When you think of the word “superpowers,” what exactly comes to mind? If you’re like most fans of superheroes, be it those from comics, TV, movies, you probably think of superhuman strength, flight, or super-speed.
However, not all superpowers are created equal. In fact, there are quite a few characters from both Marvel and DC Comics whose abilities err closer to the side of “curse” than “gift.”
Follow along with us as we venture from creative to crazy in our list of 12 superheroes with bizarre superpowers:
Doorman
DeMarr Davis, aka Doorman, was created by John Byrne, debuting in the pages of West Coast Avengers #46 in 1989. While his name might conjure up images of fancy New York City apartment building doormen, that’s not quite Doorman’s shtick… but it’s close. You see, Doorman’s body is a portal to the Darkforce Dimension and as such, people are able to pass through not just him, but through any solid objects he rests his body against. In other words, he’s basically a walking, talking door.
Matter-Eater Lad
The Legion of Super-Heroes has no shortage of heroes with outlandish powers, and one of the best examples of this is Tenzil Kem, aka Matter-Eater Lad. First appearing in Jerry Siegel and John Forte’s Adventure Comics #303 in 1962, Matter-Eater Lad has the power to consume anything in any amount. Not only that, but he can also use his taste buds to analyze what he eats to determine if something is poisonous to non-Bismollians, and despite lacking super-strength, his digestive enzymes are powerful enough to allow him to chew through steel with ease.
Maggott
Japheth, aka Maggott, is a mutant who made his debut in Scott Lobdell, Ben Raab, Joe Madureira, and Melvin Rubi’s Uncanny X-Men #345 in 1997. Much like Matter-Eater Lad, his power also involves eating, but it isn’t Japheth that does the eating. Instead, the two large techno-organic maggots that live in his digestive system – Eany and Meany – do the eating for him. Once they’ve fed, they return to his stomach and imbue his body with the energy they’ve just consumed, which grants Maggott temporary enhanced speed and strength.
Bouncing Boy
Another Legionnaire with an odd power set is Chuck Taine, who most know as Bouncing Boy. Debuting in 1961 in Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney’s Action Comics #1, Chuck accidentally drank a highly potent super plastic fluid that he mistook for soda, granting him the ability to inflate his body into a large, round shape and bounce off of surfaces with nearly no harm to himself.
Zeitgeist
If you saw Deadpool 2, you probably already know about Zeitgeist. Real name Axel Cluney, Zeitgeist was created by Peter Milligan and Mike Allred, and he both debuted and died in X-Force #116 in 2001. Much like the big-screen depiction of the character, Zeitgeist had the power to vomit up highly corrosive acid. Unfortunately, also like the big-screen depiction of the character, he lost the lower half of his torso and died before he had the chance to put his disgusting powers to good use.
Arm-Fall-Off-Boy
Yet another Legionnaire (or rather an applicant who was later rejected) to make the list is Floyd Belkin, aka, Arm-Fall-Off-Boy. Debuting in 1989’s Secret Origins #46 by Gerard Joes and Curt Swan, it was said that Arm-Fall-Off-Boy was exposed to the anti-gravity metal known as Element 152. As a result, he was given the gift(?) of being able to detach his limbs from his body and use them as weapons.
Dogwelder
The second iteration of Dogwelder was created by Garth Ennis and John McCrea, and he first appeared in All Star Section Eight #1 in 2015. As his name implies, Dogwelder uses welding equipment that belonged to the original Dogwelder (yes, there has been two of them) to weld dead canines to the bodies of evildoers. In fact, when the new Dogwelder was first possessed by the former’s welding equipment, he even welded his family dog to his children. Furthermore, Dogwelder can “speak” through dogs, essentially using them as puppets.
Jazz
Debuting in David Hine and David Yardin’s District X #2 in 2004, John Zander, aka Jazz, is just one of many blue-skinned mutants in the Marvel Universe. However, that appears to be the only ability resulting from his mutation… blue skin.
Color Kid
Speaking of blue, that brings us to Ulu Vakk – the Legionnaire more commonly referred to as Color Kid. He was created by Edmond Hamilton and Curt Swan, first appearing in Adventure Comics #342 in in1966. Possessing the power of photokinesis, Color Kid is able to change the color of any living or non-living being, which certainly comes in handy when painting a house, but not for much else.
Gin Genie
While the name “Gin Genie” sounds like it’d stem from the Legion of Super-heroes, it’s actually the alter ego of a Marvel character named Beckah Parker. Created by Peter Milligan, she – like Zeitgeist – debuted and died in 2001’s X-Force #116. However, even if she lived beyond just a single issue, she probably would have died from liver disease soon after, because her ability was to create seismic vibrations that were proportionate in strength to the amount of alcohol she’d consumed. The more she drank, the more powerful the vibrations were.
Infectious Lass
Alright, we’ve reached our final Legionnaire. Drura Sehpt, aka Infectious Lass, debuted in Superboy #201 by Cary Bates and Dave Cockrum in 1974. However, her name has nothing to do with her infectious personality. What it actually refers to is the fact that she carries thousands of diseases, which she can use as biological weapons against her enemies. Think coughing in someone’s face, but dialed up to 11 million.
El Guapo
With a superhero name like El Guapo (Spanish for “The Handsome”), you’d think Robbie Rodriguez’s superpower was his devilish good looks… you’d be wrong, though. Debuting in Peter Milligan and Mike Allred’s X-Statix #9 in 2003, El Guapo actually has no superpowers of his own. He does, however, have a symbiotic relationship with his flying skateboard. Not only does it move to his conscious thoughts, though, but sometimes his subconscious thoughts, seemingly acting on its own.