10 Dark Horse Characters Who Can Beat Superman

In the DC Comics universe, Superman is one of the most powerful members of the Justice League, able to fight behemoth villains like Doomsday and Brainiac. However, would he still seem so powerful if the Man of Steel crossed over into other worlds? Dark Horse Comics has many heroes and villains who could make Superman sweat.

Characters like Geralt from The Witcher franchise and The Mask use magic, Superman’s second greatest weakness behind Kryptonite. Other characters, like Titan from Dark Horse Comics and He-Man, published in Dark Horse’s Masters of the Universe series, could match the Man of Steel’s strength. If Superman entered the Dark Horse universe, he’d better be prepared.

10 Superman Vs. Dungeons & Dragons Martial & Magic

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins

Alone, the members of Vox Machina wouldn’t stand a chance against the Man of Steel, but together, Critical Role‘s original Dungeons & Dragons characters would totally defeat Superman. From Grog’s strength that grows with rage, to Vex, Vax and Percy’s weapon skills, to Scanlan’s magical trickery, to Keyleth and Pike’s spiritual connections to the world, Vox Machina is incredibly diverse.

When Vox Machina actually works together, there’s no stopping them. They defeated a dragon in one of their earliest adventures. Vox Machina at Level 20, especially the versions appearing in Critical Role‘s third campaign starring Bell’s Hells, has magical mastery, assassins and tanks––more diversity than Superman alone.

9 The Mask Is Magical Chaos

The Mask

Superman may have the strength of a god, but he can only affect the world so drastically. As Clark Kent stated in the 1978 Superman film, referring to the death of Jonathan Kent, “All those things I can do. All those powers. And I couldn’t even save him.” The Mask, however, can drastically alter reality thanks to his connection to ancient cultures.

When The Mask possesses someone, it basically makes them a powerful sorcerer who feeds on chaos. The wearer of the Mask can change reality, teleport, summon objects out of thin air and avoid all damage. Superman is strong, but the Mask wins by bending and breaking all the rules.

8 Titan Is A Dark Horse Superman

Dark Horse Comics

Titan is basically the Superman of Dark Horse Comics, so he’s one of the best chances Dark Horse characters have against the Man of Steel. Titan shares many of Superman’s powers (without the pesky weaknesses like Kryptonite or magic), like super strength, flight, invulnerability, and immortality in some cases.

However, while Superman fights for truth and justice, Titan eventually ditches those ideals when he grows more powerful. Titan is more like the Injustice version of Superman, who uses his might to “make the world right.” With that in mind, Titan is potentially a more dangerous Superman.

7 Abraham Slam, Golden Gail, Colonel Weird, Madame Dragonfly & Barbalien

Black Hammer

One is the loneliest number, and the Black Hammer universe is full of cohesive characters who are stronger together. Superman is just one man––albeit “super.” Abraham Slam, Golden Gail, Colonel Weird, Madame Dragonfly and Barbalien are just a few heroes in Black Hammer comics who can synergize.

Barbalien is comparable to Martian Manhunter, Golden Gail can transform into a superhuman just like Billy Batson/Shazam and Madame Dragonfly can cast spells, hurting the Man of Steel. For further insight on a Superman vs. Black Hammer match, DC and Dark Horse teamed up for the Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice! miniseries.

6 Anti-God Is Dark Horse’s Darkseid

Black Hammer

Superman and the Justice League have battled and defeated some of the most powerful gods and monsters in the DC Universe. Darkseid may be the strongest among them––the ruler of Apokolips and a New God whose reign extends across the multiverse. The Anti-God is the Darkseid of the Black Hammer universe.

Superman is the strongest member of the Justice League, but Anti-God is a cosmic entity, a sliver of the fabric of the universe itself. Anti-God’s power rivals that of Galactus and maybe even the Anti-Monitor. Black Hammer heroes like the Golden Family and Lightriders have perished fighting Anti-God’s consuming darkness.

5 Darth Vader Uses The Force Against The Man Of Steel

Star Wars (Dark Horse Comics)

A famous art piece by Alex Ross depicts Superman gripping Darth Vader‘s red lightsaber as the two behemoths lock into combat. If Superman entered the Star Wars universe, how would he handle battling Force-users? The Man of Steel is physically powerful, but the Force affects creatures on mental and molecular levels.

With a lightsaber in hand and the significant power of the Force at his disposal, Darth Vader, especially the version from Dark Horse comics who experienced far more than his Star Wars movie counterpart, could defeat Superman with a swift Force choke or telepathic assault.

4 Ghost Can Phase Through Superman

Ghost

While Ghost has never fought against Superman, she did cross over into the DC Universe in a four-issue miniseries with Batgirl titled Ghost/Batgirl: The Resurrection Machine, where they teamed up against Malcolm Greymatter and Two-Face. Ghost is not as powerful as Superman, but her powers are unique and deadly with the right applications.

Like Kitty Pryde from the X-Men, Dark Horse’s Ghost can phase through solid objects. Shadowcat has used this power to short-circuit Sentinels or even kill Wolverine. Ghost could use her phasing powers to penetrate Superman’s invulnerable skin or Ghost Jump the Man of Steel to foreign, dangerous dimensions.

3 Geralt Would Destroy Superman In Combat

The Witcher

Geralt of Rivia is like a Dungeons & Dragons Eldritch Knight Fighter, the perfect combination of martial expertise, proficiency in sword-fighting and hand-to-hand combat, and an understanding of powerful magic through Signs. In a one-on-one fight, Geralt has several advantages over Superman.

The fight would be close. The Witcher has super strength and enhanced reflexes, but not to the extent of Superman’s. However, thanks to Geralt’s Signs, like Aard’s telekinesis, Yrden’s magical traps or Quen’s damage reflection, the Witcher is a much more varied fighter than Superman.

2 He-Man Has The Power (Over Superman)

Masters Of The Universe

He-Man and Superman would likely never fight each other unless Brainiac or Skeletor had them under mind control. Prince Adam and Clark Kent just share too many moral ideals. He-Man and Superman are the perfect examples of what to strive for in the Masters of the Universe world and DC Comics.

However, thanks to the Power of Grayskull, magic, and martial prowess, He-Man could actually defeat the Man of Steel. This fight isn’t simply hypothetical. He-Man and Superman did square off in DC Comics Presents #47, where He-Man swung Superman around like a baseball bat.

1 Hellboy, The Demon Vs. Superman, The Kryptonian

Hellboy

After Kryptonite, magic is Superman’s greatest weakness. While Superman can go to-to-toe with Brainiac, Justice League Dark heroes like John Constantine and Zatanna combat the DC Universe’s dark magical threats. In this case, Superman would struggle against Hellboy.

As a literal spawn from Hell, Hellboy is nearly immortal, aging slower than humans and surviving countless brushes with death. In addition to super strength and endurance, Hellboy usually carries magical swords, guns and objects for every ocassion––prepared like Batman and his utility belt. One sliver of Kryptonite or enchanted sword would give Hellboy the victory over Superman.