When we think of superpowers, flying, x-ray vision, and the ability to deploy a sticky spider web substance from our palms are the things that usually come to mind. And while those classics will forever be the envy of us mere mortals, they’re not the only skills that separate us from our favorite superheros and villains. In fact, there are many, many more powers in the cannon of comics that make the Hulk’s super strength capabilities look as common as lifting a 5-pound dumbbell.
There’s Crazy Jane, Doom Patrol's fictional character whose 64 split-personalities all come with their very own power (think telekinesis, shape-shifting and invisibility, to just name a few). Or Flex Mentallo, a fellow Doom Patrol regular who can alter reality by flexing his muscles. With so many characters and obscure superpowers, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of who is capable of what. That’s where Pop Chart Lab’s Giant-Size Omnibus of Superpowers comes in handy.
Pop Chart’s newest version of its superpower infographic doubles its previous iterations with references to more than 200 superpowers and 600 comic book characters. Culled from the last 75 years of comic books and broken down into seven main skill sets (powers of the body, animal powers, force control, mastery, object manipulation, weapons-based and powers of the mind), the web-like taxonomy includes so much information that even the biggest comic nerd will be able to learn something.
“We racked our brains, our long boxes, and our trusty web resources to fill out the chart and make sure that all powers, from the meek to the mighty, were represented, no matter how strange they were,” says the Pop Chart team. “What we discovered was a veritable treasure trove of dada- and surrealist-inspired weird abilities from what many consider the ‘bronze age’ of comics.”
Fittingly, the giant omnibus' design echos the comic book covers of the '70s and early '80s era with its detailed art and vintage Superman-like header. Of course, with more than 6 square feet filled with comic book geekery, the chart covers way more than just that slice of history.
“A little back and forth, and many rounds of edits and additions later, we finally felt like we had done right by our own super-ability,” Pop Chart says. “The power to make giant, beautiful charts.”
You can get a copy of the Giant-Size Omnibus of Superpowers for $32 over at Pop Chart Lab.
