When people think aboutMarvelorDCheroes, they generally think about the amazing things they can do with their superpowers. But not every hero holds onto their powers forever. Some wind up losing their special abilities, either for a short period of time or on a more permanent basis. And yet, that’s never the end for these heroes.
Some of the biggest heroesin the Marvel and DC Universeshave lost their powers, suchas Superman and Thor. But despite the disadvantage they were presumably at, they still thrived without their abilities. Whether they came back or never returned, the followingten Marvel and DC heroesproved they’re more than just their powers.
10Iron Fist
First Appearance:Marvel Premiere #15
For the longest time, Danny Rand was Iron Fist and the immortal weapon of K’un-L’un. However, in Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon, his power is transferred to Okoye in order for her to defeat the Hierophant. Okoye did attempt to return the power to Danny, but he insisted she stay as the new Iron Fist.
Despite losing the title and power of Iron Fist, Danny still had a strong heroic spirit. He was still incredibly capable at martial arts, and used his natural abilities to help defend New York during Devil’s Reign. Danny is more than just a glowing pair of fists, andeven without his Iron Fist powers, he’s a force to be reckoned with.
9Oracle
First Appearance:Detective Comics #359
‘Powers’ may be putting it a bit too lightly to describe what happened to the former Batgirl. Barbara Gordon was once the Dark Knight’s ally, but she was shot and paralyzed by the Joker (as infamously seen inThe Killing Joke). But Barbara didn’t let that be the end of her story.
Barbara dug deep and used her mind to become Oracle, the greatest information broker in the DC Universe. While Barbara eventually regained the ability to walk and became an active Batgirl again, she still operates in her Oracle capacity and provides the Bat-Family (and even the Justice League) with valuable information.
8Wolverine
First Appearance:Incredible Hulk #180
Wolverine is the best there is at what he is, even when Logan loses his iconic mutant abilities. Wolverine is quite well-known for his incredible healing factor and his adamantium-plated skeleton. But over the years, he’s managed to lose one or both powers, and one would think he’d be at a serious disadvantage without them.
But whether he’s had the adamantium stripped from his bones or his healing factor is on the fritz, Wolverine remains a great fighter who’s just as tenacious as ever. Logan has been through more wild situations than most mutants, andWolverine has yet to face a challenge that’s taken him down for good.
7The Flash
First Appearance:Showcase #4
The Flash may be the Fastest Man Alive, but inFlashpoint, Barry Allen woke up in a world where he was just a normal person with no super-speed. And that was unfortunate, given theFlashpointworld was teetering on the brink of destruction thanks to a war between the Atlanteans and Amazons.
Despite the loss of his speed, Barry still managed to hunt down this new world’s Batman and use him to regain his connection to the Speed Force. The Flash may rely on his speed, but when the chips are down,he relies on his incredibly clever mind a lot more.
6Captain America
First Appearance:Captain America Comics #1
When Steve Rogers signed up to serve his country, he received a Super-Soldier serum that turned him into the iconic hero he is today. But occasionally, the serum has actually been removed from Rogers’ body. Sometimes it makes him as frail as he was before and one time it aged Captain America to his chronological age.
ButCaptain America’s true strength never came from the serum. Whenever he’s lost the serum, no matter what it’s done to Steve’s body, he’s still a dedicated soldier, ready to put his life on the line. Captain America is also still a brilliant tactician, and that’s something that can’t be removed as easily as the serum.
5Storm
First Appearance:Giant Size X-Men #1
Storm is one of the most powerful mutants alive, but even she couldn’t avoid losing her powers. Thanks to a nasty run-in with a weapon designed to neutralize mutants, Ororo might have lost her connection to the weather systems around her, but that didn’t mean she was down for the count.
Storm was still the same confident mutant she’d always been. After a brief reprieve,Storm actually challenged Cyclops to a duel and won(though that was retconned). Regardless, Storm continued to work for the betterment of mutantkind until she finally regained her powers thanks to a device created by Forge.
4Supergirl
First Appearance:Superman #123
Supergirl might be just as strong as her cousin, but she’s also just as vulnerable as he is when under a red sun. And that’s exactly what happened in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which saw Kara Zor-El on a planet with a red sun celebrating her 21st birthday so she could imbibe alcohol and feel its effects.
Kara loses just as much as Superman when under a red sun, to the point where she becomes quite physically vulnerable. And yet, she’s still the same scrappy fighter who knows how to handle any challenge that comes her way. Even without powers,Kara seriously puts the ‘super’ in Supergirl.
3Superman
First Appearance:Action Comics #1
Superman may be known as the Man of Steel, but he’s more than proven he’s a force to be reckoned with when his powers aren’t available. In the “Warworld Saga”, Superman traveled to liberate an entire planet from the despot Mongul, only to find himself de-powered thanks to the planet’s red solar engine.
Though Superman had no Kryptonian powers to his advantage, he still fought valiantly in the gladiator pits Mongul made him fight in. Clark also incited a rebellion that ended up overthrowing Mongul. He may dazzle readers everywhere with his impressive powers, butSuperman is just as impressive when he doesn’t have them.
2Captain Marvel
First Appearance:Marvel Super-Heroes #13
Before she was Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers went through a trying run-in with the mutant hero Rogue. Rogue absorbed all the then Ms. Marvel’s powers, leading the hero to stay with the X-Men for some time. During this period, she was experimented on by the Brood, curious about her human and Kree genetic makeup.
Despite the harrowing events she went through, the Brood’s experiments unlocked powers hidden deep within Carol, unlocking her most powerful form, Binary. Becoming Binary wasa true achievement for Captain Marvel, and it never would have happened if her powers had never been taken from her in the first place.
1Thor
First Appearance:Journey into Mystery #83
Everyone knows that Thor wields the iconic and powerful hammer Mjölnir, but for a short period, he was unworthy to wield it. Thor lost faith in himself after Nick Fury told him Gorr the God Butcher was correct, and that gods were not worthy of the admiration they receive from mortals.
But Thor managed to prove just how worthy he really was, even without his amazing powers. He fought some of the most powerful beasts and monsters in all the realms. Thor did eventually become worthy enough to wield his hammer again, but this era showed thathe’s a worthy enough hero all on his own.
