These uniquely powered characters occasionally make their way onto the big screen, with dramatic effect.
With that in mind, here are 10 of the most unique superpowers in comic book movies.
As a demon raised among humans, he also happens to stand out.
Starring Ron Perlman as the titular hero.
Hellboy can also understand ancient languages and has a utility belt with numerous tools and weapons.
Hellboys demonic physiology makes him larger than average humans, and he has horns and a tail.
Even so, Captain Boomerang uses his abilities in a unique manner.
Karen Fukuharas Katana also joins the mission to keep Rick safe from the villains.
2007 saw the release ofGhost Rider, with Nicolas Cage starring as the titular hero.
Mark Steven Johnson’s Ghost Rider precedes the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by one year.
Superman IIs amnesia-inducing kiss is unique, but the movies creative inclusions didnt stop there.
The film blends humor and action as the quirky team learns to work together.
Custom image by Niall Gray
Polka Dot Man has the ability to produce multi-colored polka dots from his body and weaponize them.
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel.
DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine explores the backstory of the iconic mutant Wolverine, portrayed by Hugh Jackman. Released in 2009, the film delves into Logan’s journey through the Weapon X program as he seeks revenge for his girlfriend’s death while uncovering complex relationships with other mutants.
The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009.
Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy, caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge. Starring Ron Perlman as the titular hero. His powers include superhuman strength, high levels of endurance, resistance to injury, and a healing factor that makes him immune to all diseases. Hellboy can also understand ancient languages and has a utility belt with numerous tools and weapons.
James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squadacts as a soft reboot for David Ayer’s 2016Suicide Squad.Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) is again recruiting a group of superheroes for a dangerous mission, this time pairing Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) with Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), Savant (Michael Rooker), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), Blackguard (Pete Davidson), and Javelin (Flula Borg).
The Suicide Squad team is made up of villains, captured and kept in a secret prison, and offered reduced sentences if they participate in dangerous missions. In the tradition of continuity within DCEU films, the event comes in the wake of Superman’s death and the seclusion of Batman after the events that occurred in Batman V Superman. Agency head Amanda Waller, played by award-winning actress Viola Davis, is the one striking deals with the inmates of Belle Reve Prison. Heading “Task Force X” is Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag, alongside Will Smith’s Deadshot, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang, Jay Hernandez’s El Diablo, Adewale Akinnuoye’s Killer Croc, and Adam Beach’s Slipknot. Karen Fukuhara’s Katana also joins the mission to keep Rick safe from the villains. Jared Leto (Joker) and Ben Affleck (Batman) have smaller roles in David Ayer’sSuicide Squad, as does Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress.
Mark Steven Johnson’s Ghost Rider precedes the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by one year. Starring Nicolas Cage as the titular Marvel anti-hero, the 2007 movie takes Johnny Blaze’s origin story to the big screen with a supporting cast composed of the likes of Eva Mendes as Ghost Rider’s love interest Roxanne Simpson, Peter Fonda as the demon Mephistopheles, Wes Bentley as the villain Blackheart, and Sam Elliot as the previous wielder of the Spirit of Vengeance.
X-Men: The Last Stand is the third film in the X-Men series, featuring the conflict between mutants over a newly discovered cure for mutations. The film showcases the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier, opposing the Brotherhood, led by Magneto, as tensions escalate within the mutant community.
Superman II (1980) sees Christopher Reeve reprise his role as the Man of Steel, battling General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his followers, who escape from the Phantom Zone and threaten Earth. Meanwhile, Superman must grapple with his feelings for Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) and the loss of his powers. Directed by Richard Lester, the film combines elements of action, romance, and moral dilemmas, continuing the narrative of the iconic superhero.
Mystery Men is a 1999 superhero comedy film that features an ensemble cast including Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, and Janeane Garofalo. Directed by Kinka Usher, the plot follows a group of underdog superheroes with unimpressive powers who must save their city from a formidable villain after the town’s real champion is captured. The film blends humor and action as the quirky team learns to work together.
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
