Are there any superbeings in the DC Comics Universe who don’t use their powers/special abilities as superheroes or supervillians?
That is, they use their powers/abilities for other purposes?
Would Oracle and Calculator count as sort of mirror images of each other…not being hero or villain themselves but rather “support” for the actual heroes and villains?
No, I mean superhuman, superpowered beings that don’t use their powers as superheroes or supervillains.
What a perfect thread for Cafe Society. Moved.
General Questions is a forum for questions which have factual answers. When you get into the realm of entertainment and fantasy, these questions are better started in Cafe Society, which is the forum for the ARTS of all type.
samclem Moderator, General Questions
Ignoring retired heroes and villains (of which there are a lot)…
Well, there’s the populations of several planets - Daxam, Durla, Imsk, etc - with racial powers…most of whom are just normal people. I wager most of the population of New Krypton are the same way, though several major citizens are either villains, or well on their way toward it. (Alura, for one.) And the Homo Magi.
Continuing with unnamed masses, it was stated in some book (probably Checkmate) that there are several million metahumans in the DCU, most of whom have really minor powers, or major ones that are useless for heroing or villainy (ranging from spoon-bending to always hitting the powerball, to use their examples).
Kristin Welles was just trying to keep to herself until circumstances forced her to go the hero route.
Same with Tommy Bronson, until he was recruited by his dad.
There was a guy who offered Wally West a job in Flash a few months back, who had some minor metapower, of the spoon-bending variety. (I’m not entirely sure what it was…looked like it may have been the ability to summon up small objects.)
Then there are the professional soldiers, LEOs, etc, which I wouldn’t really count as heroes or villains (especially given the way government agencies bounce between corrupt to the core and perfectly perfect). And the grey areas like the Suicide Squad or Secret Six. (Anti-heroes, or anti-villains?)
Doesn’t DC, like Marvel, have anthropmorphizations of larger concepts that serve as sort of universal “powers that be”?
In a philosophical sense I’m not sure you cold characterize the super-powered members of the Apokolips or New Genesis societies as “heroes” or “villains” as their attitudes are pretty clearly functions of their environments.
The Promethean giants are pretty non-partisan re hero/villian.
Ambush Bug - not sure if he’s a v or h.
Lobo both and neither.
Marvel’s Watcher. He, just…well…you know. Doesn’t usually interfere.
Marvel vs DC and Amalgam aside, being in the Marvel U kind of takes him out of the running for the DCU. >_>
Not nearly as many or or as clearly defined.
See
What is the Judeo-Christian God’s place in the Comics pantheon vs the other “Gods”?
The Spectre is another “could be either” character.
I hope it’s not too much of a hijack, but I think it’s on the same lines.
Have any superbeings rejected the hero/villian calling and use their powers for fun and profit? Play in the NFL, work for construction firms lifting heavy objects, join the military and become a SEAL? Use mind-reading to become lawyers or businessmen? Use technical/invention skills (like Batman) and work for IBM or General Motors?
A fairly good number of metas are military or law enforcement - Members of Checkmate, the DEO (and other DMA departments…or the DMA and other DEO departments…I can’t remember which is the parent department), the US military, etc. Some have hero gigs on the side (Mr Terrific, for instance), some become superheroes after (the current Magog, for instance) being pros for a while, etc.
At least a couple mystics/precogs make a living as fortune tellers.
While the various Zataras (the late Giovanni, his daughter Zatanna, and nephew Zachary) are heroes, they’re also all stage magicians, using their abilities to enhance their performances (though Zatanna has been shown to make a point of not relying on it).
That is kind of villainous, really, but it’s been done by at least one morally ambiguous type - Max Lord used his mind control powers to give him an advantage in negotiations.
The current Dr Polaris also uses his abilities to ‘cheat’ in business.
Well, there are The Endless, who dwarf Superman’s abilities.
By a considerable margin.
Booster Gold. He was a hero primarily as a way to make a buck from it.
If we’re going to branch out from the DC universe, the world of Aaron Williams’ PS 238 has many such individuals. There’s a whole class of students whose powers aren’t well-suited to adventure (a student who can change the flavor and nutritional value of food, for instance), and adult superheroes have been shown in career paths ranging from advertising used cars to producing Hollywood special effects.
A Russian trio of speedsters–either Red Trinity or Blue Trinity–relocated to America to work as couriers. Originally Flash villains from Mike Baron’s tenure on the title in the 80s.
Another reformed Flash villain–Wally was uncommonly good at turning villains his way-- was Chunk, a living Black Hole who could teleport himself and other people and things. The cash potential for his abilities was explained to him, and be became an avid fan of the free market and very civic minded.
I’m not sure Bat-Mite could be squarely characterized as heroic or villainous. Same with Bat Lash, Tommy “Hitman” Monaghan and Enemy Ace.
Amazo would fit the bill, wouldn’t he?
I’d say Metron. Not good or evil, just searching for knowledge. Will make deals with whoever, just to further his pursuit.
There’s Wonder Woman’s Greek Pantheon, each member of which acts like a hero or a villain at various times according to his whim.
My first thought was of The Endless, whom were already mentioned.
At any given time there are former superheroes and villains in retirement, usually seen five minutes before they’re slaughtered to showcase how cool some new villain/hero is.