Marvel's Top 20 Powerful Characters RankedA comprehensive list of all 20 Marvel Universe’s most powerful, non-Eternal and non-Celestial characters.
Marvel's comic book history has an enormous collection of characters. It includes a range of around 8000 classic characters and exponentially more if we include ancillary characters and one-offs. While only a fraction of them have made it to big screens and smaller screens, the vast majority of the public are unaware about this richly-populated world. Although we've seen some very powerful villains and heroes in live action, most of the greatest Marvel characters have not yet appeared on the comics pages. Here are the top 20 Marvel heroes, ordered by their utility. To avoid boring the reader with lots of Lovecraftian space monsters and unknown names, Eternals and Celestials and cosmic beings were not included in the list. When I refer to cosmic beings I am referring to true cosmic beings and not Earth-born spacefarers. Let's also not bombard the twitter comments with our Marvel-like prowess. Your nerdy knowledge is unrivalled, we know that.
Kang the Conqueror is the only one on the list without superpowers. This should speak volumes about how dangerous men can become when they are fueled with tech and knowledge. Kang was created by Stan Lee for 1964's Avengers #8 . He is an annoying annoyance to the Earth's Mightiest Defenders, and attacks when they least expect. Kang is able to freely travel through the time and gather tactical information on his foes.
Kang is an engineer genius, politician master, and has been trained to be as proficient in combative as possible. Kang can take on all heroes and gods, thanks to the advanced technology from the 40th Century. Kang has multiple Variants that can all work together to achieve a common goal, so even if Kang isn't enough to defeat the Avengers. Marvel Studios selected Kang to replace Thanos in the "Multiverse Saga" because he is one of the most dangerous enemies that Earth's heroes have ever encountered.
Related Reading: Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again: Everything We Know So Far
Gabriel Summers is the brother of Alex Summers and Scott Summers. He's an Omega-level mutant who is far more powerful than his siblings. In fact, he is so powerful that he was elected Emperor of the Shi'ar Empire. Vulcan can control fire, water, electricity, light and dark and channel them into an explosive blast that is deadly. Vulcan eventually learned to harness his power to create force fields and lift or move things. Vulcan can also siphon energy from mutants. This is similar to Rogue. Vulcan can detect, suppress and manipulate any energy source. Black Bolt is his greatest foe, but he has also fought Starjammers and Inhumans on his own. After a moment of heroics in which Vulcan sacrificed his life to save Scott, he was assumed dead. However, rumors about his death were exaggerated.
Related Reading: Outer Banks Season 3: Everything We Know So Far
Everybody should be familiar with the Hulk. This is Dr. Bruce Banner's mad creation. He transforms into an unstoppable, giant-sized, green monster who destroys all that he comes across. The good doctor developed this characteristic after he was subject to an experimental gamma-bomb detonation. This caused him to absorb large amounts of gamma radioactive material. The Hulk is Bruce Banner's nemesis when he sees red. He has transformed from an intelligent, but vulnerable scientist to a green-rage monster of immense intelligence and genius. Hulk becomes stronger the more angry he gets. On many occasions, the Hulk displayed a near invincible exterior and strength that could rival almost all the Marvel Universe has to offer. He is strong enough to push 100 tonnes (class 100 strength). He's a meteorologist who has destroyed Earth-sized meteorites with his fists. This guy has skills.
Red Hulk: This was an extraordinary act by General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross in order to defeat the Hulk after all other attempts failed. The Intelligencia and AIM assisted Ross in his experimentation, which led to the creation of the Red Hulk. Although his indomitableness against the Hulk regular is questionable, Red Hulk does have some advantages over Bruce Banner's transformational state. General Ross is able to change his appearance at will without having to be angry. When he turns red, he retains all of his intelligence as well as memories. Red Hulk is not stronger because of his anger, which, like the Hulk. This could be a strength, or weakness depending on what the circumstances are. Red Hulk can lose consciousness if it gets too hot. He can however get stronger by doing something else. Red Hulk is a sponge that absorbs energy. The more energy he takes in, the stronger he becomes. If he takes in enough energy, Red Hulk will explode and cause damage to anyone within his radius.
Then there's Jennifer Walters, also known as She-Hulk. She was created by Stan Lee, and John Buscema in 1980's Savage Sheulk #1. Although she might not have the most powerful Hulk in raw strength, she is capable of doing something that other Hulks can't even imagine: breaking the fourth wall. The Disney+ SheHulk series brilliantly shows Jennifer (Tatiana Maslany). She can escape from the story frame and discuss with writers to change her story. We don't know anything else that can make this more powerful.
Skaar is Hulk's only son. He was introduced to the MCU just a few days ago by SheHulk. Skaar was created by Greg Pak, and John Romita Jr. for 2007's World War Hulk #3. He inherits his father's powers as well as his mother, Caiera The Oldstrong. Skaar can manipulate stone and even lava with the Old Power of the Shadow People. You can imagine how powerful the Hulk. Imagine the Hulk riding through a tsunami of magma. You'll get Skaar. It's exciting to see Skaar in the MCU.
Related Reading: Manifest Season 4: Release Date, Cast, Plot, and Everything We Know So Far
Because he's technically more powerful than the Hulk, Apocalypse is promoted to this spot. Apocalypse also has many other capabilities, such as telepathy and telekinesis. This is just a small sample of his abilities. En Sabah Nur, one of the first ever mutants to be born was created in ancient Egypt. He is rejected because of his unusual appearance. He showed them how to use him! He combined his natural gifts and the technology that he found in Rama Tut’s tomb, as well as on the Celestial spaceship, to quickly become the strongest being alive at the time. He has used this technology repeatedly to regenerate his body, and he still survives to the present. Apocalypse eventually came up with the idea to have four horses accompany him as he pursues his genocidal goals. He enlisted powerful mutants against their wishes, such as Wolverine and Archangel. Multiple times he has been inflicted upon by the X-Men. He was particularly enraged at Jean Grey and Cyclops. Cable tried to syphon their power. He has almost overthrown the entire world many times. He is Apocalypse.
The MCU movies have slowed Thor down to allow for full-length films where bad guys aren't killed in 30 seconds. However, Thor remains incredibly powerful. According to comics, the Norse God of Thunder is able to destroy entire planets and control weather, fly at light speed, summon lightning bolts, and even remove adamantium. Thor can smash Wolverine’s metal skeleton, that's correct. His strength is beyond that of class 100. He also has Mjolnir's hammer behind him. He's immortal, too. Thor has defeated Thanos and the Hulk. He's also defeated the Silver Surfer. Galactus was even defeated by Thor.
Odin, Thor's father, is of course. He's powerful enough to whip Thor's sex if necessary. He is immortal, unlike the MCU version. One of his greatest strengths is the ability to absorb all the Asgardians' powers, which can help him increase his fortitude. The Odinforce is Odin's most powerful weapon. Although the limits of this power remain unknown, Odin has used it so far to resurrect deceased beings, manipulate his subjects' life-forces and use magic weapons. Galactus has also been fought by him. Perhaps that qualifies him for the list.
Jane Foster's Mighty Thor was introduced by Jason Aaron in 2014's Thor: God of Thunder Vol 1 #25, the beginning of a fan-favorite storyline that further explores how powerful Mjölnir is. Jane is invincible once she takes possession of the hammer. Marvel Studios lifted the story line from Thor. Love and Thunder. Yes, the MCU does take Thor's power down one notch in comparison to comic books. Still, Mighty Thor remains a powerful force of nature and deserves to be alongside Odin or Osinson in the Marvel Comics' top three strongest characters.
Hercules is the son Zeus, an Olympian god. Although he is not cosmic, he's the only one on this list.He can survive in the vacuum of space, and the cosmic attacks. Because he is technically stronger than Thor, he ranks higher here. Many authorities consider him to be Marvel's strongest physical character. Legend has it that he was Atlas' replacement in holding the skies on his shoulders. He was also credited with moving Manhattan's island, which he claimed to have lifted 99,000,000,000 tonnes. Thor did not do that. He has also defeated both Thor and Hulk in battle. Hercules, who is also immortal, wields an adamantine mace as well as the protection of a Namean Lion skin Cape that is almost indestructible.
Zeus, Hercules’s father is similar in strength to his son. In battle, he's defeated the Hulk and Thor. He is not only super-strength but also super-speed, and can fly. Zeus can also summon lightning bolts and toss them. Who do you think would be victorious at a father-son game picnic? The MCU might reveal the answer. Since Odin has died, Thor - Love and Thunder introduces Zeus and Hercules. This teases a possible future battle between Odinson and the Greek Demigod.
While Dr. While Dr. Strange might not have the same physical abilities as some of the other picks, it doesn't mean he has to. The Sorcerer Supreme is Strange, the magician supreme, and the greatest wizard in the entire world. He is able to do feats such as levitation and teleportation as well as time travel, astral projection, dimension travel and other magical things. Although his powers are complex and have been hard to identify at times, Strange is capable of almost everything. His role was to protect and use the Time Stone. And let's not forget his amazing living cape. Galactus has been defeated in battle, yes. Doctor Strange, in the MCU is so strong that he threatens to destroy entire timelines. Lucky for us, Stephen Strange is able to stop most Variants from unleashing their full powers.
Captain Marvel is, just like Thor on the big screen, even more powerful than it appears in comics. Carol Danvers is not only strong and indestructible but also capable of interstellar travel, as well as being able to send photon beams at people. Her abilities include controlling gravity and light and the ability to manipulate radiation and magic. She can also tether to a white hole for even greater power, although this is not explored in the movies. Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige said that Captain Marvel is the most powerful character they've ever created. She is a formidable character, with incredible powers. He is an expert in his field.
Gladiator, the leader of Shi'ar's imperial guard, is more powerful than Thor, the Juggernaut and the Hulk. He's actually taken an insult to the face from the Juggernaut and not blinking. Kallark, his real name, competed with a variety of beings to win the Gladiator title. Kaalark, a native of Strontia planet, already has impressive physiology. But the Gladiator trials gave him even more. His abilities include the ability to fly and survive in outer space. He's also super-durable and strong, which increases with his confidence. He can take down entire planets if he is happy about himself. Gladiator is easily K.O.Gladiator has easily K.O. Gladiator is also known for destroying black holes and crashing stars, if rumors are to be believed. His stamina allows him to battle for many days without feeling fatigued. His eyes can fire energy beams so strong they could burn off the Hulk. He can also blow out hurricane-level winds from his lungs. Gladiator could be considered the Marvel Superman. This is the first man to survive a supernova blast. Supes may not have done it before.
Although Wanda Maximoff's comic book and cinematic presences are different in their origin, they both have tremendous power. She can be classified as a scientist experiment, mutant or witch. She is able to fly and can use energy blasting against enemies. Additionally, she has the ability to telekinesis, telepathy, and can also perform flying maneuvers. Not only can she cast probability-altering hexes or chaos magic but, even more important, her ability to alter reality's very fabric. In WandaVision she raised Vision from the dead and gave birth to her two children. With a single thought, Wanda killed or disabled over 90% of mutants. Wanda, however, is a Nexus Being. These are rare and very special individuals that can alter probability and the future of this world. Wanda was able to defeat Thanos two times in the movie without any injuries. WandaVision The evil witch Agatha said to Wanda that she could end the world. Although many of the earlier figures on this list are known to have destroyed worlds, Wanda is able to control reality herself psychically. This ability is explored further in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, where Wanda redeems her self by reaching across all time lines to destroy every Darkhold ever created. What power does it take to make every reality different?
Hope Summers, another Omega-level mutant was born shortly after the Scarlet Witch decimated/depowered more than 90% of the mutant population. Many people considered her a threat. Cable, the son of Cyclops, and a Clone of Jean Grey, saved Hope. He took her with him to the future. Hope, much like Rogue has the ability to absorb mutant abilities. However, there are three main differences. Hope doesn't need to touch the subject, they don't lose their abilities, and she can keep them forever. Hope, just like her mother, has a connection with the Phoenix Force. (Yes, it is cosmic but Hope doesn't believe so), this makes Hope and her abilities a little unstable. This rank is hers because she defeated Scarlet Witch in an actual fight.
That FX show is still a favorite of yours! It ruled. It ruled, because Legion is such an evil-ass. Charles Xavier, his papa, made Legion one of the greatest mutants to ever be born. Although his powers are almost limitless, he is limited by the dissociative identity disorder that has hampered him. After the tragic death of his stepfather, this disorder took root. This caused him to experience a psychic break, leaving him with just one personality in his brain. Each of these personalities had control over one of his abilities. Bummer. David's abilities have been demonstrated throughout both the comics and series. He has shown the ability to telepathize, telepathy and super strength. Also, David can time travel and mind control. Legion could easily be the number one character on this list if he can get his act together.
Proteus, aka Kevin MacTaggert is an Omega-level mutant that can warp reality. Yes, Scarlet Witch. His abilities don't end there. Proteus is a versatile and diverse being. Proteus can use his mind to create forcefields and manipulate molecules, teleport and move around the Marvel Universe and Multiverse. One of few living beings that can travel to and from the Astral Plane. His abilities in telepathy and telekinetic are unmatched. Proteus is an immortal being made of pure energy in its natural state. However, this doesn't make Proteus cosmic. Kevin will need human hosts to eat from time to another. After he finishes with them, there is nothing but zombies. Everyone has their problems.
Canada's effort to create Captain America is Sentry. But it has 100,000 times more strength. After decades of failures, Robert Reynolds, an addict to meth, broke into the facility, and inhaled the formula. This led to a successful trial. According to the comics Reynolds was able to summon the power of one million suns. Sentry is way beyond class 100 strength. He has beaten Captain Marvel, She-Hulk and Thor in just two minutes. Sentry also has light speed flight and telepathic abilities far greater than Professor X. Let's look at what else Sentry can do... Oh, he's able to resurrect dead people and can even hear the heartbeat of a butterfly halfway around the globe. He is a Being of Power Level 10+, and Mister Fantastic has deemed him an Omega-level Threat. The Void emerged from the dark mirror and caused havoc. Sentry eventually accepted this as part of him and created an even stronger being. Sentry is able to manipulate molecular molecules and has defeated Molecule Man. You wonder why he is on this list. Sentry isn't fully in control of his abilities and often has to rely on the Void as his alternate-ego when it gets risky. This has been less problematic since Sentry overcame his agoraphobia. He can now use his molecular abilities to create things, and even sendient beings. This is deity-like behavior. Sentry is also essentially immortal, as he doesn't need food nor water and has no vulnerabilities. Is he the Galactus's champion? He has, he is sure!
Franklin Richards is the son of Fantastic Four member Reed Richards. He and Susan Storm Richards are far more powerful than anyone on his parent's team. He is an Omega-level mutant and often considered the greatest potential future mutant in Marvel Universe. With a single thought, he can alter reality or create pocket universes. He has defeated Celestials and it is believed that he may have greater powers than the masters of all things. He can control molecules, making him the most powerful person on this list. He also has the abilities of time travel, telepathy and telekinesis. Galactus was defeated by an adult version, oh! Does anyone know of someone who's done it? It's starting to make me wonder. It's impossible to predict when Franklyn Richards is going to make his MCU debut. We can only hope that the next Marvel's First Family theater version will feature Franklyn, as we have a Fantastic Four film in development.
Molecule Man can do everything that... Molecule Man, formerly Owen Reese was made by an accident that involved an atomically-powered device. The unfortunate side effect was that it created a gap between Earth and Beyonders. But, that is a subject for another article. Reese was able to manipulate the molecules of any substance thanks to the accident. Naturally, Reese's first instinct was to control the entire world. It didn't, however. Reese was affected by his mother's psychological problems, which hampered him from achieving his full potential. Molecule Man can, when he is at his most, do almost anything. He is able to manipulate any form of matter, including the Marvel multiverse. He is capable of transmuting objects and beings at the subatomic and atomic levels, thus transforming a substance to something entirely different. He can also alter the form of people or objects at the molecular level. Owen has also been demonstrated to be able to alter large landscapes and even move entire mountain ranges. Owen can shoot energy bolts and travel between dimensions and hyperspace with powerful power. He could effectively destroy Earth or the entire universe whenever he wants. Uatu, the Watcher has declared that Molecule Man, the Marvel multiverse's most powerful, is why he is on the top. It's his opinion, so I will take it as mine.
Marvel's universe of abstract entities was created either before the universe existed or after it did. It is difficult to understand concepts. Eternity, Infinity and Death are both forces that create and expand. Oblivion and Death counterbalance this power and rule over destruction. These four entities are both the embodiment of creation and destruction. Their power is immeasurable. Individual beings may have the power to devastate entire universes. However, Marvel's cosmic pantheon is a representation of the whole universe, without the human imperfections and focusing on perpetuating the concepts it represents. Jack Kirby, Joe Simon created the first cosmic entity Death for 1941's Marvel Mystery Comics #21. After that, Eternity was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko for 1965's Strange Tales #138, Oblivion by J.M. DeMatteis and Alan Kupperberg for 1984's Iceman #1, and Infinity by Lee and John Buscema for 1991's Quasar #24. Although the cosmic pantheon is the greatest group of beings within any universe, when the Multiverse enters play they lose their position at the top.
The Living Tribunal was created by Stan Lee, Marie Sting and Strange Tales #157 in 1967. It is interdimensionally responsible for the overall functioning of the Multiverse. The Living Tribunal, contrary to Marvel's cosmic pantheon isn't bound to any one universe. It can intervene whenever the Multiverse is in danger. Predates any creation, the Living Tribunal was created by God as an all-powerful force capable of resolving conflicts among cosmic entities. It also prevents mortals from putting their lives at risk. The Living Tribunal can negate the Infinity Stones' powers, and outstrip any other tool from one universe.
James Shooter, and Mike Zeck introduced the Beyonder as part of 1984's popular arch 'Secret Wars'. The Beyonder is an interdimensional alien from the Multiverse. Contrary to what the Living Tribunal claims, the Beyonder isn't bound by Marvel's rules. The Beyonder is able to displace entire planets, alter the laws of physics and destroy entire universes with a single thought. Marvel Comics presented the Beyonder as the greatest being ever to exist. The powers of the Beyonder's were reduced and retconned over the years. He was too powerful for any villain or hero to be able to combat him. The original Beyonder, from "Secret War", is still one of Marvel Comics' most powerful characters. It is not yet clear if Marvel Studios' Avengers Secret Wars will feature the Beyonder, or if Kang the Conquerer will be used to create the Multiversal conflict. We hope that we see this amazing character in theaters soon.
The reader may perceive a ranking as subjective or shifting. In Marvel Comics' instance, however, there is an objective top spot. The One-Above all is the Marvel Comics' version of God. It's an omnipotent and omniscient being, introduced in Mark Waid as well as Mike Wieringo 's 2004 Fantastic Four #511. Although many creatures can change the reality fabric, only the One-Above All can. He is responsible for the creation of the Omniverse, which includes the Beyonder's universe, the DC Universe and the Galaxy from Star Wars. You can view the One-Above-All as the representation of the human mind. This is the ultimate power in Marvel Comics and any fictional universe. This is because while stories may depict heroes or villains fighting each other regardless of their power, this can only occur because the writer imagined them. The One-Above All is the representation of this powerful force in Marvel Comics.