Who is the strongest superhero is one of the great debates. Which comic book character would win in a fight across the D.C. and Marvel universes? Who has more physical strength? Who has greater powers? The debate rages, so we turned to artificial intelligence for answers. We asked the A.I. platform ChatGPT to rank the top 10 strongest superheroes of all time. Then we also asked A.I. some of the most frequently asked questions regarding superhero power rankings.

All of the text below with a green background was generated by ChatGPT.

WHO IS THE STRONGEST SUPERHERO?

Determining the “strongest” superhero can be subjective and depends on various factors, including the criteria you use to measure their strength. Superheroes come from different comic book universes, and their abilities vary greatly. Here are a few superheroes who are often considered among the strongest:

10. THE FLASH

With the ability to move at incredible speeds, The Flash can access the Speed Force, enabling him to manipulate time, phase through objects, and react in microseconds.

the flash strongest superhero
The Flash / DC Comics

9. CAPTAIN MARVEL

Carol Danvers, known as Captain Marvel, has cosmic powers, including super strength, energy projection, and flight.

8. WONDER WOMAN

An Amazonian warrior with superhuman strength, speed, and an array of magical weapons, Wonder Woman is a symbol of strength and courage.

7. ONE PUNCH MAN

A character from a webcomic/manga/anime series, One Punch Man can defeat any opponent with a single punch, making him essentially invincible in combat.

one punch man
One Punch Man / Saitama

6. DASKSEID

Darkseid is one of the most formidable villains in the DC Universe. He possesses vast strength, durability, and the Omega Beams, which can erase his enemies from existence.

5. DOCTOR MANHATTAN

Dr. Manhattan is a god-like being with complete control over matter and energy. He has the ability to manipulate reality on a fundamental level, making him incredibly powerful.

4. SILVER SURFER

The Silver Surfer possesses the Power Cosmic, which grants him a wide range of abilities, including superhuman strength, energy manipulation, matter manipulation, and the ability to traverse the cosmos at incredible speeds.

silver surfer
Silver Surfer / Marvel

3. HULK

The Hulk is known for his limitless strength, which increases with his anger. When he gets angrier, he becomes even more powerful. His durability and regenerative abilities make him nearly indestructible.

2. THOR

Thor, the God of Thunder, wields the enchanted hammer Mjolnir, granting him incredible strength, control over storms, and the ability to fly. He’s also nearly immortal and has vast combat experience.

1. SUPERMAN

Superman is often seen as one of the most powerful superheroes. He possesses superhuman strength, speed, agility, and the ability to fly. His most iconic power is his heat vision and freeze breath. Superman’s strength is virtually unmatched, and he can withstand extreme physical forces.

Who is the strongest superhero?
Superman / DC Comics

It’s essential to note that these characters come from different fictional universes, and their powers and abilities are often portrayed in varying degrees depending on the storyline and the writer’s interpretation. Additionally, the concept of “strength” can extend beyond physical abilities and encompass other attributes, such as intelligence, leadership, or moral character, which might make other superheroes “stronger” in different ways.

WHO IS THE STRONGEST SUPERHERO: ANALYSIS

ChatGPT seemed to combine physical strength and great powers to come up with its top 10 but side more towards the former. It wrote a pretty conventional list with five DC superheroes and four from Marvel. The one exception is the Japanese manga character One Punch Man—who is also the only comic book character in the top 10 who originated this century (the webcomic first appeared in 2009). There are two female superheroes, Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. Also, one supervillain, Darkseid, crashed onto the list.

While other lists of this sort sometimes rank others as the GOAT—Doctor Manhattan, The Spectre, Superman Prime, etc.—Superman is the popular choice. The Man of Steel has been going strong since 1938, and, according to A.I., he’s still the champ…as long as there’s no Kryptonite around.

STRONGEST SUPERHERO FAQS

Who is stronger than Superman? 

A.I. answered:

In the DC Comics universe, few characters are traditionally considered to be stronger than Superman. Superman is often portrayed as one of the most powerful superheroes, with abilities such as super strength, super speed, flight, heat vision, and invulnerability. However, there are characters who can match or even surpass Superman’s power levels under certain circumstances or in specific storylines. Some of these characters include:

Doomsday: Doomsday is a supervillain known for his incredible physical strength and ability to adapt and become immune to any attack that has previously harmed him. He famously engaged in a brutal battle with Superman in “The Death of Superman” storyline.

Darkseid: Darkseid is a powerful cosmic entity and a recurring antagonist in the DC Universe. He possesses superhuman strength, immortality, and vast energy manipulation abilities. Darkseid is often portrayed as one of Superman’s most formidable foes.

strongest superheroes
Darkseid / DC Comics

Shazam (Captain Marvel): Shazam, formerly known as Captain Marvel, has powers on par with Superman. When young Billy Batson utters the magic word “Shazam,” he transforms into an adult superhero with the strength of six legendary figures, making him a formidable opponent for Superman.

Martian Manhunter: Martian Manhunter, also known as J’onn J’onzz, possesses a wide range of superhuman abilities, including telepathy, shape-shifting, super strength, and flight. While he doesn’t always outclass Superman, he is a formidable ally and has fought him to a standstill in some stories.

The Flash (Barry Allen): The Flash possesses superhuman speed, which can give him an advantage in combat against Superman. While Superman has other abilities to counteract speedsters, the Flash’s speed can be a challenge.

Green Lantern (with a powerful ring): Green Lanterns wield the power of the Green Lantern Corps and can create constructs with their rings limited only by their willpower and imagination. In some situations, a skilled Green Lantern can match or challenge Superman.

The Spectre: The Spectre is a divine entity with vast reality-altering powers. While the Spectre rarely engages in physical combat, his power level is virtually limitless.

It’s important to note that the outcome of battles between superheroes often depends on various factors, including the writers’ interpretation and the context of the story. Superman’s power levels can vary in different comic book arcs and adaptations, so his strength relative to other characters may change depending on the narrative.

Who can defeat Superman?

See above.

Who is most powerful superhero?

A.I. answered:

Determining the “most powerful” superhero is highly subjective and can depend on various factors, including the specific abilities, context, and the creative direction of different comic book universes. Power levels can also fluctuate within the comics themselves, depending on the needs of the story. However, several characters are often considered among the most powerful superheroes in the comic book world:

1. Superman: Superman is often regarded as one of the most powerful superheroes in the DC Universe. He possesses superhuman strength, speed, flight, heat vision, and invulnerability. His power levels can vary depending on the interpretation and storyline, but he is consistently depicted as a formidable force.

2. Doctor Manhattan: Doctor Manhattan, from the “Watchmen” series, is considered one of the most powerful characters in comic book history. He possesses god-like powers, including control over matter, time, and space.

who is most powerful superhero
Dr. Manhattan / DC Comics

3. Franklin Richards: In the Marvel Universe, Franklin Richards is one of the most powerful mutants. He has reality-warping abilities on a cosmic scale, making him a force to be reckoned with.

4. The Spectre: The Spectre is a divine entity with vast reality-altering powers in the DC Universe. He has the ability to manipulate reality and enforce divine justice.

5. Jean Grey as the Dark Phoenix: When Jean Grey becomes the Dark Phoenix, she gains immense cosmic power and is nearly unstoppable. Her abilities include telepathy, telekinesis, and the manipulation of matter and energy on a cosmic scale.

6. The Beyonder: The Beyonder is an omnipotent being in the Marvel Universe, with the power to manipulate reality and warp the laws of physics. He is virtually invulnerable and capable of almost anything.

7. Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff): Scarlet Witch, at her full potential, has reality-altering powers that can rival cosmic entities. Her abilities include warping reality and rewriting the laws of magic.

8. The Living Tribunal: The Living Tribunal is a cosmic entity in the Marvel Universe responsible for maintaining balance in the multiverse. It has the authority to enforce cosmic laws and can erase threats on a multiversal scale.

Who is the strongest Marvel superhero?     

A.I. says Thor. In our top 10 list, A.I. placed these three Marvel characters just behind DC’s Superman: Thor (#2), Hulk (#3), Silver Surfer (#4).

thor strongest superhero
Thor / Marvel

Who is stronger Marvel or DC?

Ah, the classic Marvel vs. DC debate. We’ll just go by the top 10 list A.I. created for us, and A.I. scored it: DC five and Marvel four, with a DC character #1. However, Marvel does occupy three of the top four spots.

Who is the hardest superhero to beat?

A.I. answered:

Determining the “hardest” superhero to beat is subjective and can depend on various factors, including the context of the battle, the specific abilities of the superheroes involved, and the creative direction of the writers. Different characters have different strengths and weaknesses, and matchups can lead to unexpected results. That said, here are a few superheroes who are often considered extremely challenging to defeat in many scenarios:

1. The Spectre: The Spectre is a near-omnipotent being with the power of divine retribution. He can manipulate reality, warp time, and erase characters from existence. Defeating the Spectre typically requires confronting moral or metaphysical dilemmas rather than physical combat.

who is the strongest superhero
The Spectre / DC Comics

2. Doctor Manhattan: Doctor Manhattan, from the “Watchmen” series, possesses god-like powers, including control over matter, time, and space. His ability to perceive the past, present, and future simultaneously makes him a formidable opponent.

3. Franklin Richards: In the Marvel Universe, Franklin Richards is one of the most powerful mutants. He has reality-warping abilities on a cosmic scale, making him a challenging adversary to overcome.

4. The Living Tribunal: In Marvel Comics, the Living Tribunal is a cosmic entity responsible for maintaining balance in the multiverse. It has the authority to erase entire universes and possesses vast cosmic powers.

5. Galactus: Galactus, known as the Devourer of Worlds, is an immensely powerful cosmic entity in the Marvel Universe. While not a hero, he can be an insurmountable force to deal with, and he often requires unique solutions rather than direct combat.

6. Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff): Scarlet Witch’s reality-altering powers, at their peak, can reshape the entire universe. Her abilities make her a formidable opponent, capable of rewriting reality itself.

7. The Beyonder: The Beyonder is an omnipotent being in the Marvel Universe, with the power to manipulate reality and warp the laws of physics. Battling the Beyonder is often an exercise in futility.

Who is the number one superhero?

A.I. answered:

The concept of the “number one superhero” is subjective and can vary greatly depending on personal preferences, cultural influences, and the criteria used to evaluate superheroes. There isn’t a universally agreed-upon “number one” superhero because the appeal of superheroes is highly individual, and people have different favorites for a variety of reasons. Here are a few iconic superheroes who are often considered among the top contenders:

1. Superman: Superman is often seen as the quintessential superhero, known for his iconic status and moral values. He is the symbol of hope and justice, with a wide range of superhuman abilities.

2. Spider-Man: Spider-Man is beloved for his relatable personality, youthful struggles, and agility. He is known for his “with great power comes great responsibility” mantra.

3. Batman: Batman is a symbol of determination, intelligence, and resourcefulness. He is a human hero who relies on his intellect, physical training, and gadgets to fight crime.

4. Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman represents strength, wisdom, and female empowerment. She is a symbol of justice and equality.

strongest superhero ever
Wonder Woman / DC Comics

5. Captain America: Captain America embodies patriotism, honor, and the ideals of freedom and justice. He is often seen as a symbol of American values.

6. Iron Man: Iron Man, also known as Tony Stark, is admired for his brilliance, technological prowess, and the evolution of his character from a self-centered billionaire to a hero who uses his intellect and resources to make the world a better place.

7. The Flash: The Flash is known for his super speed and a sense of humor. He represents the idea that even ordinary people can become extraordinary.

8. Black Panther: Black Panther represents African culture, leadership, and heroism. He is a symbol of pride and diversity in the superhero world.

9. Green Lantern: The Green Lantern Corps is a symbol of willpower, imagination, and the ability to overcome fear. Multiple characters have held the title of Green Lantern.

Ultimately, the “number one superhero” is a matter of personal opinion, and different people will have different favorites based on their own experiences and values. The richness of the superhero genre lies in its diversity, allowing fans to connect with characters who resonate with them on a personal level.

Opening image: Superman and Darkseid both made the top 10. / DC Comics

Strongest Man Ever: Top 10, Ranked by A.I.