Superhuman strength

Superhuman strength, also called super strength or enhanced strength, is an ability commonly utilized in fiction. It is the ability for any creature to be stronger than normally possible given their proportions. Characters with super strength have been found in many ancient mythologies and even in ancient religions, which implies that the desire to be stronger than anyone else has been is a common form of wish-fulfilment or fantasy since the beginning of recorded history.

Nowadays, superhuman strength is used in for a variety of characters in fantasy and science fiction, with a variety of proposed mechanisms such as cyborg body parts or genetic modification in science fiction, or divine or magical/supernatural sources in fantasy. Most comic book superheroes and many supervillains usually have a degree of super strength. The level of strength portrayed can vary greatly, from just outside the "normal" human range of the strongest weightlifters of a given size or muscle mass, to nearly unlimited. In most portrayals, superhuman strength is usually accompanied by superhuman stamina and durability as well.

Various explanations as to the source of superhuman strength and some of its physics-defying feats are given, ranging from enlarged physical stature (giants, golems, robots) to magical powers and even telekinetic fields.

Feats of superhuman strength
Super strength commonly portrayed in fiction and comic books allows for various feats with varying degrees of plausibility. A standard example is the ability to lift objects many times one's own weight or slow down or stop momentous objects. Impacting an object with considerable strength can make it move considerable great distances. Strength can also allow the throwing of objects and people (Fastball Special) incredible distances. Some fictional characters find they can create a concussive force by slamming body, foot, or fist on the ground, or generate shockwaves with the force of a punch.

Strength and durability in tandem mean for some characters it is possible to run and smash through solid walls, barriers, and obstacles whilst losing little momentum. In some cases, the leaping of vast heights and distances is possible due to enhanced leg muscles as is scaling sheer surfaces by digging hands and feet into said surface.

Superhumanly strong characters in fiction
These are only a handful of the most well known from the vast number of characters with greater than human strength:

Mythology

 * Antaeus, a giant of Libya, the son of Poseidon and Gaia
 * Hercules, the half-god son of Zeus
 * Thor, the Norse god of thunder, strength powered by magic girdle
 * Perun, the Slavic god of thunder
 * Gilgamesh, Sumerian king and son of Ninsun
 * Minotaur, part man and part bull

Novels

 * Dracula is said to have enormous strength derived from his vampire nature.
 * Tarzan possesses strength great enough to overpower wild beasts and bend iron bars.
 * Hugo Danner, the protagonist of the 1930 novel Gladiator, which may have helped inspire the creation of Superman.

Comics and manga

 * Superman and other Kryptonians possess phenomenal strength when they have absorbed light from a yellow sun.
 * Wonder Woman is gifted with godly strength.
 * Captain Marvel has magically enhanced strength rivaling Superman.
 * Aquaman's body is adapted to withstand deep sea depths, and so is incredibly strong.


 * The Hulk's strength increases as he gets angrier with no known limit.
 * The Thing received his strength and stature from a space accident involving cosmic rays.
 * Spider-Man possesses the proportionate strength of a spider.
 * Colossus from X-Men possesses great strength when he transforms into organic steel.


 * Goku from Dragon Ball and other Z Fighters attain phenomenal strength even surpassing that of of Hercules through special training.
 * Eiko Megami of Project A-ko possesses fantastic strength. It is implied that her parents are Clark Kent and Diana Prince.
 * InuYasha from InuYasha has superhuman strength as a result of his demonic heritage.
 * Popeye gained fantastic strength whenever he ate spinach.

Film

 * Neo of The Matrix is the prophesised "The One", a messianic figure with Superman-like abilities while within the Matrix.
 * Mr. Incredible of The Incredibles has strength comparable to that of Hercules.
 * The main character in the film Unbreakable, David Dunn, demonstrates great, possibly superhuman, strength.
 * G-Girl of My Super Ex-Girlfriend is a Supergirl pastiche.

Television

 * The Six Million Dollar Man's titular character has cyborg strength.
 * Jake Foley of Jake 2.0 also has cyborg strength.
 * Buffy Summers and other vampire slayers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel possess mystical strength originating from the heart of a demon. Angel and other vampires of the Buffyverse possess strength which originates from the Old Ones and increases with age.
 * Max Guevara and other X5 supersoldiers in Dark Angel have greatly enhanced strength via transgenic genetic engineering.
 * Captain Hero of Drawn Together has the same powers as Superman.
 * Niki Sanders from Heroes has an alter-ego with superhuman strength. Recently she has been shown to be able to use this power herself.
 * Across science fiction and fantasy television shows, such as Charmed, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Xena: Warrior Princess etc., various monsters and aliens frequently possess superhuman strength.

Animated series

 * In Ben 10, most of Ben Tennyson's human-sized alien forms possess superhuman strength, as do a fair portion of the show's antagonists.
 * Being a robot, Bender in comedy series Futurama possesses strength sufficient to twist steel.

Video games

 * Bowser, Wario, and Donkey Kong from the Super Mario series can lift objects much larger than they are.
 * Jax from Mortal Kombat has cybernetic limbs which enhance his strength.
 * Various characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog series possess great strength.