Not every hero in theMarvelandDC Universeswas blessed with powers. For every comic book iconlike Superman or Spider-Man, there are a handful of do-gooders who didn’t have the same fortune of gaining powers. Instead, they’ve had to make do with their determination, brainpower, and whatever weapons they can get their hands on.
Superpowers, of course, don’t make the hero. Just look at all the good Black Widow or Blue Beetle have done despite not having innate special abilities. Same for those likeGreen Arrow and Iron Man. Read on to discover10 Marvel and DC heroeswho get by in their respective universes just fine despite not having any special superpowers.
10The Punisher
First Appearance:The Amazing Spider-Man #129
Given how many lives he’s taken, one might think there’s something supernatural about the Punisher. But at the end of the day, Frank Castle is just a man who’s incredibly proficient with firearms and other deadly weapons. Ever since he lost his family to crime, he’s done everything he can to rid the world of as many criminals as possible.
Now, Frank has had powers at various times in his life, though these periods never last. What is consistent with the Punisher is that he’s a brilliant tactician who is highly trained in the art of killing. Other heroes may not like him, butPunisher has the skills to fight by their side.
9Blue Beetle
First Appearance:Captain Atom #83
Blue Beetle, that is, the Ted Kord incarnation, is the only person to bear his heroic moniker that couldn’t access the power of the alien scarab, Khaji-Da. Instead, inspired by the original Blue Beetle, Ted decided to use his knack for inventing and the resources of his family’s companyto fight crime and protect the DC Universe.
Ted is a certified genius, and he’s in peak human condition. But what really puts him over the top is his array of weapons and vehicles, such as his iconic flying ship, the Bug. Blue Beetle doesn’t always get the respect of his peers, but he’s proven himself to be more than a capable hero.
8Moon Knight
First Appearance:Werewolf By Night #83
Marc Spector, aka Moon Knight, has an unusual story as he was selected by Khonshu, an ancient moon god, to be his avatar in the world. Khonshu eventually made contact with Spector and became his Earthly champion to defend travelers of the night. Moon Knight does just that and uses weapons and his own two fists to protect the streets.
Much like the Punisher, Marc has similarly been blessed with powers (he’s even been resurrected a handful of times). But Moon Knight is primarily a powerless hero, and infamously brutalizes criminals without the need for conventional powers like super-strength or enhanced speed. Most heroes are wary of him, butMoon Knight is indeed effective at what he does.
7The Question
First Appearance:Batman #475
Renee Montoya isn’t the first person to adopt the Question moniker, but she is the current one and she does an amazing job at it. After honing her skills as a detective in the Gotham City Police Department, Montoya moved onto bigger things. With nothing but her wits and deductive skills, the Question tackles the DCU’s biggest mysteries.
Don’t think that she’s all just brains. She recently became in charge of Justice League Unlimited’s security and, as such, started using a shotgun that could project people straight into the Phantom Zone. With that kind of weaponry and sharp detective skills,no one wants to be on the Question’s bad side.
6Green Arrow
First Appearance:More Fun Comics #73
Oliver Queen, aka Green Arrow, is one of the best archers around. It’s the skill that helped him survive being marooned on an island, and it’s what made him the hero he is today. But Green Arrow is more than just a sharpshooter, he fights crime with a cache of some of the wildest trick arrows ever conceived.
For all the guff that Green Arrow gets about being a Batman rip-off, Oliver never gets the credit for being a capable hero in his own right. If anything, he faces more difficulty fighting crime with a bow and arrow,yet he’s proven himself to be Justice League material, no easy feat for anyone, much less an archer.
5Black Widow
First Appearance:Tales of Suspense #52
Natasha Romanoff is the Black Widow and infamously one of the greatest spies in the Marvel Universe. She’s cunning, athletic, and incredibly deadly. Her impressive skills can all be traced back to her training in the Soviet Union’s Red Room, which turned Natasha into one of the most lethal living weapons around.
Despite the things she’s done in her past, she’s become a hero and uses her skills for good, working alongside some of Earth’s best heroes as an Avenger. Between her incredible skills and the spy weapons she carries around with her,Black Widow is a threat to anyone, no matter who they are.
4Winter Soldier
First Appearance:Captain America Comics #1
Once Captain America’s sidekick, James Buchanan ‘Bucky’ Barnes' life changed forever when he was lost in battle and taken hostage by the Soviets and brainwashed into becoming their loyal assassin. For years, the Winter Soldier was the USSR’s secret weapon until his head was put on straight, and he became a hero once more.
Bucky didn’t get the Super-Soldier serum like Steve did, but he is incredibly strong and quick. Not to mention his cybernetic arm has more than a few nifty functions. Combine all that with the weapon skills he gained over decades andWinter Soldier is a true force to be reckoned with.
3Mister Terrific
First Appearance:Spectre #54
Thanks toSuperman, fans everywhere are discovering just how terrific Michael Holt really is. Mister Terrific is often referred to as the world’s ‘third-smartest man’, but the truth is, he’s very likely the smartest.Mister Terrific’s brainpower has allowed him to create inventionsthat practically defy comprehension, namely his iconic T-Spheres, which have nearly unlimited functions.
Mister Terrific is a highly respected and valued member of the hero community. Whenever heroes are faced with inexplicable weirdness, Holt is the one on the scene providing an answer. Not to mention,he’s practically running Justice League Unlimited, and given how brilliant Mister Terrific is, there really isn’t a more suitable leader.
2Iron Man
First Appearance:Tales of Suspense #39
As far as powerless heroes go, Tony Stark put himself on the map thanks to his greatest invention: the Iron Man armor. What began as a means to escape captivity ended up becoming the most important work in Tony’s life. Over the years, Stark has refined his armor endlessly, countlessly pushing it to greater and greater heights.
Iron Man has suits of armor for all sorts of occasions, from interstellar travel to going toe-to-toe with a rampaging Hulk. Stark has even made suits that can go up against gods and Celestials. With enough time and determination, Iron Man can make armor for any situation, and that’sa valuable skill in the Marvel Universe.
1Batman
First Appearance:Detective Comics #27
When one thinks about heroes that don’t have powers, nine times out of ten, they’re likely thinking about Batman. No other hero is as well-known for not having powers, yet Bruce Wayne managed to become the most popular hero in the DC Universe and, arguably, comics themselves. And as he’s shown numerous times over the years, Batman doesn’t need superpowers.
With enough prep time, there’s nothing Batmancan’tdo. From taking down villains that outclass him to stopping a god from destroying the universe, Bruce has drive that seems superhuman, but it’s all natural to the Dark Knight. Between his gadgets and incredible deduction, Batman stands out as thegreatest hero without powers in either the Marvel or DC Universes.
