Superhuman strength

Superhuman Strength, Super Strength or Enhanced Strength is an ability commonly utilized in fiction. It is the ability to be far stronger than normally possible for a human being. This term is also attributed to non-human characters when describing their superior strength. Super Strength characters have been found in many ancient mythologies, which implies that the desire to be far stronger than anyone else, has been a common form of wish-fulfilment or fantasy since the beginning of recorded history.

Nowadays Super Strength is used in for a variety of characters in fantasy and science fiction. Most comic book superheroes and many supervillains have a degree of super strength. In most portrayals, superhuman strength is usually accompanied by superhuman stamina and durability as well.

Feats of superhuman strength
These are some of the uses of super-strength commonly portrayed in fiction and comic books, with varying degrees of plausibility:


 * Lift objects many times own weight
 * Run and smash through solid walls, barriers and obstacles
 * Leap vast heights and distances due to enhanced leg muscles
 * Scale sheer surfaces by implanting fingers and/or toes, or fists into said surface
 * Launch objects great distances
 * Slow down or stop momentous objects
 * Send opponents flying with a single punch
 * Throw objects, opponents, or allies (fastball special) great distances into other opponents
 * Strike an object so it strikes an opponent
 * Create shockwaves or fissures by slamming body, foot or fist on the ground to knock opponents back
 * Clap hands together to create a deafening sound to opponents, a concussive force to knock opponents away, or a blast enough to put out fires

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

 * Hercules, the half-god son of Zeus
 * Thor, the Norse god of thunder and son of Odin
 * Perun, the Slavic god of thunder
 * Gilgamesh, Sumerian king and son of Ninsun
 * Minotaur, part man and part bull
 * Vampires, dead bodies possessed by demons, usually with other bat-like features
 * Werewolves, cursed to transform into wolves under the full moon

Novels

 * Dracula is said to have enormous strength derived from his vampire nature.

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
 * Aquaman's body is adapted to withstand deap sea depths, and so is incredibly strong
 * Martian Manhunter possesses inherent strength near Superman's, due to his Martian heritage
 * Darkseid from Superman is a very strong godlike alien from the planet Apokolips
 * Doomsday from Superman grows stronger after each death he receives
 * Solomon Grundy possesses zombie strength which varies between appearances
 * Gorilla Grodd from the Flash possesses far greater strength than the average gorilla


 * The Incredible Hulk's strength increases as he gets angrier; he is often considered the strongest character in Marvel Universe
 * 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
 * The Juggernaut from X-Men possesses mystically powered strength
 * Thanos is an Eternal, a species with Superman-like powers
 * Blob from X-men is a mutant with great obesity and strength (although he is currently depowered).
 * The Rhino from Spider-Man is a Soviet supersoldier


 * Caitlin Fairchild of Gen¹³ developed innate powers in adolescence
 * Hellboy possessed demonic strength


 * Son Goku from Dragon Ball and other Z Fighters have phenomenal strength attained through special training
 * Tsunade from Naruto
 * Sakura from Naruto
 * Inuyasha from Inuyasha
 * Popeye gained fantastic strength whenever he ate spinach
 * The Power Card from Cardcaptor Sakura possesses tremendous strength

Film

 * Neo of The Matrix is the prophesised "The One", a messianic figure, a powerful hero
 * Mr. Incredible of The Incredibles has strength similar to Superman's
 * The titular protagonist of Donnie Darko is described in the director's cut as possessing "enhanced strength", and managed to embed an axe into a statue.
 * Superman of Superman movie series.
 * G-Girl of My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Television

 * The Six Million Dollar Man has cyborg strength
 * Jake Foley of Jake 2.0 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 Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel possess strength which orginates from the Old Ones which increases with age
 * Captain Hero of Drawn Together has the same powers as Superman
 * Niki Sanders from Heroes has an alterego called Jessica with Superhuman strength.

Animated series

 * Fourarms and Vilgax from Ben 10
 * Ten from Justice League

Video games

 * Knuckles the Echidna from the Sonic the Hedgehog series
 * Bowser, Wario, and Donkey Kong from Mario
 * Jax from Mortal Kombat