Strength level (comics)

Strength level is a concept sometimes applied to comic book characters (particularly those published by Marvel Comics) to define and compare the physical strength of characters.

Strength level is an unofficial form of classification, as due to the nature of comic book fiction, such standards are loose and writers are given a wide latitude for interpreting them. There is marginal evidence that writers and editors at Marvel Comics actively use a strength level system to maintain continuity, except in only the broadest sense of the concept. And strength level ratings will never answer longtime fannish debates such as "Who's stronger, The Hulk or Thor?"

Support of the concept of strength level ratings was increased by the success of role-playing games in which characters' attributes are numerically rated. In the 1980s, Marvel published the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe which codified (if temporarily) the nature and extent of characters' powers. It was roughly contemporary to the role-playing game Marvel Super-Heroes, which used a rating system derived from the Official Handbook. However, even these handbooks didn't correlate well with many of the creaters conceptions of the what the characters were supposed to be as they were only written by a few editors and it is difficult for two or three people to be familiar with all of the characters. The more obscure the character, the less accurate the depiction in the Handbook was. And as obscure characters became more popular the inconsistancies became more obvious.

A difficulty that frequently arises in episodic fiction, especially fiction that is long-running and written by multiple authors, is "power inflation." Over time characters tend to be given greater and greater strength as each new crisis they face presents a challenge greater (and therefore more suspenseful and exciting) than previous ones. A classic example of power inflation is Superman. In his initial appearance his powers were relatively limited; he was stronger than a locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings with a single bound, and able to withstand the force of a bursting shell. But over time writers kept increasing Superman's powers until he was able to fly faster than light, push entire planets through space, emit various types of radiation from his eyes, and other special abilities. Power inflation can occur in any genre, not just superhero comics; E. E. Smith's Skylark and Lensmen series provide other examples. Retconning away increased powers is a method that is sometimes used to reverse power inflation. (Note: The beings possessing non-superhuman strength in the Marvel Universe must be stronger than beings in real life. For example, the average human male isn't able to lift (military press) 60 kg (130 lb). Also, as demonstrated in different comic book universes, such as the DC Universe, physical strength is measured by how much weight a being can lift above his or her head, this is referred to as a military press. In the real world, upper body strength is typically measured by how much weight a person can bench press, lying flat on a bench and lowering weight until the bar lightly touches their chest and is then pressed back up into the starting position.) However, in the Olympics the overhead press is, in fact, used as the measure of strength as the bench press has been eliminated.

Strength level descriptions

Here are the levels as used in the Marvel Universe, a brief description of what they mean, and some typical examples of characters who exemplify this level. These lists are not meant to be exhaustive.

Normal: A normal human being can lift (military press) between 70 and 130 lb (30 and 60 kg) This person engages in moderate regular exercise.

• Mary Jane Watson-Parker 45 kg (100 lb)
• J. Jonah Jameson 60 kg (130 lb)
• Mister Fantastic 60 kg (130 lb)

Athlete: A human being who has Athletic physical strength can military press the weight of the average human being or greater; roughly 175–350 lb (80–175 kg). In the real world, the vast majority of the population isn't capable of military pressing 175 pounds or more. A person is considered physically strong (athletic) if they can bench press their own weight. This requires intensive regular exercise.

• Nightcrawler 90 kg (200 lb)
• Cyclops 100 kg (225 lb)
• Nick Fury 125 kg (275 lb)
• Bullseye 135 kg (300 lb)
• Hawkeye 160 kg (350 lb)

Peak Human: A person capable of lifting double their body weight to 800 pounds (360 kg). A person can also be placed into this category of the weight they lift is considerable and much heavier than they are (for example, the Kingpin weighs 450 pounds (200 kg) but can press 700 pounds (320 kg)). (Note: In the Marvel Universe, 360 kg (800 lb) is the most a human being can lift without being considered superhuman.)

• Daredevil 180 kg (400 lb)
• Kingpin 320 kg (700 lb)
• Captain America 360 kg (800 lb)
• Colossus(in his normal state) (550 lb)
• Angel (500 lb)

Enhanced Human: A person capable of lifting between 900 pounds (410 kg) and 2 tons (1,800 kg). (Note: Enhanced Human is considered to be a low level of superhuman strength.)

• Lady Deathstrike 910 kg (1 ton)
• Wolverine (with adamantium skeleton) 910 kg (1 ton)
• Morbius 680 kg (1,500 lb)
• Blade 1,800 kg (2 tons)
• Doctor Doom (with armor) 1,800 kg (2 tons)

Superhuman Class 10: A person capable of lifting between 2 and 10 tons.

• Dracula 3,600 kg (4 tons)
• Ghost Rider (5 tons)
• Green Goblin (9 tons)
• Spider-Man (10 tons)
• Omega Red without tenacles (10 tons)

Superhuman Class 25: A person capable of lifting between 10 and 25 tons.

• Scorpion (12 tons)
• Sabretooth (12 tons)
• Super Skrull (15 tons)
• Enchantress (25 tons)
• Venom (25 tons; variable as Venom has temporarilly assumed greater levels matching hulk level)

Superhuman Class 50: A person capable of lifting between 25 and 50 tons.

• Beast (30 tons)
• Omega Red with tenacles (40 tons)
• Carnage (50 tons)
• Rogue (50 tons)
• Valkyrie (45 tons)
• Hogun The Grim (35 tons)
• Namor, The Sub-Mariner(out of water) (40 tons)

Superhuman Class 75: A person capable of lifting between 50 and 75 tons.

• Odin (60 tons)
• Doc Samson (70 tons)
• The Blob (75 tons)
• Ares (70 tons)
• Attuma (60 tons)

Superhuman Class 90 A person capable of lifting between 75 and 90 tons.

• The Thing (85 tons)
• Rhino (80 tons)
• Sasquatch (85 tons)
• Orca (90 tons)
• Namor, The Sub-Mariner (in water) (85 tons)
• Tiger Shark (90 tons)

Superhuman Class 100 A person capable of lifting between 90 short tons and 100 short tons.

• Ulik 86 t (95 tons)
• Colossus 91 t (100 tons)
• Zeus 91 t (100 tons)
• The Abomination 91 t (100 tons)
• Magneto (Able to use his powers to increas his strength to surpass 100 tons)

Incalculable A person capable of lifting far in excess of 100 short tons (91 t), with no given upper limit.

• The Incredible Hulk (Has supported the weight of a 150 billion ton mountain
• Thor (Has been able to lift part of the Midgard Serpent's body, whose circumference is greater than that of Earth itself.)
• Kurse (Has had his strength enhanced to a degree said to be double that of Thor.)
• Hercules (Hercules has lifted and hurled giant Sequoia trees and has carried the full weight of a starship.)
• Apocalypse (Apocalypse has shown that he possesses sufficient strength to physical restrain the Hulk, while the Hulk was in an enraged state.)