Buzz
Superheroes have always been a source of fascination – as children, we aspired to emulate them, and even as adults, that admiration endures. Mytour has compiled numerous lists about heroes, villains, and sidekicks, but never before have we ventured into the territory of the most underwhelming superheroes; those heroes we’d rather not become and, more importantly, the ones we certainly wouldn’t want coming to our rescue in a sticky situation. Enjoy the list.
10. The Red Bee
Debut: Hit Comics #1
He-Man had his gigantic Battle Cat, complete with a shiny orange saddle; Doctor Who had K-9, the flying robotic dog; and The Red Bee had a trained bumblebee named Michael. You can probably see why he never really took off as a childhood hero, right? First appearing in the 1940s, The Red Bee was a vigilante armed with a utility belt, a stinger gun, and the ability to summon a swarm of bees... just in case he suddenly felt the urge to make honey.
9. Arm Fall Off Boy
First appearance: Secret Origins Vol. 2 #46
Isn’t that a band’s name? Uh, no. Arm Fall Off Boy was an actual superhero. Although his powers were so underwhelming that even the Legion of Superheroes turned him down – and remember, this is the team that welcomed Matter Eater Lad, whose only power was the ability to eat anything on Earth. So, was A.F.O.B’s power so unimpressive that it couldn’t even compete with a guy with an insatiable appetite? Yep, it was. His special ability? He could rip off his own arm and use it as a weapon. What a way to waste spandex.
8. Skateman
First appearance: Skateman #1
Vietnam War veteran Billy Moon only lasted for a single issue before being sent back to the roller disco for some superhero polishing. And honestly, can you blame them? Imagine this: you're on your way home from work, deciding to take a shortcut down a shadowy alley. Suddenly, you're confronted by two muggers with flick-knives, and their eyes are locked onto your flashy new Rolex. But who’s that stepping out from the darkness to help? Skateman! Oh, dear. Save yourself the trouble and just hand over the watch.
7. Razorback
First appearance: Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #12
Spider-Man. Check. Batman. Check. Wolverine. Check. Pigman. Wait, what?! Did you really just say ‘Pigman’? It seems that when Buford Hollis decided to base his crime-fighting alter-ego on a farm animal, he might have had a bit too much to drink. Why else would you think putting on a pig costume and fighting crime was a smart idea? Why, Hollis? Why? And did we mention that his superpower was the ability to drive any vehicle? Seriously, Hollis. Even Truckman would be a better option than Razorback.
6. Color Kid
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #342
Don’t we all have that superpower? Colouring in? Oh wait, Color Kid can change the colour of anything. Hmmm… and how exactly does that help in a fight against villains? Maybe his origin story is more exciting? Ulu Vakk, from the planet Lupra, became Color Kid after being struck by a rainbow-colored beam from another planet. Probably not. How about any epic storylines? In the Silver Age of comics (the early 1950s), Color Kid was infected by Infectious Lass, of all people, with ‘Grandin Gender Reversal Disease’. The result? He became Color Queen. Let’s just leave it at that…
5. Squirrel Girl
First Appearance: Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 2 #8
Here’s the thing about Squirrel Girl: By all accounts, she should be a terrible superhero, but when you look at her impressive track record of villains defeated, you'll see Doctor Doom at the very top. You’d think that after such a monumental victory, the superhero world would be hers to conquer. But instead, she chose to settle in New York City and took on the role of guardian for Central Park.
4. Manikin
First Appearance: Alpha Flight #44
Manikin is arguably one of the most perplexing superheroes in existence. Whitman Knapp has the ability to summon three different versions of himself from various points in the timeline. These beings include Proto, a primordial ooze (yes, you read that right); Ape-Man, a Neanderthal with immense strength; and Highbrow, a futuristic intellect who can teleport. It’s a confusing combination, and you’re not alone if you feel lost.
3. Doorman
First Appearance: Avengers West Coast #46
Unfortunately, Doorman doesn't possess the ability to keep people out of nightclubs just because they’re sporting sneakers. In reality, Doorman's power is rather underwhelming. He can teleport someone to any place they wish, but the catch is that it’s always only to the next room. It’s a fun party trick when someone needs a drink from the kitchen, but is it useful for fighting crime? Not really. Doorman often found himself thwarted by his very namesake, The Door.
2. Leather Boy
First Appearance: Great Lake Avengers #1
Surprisingly, this character is exactly what it seems. Leather Boy was a BDSM-inspired hero who donned a studded collar, leather chaps, a flat leather cap, and even wore a ball gag. Picture The Village People on an off night—though that might be a bit unfair to them. His most notable moments include the tragic killing of Monkey Joe, dressing up as Doctor Doom, and getting captured by Big Bertha, who subdued the hero by sitting on him.
1. Krypto the Superdog
Krypto made his debut in Adventure Comics #210, marking the first appearance of Superman’s loyal dog. Initially, Krypto was sent to Earth by Jor-El, Superman's father, as a trial run for the spacecraft that would later carry his son to the planet. Despite being little more than an experimental test subject, Krypto soon found a sense of belonging. His spirits were lifted with the formation of The Legion of Superpets, which featured other super-powered companions like Beppo the Supermonkey, Streaky the Supercat, and Comet the Superhorse. However, Harry the Superhamster had yet to join the team.
The main highlight of Krypto's journey was his role as Superman's canine companion. He was sent to Earth by Jor-El, who was preparing a test flight for the capsule that would eventually carry his son, Kal-El, to Earth. Though initially a test subject, Krypto found new purpose and camaraderie with the Legion of Superpets, a team that included Beppo the Supermonkey, Streaky the Supercat, and Comet the Superhorse. Harry the Superhamster, however, was still not part of the lineup.
