With Denver Comic Con coming up this weekend and Hungry & Fit attending yet again, I think it’s time to throw some flames into a fire that is so fun to watch burn. This is to spark a discussion. We all have our favorite comic book characters. Some of you prefer DC… some, like myself, prefer Marvel. As a little kid, you never want to even entertain the idea that your favorite could possible meet his or her match, but you later learn that everyone is bested at one time or another. No one is greater than the combined force of the most powerful entities in the universe… or the multiverse. Or is there someone?

This time, we are going to look at the characters in the Marvel Universe and the alternative universes that create the greater Marvel Multiverse. I know including the Cosmic beings make this a wash for mutants and other superheroes, but maybe a different list will be released later. This is completely subjective and I am basing my rankings off of my experience being involved in this fantasy world for over two decades. The whole point of this is to spark a debate about who we think are the strongest characters in Marvel, who in DC would enter the fray and come out on top, and why we care so much about something so ridiculously fantastical! 

So, once again, it’s my list and I’m open to discussion. Please be aware that Magneto, Hulk, and Thor wouldn’t even last a second against any of the following. There are very few that would. Spoiler: Don’t even bother looking for gods such as Zeus and Odin, Eternals such as The Champion, and even Galactus, who would probably come in just after the following, along with the Celestials.

HONORABLE MENTION: Thanos (WITH INFINITY GAUNTLET) – 

Thanos was one bad dude. Born on Saturn’s moon, Titan, to parents that were Eternals, Thanos had some power from the start. With his genius level intellect and infatuation with Mistress Death, Thanos went overboard and started wreaking havoc on the universe. After collecting the original five Infinity Gems and placing them in his glove, he created the Infinity Gauntlet. Although his daughter Nebula mastered its use far easier than Thanos, he still earns this place on the list. By capturing Chaos, Order, Galactus, the Stranger, and other cosmic power level beings, Thanos asserted himself as one bad dude. Once he lost the gems, however, at the hands of greater beings, he falls far off the list. Like way way down.

5. Eternity, Infinity, Oblivion, and Death – 

There have been insanely long debates as to which of these four abstracts are the most powerful so we’ll just list all of them. They were born with the Big Bang, have existed forever, and control every force in the universe except for cosmic balance of power. Their embodiment was affected by the Infinity Gauntlet but they are rarely challenged by other entities. A version of them exists in each universe and is watched over by someone later on this list. In my opinion, the order of power, if it had to be broken down, would go in the following: Infinity, Oblivion, Eternity, Death.

4. Molecule Man – 

As the picture below depicts, The Watcher, In-Betweener, Kosmos, Order, Chaos, Oblivion, and even LT are making way for Molecule Man. His ability to manipulate matter is absurd. For anyone that thinks Magneto is powerful since he can manipulate magnetism, think about just being able to control any form of matter at any time. MM was so powerful that he had to create ways to limit his own power, took out Galactus without a problem and even took down the next guy on the list after that other person’s powers were decreased by the writers. Nevertheless, his track record and the sheer concept of his power make him a huge force of nature. Yes, it is controversial to place him above the abstracts, but this list is all about what ifs and how could yous. Now, of course you’re going to look at his grid on Marvel’s website and question his durability as a human, but damn, go ahead and I still won’t change my mind. 

3. The Beyonder –

In all honesty, at one point in time, The Beyonder might have been Number 1 on this list. During Secret Wars, his power was immeasurable but they decided to change his character multiple times. The result is a still very powerful but far less fun individual. For the sake of this list, I am taking the retcon into consideration and placing him a spot lower than I would have otherwise. If they never made that change I would have him at 2. What is his power… or what was it? They noted that he could’ve destroyed the ENTIRE multiverse or the concept of death itself with a thought. Anything he thinks happens. Now he’s just an incomplete cube, boring.

2. The Living Tribunal – 

He can thank Tom DeFalco’s awful change in the Beyonder’s origin and powers for second place. The Living Tribunal is currently, unarguably the second most powerful individual in Marvel. It is indisputable now that the Beyonder has been altered. You can argue it is Molecule Man based off of that image above and his matter manipulation but very few would agree with you. As for anyone else in the Celestials, Abstracts, etc., they have all yielded to LT at one time. Thanos wanted no part of LT even with the IG. He is the hand of the most powerful entity that exists in the Marvel Omniverse and as a result the individual that controls the balance of all powers and forces that exist. He is essentially an all-powerful judge that observes and does not like to act, but will when necessary.

1. The One Above All – 

And I’m not talking about the leader of the Celestials with the same title. This is unquestionably the strongest being in Marvel. There are some that would argue The Beyonder precon was number 1, but no one else will put up an argument for any other character. Now that The Beyonder is diminished by writers, The One Above All stands strong. He is referred to and has appeared from time to time around beings such as LT, Kosmos, Peter Parker. However, my favorite reference is a line by Mephisto (Marvel’s Satan), when he is asked if LT is “god” Mephisto tells the bartender “No, he’s not God. He’s just the biggest kid in all the playgrounds. And if he knows the Principal, he’s not exactly chatty about it.” Many believe The One Above All is Stan Lee himself, but maybe one day we will find out.

Noticeably, Phoenix Force has been left out because of its classification as a force that enters individuals. Similarly, Captain Universe has been neglected because it is a seemingly infinite power of every being in the universe that is taken by an individual from time to time. Also, Franklin Richards, the strongest mutant of all time, has also been left out because he is still young and has not yet reached his full potential. Sentry is the strongest being on Earth, but lacks anything more than pure firepower. Black Bolt, Hyperion, Gorr, and Gladiator are very destructive as well but lack more complex powers. Any heralds of Galactus such as Silver Surfer obviously have not surpassed their creator. Obviously, the rest of the Celestials and everyone depicted in the picture below would round out a slightly larger list.

 That is a picture of a lot of powerful beings, all worthy of a Top 20 list. Thanks for reading and tell us who YOU think should be top 5 Marvel characters! See you at Denver Comic Con! And as always…stay hungry and fit!