I Asked ChatGPT: The Strongest Marvel Characters

Jay Marc Nojada
7 min readApr 29, 2023

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The Strongest Marvel Characters

It was just another casual Friday evening, and I was, hanging out with my best friend on Discord, sipping on some Vanilla-flavored Coca-Cola. My true Marvel fanatic friend had always been an encyclopedia of comic book knowledge. But when it came to the recent Marvel movies, their excitement was, shall we say, tempered. They found them decent and enjoyable but not the pretty epic masterpieces that the die-hard fan in them craved.

As we discussed the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we stumbled upon an interesting debate: Who are the strongest Marvel characters of all time? Considering the vast array of characters that populate the Marvel Universe — from heroes to villains and even antiheroes — it was a question that demanded thorough research and thoughtful consideration.

But who needs thorough research these days? Who better to ask than ChatGPT, the perfect tool for settling your friend’s debates.

What are the Ground Rules?

Marvel Comics has given us countless memorable characters with varying power and strength. In this article, we dive into the Marvel Universe to determine the strongest Marvel characters based on physical strength alone. The fierce competition has many heroes, antiheroes, and villains. So, how do we pick the cream of the crop?

To begin, we’ve set some ground rules to ensure our list focuses solely on physical strength, ruling out characters whose powers primarily lie elsewhere. Here’s our approach:

  1. Physical Strength: Our focus will be on the strongest Marvel characters in terms of sheer physical strength. For example, characters with psychic or energy manipulation powers will not be considered for this list. We’ll ask ourselves: Can this character lift, push, or punch with extraordinary force?
  2. Heroes, Antiheroes, and Villains: We will consider characters from across the Marvel spectrum, be they the strongest Marvel hero, antihero, or villain. This ensures a diverse list that captures the essence of the Marvel Universe.
  3. No Power Boosts: We will only consider the characters’ base strength levels to level the playing field. That means no external power boosts or enhancements will be considered when evaluating their strength.
  4. Canon: This analysis will consider the Marvel Comics canon and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This allows us to view the feats of strength portrayed in both mediums, giving us a more comprehensive understanding of the character’s abilities.

With the ground rules in place, we will rank the most powerful Marvel superheroes, antiheroes, and villains based on their physical strength.

Prepare for an exciting journey as we reveal the most powerful Marvel heroes ranked from strong to strongest! So, who will emerge as the most powerful superhero?

The 5 Strongest Marvel Characters: Ranked

#5: Thor

Photo by Chad Lewis on Adobe

Claiming the fifth spot on our list is the God of Thunder, Thor, one of the most powerful Marvel heroes. Hailing from Asgard, Thor is the son of Odin, the All-Father, and Gaea, the Earth Goddess. As a result of his divine lineage, Thor is endowed with an extraordinary level of strength, resilience, and durability.

Throughout the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thor has displayed immense strength in countless battles against powerful foes, including the Hulk, Thanos, and even Galactus. Thor’s impressive strength has allowed him to lift objects many times his own size, such as the Midgard Serpent, and face off against cosmic entities that threaten the universe.

Thor ranks as the fifth strongest Marvel character on our list because other beings in the Marvel Universe have even more significant physical strength. Although he only ranks as the fifth most robust character, Thor remains a beloved and iconic figure in the Marvel Universe, embodying the qualities of a true hero.

#4: The Incredible Hulk

Photo by Ryan Ottley on Hulk (2021) #1

Coming in at number four on our list is the Incredible Hulk, a character synonymous with raw physical power. When mild-mannered scientist Dr. Bruce Banner was exposed to gamma radiation during a failed experiment, the resulting transformation unleashed the unstoppable force that is the Hulk. As one of the strongest Marvel heroes, the Hulk’s strength is unparalleled regarding sheer brute force.

The most unique aspect of the Hulk’s strength is that it increases exponentially with his level of anger. As his rage intensifies, so does his power, making him capable of unimaginable feats for other characters.

Throughout the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Hulk has showcased his incredible strength in numerous battles against powerful foes. In the comics, the Hulk has demonstrated his ability to lift entire mountains, shatter planets, and even hold together the tectonic plates of a collapsing world.

However, the Hulk ranks as the fourth strongest Marvel character on our list due to the existence of other characters with even more extraordinary strength. Although the Hulk’s power increases with his rage, it is still limited by the emotional trigger, which can be both a strength and a weakness.

#3: Thanos

Photo by Ariel Olivetti on Thanos #1 (OF 6) Lim Var

Securing the third spot on our list is the Mad Titan, Thanos. Hailing from the moon Titan, Thanos is a member of the Eternals, a race of powerful and long-lived beings. However, he also carries the Deviants gene, which grants him additional abilities and a distinctive appearance. This unique heritage makes Thanos one of the most formidable beings in the Marvel Universe.

In the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thanos has displayed his incredible strength and tactical prowess in numerous encounters. He has single-handedly taken on entire teams of heroes, showcasing his immense power and strategic mind. His ultimate goal of reshaping the universe to his liking has led him to pursue the Infinity Stones, artifacts of incredible power that, when combined, grant the wielder near-omnipotence.

Although he does not occupy the top spot, Thanos remains an iconic and fearsome figure in the Marvel Universe, embodying the ultimate combination of power and intellect.

#2: Hercules

Photo by Ed McGuinness on The Incredible Hercules #126 (February 2009)

Just shy of the top spot on our list, we have Hercules, the legendary demigod from ancient Greek mythology who has also made a name for himself as one of the strongest Marvel heroes. The son of Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods, and Alcmena, a mortal woman, Hercules possesses extraordinary physical strength and divine power that has earned him second place on our list.

Hercules’ incredible strength is derived from his divine heritage, which grants him a level of might surpassing even some of the most powerful superheroes and villains in the Marvel Universe. In addition to his tremendous strength, Hercules possesses near-invulnerability, impressive stamina, and the ability to heal rapidly from injuries. These attributes make him an imposing figure in battle and a true force to be reckoned with.

Throughout his appearances in the comics and other Marvel media, Hercules has showcased his remarkable strength in countless encounters with formidable foes. He has gone toe-to-toe with powerhouses like Thor, the Hulk, and even the cosmic entity Galactus. Hercules also displayed his strength in various feats, such as lifting and throwing massive objects like mountains and preventing the collapse of the Golden Gate Bridge.

#1: Sentry

Photo by Kim Jacinto and Rain Beredo on Sentry (2018) #1

Taking the crown as the strongest Marvel character, Sentry stands out as an extraordinary figure in the Marvel Universe. Born Robert Reynolds, his life changed dramatically after ingesting a powerful experimental serum that granted him the power of a million exploding suns. With the ability to manipulate molecules at a molecular level, Sentry became a nearly unstoppable force, boasting vast powers.

Sentry’s exceptional strength and incredible abilities set him apart from the other characters on this list. His molecular manipulation allows him to tap into a seemingly limitless power source, making him virtually invulnerable and granting him superhuman abilities. In addition to his immense strength, Sentry possesses super speed, flight, telepathy, energy projection, and an extraordinary regenerative capacity.

Throughout his appearances in the comics, Sentry has consistently displayed his incredible strength and extensive range of powers. He has fought alongside and against the most powerful Marvel heroes and villains, including characters like Thor, the Hulk and cosmic entities like Galactus. Sentry’s most impressive feats of strength include lifting entire islands, overpowering the god of war, Ares, and stopping a full-powered punch from the Hulk with just one hand.

His incredible feats and the unique nature of his powers set him apart from other powerful beings in the Marvel Universe, making him a truly exceptional figure. Sentry remains an iconic and awe-inspiring character who embodies the boundless potential of power and the responsibility that comes with it.

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