DC Announces Permanent Superpower Change For Martian Manhunter

One of the few DC heroes more powerful than Superman confirms they aren’t actually stronger than the Man of Steel. Superman fills the captain role of the Justice League for a reason, as not only does his optimism and grit help his team push against all odds, but his incredible Kryptonian might also earns him the victories that dozens of heroes cannot attain together.

Power rankings are never straightforward, as Superman’s multiple defeats at the hands of Batman have proved throughout the years. However, there are very few fellow Justice League heroes truly more powerful than Superman. Wonder Woman and Shazam are usually on the same level as the Man of Steel, while Captain Atom and Martian Manhunter are often depicted as physically stronger, and Doctor Fate and the Flash can overpower Superman using magic and super-speed, respectively.

Again, power comparisons are never clear-cut, and the nearly invincible Martian Manhunter proves it to a young Clark Kent.

Martian Manhunter Admits He’s Not As Powerful As Superman

Action Comics #1097; Written by Mark Waid; Art by Skylar Patridge & Ivan Plascencia

After fending off the time-traveling Epoch, Booster Gold, Mary Marvel, and Martian Manhunter introduce themselves to Superboy in Action Comics #1097. Each hero from the future provides a brief description of their origins and powers in order to convince Superoy that they’re on his side. Surprisingly, though, Martian Manhunter tells the young Clark Kent that he possesses “many abilities similar to yours, albeit not quite as powerful.”

Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel, and Booster Gold have a hard time fighting Epoch, just as Superboy does. However, Superboy is far less strong, fast, and generally skilled using his Kryptonian powers at this point in the timeline. Meanwhile, J’onn J’onnz is many years more experienced and better trained than Clark Kent. Naturally, Superman from Martian Manhunter’s future is far more powerful, and therefore J’onn should be at the same level or even a little bit higher in DC’s power rankings.

Action Comics #1097 is now available from DC Comics.

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  Alias

  Kal-El, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent

  Created By

  Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel

  Franchise

  D.C.

  Race

  Kryptonian

  First Appearance

  Action Comics

  Alliance

  Justice League, Superman Family