# Things super-powered characters can't do because of their powers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 29, 2007, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440 "2007-10-29T14:26:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/21 "2007-10-29T23:22:06Z")
None of them can enter a room by opening a door, & walking through it. Always gotta smash things: windows…doors…_walls_! Wearing a cape obviously causes your fingers to go numb. Can’t work the doorknob… ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/22 "2007-10-29T23:38:40Z")
The Hulk; rip his pants. ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/23 "2007-10-30T00:59:48Z")
I wonder, can Superman kill himself? I mean, besides exposing himself to Kryptonite. He couldn’t hang himself, razors won’t slit his wrists…apparently he can even fly into the vacuum of space and be fine. Is he susceptible to drowning? I can’t think of any Superman power that would prevent him from drowning at the bottom of the ocean, but that seems too simple. It reminds me of the thread asking whether Superman could rip his own head off. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/24 "2007-10-30T01:19:32Z")
Sure Superman can kill himself. All he needs to do is get up a good head of steam and head straight for a red sun. Somewhere along the way he will pass the threshold and his powers will vanish, leaving him sucking vacuum. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/25 "2007-10-30T01:32:46Z")
One would expect Plastic Man, Elastic Man and Mister Fantastic to have some serious posture problems, but somehow it never comes up . . . ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/26 "2007-10-30T01:33:58Z")
How big is the list of Superheroes who cannot get tatoos due to invulnerability or healing factor? ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/27 "2007-10-30T02:12:28Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Miskatonic] How big is the list of Superheroes who cannot get tatoos due to invulnerability or healing factor? [/QUOTE] Wolverine: I’d like one of those henna tattoos, please. I can’t get a real one … Artist: Yeah, yeah yeah, I know all about your mutant healing factor. You give that speech at the beginning of every goddamn issue you’re in. Wolverine: SNIKT! ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/28 "2007-10-30T02:35:56Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Miskatonic] How big is the list of Superheroes who cannot get tatoos due to invulnerability or healing factor? [/QUOTE] Why would a healing factor preclude a tattoo? People made this argument about Peter Petrelli’s vanishing tattoo on “Heroes” a couple weeks ago. The needle would still penetrate their skin and the ink would still be deposited. As for Superman killing himself, immediately post-Crisis he could still fly in space but required a source of oxygen. No idea if they’ve powered him up again since then. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/29 "2007-10-30T03:43:18Z")
During the Silver Age, Superman was unable to grow a beard; as a side effect of his invulnerability, neither his hair or nails would grow under a yellow sun. He only ever needed to shave if he spent too long in a red-sun environment. I don’t recall Superman being unable to smoke; but since he’s immune to all normal toxins, presumably the nicotine would have no effect on him. By the same logic, he wouldn’t be able to get high either. Presumably folks with regenerative abilities wouldn’t be able to keep any of the body piercings that are all the rage with the kids these days. On the other hand, I suppose they could just give themselves a fresh set of punctures every time they go out. However, that seems like it would be a real hassle just to be fashionable, especially in the more sensitive areas. In general, youth culture and superpowers don’t mix well. You can’t get drunk, you can’t get high, you can’t get tattooed or pierced… Plus, even if you somehow manage to get past all that and achieve success, all your adventures will be painfully embarrassing in ten years anyway because of your horribly dated slang and fashions. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/30 "2007-10-30T03:45:13Z")
No sex for Ben Grimm’s “Thing.” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/31 "2007-10-30T03:56:26Z")
[QUOTE=Brad Serum] No sex for Ben Grimm’s “Thing.” [/QUOTE] [Wanna bet?](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4713323.stm) ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/32 "2007-10-30T05:02:46Z")
For more information on this and other superhero-related topics, ya’ll really oughta get copies of [How to Be a Superhero](http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1561630519/ref=sr_1_olp_1/002-6594366-7611221?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193720096&sr=1-1). ---
**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:** [October 30, 2007, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/33 "2007-10-30T05:03:52Z")
I remember one Pre-Crisis story where Superman lost his powers temporarily and as Clark Kent suddenly noticed how much sexier a female co-worker was now that he wasn’t invulnerable to pheromes. ---
**Author:** ![tonedef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@tonedef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonedef)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/34 "2007-10-30T06:22:51Z")
I thought it would suck for Rogue in xmen cause she couldn’t really have any unprotected sex without sucking the life out of them. Also I don’t understand why the super heros that heal them selfs couldn’t get a tattoo? Aslong as the needles broke the skin and put in the ink they have a tattoo once it heals ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/35 "2007-10-30T06:37:45Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] [Wanna bet?](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4713323.stm) [/QUOTE] Do we have any reason to believe that any portion of Grimm’s hide is that smooth? ---
**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:** [October 30, 2007, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/36 "2007-10-30T06:55:01Z")
[QUOTE=Koxinga] Obligatory reference to [Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_of_Steel%2C_Woman_of_Kleenex) . [/QUOTE] Or the opposite; not only would a superwoman be impossible for a normal man to penetrate, if he somehow did the moment she gets excited it’s “Woman of Steel, Man of Toothpaste”. 😃 Plenty of robotic/android super types can’t enjoy biological pleasures like food. Deadly Ernest couldn’t have had unprotected sex with a live woman, because his touch was instant death. Antimatterman couldn’t have touched anyone made of normal matter, I imagine. Sauron Supermen from the Niven/Pournelle Motie universe can’t enjoy the subtle taste of foods; they were designed to be able to eat anything. They also can’t tell if it tastes bad to normals; they are awful cooks. Black Bolt can’t talk without destroying everything in range. ---
**Author:** ![Omi\_no\_Kami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Omi\_no\_Kami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omi_no_Kami)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/37 "2007-10-30T08:57:41Z")
I kind of always figured that at one point Rogue wised up and bought a bodystocking… ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/38 "2007-10-30T12:01:08Z")
[QUOTE=Terrifel] During the Silver Age, Superman was unable to grow a beard; as a side effect of his invulnerability, neither his hair or nails would grow under a yellow sun. He only ever needed to shave if he spent too long in a red-sun environment. [/QUOTE] I guess it depends on when you define “Silver Age,” because back in the late 50s or early 60s, Supes gave himself a shave and haircut by using his heat vision reflected off a mirror. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/39 "2007-10-30T12:03:50Z")
[QUOTE=Brad Serum] Do we have any reason to believe that any portion of Grimm’s hide is that smooth? [/QUOTE] Hey, you polish something made of stone long enough… ---
**Author:** ![BunnyTVS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BunnyTVS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyTVS)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440/40 "2007-10-30T12:34:45Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] Hey, you polish something made of stone long enough… [/QUOTE] Yeah Ben always struck me as the kind of guy to take matters into his own hands. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-super-powered-characters-cant-do-because-of-their-powers/424440.md?page=3)