The Top 10 Greatest Superheroes Without Superpowers (Marvel & DC)
Generally, the word superhero conjures up images of costumed crime fighters capable of amazing feats. They can usually fly, possess unheard-of strength, are able to project blasts of energy from any part of their bodies, can heal from practically any wound, or any number of other incredible acts. Unfortunately, if stereotyped in a way like this, many great superheroes can be missed. Some of the greatest superheroes ever created actually can’t do any of the above. They are somewhat ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
This very thought prompted me to create a list counting down the best ten of them. It made me sit back and think of the cream of the crop, the greatest, and the undeniably amazing superheroes without superpowers. And I’d like to bring them to you. Here are the greatest superheroes without superpowers
List of the greatest superheroes without superpowers:
10. Black Widow
Black Widow is one of the foremost assassins in the entire Marvel Universe. Throughout her long history (she dates back to 1964), she has battled the likes of Iron Maiden, Mandrill, Bullseye, Snapdragon, Taskmaster, Madame Hydra, Alexi Shostakov, Yelena Belova, and Ivan Petrovich.
Black Widow was trained by the Russian Government inside their Black Widow program. As a result, she became one of the deadliest fighters that Marvel has to offer. In addition to this, she is also an expert in all firearms. This equates to Black Widow being A) one of the most feared superheroes alive and B) a valuable asset to the Avengers or whichever team she’s chosen to be a part of.
9. Green Arrow
Although there are two archers that could’ve made this list, I told myself that I could only choose one. So, when push came to shove, I chose Green Arrow.
Green Arrow is as deadly with a bow and arrow as Aquaman is with the Trident of Neptune.
Here’s why.
During the Green Arrow: Quiver story arc, he was able to accurately fire 33 arrows a minute. If that doesn’t seem impressive, understand that this equates to one arrow every 1.81 seconds. There are very few villains alive who could run or dodge anything at that pace.
But that isn’t all.
Green Arrow is also a great fighter, a billionaire with technology at his disposal that’s only limited by his imagination, and is a longtime member of the Justice League of America. He’s also trained the likes of Connor Hawke and Roy Harper.
8. Cassandra Cain
As the daughter of two of DC’s best fighters, Cassandra Cain is everything that she should be and more. She ranks as one of DC’s best fighters, is feared by many, and has all the tools to take down anyone she pleases. This includes Batman. Yes, even Batman said that she could take him down.
Of course, Cassandra was trained by her father (David Cain) and mother (Lady Shiva). Her training, however, was far more extensive than that. She was also trained by Bronze Tiger, the League of Assassins, Black Canary, and Batman.
Cassandra’s training was so extensive that she learned to read body language better than anyone in DC. This means that she can react to her opponents before they can react to themselves. For these reasons and more, Cassandra Cain is one of my greatest superheroes without superpowers.
7. Karate Kid
After traveling the galaxies, it came to the attention of Karate Kid that the Legion of Superheroes was looking for new members. Even though he had no superpower, he applied to the group. After successfully holding his own in battle against Superboy, the Legion accepted him into their ranks. Once in the Legion, he asserted himself as not just a member but as one of the greatest members in history.
Karate Kid is a master of every form of martial arts up to the 31st Century. As a master, he can sense the weak spot on any object and is able to resist mind control. More impressive is that he took all the knowledge he acquired about martial arts and developed his own form of it. This form is simply known as Super Karate.
When your name is Karate Kid, you shouldn’t need superpowers to win your battles…and he doesn’t.
6. Nightwing
Nightwing (Dick Grayson) was the inaugural member (not including Alfred) of the Batfamily. He was the first sidekick that Batman had, Batman’s most trusted (again, not including Alfred) friend, and the reason that Batman continues to take in stray children.
As Batman’s first recruit, Dick Grayson grew up being mentored by one of the greatest fighters in comic books. He also had (and still does) access to some of the coolest weaponry and toys around. Couple the above two points with his acrobatic skills and that he’s the leader of the Teen Titans and it’s easy to see why he doesn’t need superpowers.
5. Iron Man
Thanks in part to his various appearances in the MCU, everyone knows that without the suit, Tony Stark is nothing more than a genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist. With it, he’s so much more.
There’s an old thought that says “the suit makes the man”.
Tony Stark is the inventor of the Iron Man armor. He built it under duress and has been perfecting it for decades. When inside it, he gains the ability to fly, can project repulsor beams from his hands, shoot missiles, and is granted superhuman strength and durability. When he’s outside of it, he’s excellent in hand-to-hand combat and possesses a genius-level intellect…but that’s about it.
If you’ve never believed that the suit makes the man, one look at Tony Stark should change your mind.
4. Daredevil
Make no mistake, Daredevil does not have superpowers. Daredevil has heightened senses. He hears and feels really well. He feels smells and tastes really well. And he sees, wait a second, no, he doesn’t see really well.
Daredevil received his heightened senses after he accidentally came into contact with some toxic chemicals. The chemicals took his vision but left him superior in all other senses. Exactly how superior? It’s been said that his senses are so sharp that he’s able to decipher exactly how many bullets are in a gun from its weight, and can guess the amount of salt on a pretzel because of its taste.
Daredevil uses this to his advantage. Not only does he uses the combination of his remaining senses to help him “see”, but he also uses them to win nearly every battle he’s involved in. This includes battles with superpowered and non-superpowered villains. Simply put, any list counting down superheroes without superpowers isn’t complete without him.
3. Batgirl
It’s no wonder that Batgirl makes an appearance on this superheroes without superpowers list. I mean, she’s the daughter, or Commissioner James Gordon, the on and off again girlfriend of Dick Grayson and a valued member of the Batfamily. Oh, and before I forget, at one point she was also the eyes of nearly every superhero in DC.
Batgirl is one of the most resilient heroes in existence. She can find herself on the brink of defeat only to get up and win any battle. If her resiliency doesn’t win her battles, her intelligence will. Batgirl is without a shadow of a doubt one of the smartest characters in comics. She’s so smart, in fact, that she made my smartest superheroes in the comics list.
2. Captain America
Before you get upset about Captain America being on this list, hear me out. Captain America isn’t actually superpowered.
Nope.
The Super Soldier serum didn’t grant him any sort of special abilities. Instead, it took a skinny weakling and transformed him into a man at the peak of human potential. This means that he doesn’t have super strength, durability, speed, or the like. All he is is an extremely fit man. I don’t want to take anything away from him, however. I will say that very few people ever get to the point of perfection that he’s at.
If it’s hard to believe that Captain America is without a superpower, I can admit that his ability to lead should be considered one. There isn’t a character in comics who can rally a group of people to their cause as he can.
Can you say “Avengers assemble!”
1. Batman
For reasons as obvious as why humans can’t fly, Batman belongs on this list of superheroes without superpowers. Batman is arguably the most widely known and popular superhero in existence. Throughout his history, he has become a cultural icon, one of three characters that a company was built on, and a symbol of hope.
Batman is, of course, billionaire Bruce Wayne. As a result of being Bruce Wayne, he has access to weapons, vehicles, and other toys that many wouldn’t believe exist. He’s the most prepared superhero in DC and one of their greatest fighters. It’s a combination of all of the above that makes him one of DC’s greatest heroes. When it came to deciding who was on this list, including Batman was a no-brainer.
And that’s it. The top 10 comic book superheroes without superpowers. What do you think? Who would make your superheroes without a superpowers list?
