Top 10 Superheroes That Are Constantly Underestimated

Top 10 Deceptively Powerful Superheroes

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Deceptively Powerful Superheroes.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the most underrated comic protagonists that are far more fearsome than they might seem. We’ll include anti-heroes and other characters that fall in the gray area between good and bad.

Is there a hero who’s more powerful than they look that we left out? let us know down in the comments.

#10: Dinah Laurel Lance [AKA Black Canary]

While her casual outfit doesn’t exactly scream superhero, underestimating Dinah would be a serious mistake. Black Canary is actually one of DC’s most experienced fighters and team leaders. After being trained by the world’s greatest martial artists, Dinah could shout proudly that she’s mastered Judo, Krav Maga, Jujitsu and a whole lot more. Despite her skills, some people still underestimate Black Canary because she doesn’t have super strength. That’s until they hear her devastating canary cry. The powerful ability can completely turn the tide of most battles. While Dinah could lead with it, she’s so good at martial arts that she’s won countless battles with her fists alone. The versatile heroine has a ton of different ways to prove she’s a Justice League level hero.

#9: Bat-Mite

Bat-Mite loves to show off his appreciation for the dark knight. While his heart is in the right place, he can be quite an annoyance to the caped crusader. But this obnoxious imp from the fifth dimension gets to hang around Gotham so much because he has the power to alter reality. Throughout Bat Mite’s history, he’s tried to make the dark knight’s life more exciting by making villains appear out of thin air. The imp has even confronted DC writers! If Bat Mite wasn’t so fixated on his idol and had more ambitious goals, he could become a serious threat. But a stern glance from the dark knight is usually enough to send this powerful imp packing.

#8: Katherine “Kitty” Pryde [AKA Shadowcat]

Thanks to her ability to phase through walls and other items at will, many fans thought this mutant just avoids fights and pain. As it turns out, Shadowcat’s intangible abilities have become pretty versatile over the years. Kate Pryde’s powers allow her to disrupt technology, walk on air as if it were stairs and phase other objects and people through solid obstacles. Alternate universe versions of the character can gain superstrength and send other mutants back in time. Even without those abilities, Shadowcat has pulled off impressive feats. Her most famous save came when she made a giant bullet that would have wrecked the earth completely intangible. That’s an incredible accomplishment for someone who’s known for walking through walls.

#7: Zatanna

This performer has astonished countless audiences with her magic tricks. When she’s not playing Vegas, she's probably out saving the world. Thanks to her father's training and natural affinity for magic, Zatanna has mastered the art of “Logomancy”. This allows her to cast spells by speaking backwards. Over the years, Zatanna has levitated, controlled the weather and opened portals that allowed people to travel through time and space. And that’s not even scratching the surface of what she’s capable of. Whatever magical spell you name, she can cast it. Zatanna’s abilities have allowed her to earn leadership positions on multiple superhero teams. If she took her show on the road, you bet we’d buy tickets.

#6: Flex Mentallo

Even to hardcore comic book fans, this guy’s a pretty obscure character. Upon first glance, it looks like Flex Mentallo is just your run of the mill strongman in a speedo. But he can do so much more than lift things. Mentallo gains different abilities depending on how and what he flexes. During his history, we’ve seen him create items out of mid-air, use telekinesis and cause blackouts. Some versions of the character can also stay in their prime for decades without any signs of slowing down. Since there’s around 600 muscles in the human body, there’s no telling what else Flex could do with his unique body. Don’t let the speedo fool you! This hero can literally flex the rules of reality.

#5: Doreen Green [AKA Squirrel Girl]

While there are many superheroes named after animals, this heroine is arguably the most underrated of them all. Her giant bushy tail, quirky personality and ability to talk to squirrels all make her seem like a big joke. Most heroes and villains immediately write her off. However, many have changed their tune after they see what she can really do. Squirrel Girl ambushed Iron Man and sent Dr. Doom running during her very first appearance. During a sparring match with Logan, she was actually able to get Wolverine to back down. Oh and Squirrel Girl also once defeated a little villain named Thanos. Her victories are admittedly a running joke within Marvel comics. But despite that fact, we still wouldn’t risk making Squirrel Girl angry.

#4: Wally West [AKA Kid Flash]

Kid Flash may not look like much compared to the gods and aliens in the Justice League. But the young scarlet speedster has a lot more to offer than some might think. Thanks to Wally’s connection to the speed force, he’s one of the most powerful superheroes of all time.He can rapidly heal, vibrate through objects, generate lightning and even time travel. Wally’s mentor Barry is also infamous for nearly causing the end of the world after running back to the past. Since the newer Flash can keep up with his senior, the fast hero is capable of messing up reality too. While Quicksilver can’t do everything the Flash does, he’s another speedster that shouldn’t be messed with.

#3: Patrick "Eel" O'Brian [AKA Plastic Man]

You might look at Plastic Man and think that he looks absolutely ridiculous. And, honestly you’d be right. But his look is exactly what makes him a deceptively formidable superhero. This former thief turned vigilante has a rubbery body that allows him to shape and stretch himself at will. His ability to outwit enemies with his incredible shifting would be impressive on its own. However, Plastic Man’s greatest strength is that he’s incredibly difficult to defeat. Mind control is completely useless on him. Additionally, he can regenerate his body as long as there are molecules left. It would take god level intellect or powers to take this stretchy superhero down for good.

#2: Wade Wilson [AKA Deadpool]

The Merc with a Mouth is one of the funniest guys you’ll ever find in a super suit. His healing factor isn’t a joke either. Over the years, Deadpool has recovered from some truly nasty injuries. He can be shot, blown up and lose every limb on his body and still come back swinging his twin katanas. Deadpool also has enough combat experience to keep up with most fighters. And since he has awareness of the fourth wall, he always has the option to break reality to get out of a jam. Deadpool’s combination of fast healing, meta awareness and assassination skills make him a horrifying enemy to deal with. You’d be very lucky if he only hurt you with words from his big mouth.

#1: Franklin Richards

Few superheroes are able to warp reality. Even fewer were able to do so at the age of twelve. Franklin Richards has been able to use his god-like power to fight celestials, craft his own pocket universes and recreate the entire Marvel multiverse. Admittedly, Franklin’s powers can burn out when overused. But does that really matter when he can alter reality in between his breaks? A kid with a wild imagination and limitless power is a dangerous combination. So, we can only imagine how the world would look if Franklin used his abilities to get what he wanted. Honestly, the kid could probably take out the entire Fantastic Four and most other heroes if he tried hard enough.