Comic books are incredible. Over the decades, they evolved from being brief, funny panels into a proper literary form that can occasionally tell more compelling stories than the regular books. They explore alternate universes and realities. In fact, the superhero comics give us a glimpse of some absolutely fascinating variations of most famous characters that sometimes go on to become as popular as the original.
For example, If Lex Luthor had found the Lantern instead of Hal, he might have set up his own version of Green Lantern Marine Corps (which he did in Red Son). There are times when the heroes can become corrupted and twisted in alternate realities, and comic book readers are well aware of how devastating an evil Superman can be. Here we present to you six such alternate superhero versions more powerful than the original.
1. OLD MAN BANNER
It is obvious that Mark Millar loves the alternate universes. Here is one based on Earth – 807128, and it revolves around Old Man Logan. This is a world where Wolverine killed the X-Men after being manipulated, and an army of villains overpowered The Avengers. Logan is shown struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic scenario. However, when Hulk’s children kill his family, Logan murders them all and goes after Bruce Banner. He finds an old Bruce who still has super-strength even without the Hulk form. He chews Wolverine into pieces and had it not been his healing factor, that would have been the end of Old Man Logan.
2. PHOENIX FORCE CYCLOPS
Throughout the years, the Phoenix Force has caused great troubles for the X-Men, and it once again took to stage during the Avengers vs. X-Men. The main conflict was due to the comeback of the Phoenix Force, but, upon its arrival, it gave various mutants its powers, including Cyclops.
Accompanied by four other Phoenix versions (Colossus, Magik, Emma Frost and Namor) Scott Summers embarked on a mission to alter the world. He declared world peace and provided food and water for the whole population. However, after the other four lost their Phoenix powers, it all concentrated in Cyclops. He turned into Dark Phoenix and killed Professor X. This version of the character is mightier, and despite losing the Phoenix power at the end of the series, he again got the Phoenix Force in Secret Wars.
3. IRON MANIAC
Imagine a scenario where Tony Stark turned into Doctor Doom? That is exactly what Iron Maniac is. He is seen during the Marvel Team-Up series and often gets mistaken for Doom due to the identical faceplate. However, he originates from Earth – 5012, where Avengers are not alive.
Despite his similarity to Tony Stark from the Earth – 616, he is quite bitter since Reed Richards banished him from his own reality. In Marvel Team-Up appearances, he has beaten the Fantastic Four, New Avengers, Spider-Man and Wolverine and he regularly enhances his armor and powers. Despite him being mightier than the regular Tony Stark, we love the red and gold Tony only.
4. FLASHPOINT WONDER WOMAN
Flashpoint is definitely one of the best DC stories from the last decade. The Flash goes back in time to prevent his mother’s death and ruins the current timeline. Everything changes. Atlantis and Themyscira are at a war waged by the Wonder Woman. Her viciousness towards Aquaman is due to a failed affair between them which saw Diana kill Mera.
Wonder Woman is one of the most powerful superheroes, but, if we eliminate her discretion of good and bad, she becomes an even more destructive and furious force. She commands a whole army and is not wary of slaughtering across the world. If this timeline had become permanent, she might have become the ruler of Earth. That’s the kind of power she had during “Flashpoint.”
5. ZOMBIE SPIDER-MAN
There is not really any explanation needed to tell you what makes Zombie Spider-Man more evil than the good old Peter Parker. Here is a partly sentient flesh eating Spidey and that speaks for itself. He eats the living and is hunger driven. In fact, upon the arrival of the Zombies from Earth-91126, he tore off his own skin for them. These are savage Zombies.
However, the Zombie Spider-Man’s biggest power comes after they murdered Galactus and ate him. They managed to wield some of the Power Cosmic, and that allowed Spider-Man to kill Venom and create Zombie Eddie Brock during their food battle.
6. SECRET EMPIRE CAPTAIN AMERICA
After the Cosmic Cube’s sentient form Kobik altered Captain America’s history, it was disclosed that he had been a Hydra man all along. Several fans were unhappy with this change, and despite its being amended at the end of the series, this change remains highly controversial.
However, the Hydra aided by Steve rules most of America barring some pockets where heroes aware of his new reality are resisting. It is a scary premise, seeing one of the most famous heroes giving up the moral and values that he had symbolized right from his start. Not only that, he adds to the power of Hydra in this reality which also allows him to team up with various villains and Hydra’s tools. Two such scenarios are a Hydra Iron-Man suit, and a Hydra approved Punisher.
