Marvel Characters Who Would Beat Superman in a Fight
Superman is often called the most powerful superhero ever created. With his super strength, speed, flight, and heat vision, he is a difficult opponent for anyone to face. He is an icon of power and the standard by which other heroes are measured. Defeating the Man of Steel is a task that seems almost impossible.
However, the Marvel Universe is filled with its own powerful heroes and villains. Many of these characters have unique abilities that could give them an advantage over Superman. They might use powerful magic, control reality itself, or wield cosmic forces. This list explores 30 Marvel characters who have the right powers and skills to stand a chance and potentially win against Superman in a direct fight.
Scarlet Witch
Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, is one of the most powerful magic-users on Earth. Her main ability is to warp reality, changing the world around her to fit her thoughts. She can rewrite existence itself, which is a power level far beyond simple physical strength. Superman is very vulnerable to magic, and Scarlet Witch’s powers are a very powerful form of it.
In a fight, Scarlet Witch could simply decide that Superman no longer has his powers. She could also create a reality where he was never sent to Earth or where Krypton never exploded. Her famous “No more mutants” moment shows she can erase entire power sets with just a few words. Against this level of reality-altering magic, Superman’s strength and speed would not be enough to save him.
Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth, meaning he is its greatest magic user. He has mastered countless spells and has access to powerful magical artifacts. His powers are not based on physical strength but on his knowledge of the mystical arts. This gives him a direct advantage against Superman, whose powers offer little protection against magic.
Strange could trap Superman in a mirror dimension or send him into an endless time loop. He could also cast illusions that would trick Superman’s senses or use spells to attack his mind directly. With tools like the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation, Doctor Strange has a wide range of options to neutralize Superman without ever engaging in a physical brawl.
Thor
Thor is the Asgardian God of Thunder and one of the founding members of the Avengers. His strength is comparable to some of the strongest beings in the universe, and he has centuries of fighting experience. He wields the hammer Mjolnir, which is not just a powerful weapon but also a magical one. It can control the weather, fire powerful energy blasts, and always returns to his hand.
While Superman is incredibly strong, Thor is a god whose power comes from magic, a key weakness for the Man of Steel. A direct hit from the enchanted Mjolnir could cause serious damage to Superman. Thor’s ability to summon massive storms and lightning strikes would also give him an edge, as he could attack from a distance with magical energy that Superman is vulnerable to.
Hulk
The Hulk is a creature of pure rage and physical power. His strength is practically limitless, as it grows with his anger. The madder he gets, the stronger he gets. While Superman has a set limit to his strength, the Hulk does not. This means that in a long fight, the Hulk could eventually become stronger than Superman.
Some versions of the Hulk, like the World Breaker Hulk, have shown power so immense that his footsteps can cause earthquakes. This version of the Hulk is so powerful that he could likely match and then surpass Superman’s strength. While Superman is faster and can fly, the Hulk’s incredible durability and regenerative healing would allow him to withstand the initial attacks until his anger, and therefore his strength, reached a level Superman could not handle.
The Sentry
The Sentry is one of Marvel’s most powerful and most unstable heroes. He is said to have the “power of a million exploding suns.” His abilities are very similar to Superman’s, including super strength, speed, and flight, but he also has powerful mental and molecular manipulation abilities. He can change matter at a subatomic level, which is a power Superman cannot counter.
The Sentry’s biggest enemy is himself, in the form of his dark side, the Void. If the Sentry were to lose control or fight without holding back, his power is immense enough to overwhelm Superman. His ability to manipulate molecules means he could theoretically create Kryptonite out of thin air or even attempt to dissolve Superman’s body. His raw power, combined with these other abilities, makes him a serious threat.
Jean Grey
Jean Grey is an Omega-level mutant with powerful telepathic and telekinetic abilities. When she is merged with the Phoenix Force, she becomes one of the most powerful cosmic beings in the universe. The Phoenix Force represents life and passion, and it grants its host complete control over matter and energy. It can destroy and recreate anything, even entire timelines.
As the Phoenix, Jean Grey’s power is on a cosmic scale that dwarfs Superman’s. She can control atoms, meaning she could easily create Kryptonite or a red sun to weaken him. Her telepathic abilities are also powerful enough to shut down Superman’s mind completely. Against the cosmic power of the Phoenix, Superman would be completely outmatched.
Franklin Richards
Franklin Richards is the son of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman of the Fantastic Four. He is a mutant with the power to warp reality on a universal scale. From a young age, he has been able to create entire pocket universes. His power is so great that he is often considered one of the most powerful beings in the entire Marvel multiverse.
Against Franklin, a physical fight would be useless. He could simply wish Superman away or turn him into a normal human. He doesn’t need to fight Superman with his fists; he can just change the rules of reality so that Superman can’t win. Franklin’s ability to control the fundamental forces of existence makes him an unbeatable opponent for a physical powerhouse like Superman.
Silver Surfer
Norrin Radd, the Silver Surfer, was given the Power Cosmic by the world-eater Galactus. This grants him immense power, allowing him to travel faster than light, manipulate energy, and restructure matter. He can absorb and redirect almost any form of energy, which could include Superman’s heat vision. His cosmic awareness also gives him a tactical advantage.
The Silver Surfer’s ability to manipulate matter means he could create Kryptonite or simulate the radiation of a red sun. He is also incredibly durable and can regenerate from almost any injury. While Superman is strong, the Silver Surfer’s wide range of cosmic powers and his ability to analyze and counter his opponent’s energy makes him a very dangerous foe.
Galactus
Galactus is a cosmic entity who consumes planets to sustain his life force. He is not a villain in the traditional sense but rather a force of nature. His power is beyond comprehension for most mortal beings. He can wield the Power Cosmic on a scale that makes even the Silver Surfer look weak. He can destroy entire solar systems with a single thought.
A fight between Superman and Galactus would be like an ant fighting a human. Superman’s strength would be insignificant to a being of Galactus’s size and power. Galactus could simply drain Superman’s energy, erase him from existence, or destroy the entire planet they are fighting on. Superman’s powers are simply not on the same level as a fundamental cosmic being like Galactus.
Beyonder
The Beyonder is a being from another dimension who is nearly omnipotent. In his first appearances, he was considered the most powerful being in the Marvel multiverse. He can manipulate reality on a whim and do anything he can imagine. He once kidnapped many of Earth’s heroes and villains to make them fight on a planet he created just for his own amusement.
Superman’s powers would be meaningless against the Beyonder. The Beyonder could defeat him with a single thought. He could strip Superman of his powers, send him to the end of time, or simply wipe him from existence. There is no physical attack Superman could launch that would have any effect on a being who exists outside the normal rules of reality.
Molecule Man
Owen Reece, the Molecule Man, has the ability to mentally control all matter. He can reshape molecules in any way he chooses. This gives him almost total control over the physical world. He can create force fields, energy beams, and even disassemble objects and people atom by atom. His power is so great that he has been considered a threat to the entire multiverse.
In a fight, Molecule Man could turn the air in Superman’s lungs into poison or change the ground beneath his feet into lava. He could also simply disassemble Superman’s body, scattering his atoms across the universe. Superman’s invulnerability would not protect him from an opponent who can control the very molecules that make up his body.
Ghost Rider
The Ghost Rider is a human bonded with a demonic entity known as the Spirit of Vengeance. This gives him supernatural powers, including hellfire manipulation and the Penance Stare. Hellfire is magical in nature and can burn the soul of its victim, not just their body. This means it can harm beings who are normally invulnerable, like Superman.
The Ghost Rider’s most powerful weapon is the Penance Stare. When he uses it, he forces his victim to feel all the pain they have ever inflicted on others. Given Superman’s long life of fighting villains, the combined pain he has caused, even to bad guys, could be enough to overwhelm his mind and leave him in a catatonic state. Since this is a mystical attack on the soul, Superman’s physical durability offers no defense.
Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom is one of the most intelligent and dangerous villains in the Marvel Universe. While he does not have natural superpowers, he is a genius in both science and magic. He has created technology that can steal the power of cosmic beings and has mastered dark magic that allows him to challenge even the most powerful sorcerers. Superman is vulnerable to magic, which is one of Doom’s specialties.
Doom would not fight Superman in a fair, physical fight. He would study Superman’s weaknesses and prepare for the encounter. He could use his magic to exploit Superman’s vulnerability, or he could build a machine that drains his solar energy or replicates red sun radiation. With his intellect and magical knowledge, Doctor Doom could devise a plan that would guarantee his victory.
Dormammu
Dormammu is the ruler of the Dark Dimension, a powerful and ancient mystical entity. His power within his own dimension is nearly absolute. He is made of pure mystical energy and is one of Doctor Strange’s most formidable foes. As a being of pure magic, his very nature is a threat to Superman.
If Dormammu could pull Superman into the Dark Dimension, the fight would be over quickly. There, Dormammu controls reality itself and could defeat Superman in countless ways. Even on Earth, his magical power is immense. He can fire bolts of pure mystical energy that would severely injure Superman. Superman’s physical attacks would be useless against a being made of energy.
Black Bolt
Black Bolt is the king of the Inhumans and has the power of a “quasi-sonic” voice. Even a whisper from him can level a mountain. A full-scream can tear a hole in reality itself. This power is incredibly destructive and does not rely on physical contact. He can project this destructive force over a wide area, making it difficult to dodge.
While Superman is fast, a single, well-aimed word from Black Bolt could be enough to cause him serious harm or even kill him. The sheer concussive force of his voice is beyond what most beings can withstand. If Black Bolt were to unleash his full power, the resulting sonic blast could potentially be enough to overwhelm Superman’s durability.
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel is one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe. She can fly, has super strength, and can project powerful energy blasts. Her most important power in a fight against Superman is her ability to absorb energy. She can absorb almost any type of energy and use it to make herself even more powerful.
She could absorb Superman’s heat vision and convert it into her own power, making her stronger. In her binary form, her power levels are increased to a cosmic scale, allowing her to destroy entire spaceships. While Superman is incredibly strong, Captain Marvel’s ability to absorb his energy-based attacks and turn them against him gives her a unique advantage that could lead to victory.
Rogue
Rogue is a mutant with the ability to absorb the powers, memories, and life force of anyone she touches. A simple touch can drain a person of their abilities and leave them unconscious. This makes her extremely dangerous to any hero who relies on their powers, including Superman.
If Rogue could make skin-to-skin contact with Superman, even for a moment, the fight would be over. She would absorb his powers, his strength, and his weaknesses, and he would be left powerless. She would then possess all of his abilities and could use them against him. While getting close enough to touch him would be difficult, it is a clear path to victory for her.
Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock is a cosmic being created to be the perfect human. He has a wide range of powers, including super strength, energy manipulation, and the ability to use magic. He is also the keeper of the Soul Gem, which allows him to attack and manipulate the souls of others.
His ability to attack a person’s soul is a significant advantage against Superman, who has no special defense against such an attack. Adam Warlock could use the Soul Gem to simply remove Superman’s soul from his body, defeating him without a physical fight. His cosmic awareness and strategic mind also make him a clever and difficult opponent.
Mephisto
Mephisto is a powerful demon who rules a dimension he calls “Hell.” He is a master of deception and magic. His power is immense, especially within his own realm, where he is essentially god-like. He can alter reality, create illusions, and manipulate souls. He feeds on the hope and purity of others, which would make Superman a prime target.
Mephisto would not engage Superman physically. Instead, he would use his magical abilities and deceptive nature to attack Superman’s mind and spirit. He could create illusions of Lois Lane being in danger or make a deal with Superman that has a hidden, terrible cost. As a being of pure magic and evil, he represents a threat that Superman is uniquely vulnerable to.
Sersi
Sersi is a member of the Eternals, a race of superhumans created by the Celestials. Her greatest power is the ability to transmute matter. She can rearrange the atoms of any object or living being, transforming them into something else entirely. She is one of the most skilled transmuters among the Eternals.
In a fight with Superman, Sersi would not need to match his strength. She could simply turn the air around him into a block of lead or change his own body into stone. Her control over matter is so precise that Superman’s invulnerability would offer no protection against having his own atoms rearranged. This powerful and unique ability gives her a clear way to win.
Vision
Vision is a synthezoid with a range of powerful abilities. He can alter his own density, allowing him to become intangible (like a ghost) or incredibly dense and heavy. When intangible, he can pass through solid objects. This would allow him to avoid all of Superman’s physical attacks.
His most effective attack would be to phase his hand inside Superman’s body and then solidify it. This technique, known as density phasing, could cause massive internal damage and incapacitate Superman instantly. He can also fire energy beams from the solar jewel on his forehead. His unique power set makes him a difficult and unpredictable opponent for the Man of Steel.
Magik
Illyana Rasputina, also known as Magik, is a powerful mutant with the ability to teleport and use magic. She is the ruler of the demonic dimension Limbo, and her magical power is greatly amplified when she is there. She wields the Soulsword, a powerful magical weapon that can disrupt other magical spells and harm even invulnerable beings.
Magik’s main advantage is her powerful magic and her Soulsword. Since Superman is vulnerable to magic, a single strike from the Soulsword could be devastating. She could also teleport Superman to her Limbo dimension, where her power is nearly absolute and she commands an army of demons. In that environment, Superman would be at a severe disadvantage.
Onslaught
Onslaught was a psionic entity created from the combined consciousness of Professor X and Magneto. This gave him the immense telepathic powers of Xavier and the powerful control over magnetism of Magneto. He was so powerful that it took the combined might of nearly all of Marvel’s heroes to defeat him.
Onslaught could launch a devastating mental assault on Superman. Superman has shown some resistance to telepathy, but Onslaught’s power is on another level entirely. He could shut down Superman’s mind, control his actions, or trap him in a mental prison. His raw psionic power would be more than enough to overwhelm Superman’s defenses.
Hyperion
Hyperion is Marvel’s pastiche of Superman, and there have been several versions of the character. The version from Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers run is an Eternal and the last survivor of his world. He has powers nearly identical to Superman’s, including super strength, flight, and atomic vision, which is similar to heat vision.
What gives Hyperion the edge is his ruthlessness. While Superman always holds back to avoid killing his opponents, Hyperion is willing to use his full power to end a threat permanently. In a fight between two beings of equal power, the one who is willing to do whatever it takes to win has the advantage. Hyperion would not hesitate to use lethal force, which could catch Superman by surprise.
Gladiator
Kallark, also known as Gladiator, is the leader of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard. His powers are immense and very similar to Superman’s, including great strength, speed, and heat vision. However, the source of his power is his own confidence. The more confident he is, the more powerful he becomes.
At full confidence, Gladiator’s strength is said to be limitless. He has shattered planets with his bare hands and flown through the heart of a star. If he believes he can win, his power will rise to meet the challenge. Against an opponent as famous as Superman, Gladiator’s belief in his duty and his own abilities would likely be at its peak, making him powerful enough to win.
Apocalypse
En Sabah Nur, also known as Apocalypse, is one of the world’s first mutants. He has used advanced Celestial technology to grant himself a wide array of powers. He has super strength, durability, and the ability to change his form, allowing him to create weapons out of his own body. His greatest power is his complete control over his own molecular structure.
This control over his own body allows him to adapt to almost any attack and regenerate from massive damage. He is also a brilliant strategist with thousands of years of experience. He could use his shape-shifting abilities to counter Superman’s attacks and his advanced technology to exploit his weaknesses. His combination of raw power and tactical genius makes him a formidable opponent.
Legion
David Haller, also known as Legion, is the son of Professor Charles Xavier. He is an Omega-level mutant with thousands of different personalities, and each personality controls a different superpower. His powers range from telekinesis and telepathy to reality warping and time travel. This makes him one of the most powerful and unpredictable mutants in existence.
In a fight with Superman, Legion could switch between hundreds of different powers to find one that works. He has personalities that can manipulate matter, control energy, or even rewrite reality. One of his personalities, for example, could simply will Superman out of existence. The sheer variety and scale of his abilities would be too much for Superman to handle.
Squirrel Girl
Doreen Green, also known as Squirrel Girl, has a surprising and unexplained ability to defeat some of the most powerful villains in the Marvel Universe. She has beaten characters like Doctor Doom, Thanos, and Galactus. Most of her victories happen off-panel, and it’s a running joke that she is unbeatable. She also has the ability to communicate with and command squirrels.
While it seems like a joke, her track record is undeniable. The logic of her world seems to bend to ensure she wins. In a fight against Superman, it is likely that she would find a way to win through some surprising and humorous turn of events. While not a traditional powerhouse, her unique narrative power of being unbeatable makes her a legitimate contender.
The One Above All
The One Above All is the supreme being of the Marvel Multiverse. This character is presented as the creator of all life and existence within Marvel’s reality. The One Above All is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. It is not a being that engages in fights, as it is infinitely more powerful than any other character.
A “fight” between Superman and The One Above All is not possible. The One Above All could simply think, and Superman would cease to exist. This entity is the ultimate power in Marvel, and no character from any universe could possibly challenge it. The One Above All represents the concept of an ultimate creator, making any comparison to a physical being like Superman meaningless.
