When it comes to some of the most beloved comic heroes, fans indulge in the characters' stories for the hero's heart and watch them in their grueling attempts to save their planets from any evil that confronts them.
Many of these good guys, girls, and beings have jaw-dropping powers like super strength, telekinesis, magic, and the list goes on. However, how did they end up with these powers in the first place? Many of these heroes from both Marvel and DC Comics weren’t born with their special abilities, and they acquired their superhero powers in some of the weirdest and strangest ways imaginable.
16 Spider-Man: Bitten By A Radioactive Spider
The comic character Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker, has had his origin story portrayed on the big screen by three different actors (Toby Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland) as of now, and has one of the most well-known origin tales. The character made his debut in the comics in Amazing Fantasy #15, where the character was bitten by a radioactive spider at a science exhibit, which caused the character to acquire spider-like abilities.
15 The Fantastic Four: Exposed To Cosmic Rays
The comic team of heroes, The Fantastic Four, included members Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Susan Storm, and Johnny Storm, who had their lives changed forever during an experimental space flight. This trip to space led to the four being exposed to cosmic rays, which gave them all super abilities.
Reed, also known as Mr. Fantastic, can stretch his body into many shapes and lengths. Ben, also known as The Thing, has super strength and high levels of endurance during any battle due to his stone-like skin. Susan, also known as The Invisible Woman, can generate force fields and make herself invisible. Last but not least, Johnny, also known as The Human Torch, can create flames to surround himself with, and he also can fly. Although the team's trip to space led to the most unlikely abilities, they’ve used their new journey as heroes to bring themselves even closer as the most unlikely family.
14 The Incredible Hulk: Gamma Radioactive Explosion
The green mean comic character The Incredible Hulk, also known as scientist Bruce Banner got his powers in the typical Marvel way, a radioactive explosion. The scientist who specialized in gamma radiation found himself caught in the explosion of an experimental bomb. Banner was lucky to survive the blast; however, it wasn’t long until he was met with his green mean alter ego, The Hulk.
13 Captain America: Injected With Vita-Ray Super-Soldier Serum
The Marvel comic character Captain America, also known as Steve Rogers, was just a typical frail soldier fighting for his country in World War 2.
That was until he was infused with a special experimental Vita Ray super-soldier serum which grew Rogers muscle mass, super strength, stamina, agility, and durability, making him the perfect war-fighting machine and the first Avenger.
12 The Flash: Struck By Lightning
The DCEU comic character The Flash, also known as Barry Allen, is the fastest man alive, but the way he earned that title is kinda crazy. While working in his lab in Central City, Barry became frustrated.
In a fit of rage, he threw a machine from the lab through a window, which caused lightning from outside to make its way into the lab, and it struck him. Some unnamed chemicals he was holding while he was struck were also spilled on him too. When he regained consciousness, he had the ability of super speed and sooner than later became known as The Flash.
11 Meteor Man: Hit By A Meteor
The comic book hero Meteor Man, also known as Jefferson Reed, got his powers in the most unlikely way. While in a dumpster after being attacked by a group of neighborhood thugs, Reed was suddenly struck in the head by a green meteor.
After surviving, Reed discovered new abilities like communicating with animals, superhuman strength, advanced senses, healing powers, flight, x-ray vision, telekinesis, and that's just to name a few.
10 Poison Ivy: Injected With A Plant-Based Poison
The DCEU comic book character Poison Ivy, also known as Pamela Lillian Isley, definitely didn’t expect to end up in the situation that led to her enhanced abilities. Pamela, who was a shy college student at the time, was injected with an experimental dose of plant-based poison by her college professor.
Although the poison didn’t take her life, Pamela's anatomy was changed as a result of the injection, making her as much plant as human. Leaving her with the ability to use the toxins in her bloodstream to make her touch deadly, she also is immune to bacteria, fungi, poisons, and viruses. She also is able to manipulate plant life into doing what she wants. Making her the ultimate Femme Fatale.
9 Daredevil: Blinded By A Radioactive Substance
The comic character Daredevil, also known as Matt Murdock, also obtained his powers in the most unlikely way. The well-raised saved an elderly man from oncoming traffic, which led to Murdock being hit by a truck that held a radioactive substance.
This caused Murdock to go blind but heightened his other senses, even leading to him obtaining a type of echolocation skill.
8 Mighty Thor: Chosen By Mjolnir
The comic character Mighty Thor also known as Jane Foster got her powers at the perfect time. In the comic story Original Sin, a villain known as The Orb reveals all the information that had been collected by The Watcher, leading to secrets getting out as well.
This led to Thor no longer being worthy to lift his own hammer and for his father to leave the hammer unattended on the Moon. Which led to Jane being able to lift the hammer and her taking on the role of The Mighty Thor.
7 Cyborg: Lab Experiment
The DCEU comic character Cyborg is also the son of Doctor Sias Stone, who gets powers in a crazy way. After coming head to head with an alien, the boy comes out heavily beaten, which leaves his father to use the powers of the mother box in an attempt to save his child's life.
This led to him acquiring enhanced vision, super strength, and other cybernetic powers. Leaving Cyborg to use his new powers to fight crime with different heroic teams like the Teen Titans and the Justice League.
6 Black Panther: Mystical Herb
The Marvel comic version of Black Panther, also known as T’Challa, got his powers in a different way than he does in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the comics, after the death of his father, who was killed by Ulysses Klaw, T’Challa becomes the king of Wakanda and is exposed to a mystical herb, which leads to him having superhuman agility and enhanced strength.
5 She-Hulk: Blood Transfusion
The Marvel comic character She-Hulk, also known as Jennifer Walters, gets her powers via blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner.
As the Hulk's blood enters her bloodstream, she becomes equipped with the same powers making her able to transform into the green monster, giving her superhuman strength and stamina.
4 Electro: Struck By Lightning
The Marvel comic character Electro, also known as Maxwell Dillon, got his powers similar to the DCEU character The Flash. Max was struck by lightning while he was in contact with power lines, which caused a mutagenic shift in his nervous system. Making him able to conjure large quantities of electricity, around 100,000 volts. He’s also able to manipulate electricity, move objects, and he can even vaporize water.
3 Snowflame: Drug Use
The DC comic character Snowflame also known as Stefan got his powers in one of the craziest ways ever, from drugs. Making his first appearance in New Guardians, Snowflame gains superpowers from snorting cocaine.
While high on the drug, he has powers like super strength, superhuman speed, immunity to pain, and even a cocaine touch that can make others high upon contact with him. When Snowflame comes down from his high, his powers fade away.
2 Squirrel Girl: Gene Modification
The Marvel comic character Squirrel Girl got her powers in an unlikely way; at the age of only ten, she realized she could communicate with squirrels. This was due to a modification in her genes that happened for an unknown reason, giving her squirrel-like abilities. Her powers include superhuman agility, heightened senses, and speed.
Although her powers may seem to be basic, the character has used them to beat some of the most powerful foes, one of them being The Mad Titan known as Thanos, making her one of Marvel's most powerful heroes.
1 Rocket Raccoon: Created By Robots
The Marvel comic character Rocket Raccoon, who’s a part of the Guardians of the Galaxy and a fan favorite, got his powers in a way that might come as a surprise. Rocket, although resembling a raccoon from Earth, isn't one; he’s from a planet called Half world. He was genetically and cybernetically enhanced by robots as a way to take care of asylum patients. Along with his normal raccoon abilities, Rocket has enhanced intelligence and enhanced strength, and he’s an expert marksman.
Source: Superhero Fandom