of Strength,” he stands as the mightiest among his realm’s deities.
His strength is further amplified by wearing the Megingjörð belt, which doubles his already prodigious power. This allows Thor to perform extraordinary feats, such as lifting the Midgard Serpent and engaging in battles against cosmic entities. While the exact extent of his strength (particularly without the belt, which remains a topic of discussion), it is evident that Megingjörð significantly bolsters his abilities, and solidifies Thor as one of the strongest superheroes in existence.
Goku (Dragon Ball Series)
Abilities: Super Saiyan transformations, energy manipulation, flight, ultra-speed, and near-invulnerability.
Feats: Destroying planets and universes, fighting gods of destruction, defeating enemies like Jiren and Frieza, and reaching Ultra Instinct.
Influence: One of the most powerful anime heroes, inspiring countless other characters.
Goku, the central protagonist of the Dragon Ball series, is renowned for his extraordinary strength and combat abilities. As a Saiyan, his power increases through intense training and combat experience, with Goku’s reaching levels where he can challenge and even surpass deities within his universe.
His transformations, such as Super Saiyan and Ultra Instinct, further amplify his abilities, enabling him to defeat powerful adversaries and endure intense battles. Goku’s relentless pursuit of self-improvement and his ability to break through his own limits make him one of the most powerful characters in the Dragon Ball universe.
Silver Surfer (Marvel Comics)
Abilities: Cosmic energy manipulation, flight at faster-than-light speeds, super strength, near-invulnerability, and matter manipulation.
Feats: Survived black holes, fought beings like Thanos and Galactus, absorbed entire stars, and restored planets.
Influence: A symbol of cosmic-level power and philosophical depth in Marvel.
The Silver Surfer is among the most powerful entities in the Marvel Universe, bestowed with The Power Cosmic by Galactus. – a source of unlimited cosmic energy. This grants him unparalleled abilities, including the ability to achieve feats like moving planets and generating immense force. His strength is so vast that he has pushed a moon and broken a vibranium wall with his bare hands – a casual day for the Silver Surfer. Additionally, he has defeated a number of the list’s other formidable features, including the Hulk.
Doctor Manhattan (DC Comics)
Abilities: Reality manipulation, time travel, matter disintegration, omniscience, and immortality.
Feats: Creating and destroying universes, seeing all of time simultaneously, and existing beyond space and time.
Influence: Represents a god-like existence in comics, questioning the nature of power and free will.
Doctor Manhattan, previously known as Dr. Jonathan Osterman, emerged as an omnipotent entity following a catastrophic nuclear experiment. His transformation resulted in a vast array of god-like abilities, including superhuman strength, telekinesis, teleportation, flight, and immortality.
One of his most unusual and impactful characteristics is the power to manipulate matter at a subatomic level, allowing him to disintegrate individuals instantaneously – and reconstruct them at will. His perception of time is non-linear, so he can experience the past, present, and future simultaneously. This makes him a being of unparalleled power, capable of altering reality itself – without the need for the external instruments some of our other heroes require, like the Infinity Gauntlet or Thor’s hammer. This immense power, coupled with his detached demeanor, makes Doctor Manhattan one of the most formidable and enigmatic figures in the superhero genre.
The Spectre (DC Comics)
Abilities: Omnipotence, reality warping, immortality, and divine judgment.
Feats: Erasing beings from existence, battling cosmic entities, and enforcing divine justice in the DC Universe.
Influence: The representation of divine wrath and a major supernatural force in DC.
The Spectre, known as the embodiment of God’s vengeance in the DC Universe, wields unparalleled power. Empowered by the Presence, the Spectre possesses near-omnipotence, allowing him to manipulate reality, time, and space at will. His divine mandate enables him to confront and neutralize threats of cosmic magnitude, such as banishing 5th-dimensional imps and contending with universe-threatening adversaries.
These feats underscore his role as the ultimate arbiter of justice, capable of executing divine retribution on an unparalleled scale. While his actions are often tempered by the necessity of a human host to provide moral guidance, the Spectre remains an almost invincible force, constrained only by divine will or specific narrative devices.
Saitama (One Punch Man)
Abilities: Infinite strength, invulnerability, and immeasurable speed.
Feats: Defeating cosmic threats in one punch, surviving without air in space, moving faster than light.
Influence: A satire of superhero tropes, yet arguably one of the most powerful heroes ever created.
Saitama, the protagonist of One Punch Man, possesses strength so immense that he can obliterate monsters and villains with a single punch – but not just KO’d, they literally explode upon impact due to the force. His power is so vast that he has been shown to destroy entire planets effortlessly – and his strength is not just limited to punches…
Despite lacking the ability to fly, his extraordinary leg strength enables him to leap to incredible heights and distances, and at remarkable speeds. This limitless strength and unparalleled combat ability make Saitama one of the most powerful characters in the anime and manga universe.
Spawn (Image Comics)
Abilities: Hell-based magic, near-immortality, shape-shifting, energy manipulation, and necroplasmic strength.
Feats: Battling gods and devils, warping reality, and reviving himself from death multiple times.
Influence: A mix of horror, heroism, and antihero themes in a supernatural setting.
Spawn is a formidable antihero in the Image Comics universe, boasting a vast array of supernatural abilities following his transformation into a Hellspawn. His body, composed entirely of necroplasm, grants him superhuman strength, speed, and durability, allowing him to punch through concrete and steel with ease.
Spawn’s symbiotic living costume, known as K7-Leetha, enhances his powers further, providing capabilities such as shapeshifting, regeneration, and the manifestation of spikes and chains for combat purposes. Additionally, he wields potent necroplasmic energy, enabling him to perform teleportation, telekinesis, and reality manipulation.
Wonder Woman (DC Comics)
Abilities: Super strength, flight, combat mastery, divine weaponry, and near-invulnerability.
Feats: Battling gods like Ares, lifting mountains, stopping Superman-level threats, wielding divine artifacts.
Influence: A feminist icon and one of the most powerful warriors in comics.
Wonder Woman’s origin story has been rewritten a number of times over the decades, but despite this she is easily the strongest woman in the DC Universe. Her strength is further enhanced by magical weapons like the Lasso of Truth, indestructible bracelets, and the God Killer sword. In some iterations, removing her bracelets actually unleashes her full god-like potential – a stark contrast to Thor and the Megingjörð belt.
Beyond just her raw strength, Wonder Woman’s true impact lies in her unbreakable will, leadership, and compassion. Not only is she one of the strongest heroes in comics, but she’s also one of the most inspiring – a feminist icon in a male-dominated sphere.
Shazam (DC Comics)
Abilities: Super strength, flight, magic manipulation, lightning control.
Feats: Matching Superman in strength, taking down magical threats, using divine wisdom and power.
Influence: A unique blend of childlike wonder and divine power.
Shazam, formerly known as Captain Marvel, is a superhero in the DC Comics universe who serves as the protector of Fawcett City. By uttering the magic word “SHAZAM,” young Billy Batson transforms into an adult superhero endowed with the powers of six legendary figures: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury.
This divine empowerment grants him abilities such as superhuman strength, speed, durability, and the capacity to wield magic lightning. Shazam’s strength rivals that of Superman, and their confrontations have been a topic of interest among fans – sparking many a heated debate. Notably, Shazam’s magical abilities exploit Superman’s vulnerability to magic, providing him with a distinct advantage in their encounters. So, who do you think would win?
Franklin Richards (Marvel Comics)
Abilities: Reality manipulation, cosmic awareness, omnipotence as a child.
Feats: Creating and destroying universes, altering timelines, and resurrecting cosmic beings.
Influence: A child prodigy with godlike potential, surpassing even Celestials.
Franklin Richards, the son of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman of the Fantastic Four, is an extraordinarily powerful mutant, with reality-manipulating and psionic abilities that beat out most Omega-level mutants. His powers include altering reality on a universal scale, molecular and energy manipulation, telepathy, telekinesis, energy projection, precognition, and astral projection. We told you he was powerful.
Despite his young age, Franklin has performed remarkable feats, such as creating entire pocket universes and defeating some of the most formidable adversaries in the Marvel Universe. His potential is so immense that even cosmic entities like the Celestials have acknowledged his capabilities. However, due to his youth, his abilities are often limited by his lack of control and understanding.
Super Strength Meets Super Style With Our Durable Metal Posters
If superhero swag is your kryptonite, Displate has got you covered. From Hulk metal posters that’ll make your mates green with envy, to Iron Man iconography that’s ‘Stark’-raving brilliant, we’ve got a whole host of superhero metal posters – no matter who you think is the strongest.
Fancy branching out? With our collections covering everything from comic posters to anime & manga, we’ve got everything you need to create the perfect mancave,
