Random Superpowers That Don't Work The Way You Think They Do (16 items)

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  (#2) Superman

  • Superman/Batman, Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?, Action Comics, Superman: War of the Worlds, The Superman Madman Hullabaloo, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

  What You Think Their Superpower Does: Back in the day, Superman was said to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Over time, it’s come to be generally accepted that Clark Kent's alter ego can straight-up fly. In fact, there are few comic book images more seminal than the Man of Steel soaring through the sky with his cape flapping behind him.

  What Their Superpower Actually Does: As is often the case in comic books, the full story of Superman’s flight is far more complicated than it appears on the surface. Part of Kal-El’s Kryptonian physiology allows him to manipulate the graviton particles around him to ignore the forces of gravity and propel himself in any direction he chooses. Superman can indeed fly, but the whole process has its feet planted on scientific ground.
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  (#1) Cyclops

  • Astonishing X-Men

  What You Think Their Superpower Does: Scott Summers has bright red lasers pouring out of his eyeballs. The mutant known as Cyclops can’t open his eyes without discharging a crimson beam that presumably incinerates everything in its path.

  What Their Superpower Actually Does: Cyclops’s optic blast is best described as a concussive force, which means he’s basically punching people with his eyes. He metabolizes energy from the sun and releases it via ruby-colored beams that exert brute force - not heat. A childhood brain issue prevents Summers from controlling his abilities; otherwise, he’d be able to store all that energy indefinitely and blast it out whenever someone needed concussing.
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  (#3) Aquaman

  • More Fun Comics

  What You Think Their Superpower Does: The notion that Aquaman talks to fish isn’t just a common misconception, it’s a frequent punchline aimed at one of the most-mocked characters in all of comics. It’s hard not to at least chuckle at the thought of Arthur Curry sharing a deep conversation with a cod.

  What Their Superpower Actually Does: As he’s often asserted in multiple mediums, Aquaman does not talk to fish. Rather, he’s telepathically connected to the ocean itself and all life within it - which as it turns out, has some pretty spectacular implications. Curry can more or less mentally command all sea life. In fact, on more than one occasion he's even used this ability to have legions of sharks devour his enemies.
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  (#11) Green Lantern Corps

  What You Think Their Superpower Does: Hal Jordan, and other Green Lanterns like him, possess Power Rings that allow them to create green energy constructs with their mind. Green Lanterns can use their willpower to make objects of hard light in forms limited only by their individual imaginations.

  What Their Superpower Actually Does: Green Lanterns aren’t just powered by their own willpower - they tap into a grand Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum that manifests itself into multiple “colors.” In addition to the will-themed Green Lanterns, there are Red Lanterns (who specialize in rage) and Yellow Lanterns (who thrive on fear). There are at least nine varieties in total. The Lanterns are merely conduits for an emotional energy that exists in all living beings.
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  (#7) Deadpool

  What You Think Their Superpower Does: Wade Wilson, better known as Deadpool, appears to have garden-variety regenerative abilities. Like many other characters with so-called “healing factors,” the Merc with the Mouth can shrug off any manner of harm and recover at inhuman speed. He’s a knockoff Wolverine without the metal bones and claws.

  What Their Superpower Actually Does: Deadpool is quite literally a knockoff Wolverine. His healing factor is the result of experimentation using Logan’s DNA. A shadowy organization accidentally granted Wilson abilities that far outstripped those of his adamantium-laced pal. The antihero's cells are constantly being reborn, which causes his perpetual cancer and skin condition, but also allows him to survive calamities up to and including decapitation. He’s functionally immortal - something Thanos eventually codifies by cursing him to live forever.
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  (#5) Hulk

  What You Think Their Superpower Does: Bruce Banner transforms into the Incredible Hulk whenever he gets mad. That’s his whole thing: “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” Once he’s Hulked out, he stays that way until he’s able to calm down.

  What Their Superpower Actually Does: It isn’t anger that fuels the Hulk, but adrenaline. His superhuman strength grows in direct proportion to the level of adrenaline in his bloodstream, and there’s no limit to it. So, yes, Banner turns into the Hulk when he gets angry, and he gets stronger the madder he gets. But that’s true for any adrenaline-inducing emotion, including fright and lust.

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