# Comic book experts: Who's the least powerful superhero? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 9, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573 "2003-01-09T19:07:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Daniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daniel)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/41 "2003-01-10T01:19:44Z")
the _other_ [Captain Marvel](http://www.goneandforgotten.freeservers.com/Page21/) , whose super-power was the ability to make his own limbs fall off. And he could only do it if he said the word “split”. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/42 "2003-01-10T01:37:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by El Elvis Rojo \* > \*\*I Color Kid, on the other hand…yeah, that’s a pretty lame ass power. I guess he could turn green kryptonite into red and help Superman out of a bind, but outside of that? I’ll admit, I’ve never heard of him before today, but I can’t think of a single character with crapier powers. > \*\* Well, he could make you **El Elvis Verde**! Or, he could make everything yellow, beat the crap out of Green Lantern, steal his ring, and become super powered, until they send the Green Lantern that had the weakness for wood instead of Yellow after him ---
**Author:** ![magog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/fbc32d/32.png) [@magog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magog)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/43 "2003-01-10T01:44:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SC\_Wolf \* > \*\*Sewer Urchin from The Tick, perhaps? Entirely unsuited as a superhero when out of his element. \*\* Yeah, but if you needed to deal with something in the sewers…watch out! He’s…SEWER URCHIN! ---
**Author:** ![bobblehead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@bobblehead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobblehead)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/44 "2003-01-10T01:47:34Z")
I think it’s Aquaman. Sure, he can talk to sea creatures, but they do most of the hard work. Big wimp! ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/45 "2003-01-10T02:31:40Z")
Barbara Gordon, formerly the first Batgirl, now Oracle. Considering that she’s paraplegic and has only her guru-level hacking skills to work with, she’s still a major player. Oh, and she can still beat the crap out of anyone who comes within nunchaku range of her wheelchair. Few have ever done more with less. ---
**Author:** ![A\_wizard\_song\_for\_thee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/46a35a/32.png) [@A\_wizard\_song\_for\_thee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_wizard_song_for_thee)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/46 "2003-01-10T04:33:26Z")
Ummm… Has John Constantine ever actually _used_ the powers he claims to have? I mean, I haven’t read all of _Hellblazer_ or anything, but I’ve only ever seen him talk his way out of things… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/47 "2003-01-10T04:46:45Z")
Wizard: Constantine used them on at least one occasion in the Rick Veitch Swamp Thing. He conjures, in the presence of Abigail Arcane, a former enemy up from hell to get some information. I think this issue is in the late '70’s or the early '80’s. An earlier issue (I believe 51) of Swamp Thing implied he can teleport. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/48 "2003-01-10T05:18:08Z")
I was always quite fond of Fabian Stanckowicz – the Mechano-Marauder. He was a pathetic loser with a knack for building clunky powered armor. He attacked the Avengers on two separate occasions in a misguided bid to become famous. On one of these, everyone simply ignored him until he became enraged and charged them, and then they kicked his silly ass all over the place. The second time, the Wasp stompled him flat inside thirty seconds. He was hilarious. He may well have been one of the few supervillians that could have been handled by the likes of Air Wave and the Red Bee… ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/49 "2003-01-10T05:41:58Z")
> [@](#): > > He was useless in a fight, and was definitely the weakest guy on the team. In his defense, he always kept a monkey nearby. When you need a monkey, who do you turn to? Linka? Wheeler? I don’t think so. Not that he’s significantly less powered than some of the heroes mentioned here, but the Swordsman got his ass kicked so many times he might as well have been one of the weakest. Heck, give me a sword that shoots lightning and I could be a better hero than this schmoe. I’ll second Angel from the X-Men, completely useless until he became Archangel, and now useless again. Why doesn’t Apocolypse or someone just get someone to shoot him in the head already? Aquaman isn’t as useless now as he was in Superfriends - he’s pretty strong, quite durable (granted, in the first issue of his latest series, _crabs_ are a serious threat to his life), and can take out white martians with his mental powers when writers feel like it. How about the Golden Age Sandman? Sure, he’s one of my favorite characters, but this guy wasn’t even in good physical shape! And he hung out on a team with the wrath of God, one of the most powerful sorcerers on Earth, and the wielder of one of the most powerful weapons in the universe. Granted, he was still more useful than the Atom. ---
**Author:** ![AmbushBug](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ambushbug/32/4600_2.png) [@AmbushBug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmbushBug)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/50 "2003-01-10T05:56:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DrFidelius \* > **RealityChuck, don’t dis Ambush Bug. He also had the knowledge of comic book cliches and could use them to devastating effect. He is the only one who noticed that a pair of glasses and a handful of lame excuses do not support a secret identity. And he took out Quantas, the Koala Who Walked Like a Man…** Aw, shucks. (blushes) I was going to mention Mr. Furious. His power: “Boundless Rage”. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/51 "2003-01-10T06:13:22Z")
I would say 'Mazing Man or Forbush Man. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/52 "2003-01-10T06:42:38Z")
Weakest character in a mainstream comic mag? I’d have to go with Arm Fall Off Boy. That was it… he could make his arms fall off. Real name Floyd Belkin. He auditioned for LOSH membership and didn’t get in. Character who has done the most with least? I’m tempted to go with Batman, who isn’t ‘super’ at all and would seem vulnerable to anyone with a gun (one bullet to the part of his face that isn’t masked… bye bye). But Reed Richards has a very high place in the Marvel pantheon given that all he can do is stretch. ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/53 "2003-01-10T06:51:33Z")
The kid with heart on Captain Planet doesn’t count. The OP stipulated no TV shows. My nomination for doing the most with the least would have to be Oracle. ---
**Author:** ![Interrobang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/interrobang/32/17463_2.png) [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/54 "2003-01-10T07:18:11Z")
> [@](#): > > How about the Golden Age Sandman? Sure, he’s one of my favorite characters, but this guy wasn’t even in good physical shape! I was being won over by the votes for Oracle, but Wesley Dodds is exactly the kind of character I was envisioning. Kind of appropriate that one of the earliest modern heroes in DC chronology is perhaps the least powerful. (And longest-lived.) Did his spiritual connection to Morpheus translate into any kind of superhuman abilities for him, or was he really just a clever, beefy guy in a gas mask? Another point in his favor: sexy girlfriend. (I loved _Sandman Mystery Theater_!) ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/55 "2003-01-10T07:26:12Z")
Hawkman has the same limitations as Angel mentioned above. His power of flight would be of little use in a confined space. Weapons. He has a mace, I have a shotgun. Fight over. Strength: normal human. Still he has been around in various forms since 1940. So I nominate HAWKMAN as the hero who has done the most with least. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/56 "2003-01-10T13:29:05Z")
[Madame Web](http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/2855/web.html) was a minor supporting character for Spider-Man. She had impressive psychic abilities, but was otherwise blind, completely paralyzed, and dependent on her special chair for life-support. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/57 "2003-01-10T13:46:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lightnin’ \* > \*\*I’m surprised nobody’s yet mentioned **Matter Eater Lad**. You gotta respect a superhero whose only power is the ability to eat anything. \*\* Library paste paper clips boogers (when very young) octopus snake plastic army guy tack artificial diamond pop tarts generic pop tarts rubber bands bugs dirt etc… Hey! Look mom, I’m a super-hero! I’m Matter-Eater Lad! ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/58 "2003-01-10T13:49:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*[Tatterdemalion -](http://www.marvunapp.com/handbook/rtuw/tatterde.htm) > > Mentally disturbed ex-dancer that dresses up like a wino in old smelly rags and harasses people. Has gloves that can rot things. \*\* I always loved his name;) Brian (Tatterde)Malion ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/59 "2003-01-10T15:02:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*[Tatterdemalion -](http://www.marvunapp.com/handbook/rtuw/tatterde.htm) > > Mentally disturbed ex-dancer that dresses up like a wino in old smelly rags and harasses people. Has gloves that can rot things. \*\* Oh, good lord. While we’re at it we may as well nominate every member of the Night Shift. I mean Digger just has a big shovel and Gypsy Moth has the power to telekenetically manipulate cloth. What a bunch of lameos. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573/60 "2003-01-10T16:29:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DrFidelius \* > \*\ ***RealityChuck** , don’t dis Ambush Bug. He also had the knowledge of comic book cliches and could use them to devastating effect. He is the only one who noticed that a pair of glasses and a handful of lame excuses do not support a secret identity. And he took out Quantas, the Koala Who Walked Like a Man… \*\* For the record, I’m a big fan of Ambush Bug. There’s also [The Heckler](http://members.tripod.com/originalvigilante/heckler.htm). Of course, depending on your definition, consider Snapper Carr. Snapping your fingers is the ultimate useless power. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-book-experts-whos-the-least-powerful-superhero/147573.md?page=4)