# How many ways are there for superheroes to fly? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 4, 2005, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573 "2005-11-04T23:28:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/21 "2005-11-05T03:28:31Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Hermes flies via his winged sandals, though. It’s not an inherent ability. Take it up with George Perez, it was his idea. > [@Askia](#): > > the god Hermes (Mercury) In DC continuity, the Greek and Roman pantheons are separate and independent, so there’s both a Hermes and a Mercury. Although IIRC Hermes was killed off a couple decades ago during a “War of the Gods” mini series. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/22 "2005-11-05T03:37:00Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Although IIRC Hermes was killed off a couple decades ago during a “War of the Gods” mini series. Hermes died? Great gorilla of Manilla! ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/23 "2005-11-05T03:40:45Z")
> [@](#): > > **Banshee** somehow used his sonic scream to fly. How did that work? IIRC he telkinetically directed the force of his scream backwards. **Jack of Hearts** directed explosive force from his hands, flying like a rocket. **Meteor** levitated a big rock while standing on it. **Valkyrie** rode a winged horse. **Will o the Wisp** could dissipate his mass into a glowing aura, and fly by moving it around IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/24 "2005-11-05T04:28:33Z")
Two members of [Guardians of the Galaxy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardians_of_the_Galaxy) were made of light. Aleta flew by standing on solid discs of light and Starhawk just zipped around, as far as I can recall. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/25 "2005-11-05T04:30:36Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > **Control of elements/natural forces:** > > **Storm** flew on a gust of wind. Kinda lame. She can command the wind to carry her! You think that’s lame??? > [@](#): > > **Magneto** levitated by manipulating Earth’s magnetic field. Did he ever perfect this technique into actually flying? Yes. > [@](#): > > Wasn’t there another incarnation of **Captain Marvel** who turned herself into light or something? Lame. You think that’s lame??? You probably hate **the Ray** , too, who does something reminiscent of that. Or maybe he’s more like **Cannonball** , from the New Mutants, who “blasted” his way around. In each case, the lower body seems to go to speed lines, & the boy moves at high speed. > [@](#): > > **Magic:** > > **Thor** would throw his magic hammer and basically just hang on. Kinda lame, but it’s magic, what are you gonna do? Which means, apparently, he actually jumped using his upper body strength!! > [@](#): > > **Captain Britain** had a magic uniform. In the beginning, Brian used the “Star Sceptre,” which apparently had been borrowed from the Knight family in _Starman_. > [@](#): > > \*\*Technology: \*\*(I won’t include things that are more or less flying vehicles) > > **Mr. Miracle** had little flight discs on his feet, which I always thought were cool. \*These \*you think are cool. What I find weird is that you consider it “technology.” > [@](#): > > **Generalized independent flight, difficult to categorize:** > > **Rogue** inherited Ms. Marvel’s flight powers, but I don’t really know how they worked. Ms. Marvel’s powers mimicked Captain Marvel’s, but he got his from those bands on his wrists, which were cosmic in nature, I think. > **The Flash** vibrated his legs really fast or something. > **Green Lantern**. Would that be a cosmic power? Apparently, “technology.” Yes, the ring is cosmic. Also, Rogue flies by the power of having mondo coolness. And the Flash should never ever fly, & any story where he does is wrongedy-wrong-wrong. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/26 "2005-11-05T04:32:25Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > Hermes died? Great gorilla of Manilla! Well, since Byrne fused the Greek & Roman gods back together in his Wonder Woman run, it’s sort of moot now. ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/27 "2005-11-05T04:40:39Z")
Didn’t Wolverine fly into battle a few times via Colossus? ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/28 "2005-11-05T05:06:02Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Hermes flies via his winged sandals, though. It’s not an inherent ability. So… both Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman are given the power of flight by Hermes’ _shoes?_ Who’s left and who’s right, then? And what would happen if Hermes ever needed to fly anywhere at the same time? Presumably the gods have a more efficent messaging service these days, if Hermes could use his shoes to routinely power superheroes instead. **Red Tornado** (the non-Ma Hunkle one) flew via tornado, I believe. Also I seem to recall from somewhere that, no matter _what_ method you use, it’s considered \*extremely bad form \* among the superhero community to fly around in an upright position. I wouldn’t risk it, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/29 "2005-11-05T12:41:24Z")
How about \*\*[The Human Bullet](http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/h/humbull.htm) \*\* from _The Tick_? “Fire me, boy!” Now I know _The Tick_ was satirical, but what “real” (or I should say, non-satirical fictional) superhero was THB based on? It seems very familiar but I can’t put my finger on it. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/30 "2005-11-05T13:14:44Z")
Back in the day there was a hero called [Bulletman](http://www.toonopedia.com/buletman.htm) whose costume was somewhat similar to Human Bullet’s. Bulletman wasn’t fired out of a cannon though; he had a “gravity regulating helmet” that not only allowed him to fly but “magneticly” attracted bullets to it. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/31 "2005-11-05T13:30:05Z")
The Legion’s Cosmic Boy could also fly via magnetic fields. Since all the Legion had flight rings, he didn’t do it too often. The original Legion had clumsy “flight belts,” which were even lamer. I think that Light Lass could have used her powers to make people glide, though I don’t think she ever did. Mon-el & Ultra Boy could also fly via super-power. Dawnstar had wings. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/32 "2005-11-05T14:07:38Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > The Legion’s Cosmic Boy could also fly via magnetic fields. Since all the Legion had flight rings, he didn’t do it too often. The original Legion had clumsy “flight belts,” which were even lamer. What the…?! What is the deal here with all the flight snobbery? For crying out loud, people! It’s flight! The ability to fly! How is this a lame power under _any_ circumstances? Fine, I tell you what… anybody who comes across any means of gaining flight powers whatsoever, that they feel is just \*too \* insufferably lame for words, well you just pass that bad boy right on over to me. Clunky belts, magic rings, footie discs, a cosmic medallion from the hummingbird god… _I don’t care._ I, for one, will take what I can get. Um… well, except _possibly_ for the flight ability of [Rainbow Boy.](http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/r/rainbowb.htm) If the costume and appearance are an integral part of the effect, then… I think maybe I’ll just pass on that one. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/33 "2005-11-05T15:32:46Z")
> [@Terrifel](#): > > Um… well, except _possibly_ for the flight ability of [Rainbow Boy.](http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/r/rainbowb.htm) … I think maybe I’ll just pass on that one. Or [Fartman](http://www.nationallampoon.com/nl/02_fb/father/02_sbfather.asp). ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/34 "2005-11-05T17:53:45Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Back in the day there was a hero called [Bulletman](http://www.toonopedia.com/buletman.htm) whose costume was somewhat similar to Human Bullet’s. Bulletman wasn’t fired out of a cannon though; he had a “gravity regulating helmet” that not only allowed him to fly but “magneticly” attracted bullets to it. That sounds like a winner of an idea. “I’ll have a helmet that will _attract_ bullets to my head! Genius!” ---
**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:** [November 5, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/35 "2005-11-05T17:59:11Z")
> [@Terrifel](#): > > So… both Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman are given the power of flight by Hermes’ _shoes?_ No. They were given the power of flight from Hermes. Hermes used sandals, but the Big Red Cheese was able to have his power of flight without them, because Hermes could fly. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/36 "2005-11-05T19:38:04Z")
> [@audiobottle](#): > > That sounds like a winner of an idea. “I’ll have a helmet that will _attract_ bullets to my head! Genius!” Given the choice, would you rather have bullets flying toward your: A) Bullet-proof helmet; or B) Non-bullet-proof torso? Of course if I were writing the strip, one of those magneticly attracted bullets would hit him square in the face. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/37 "2005-11-05T19:42:26Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > No. They were given the power of flight from Hermes. Hermes used sandals, but the Big Red Cheese was able to have his power of flight without them, because Hermes could fly. [Arthur Carlson] As God as my witness, I thought Hermes could fly. [/AC] ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/38 "2005-11-05T20:49:39Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > There was some character in the DCU about ten years ago who could levitate big chunks of rock and stand on them. Maybe her name was Terra? She was with one of the various incarnations of the Teen Titans, IIRC. That’s a good one. I’ll add her under **Elementals**. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > Combination: he wills himself to fly, and the ring does what he wants. > > Starman was flying years before Firelord even existed. > > Let’s see: > > **Dr. Fate** – magic > **Atom** – made his weight next to nothing and was able to ride air currents like a leaf. > **Spectre** – He could do _anything_; ultimately the most powerful superhero ever. Flying was sort of magically based: he was a ghost. > **Air Wave** – sort of flew by going along high tension wires. His sidekick, Static, could fly, but he cheated: he was a parrot. OK, I’m still not getting getting what you mean about Green Lantern. He controls his ring through force of will, right? And it’s the ring that provides flight? Or he flies by force of will alone? If his ring were depleted of energy, can he still fly by willpower? I’m trying to figure out how to categorize his flight ability. Is it a cosmic power, or technology, or do I need a new category for “force of will?” I know the original Starman is from the 40’s and predates Firelord, so I’ll go ahead and add him to my cosmic list, but in general, I’m only looking for one example of each method of achieving flight. Atom’s ability to float on air is pretty much already covered. I’ll add **Spectre** under magic as an example of generalized “magic flight,” which should then also cover Dr. Fate, Wonder Woman and the original Captain Marvel. Now this **Air Wave** guy has got me thinking. Like the female Captain Marvel, I’m now of the opinion they don’t belong on my list. I know it’s nit-picky, but transmitting yourself as energy is more like teleportation, not flying. And before someone points it out, I realize that very few superheroes actually fly. That is, using a winged surface to generate lift. But still, teleportation is _too_ different from “flying.” > [@Wolfian](#): > > I always wondered why gravity didn’t suck phasers straight to the center of the Earth. Cool! Or for that matter, how they breath when everything passes through them. > [@](#): > > Mr. Terrific apparently can float on his T-Spheres. A quick google search reveals there are two Mr. Terrifics, and the second one doesn’t appear to fly. Did the first one fly? > [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > The original explanation (as if that meant squat nowadays) was that Aurora and her twin brother Northstar could steal the kinetic energy of the atoms that made up their own bodies and convert them to overall kinetic energy, kind of a nano-to-macro conversion. This had the side benefit of “toughening” their bodies, allowing them to survive movement at trans-sonic speeds. Now _that’s_ a little difficult to categorize, but definitely counts as a unique method. > [@Der Trihs](#): > > IIRC he telkinetically directed the force of his scream backwards. > > **Jack of Hearts** directed explosive force from his hands, flying like a rocket. > **Meteor** levitated a big rock while standing on it. > **Valkyrie** rode a winged horse. > **Will o the Wisp** could dissipate his mass into a glowing aura, and fly by moving it around IIRC. **Jack of Hearts** was pretty powerful as I recall. Was his power cosmic level, or something else? **Meteor** ’s flight method is covered. **Will O’ The Wisp** is good. Unlike the **Vision** , who shunts his mass extra-dimensionally, **Will O’ The Wisp** disperses his molecules in _this_ dimension, and produces thrust by expelling excess molecules behind him. Originally I excluded **Valkyrie** on the grounds she was using a “flying vehicle” but I always did love **Aragorn** so I’ll make another category for creature assisted flight. That way I can add **Ant Man/Yellowjacket** since as I recall, he used to fly around on ants. > [@pulehoopo](#): > > Two members of [Guardians of the Galaxy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardians_of_the_Galaxy) were made of light. Aleta flew by standing on solid discs of light and Starhawk just zipped around, as far as I can recall. I’ve got **Starhawk** under cosmic powered flight and I’ll add **Aleta** , since her light discs are unique. I always liked those two and their stories. Especially when Vance Astro fell in love with Aleta and then she got stuck with Starhawk’s male body and Vance had to decide if he could still love her. Damn dirty ape dumped her, and I can’t _believe_ she took him back once she got her female form back. Anyway, now she’s known as **Starhawk II**? Does she still fly on light discs, or just a general cosmic powered flight? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/39 "2005-11-05T21:08:36Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > OK, I’m still not getting getting what you mean about Green Lantern. He controls his ring through force of will, right? And it’s the ring that provides flight? Or he flies by force of will alone? If his ring were depleted of energy, can he still fly by willpower? I’m trying to figure out how to categorize his flight ability. Is it a cosmic power, or technology, or do I need a new category for “force of will?” The power ring is technology. It channels energy which is directed by will power. If the ring is depleted of energy, it will not function and the GL in question can’t fly. > [@levdrakon](#): > > Originally I excluded **Valkyrie** on the grounds she was using a “flying vehicle” but I always did love **Aragorn** so I’ll make another category for creature assisted flight. That way I can add **Ant Man/Yellowjacket** since as I recall, he used to fly around on ants. As Ant-Man, correct. As Yellowjacket, he had a flying suit (and the vibrations from the wings also powered his disruptor blasts; why he never gave himself bio-electric “stings” like he did the Wasp I don’t know). Another energy-based flyer is Halo or The Outsiders. She’s a human girl who died and was merged with an alien energy being, one result of which was she could glow in the colors of the rainbow, each color corresponding to a different power. Don’t remember which color but she could negate gravity for herself and others, allowing her to fly. Now where would one put Inspector Gadget? He had helicopter blades that came out of his head. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573/40 "2005-11-05T21:12:38Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Now where would one put Inspector Gadget? He had helicopter blades that came out of his head. Obviously it’s a mental power. (And that WKRP reference was perfect. Made my day. 😃 ) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-ways-are-there-for-superheroes-to-fly/329573.md?page=3)