Superman, Spider-Man, and the Incredible Hulk are all well-known characters around the world, but casual fans may be startled to hear that even the most popular superpowers are far more sophisticated than they appear to be at the surface. Here we bring you each superpower explained in a more detailed and scientific manner.
Miles Morales Doesn’t Turn Invisible, It’s Camouflage
Miles Morales is at least the second-most well-known Spider-Man from Marvel Comics, and he is on his way to claiming first place. Morales, unlike Peter Parker, possesses a few extra spider talents, including what appears to be the ability to turn invisible and disappear in his surroundings.
However, Miles Morales does not actually turn invisible. Instead, like a superpowered chameleon, he has special camouflage-like skills that allow him to blend in with his environment at command without any effort. Morales may, of course, transfer this effect to his clothing, so it still has the same effect as an invisibility cloak.
Aquaman Mentally Commands All Sea Life
The idea that Aquaman talks to fish isn’t only a prevalent misunderstanding; it’s also a common punchline targeted at one the most underrated superheroes. It’s difficult not to smile at the prospect of Arthur Curry having a serious talk with a cod.
Aquaman has stated numerous times in different films and comics that he doesn’t converse with fish. He’s telepathically linked to the water and all species inside it, which has some pretty astounding ramifications. Curry has a mental command over all marine creatures. He’s even utilized this talent to have legions of sharks devour his opponents on several occasions.
Spider-Man’s Brain Manipulates Electrostatic Forces
Spider-Man has the ability to cling to walls, which is one of his many incredible spider-like powers. Although some representations of his powers have included small hairs on his palms that serve an adhesive purpose, the wall-crawler probably attaches to surfaces because his hands and feet are sticky.
The true reason behind it is really complicated and includes some serious science. The electrostatic force and the attraction between molecular boundary layers can be controlled by Peter Parker’s changed brain. Spidey’s talents make his skin attract foreign surfaces like a magnet at his command, although electrons ordinarily resist one another.
The Hulk Transforms Due To Adrenaline
We all know that when Bruce Banner gets angry, he changes into the Incredible Hulk. “You would not like me when I’m angry,” he says flatly. When he has Hulked out, he does not come down until he has calmed down.
The Hulk is propelled by adrenaline rather than rage. His superhuman strength is proportional to the amount of adrenaline in his circulation, and he has no limit. When Banner becomes enraged, he transforms into the Hulk, and the more enraged he becomes, the stronger he physically becomes. However, this is true of any adrenaline-inducing emotion, including lust and fright.
The Scarlet Witch Can Alter Probability Fields
The Scarlet Witch’s abilities have always been ill-defined, whether in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or in the comics. She’s commonly represented as manipulating “hex” energies, which are essentially rip-offs of Doctor Strange’s abilities.
She used to fire “hex bolts” that inflicted generic damage to her foes in her early days. Maximoff’s range of talents have only grown in significance since then. She can change probability with her power, but that’s not all she can accomplish. When Wanda fully unleashes her abilities, she has the capacity to modify reality for the entire planet, such as when she nearly wipes out mutants.
Iceman Can Stop All Molecular Motion
Robert Drake, a.k.a Iceman, the first X-Man, has the ability to create ice and transform objects into ice, including his own body. Drake looks to be a one-note superhero, despite his frequent usage of his ice powers in dramatic fashion.
Iceman is one of the world’s most powerful mutants. He possesses thermokinesis, which allows him to drop the temperature of his immediate surroundings. Drake’s abilities can cause temperatures to plummet below absolute zero, the point when all molecular activity comes to a halt. He once stopped a nuclear detonation in its tracks, and he can effectively freeze time.
Nightcrawler Travels Through A Different Dimension Every Time He Teleports
Also known as Nightcrawler, Kurt Wagner’s look is more perplexing than his abilities. He teleports from one place to another, and has adhesive hands and feet. But, why is he blue then?
Nightcrawler’s father is a demon-like mutant called Azazel and his mother is none other than Mystique, therefore the origins of his appearance aren’t all that odd anymore. On the other hand, what about Nightcrawler’s teleportation? He doesn’t merely teleport from one spot to the next, as it turns out; he also crosses through the brimstone dimension. Nightcrawler basically takes a short trip to hell every time he teleports.
The Flash Is Just A Release Valve For The ‘Speed Force’
It is well-known that Barry Allen is the quickest person alive. The Flash can usually be described in these simple terms: he is just incredibly, really fast, even though he is always proven to employ his super-speed in imaginative ways.
The Flash is a physical manifestation of the “Speed Force,” the cosmic force that propels time forward. Allen can tap into the Speed Force’s time- and space-manipulating powers and unleash them in the form of super-speed, but also lightning bolts, intangibility, and time travel, as a type of release valve. He is technically a force of the nature of physics.
Green Lantern Taps Into The ‘Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum’
Power Rings give Hal Jordan and other Green Lanterns the ability to create green energy constructs with their minds. Green Lanterns may use their willpower to create hard light objects that are only limited by their own ideation.
Green Lanterns have access to a vast Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum, which manifests itself in a variety of “colors.” There are also Red Lanterns (who specialize in fury) and Yellow Lanterns (who thrive on fear), in addition to the will-themed Green Lanterns . In total, there are at least nine varieties. The Lanterns are channels for the emotional energy that pervades all living things.
Shazam Borrows Traits From Various Gods
Shazam, the hero formerly known as Captain Marvel, looks a lot like a Superman imitation, and he was once legally declared to be one. Shazam, like Man of Steel, has the abilities of flight, super-strength, and invulnerability to wounds and hurt.
When youthful Billy Batson changes into Shazam, he inherits a unique set of superpowers: godlike skills. Shazam is an abbreviation for S’ivaa, H’ronmeer, Anapel, Zonuz, Ate, and Mamaragan, a multi-denominational pantheon of deities who provide their powers to Batson’s superheroic avatar. In an earlier continuity, the names were a lot more recognizable: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury.
Ant-Man’s Pym Particles Allow Him To Break A Crucial Law Of Physics
Pym Particles have been used by a variety of characters in the Marvel Comics, including Hank Pym, Janet van Dyne, Scott Lang, and even Hawkeye, but they all work in the same way. Pym Particles allow its manipulators to radically alter their own size, as well as the size of others.
The science behind Pym Particles is jargon-heavy, as one might expect from such discovery. Pym Particles, basically, allow its handlers to ignore the square-cube law of physics, allowing Ant-Men and Wasps to expand or shrink significantly while gaining proportionate power. The power is in the suit, not the person.
The Human Torch Converts Food Into Flame
The Human Torch is Johnny Storm, and it’s the kind of superhero moniker that speaks for itself. His abilities are clearly pyrokinetic, because not only he can create fire and surround his entire body in it, it also allows him to fly.
Johnny Storm’s superpowers have been scientifically researched by his brother-in-law, Reed Richards. Normal humans metabolize food into adenosine triphosphate (a form of energy), however the Human Torch converts it into a new, more volatile energy. This permits him to turn his entire body into plasma and produce massive amounts of heat as a result of the chemical interaction.
The Joker Is ‘Super-Sane’ And Immortal
The Joker, like Batman, is not supposed to have any superpowers. Depending on which continuity you are following, he is just a regular guy in clown makeup – or just a man who fell in some skin-bleaching chemicals. Joker’s true strength is his insanity’s unpredictability.
The Joker’s unforeseeable nature stems from his possession of “super-sanity” – or at least it did in an older DC Comics canon. This implies he reinvents his persona on a daily basis, which explains the character’s wide diversity of portrayals over the years. In the New 52 universe, he’s nearly eternal due to a substance called Dionesium.
Gambit Shifts Energy Into Different States
Gambit is a mutant who rose to prominence thanks to the animated X-Men series from the 1990s. He was shown as a kid who threw exploding playing cards.
Gambit doesn’t just cause things to explode. Instead, he can convert potential energy (the energy stored in an item) into kinetic energy in an instant. This distinction is crucial because it makes way for Gambit to employ his abilities in even more amazing ways. For one thing, rather than blowing anything up, Gambit may make any object collapse in on itself and vanish. He can also use molecules to repair his body.
Thor Can Only Fly If Holding On To Mjolnir
Thor, like many other superheroes, has the ability to fly. Thor is an immortal deity from the mythological kingdom of Asgard, so it is only natural that he – or she, in the case of Jane Foster – might defy gravity’s laws.
Though Thor has been shown levitating without Mjolnir on occasion, the overall belief in comic books seems to be that he cannot fly without it. When Thor is seen soaring into the air, it is usually because he has thrown Mjolnir and latched onto the leather strap, allowing it to drag him through the Nine Realms at varied unimaginable speeds.
Storm Can Control Weather In Every Planet
Storm’s ability to control the weather earned her the title of god among her people. Even before the full range of her abilities were known, she was one of the most powerful X-Men in Xavier’s special school.
She’s a rare Omega Level Mutant, who has the ability to affect ecosystems not only on Earth, but on every planet she visits. Her body also reacts to the weather around her by heating up in the winter and cooling down in the summer. Storm can even view the world around her as energy projections, allowing her to focus her abilities more precisely.
Magneto Controls Magnetic Fields On A Planet-Wide Scale
Magneto, whose real name is Max Eisenhardt, is a master of magnetism. He has complete control over all things metal. There is the popular belief that he only has a limited form of telepathy, because he can only use it on metal objects.
Magneto is an Omega Level mutant, which means he belongs to an extremely small group of mutants. These are the most powerful mutants and have no limitations on their abilities. Magneto can utilize his skills to control a planet’s whole electromagnetic field. He was once able to manipulate a metal object that was lightyears away from him.
Firestar Harnesses Earth’s Electromagnetic Field To Create Radiation Emissions
Anyone would assume Firestar possesses fire-related abilities based on her name and appearances on Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. Angelica Jones appears to be a female Human Torch with the ability to project flames from her body.
However, Firestar does not actually shoot fire. Instead, she emits microwave radiation by converting Earth’s electromagnetic field. She can use this radiation to fly, cast an aura around herself, and melt and explode objects. Firestar is apparently immune to the damaging effects of her powers, such as cancer due to radiation exposure. She can be hurt by intense heat from other microwave sources.
Mystique Can Completely Reorganize Her Body
Mystique, also known as Raven Darkholme, is one of the most recurring and well-known X-Men villains. Raven has fought Professor X’s students in comic books, TV series, and movies. She’s a shapeshifter with the ability to transform into any human.
Mystique’s mutant talent permits her to make cellular changes to her body. As a result, she can imitate any humanoid (or semi-humanoid) and their dress (Mystique is naked at all times and morphs her body to resemble clothes). To match her target, she can move her organs around in her body or sprouts an extra limb or two if necessary.
Apocalypse Gets All His Powers From An Ability To Reshape His Own Molecules
The majority of mutants are inextricably bound to their superhuman talents. There is an exception to this rule in the case of Apocalypse. What exactly are his abilities? He’s from ancient Egypt, he’s immortal, and he’s ready to bring the end of the world.
Self-molecule manipulation is Apocalypse’s lone natural ability. Essentially, he has the ability to modify his molecular structure, allowing him to rejuvenate and transform his body into almost any shape. His signature armor, stolen from a Celestial, boosts his power even further. He can project Celestial energy blasts and is physically strong enough to fight the Hulk.
Forge’s Mutant Ability Allows Him To Perceive Mechanical Energy
Forge is a mutant with a knack for constructing and communicating with machines. This naturally causes one to wonder what his mutant ability is, as “excellent at machines” does not appear to be a typical mutant trait. We know many other Marvel superheroes like Reed Richards and Tony Stark, who aren’t mutants. However, Forge is definitely a mutant.
Forge’s mutation is that he has a natural ability to perceive mechanical energy, not that he’s technically brilliant like, for instance, Tony Stark. This enables him to naturally engineer and build devices, even if he doesn’t completely comprehend what he is doing.
Cyclops Essentially Punches People With His Eyes
When you think of Scott Summers’ eyes, your guess is that they’re filled with red lasers. Cyclops is a mutant who can’t open his eyes without ejecting a crimson beam that obliterates everything in its path.
Cyclops’ optic blast is best defined as a concussive force, which essentially means he punches people with his eyes. He metabolizes solar energy and releases it in the form of ruby-colored beams that impose brute power rather than heat. Summers can’t manage his skills because of a childhood brain problem; otherwise, he’d be able to store all that energy eternally and blast it out anytime.
Superman Doesn’t Fly, He Manipulates Gravity
We’ve never doubted Superman’s ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Clark Kent’s alter ego’s ability to fly has become widely acknowledged throughout time. Few comic book scenes are more iconic than the Man of Steel soaring through the skies.
The full story of Superman’s flight is significantly more intricate than it appears on the surface, as is often the case in comic books. Kal-El’s Kryptonian physiology allows him to manipulate graviton particles surrounding him, allowing him to ignore gravity and propel himself in any direction. Although Superman can fly, the entire technique is based on scientific principles.
Rogue Indefinitely Stole Captain Marvel’s Powers
Rogue is one of the most popular mutants, thanks to her appearances in the popular X-Men cartoon from the 1990s and the X-Men films from the 2000s. She’s known for her capacity to seize the powers of others. Rogue avoids touching others since she will make humans and mutants alike pass out and steal their memories or powers, if they have any, but not on purpose.
Rogue is capable of far more than simply stealing powers from others. Rogue, for example, permanently absorbed Carol Danvers’ powers after extended interaction with her. This gave her Supergirl-like abilities, which she kept permanently.
Pyro Can’t Create Fire, But He Can Turn Flame Into Semi-Sentient Animal Constructs
Pyro’s talents might lead a casual spectator to believe he can manifest and project fire, similar to the Human Torch, Firestar or other fire-based characters.
Pyro’s fire-based power skillset is one of the most complicated. Is he able to make fire? No, he can only use his abilities if there is already a flame burning. He must be able to see a flame in order to take control of it. Can he make a semi-sentient fire monster out of an open flame? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Pyro can be harmed by any fire that he does not mentally control.
Cable Inherited Alpha-Level Telepathy And Telekinesis From His Mother
Cable is a relatively unknown character in the Marvel Universe, but thanks to TV appearances and his co-starring role in Deadpool 2, he’s starting to gain traction. Despite this, most fans undoubtedly still regard him as a Terminator rip-off.
Cable’s history is unusual even among the X-Men. Cable is the biological son of Cyclops and a Jean Grey clone, who later became a time traveler. Born in the present-day, Nathan Summers was infected with a deadly techno-organic virus while still a small child. He was sent into a possible future timeline where he could be treated and live his life.
Beast’s Famous Blue Fur Didn’t Come Until Late Into His X-Men Career
Most fans believe Beast’s blue fur came from his initial mutation, however this is not the truth. Dr. Hank McCoy was known as Beast long before his body was covered in blue fur. His initial mutation was visible from birth, and it gave McCoy huge hands and feet, as well as extraordinary strength and agility.
He also has increased senses. After isolating the hormone extract that triggered the mutation and turning it into a serum, Hank McCoy forced these alterations upon himself. Unfortunately, he developed a secondary mutation, transforming him into the blue-furred beast of a man we all know.
Doctor Doom Was Trained In The Mystic Arts By His Mother And Morgan Le Fey
Doctor Doom is the main antagonist of the Fantastic Four. Many people wrongly believe Doom obtained his powers and scarring while on the mission into space with Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four, thanks to the popular myth fueled by the 2005 Fantastic Four film.
Victor Von Doom has been interested in the occult since he was little. Doom’s mother was a sorceress who taught him magic from a young age, and later he continued training as an adult with Morgan Le Fey. While attempting to open a portal into Hell to save his mother, Doom earned his iconic scars.
Rhino Gets His Strength From The Same Gamma Radiation That Created The Hulk
The Rhino, whose real name is Aleksei Sytsevich, is a Russian thug who underwent an experimental procedure that gave him an artificial skin covering and superhuman strength. Although he is a key member of Spidey’s group of enemies, the general public knows far less about him than, for instance, Doc Ock or the Green Goblin.
Rhino, like Bruce Banner before him, was given remarkable talents through gamma radiation experimentation. His rhino suit is actually made of a sophisticated thick polymer, which provides him enhanced strength and makes him more damage resistant. It has horns capable of penetrating two-inch plate steel.
Taskmaster’s Combat Mirroring Is Enhanced By An Evil Super-Soldier Serum
Taskmaster possesses one of the most intriguing superpowers in the history of comic books. Taskmaster can imitate whatever ability he sees, therefore if he watches an experienced swordsman fight, he will become an expert swordsman as well.
This talent is known as photographic reflex, which is what allows him to imitate others’s abilities so perfectly. He also has great physical strength thanks to the super-soldier serum he got injected with.
Juggernaut Is Possessed By A Demon
It is widely assumed that when Cain Marko, also known as the Juggernaut gets in the zone, he cannot be stopped. He is Charles Xavier’s stepbrother, however despite his connection to such an important mutant leader, Cain is not an actual mutant himself.
While stationed in Korea, Marko came across the temple of Cyttorak and was possessed by Cyttorak, who gave him incredible power, transforming him into a human juggernaut.
Deadpool’s Cells Are Constantly Being Reborn
Wade Wilson appears to have commonplace regenerative abilities. Deadpool, like many other characters with “healing factors,” can withstand any kind of trauma and recover at an incredible rate.
Deadpool is a blatant rip-off of Wolverine. His healing factor is the consequence of Logan’s DNA being used in experiments. Wilson was accidently given powers that greatly outstripped those of his mutant pal by a secretive agency. The antihero’s cells are constantly reborn, causing him to have cancer and a skin issue, but also allowing him to endure things such as decapitation. He’s effectively immortal, so no physical setback is a problem.
Poison Ivy Has A Connection To A Mystical Force Called ‘The Green’
Poison Ivy is one of the best villains of all time. She can direct plants to grow or strike at will telepathically. Because of her connection to The Green, Poison Ivy has a variety of plant-related skills.
The Green is the elemental power that binds all plant life, as fans of the Swamp Thing books will quickly recognize. She also has poison in her lips, which makes her kisses deadly.
Bane’s Venom Injections Enhance Every Physical Trait, Not Just His Strength
When it comes to pure physical power, no other villain in the tremendously lethal Gotham rogues’ gallery compares to Bane. He’s well known for crushing Batman’s back across his knee.
Bane is much more than a physical force to be reckoned with. He enhances every physical function in his body using Venom, an advanced stimulant unrelated to the symbiote. His reaction time, speed, healing abilities, and durability are all extraordinary.
Sandman Doesn’t Have A Body – He’s Just Sand
The Sandman is a humanoid that has the ability to transform his body into sand or control enormous amounts of sand at will.
Sandman’s physical body is no longer alive. He is nothing more than animated sand in its most basic form. Although his consciousness and intellect are contained to a single grain of sand, he can construct his body from as much sand as he is physically attached to.
Venom Took The Ability To Shoot Webs From Spider-Man’s DNA
Venom is frequently mistaken for nothing more than a monster version of Spider-Man. He can scale walls effortlessly, shoots black webs, and has terrifyingly large teeth.
The symbiote’s primary weapons are tendrils and a nasty pair of fangs when left to its own devices. It was not until the Venom symbiote linked with Peter Parker that it was able to absorb his abilities and incorporate them into its own arsenal.
Green Goblin’s Goblin Formula Gave Him A Plethora Of Superhuman Abilities
Norman Osborn, also known as the Green Goblin, is the founder of Oscorp and Harry Osborn’s father. He created the Goblin Formula to compete with Captain America’s Super-Soldier Serum.
Injecting the formula did not simply turn Osborn insane; it also managed to replicate the physical augmentations that the Super-Soldier Serum had given Steve Rogers. Osborn possesses increased strength, speed, agility, reflexes, and durability, as well as the capacity to heal.
Kingpin’s Body, Regardless Of Appearance, Is Comprised Of Sheer Muscle
Wilson Fisk, as the Kingpin of the Underworld, has men to execute his dirty work on his behalf. As a result, he has gained a significant amount of weight.
Of his entire physique, Kingpin has only nine pounds of fat. The rest of his body is pure muscle. Kingpin has almost superhuman strength thanks to his powerful muscles, and was able to go fist-to-fist with Daredevil and even fight Spider-Man.
Scarecrow Is A Brilliant Chemist And Martial Artist
The Scarecrow is a brilliant former psychology professor who utilizes a range of toxins and psychological tactics to exploit his victims’ fears and phobias. He’s a skilled martial artist who uses his arms and legs in his personal combat style known as “violent dancing.”
Scarecrow can turn into a large, monstrous creature called the Scarebeast; he has greatly enhanced strength, endurance, and emits a powerful fear toxin from his body.
Cheetah Received Her Powers Through A Magic Potion
Cheetah, or Barbara Ann Minerva, received her powers by ingesting a potion made from human blood and the berries and leaves of Urzkartaga, which gave her orange skin with black spots, a tail and claws, as well as superhuman senses and reflexes.
She used to be an archeologist, who was obsessed with objects and was also quite neurotic. These superhuman traits allow them to challenge Wonder Woman in physical battles.