Buzz
Superpowers have captured the world's imagination for ages. While we are familiar with the iconic abilities, the surge of superhero films has sparked a craving for more unique and outlandish powers. From flight to strength, speed, mind control, teleportation, and beyond, we've seen it all. However, every now and then, a character will emerge with a truly peculiar power in comics, TV, or films. Some abilities may not be combat-oriented, but they are sure to amuse or astound.
Whether it’s the ability to turn a solid into a liquid or super speed with conditions, the possibilities are limited only by a writer's creativity when it comes to odd superpowers. Let’s delve into the top ten most bizarre superpowers ever imagined.
10. Omnilingualism
The power to speak any language, or as Thor refers to it, 'all-speak,' is an incredibly useful gift, especially in intergalactic travel where a universal translator doesn’t exist. Imagine the challenges of trying to navigate foreign worlds without this ability. Being able to communicate with anyone, anywhere, anytime, would be an extraordinary skill.
Cypher from the X-Men had the remarkable ability to speak any language and decode any form of communication, whether written or spoken. Shazam and the Tooth Fairy from Rise of the Guardians also possess omnilingualism, which is quite logical considering her need to travel the world. Joseph Petrelli also carries this power, and his son, Peter, is able to replicate it.
The Traveler is another character who holds this power, as does Jason Bourne. Alex the Alien, from Invincible, communicates telepathically, with a built-in translation, which grants him this ability as well. Though not frequently highlighted, this power is subtly referenced, and many fictional characters share it.
9. Indestructible Digestion
A unique yet incredibly useful power, indestructible digestion is a rare but noteworthy ability. Matter-Eater Lad from DC's Legion of Superheroes is perhaps the most well-known character with this ability in the comic world, but numerous animated figures have been seen eating things like bombs.
Characters from Warner Brothers, such as Daffy Duck and Wile E. Coyote, have casually eaten live dynamite and emerged unharmed. Scooby-Doo, Mr. Vultner, The Hulk, and Ben-10 also feature invulnerable digestive systems. In live-action, one can spot a similar ability in the show The Orville.
In season one, episode six of the McFarlane Star Trek parody, Lt. Commander Bortus showcases the remarkable durability of the Moclan stomach to the rest of the bridge crew. He consumes glass, a cactus, and even a fork—an almost unbearable scene to witness, but undeniably impressive if you ever find yourself stranded in the desert.
8. Liquid Transmutation
Imagine you’re Batman, landing a punch to a villain’s face, only for them to transform into a puddle of mud. Clayface is a character who can turn into a liquid-like form with the ability of liquid transmutation. Mercury from X-Men uses it to sneak through highly secured areas without detection. Brainiac has also survived in a liquid state, while Plastic Man often appears as a reddish liquid puddle.
There are obvious downsides to being in liquid form, such as being easily mopped up, something that’s bound to happen to Plastic Man. While turning into liquid yourself is rare, transforming objects into liquid is more common. In the TV show Heroes, Zane Taylor had the power to turn any solid object into a liquid. Of course, Sylar killed him, devoured his brain, and stole his ability for kicks.
7. Technopathy
Comic books and TV shows feature more technopaths than you might expect. While Micah Sanders from Heroes claims that he doesn’t control technology, but instead speaks to machines and requests their assistance, Adam from Buffy the Vampire Slayer would likely admit to manipulating technology to his advantage. Technopathy is about communicating with or controlling hardware, while cyberpathy focuses more on software. Characters like Viral from TMNT, Neo from The Matrix, Ultron from Marvel, and Brainiac from DC all exhibit different levels of technopathy.
This power is especially terrifying for villains, particularly as society becomes more dependent on technology. For heroes, however, it’s an incredibly useful ability. Technopaths not only have the power to control machines, but they can also bring them back to life, quickly diagnosing and repairing anything from a power tool to a tank.
6. Density Manipulation
Several heroes and villains possess the ability to alter the density of their bodies. Vision from Marvel, for example, can increase his density to absorb powerful blows or decrease it to become intangible, allowing attacks to pass right through him. Other characters with this ability include J’onn J’onz, Firestorm, and Thunder from DC, as well as Duck Zhang from Gone.
One hero uses her density manipulation to maintain a secret identity. Big Bertha, an obscure character from Marvel and member of 'The Great Lakes Avengers,' hides her true self as Ashley Crawford, a glamorous model. When she fights crime, she transforms into the super-strong, overweight Big Bertha. While density manipulation itself may not seem too odd, turning into an obese version of yourself to go unnoticed is certainly unconventional.
5. Reactive Adaptation
The X-Men franchise has introduced a vast array of remarkable powers. Darwin, named after the naturalist, evolves at a rapid pace, adapting instantly to survive any environment. His body automatically adjusts to external threats, an ability that has been seen in characters like Amazo, Doomsday, The OMACs (DC), and The Hulk (Marvel). But Darwin’s reactive adaptation is unparalleled. Depending on the situation, he can suddenly grow wings, transform into iron, or shift his size without warning.
This ability holds the potential for near immortality, though it doesn’t always work out as expected. Adaptation serves more than just a defensive purpose; it also allows the character to shift into the ideal form for combat, effectively countering any opponent. The ability is also enduring—once a character adapts to a specific challenge, they can more easily display the same transformation in future encounters. While it might sound like a fundamental power, watching Darwin grow gills on his neck is undeniably strange.
4. Dimensional Storage
On the surface, dimensional storage might seem like a simple superpower, but watching someone pull an oversized sword out of a tiny bag is always an amusing sight, even in fiction. Characters such as Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim often employ dimensional storage through magic. This power is also seen in classic cartoons like Bugs Bunny, who somehow always has an endless array of weapons and gadgets on hand. Hermione Granger used an undetectable extension charm to transform her beaded bag into a 'bag of holding.' Mary Poppins also possesses this ability, though it's unclear if it's a superpower like Flowers’ or a spell like Granger’s.
This ability is incredibly rare, with only a few characters known to naturally possess it, such as The Spot (Marvel), Green Lantern (DC), and Lion from Steven Universe. This extra-dimensional space can be utilized for a variety of purposes, though it is most commonly used to store weaponry.
3. Reality Changing Muscles
The DC superhero team, Doom Patrol, is known for its bizarre powers and even stranger allies and enemies. Among them, Flex Mentallo stands out with perhaps the most peculiarly specific superpower ever conceived. Who needs the infinity stones when you've got muscles like these? Back when Flex was still a “mac” and not a “man,” he was often bullied at the beach. Tired of being weak, he was approached by a mysterious figure who had a TV for a head and smoked three cigarettes at once.
This strange man handed Flex a coupon for a body-building book titled Muscle Mystery for You. The book’s instructions transformed Flex into the muscled powerhouse he is today, teaching him that when he flexes a certain muscle, he can alter reality itself. From small, unnoticed tweaks to colossal shifts, reality is just a flex away for Flex Mentallo and his wildly unique superpower.
2. Conditional Powers
While there are nearly countless superpowers, some abilities are stranger than simply conversing with a toaster, especially when they can only be activated under specific circumstances. Take, for example, the Whizzer. In season 2 of Marvel’s Jessica Jones, viewers meet a rather unremarkable guy who can move at incredible speed, but only when he’s terrified. He cannot access this power unless he believes his life is in imminent danger.
The Wonder Twins (DC) are limited to activating their powers only when they touch each other. This connection allows Jayna to shapeshift into any animal imaginable, while Zan has the ability to transform into water, in various states, an oddly precise ability. Similarly, Spider-Man (Marvel) can produce venomous stingers only when encountering a natural spider predator. Samson from the Bible possesses super strength but only until his hair is cut. Aki Hojo and Hanasaki Haru can create money out of thin air, but only when they flirt with each other. The conditional power is one of the most peculiar concepts in fiction.
1. Empathic Influence
Empathic abilities frequently appear in science fiction. For those familiar with Star Trek, Betazoid empathy is a well-known concept. However, the power to control others through empathy is far rarer. One such example is Empath from Marvel Comics. Known as Manuel Alfonso Rodrigo de la Rocha, Empath can influence large groups of people at once, adjusting their emotions from subtle nudges to complete emotional suppression, reducing them to a zombified state where he can command them effortlessly.
Other characters, like Mantis (MCU), wield their empathic powers to induce happiness or even make others fall asleep, a surprisingly useful tactic during a battle. While this ability isn't exactly telepathy, it grants heroes the ability to influence how others feel, making it a potent strategy during interrogations.
