Top Ten Greatest Superheroes of All Time

At their very best, superheroes are inspiring emblems of all that it means to be heroic. They should make us wonder at how we can be better in our own lives. Superhero comics fill us with a type of awe and feelings of surety that are unmatched in other mediums. It’s no surprise that superheroes are a big deal in the modern era, with surety and stability the furthest thing from our real world. Today, we’re undertaking the Herculean effort of rounding up the ten greatest superheroes of all time. Up, up and away!

Ten Greatest Superheroes of All Time

10. Daredevil

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The first hero on our list is the Man Without Fear, Daredevil. While his adventures have hardly been large-scale, cosmic affairs, Matt Murdock remains as inspiring as the best of them. A blind lawyer by day and a street-ninja by night, Daredevil has an intangible cool factor that is unmatched. His ideals of justice and equality are refreshing, and his dedication to his cause makes him awesome. As street-level superheroes go, Daredevil is the very best.

9. The Hulk

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Big, green and mean, the Incredible Hulk is an unstoppable berserker. He lands a spot on our list for how tenacious and unstoppable he is. While he’s hardly heroic, his alter-ego Bruce Banner is the very definition of a hero. Always looking for ways to protect the world from the monster he becomes, Bruce is a tragic hero. When things hit the fan, though, Bruce is always ready to save his friends by becoming the big monster.

8. Green Lantern

Photo Credit: DC

While many have worn the title “Green Lantern,” we’re talking about the Hal Jordan version of the character here. Hal was originally a fighter pilot before he discovered a powerful green ring. The Green Lantern ring, it turned out, allowed him to create energy projections based on his willpower. What makes Hal so inspiring is his optimism, strength and dedication to defend humanity. His adventures are always exciting and uplifting!

7. Iron Man

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Tony Stark may be a billionaire playboy philanthropist, but he’s also one of the best superheroes ever. While he has no superpowers of his own, he’s a genius with a powered suit and he knows how to use it. If anything, Tony’s lack of “real” superpowers only makes him cooler! Who else can go hand-to-hand against Thanos without superpowers and come out without being pulped? Tony’s freewheeling, fun-loving attitude and genuine determination make him a fan-favorite for good reason.

6. Batman

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Batman may be a bit overplayed, but he gets all that attention for a good reason. He’s a very dark, complex superhero with many layers. He’s been reinvented and rebooted countless times, but through it all there are some common themes. First, he’s dedicated to protecting the common people of Gotham. Second, he’ll never kill, no matter what. And third, he believes that everyone can be redeemed. If those aren’t the tenets of a true hero, I don’t know what are!

5. Thor

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The literal god of thunder, Thor is hard to top when it comes to superheroes. Drawing on the depth and richness of Norse mythology, Thor is always a fascinating character. His complex relationship with his brother Loki makes him that much more engrossing. Further, the weight of the kingdom of Asgard and the responsibility of defending Earth always weigh heavily on the Thunder-Bringer. Watching the Asgardian Prince go toe-to-toe with demons and monsters on our behalf is always a sight to behold.

4. The Flash

Photo Credit: The CW

The fastest man alive, the Flash is one of DC’s perennial titles, passed from one superhero to another. Most noteworthy of their number is Barry Allen, the Silver Age speedster. Allen, a forensic scientist, believes in the merits of lawfulness and goodness, and always strives to make the world a better place. Free from much of the moral quandary that comes with superheroes like Batman and Daredevil, the Flash is always sure of himself. In many ways, the Flash is sort of an echo of DC’s other superstar, Superman, but we’ll get to him!

3. Captain America

Photo Credit: Encyclopedia Britannica
Truth, justice and the American Way: these are the values Captain America stands for, and we love him for it. Steve Rogers is the very model of the all-American superhero, and he reminds us what the best parts of our nation are. Kindness, responsibility, strength and honesty are Steve Rogers’ cornerstones, and he always strives to live up to the high bar his title requires. It’s hard to not feel at least a little patriotic when you see Cap in front of an American flag, punching a Nazi or saving someone from a burning building.

2. Superman

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The Big Blue Boy Scout is beyond iconic, he is the emblem of the genre. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t recognize his trademark red S emblem immediately. The alien savior from another world, Kal-El always puts others first. His bulletproof smile and Mach 5 punch keep the people of Earth safe, no matter the odds. If you’re even a passing fan of comics you’ve heard of Superman, and there’s a good reason for that. I can think of worse characters to base a genre on!

1. Spider-Man

Photo Credit: Digital Spy

He can do anything a spider can and he’s the best superhero in the world. Peter Parker is a believable character due to his flaws and foibles. He deals with the pressure of high school while also risking his life to save the world. His principal conceit is that those with the greatest power have the greatest responsibility to help people. That’s an inspiring message, and it reminds us that we can all help our world more.

Swinging from a web, beating up bad guys and saving lives are Spidey’s hobbies, and he’s the best at them. While other superheroes may be stronger or more epic, none match just how likable and relatable Spidey is. After all, the entire purpose of a superhero is to remind you of the greatness within yourself.