The superheroes of Marvel Comics are some of the most powerful characters in fiction. For example, Thor possesses the powers of a god and wields the mighty hammer, Mjolnir, and The Silver Surfer uses the Power Cosmic as he easily travels the universe. However, these versions of the characters (the versions readers may be most familiar with in mainstream comics) are not their most powerful versions.
Many comics that explore alternate histories or see characters hopping to different worlds give creators a chance to explore different versions of classic heroes. These alternate versions often experience events that lead to them obtaining new powers. Usually, those new powers dwarf the powers of their classic counterparts.
10 Miles Morales Briefly Becomes The New Captain Universe
After Spider-Verse, the Spiders of the multiverse reunited in the Spider- Geddon event. The Spider-hunters known as Inheritors returned and forced Miles Morales and Otto Octavius to assemble two teams of Spider-People from alternate worlds.
When the Inheritors resurrect their father, Solus, Miles Morales successfully convinces the Enigma Force to bond with him, turning him into the newest Captain Universe. The Enigma Force grants Miles cosmic powers like energy manipulation, enhanced senses, and increased strength and speed. It's a shame that his time as Captain Universe was so short.
9 Old King Thor Merges With The Phoenix Force
The early life of Old King Thor is the same as the Thor of the main 616 Marvel comic universe. This version of Thor eventually aged to become the new All-Father of Asgard. In time, Thor would inherit the Power of the All-Father, becoming as powerful and cynical as Odin once was.
In the future of this world, Doom had acquired the powers of many past Avengers, turning himself into a god. Logan, who possessed the Phoenix Force at that time, transferred the Phoenix's power into Thor's hammer, Mjolnir. For a brief period of time, Thor possessed both the Power of the All-Father and the Phoenix Force. The power forced him into the Forever Sleep.
8 The Hulk Becomes The New Herald Of Galactus
In What If? World War Hulk #1, the Skrulls succeeded in invading Earth and subsequently defeated all the Avengers except for Hulk. In his anger, Hulk summoned the Silver Surfer and Galactus to Earth to devour it and all the Skrulls on it.
After the Silver Surfer abandoned Galactus, Hulk offered to become Galactus's new herald in exchange for the erasure of his memories of Earth. Galactus agreed and Hulk became his newest herald, The World Breaker. The Hulk retained all of his natural abilities as well as the Power Cosmic, making him one of the strongest beings in that universe.
7 Captain America Wields Supreme Magic
The creation of Warp World is a long story. In a nutshell, Gamora used the powers of the Infinity Gems and folded the universe in half, forcing multiple beings and backstories to merge. In this event, Captain America and Doctor Strange were merged into one being known as the Soldier Supreme.
In this new reality, Stephen Rogers was experimented on with a super-soldier serum that was actually composed of magical ingredients. Stephen not only became a super soldier but was also given access to sorcery. The Soldier Supreme is truly a mashup of Cap and Strange, possessing the powers of both heroes.
6 Carol Danvers Has Limitless Power As Binary
Carol Danvers has always been one of the strongest Marvel heroes under the identities of Ms. Marvel, Captain Marvel, and especially Binary. An alien race called the Brood experimented on Carol when she was with the X-Men. Their evolutionary ray altered Carol's genes and gave her new cosmic powers.
As Binary, Carol had control over nearly every form of energy across space and time. Although her powers never reached a state that would make her god-like, she was powerful enough to stand up to beings like Firelord. Her power limits were never specified. Therefore, there's no telling how powerful she would have become if she remained in her Binary form.
5 Who Is Doctor Strangefate?
The Amalgam Universe first appeared in the mini-series DC Versus Marvel. This universe is the combination of Marvel and DC's main comic book continuities. In this strange world, multiple characters from both publications are fused into one.
The Charles Xavier of this weird new world was also a powerful telepath. He trained in the mystic arts under the tutelage of Nabu the Ancient One. After surpassing his master's power, Xavier became the new Lord Supreme of Order. This version of Xavier was a powerful telepath who also had the magical powers of both Doctor Strange and Doctor Fate.
4 What If Peter Parker Never Gave Up The Enigma Force?
In the 2015 comic event Spider-Verse, Spider-People from all across the multiverse flee from the Inheritors, a group of vampire-like beings who specifically hunt spider totems. Peter Parker of Earth-13 offers his world as a safe haven for all other Spiders.
In his world, Peter never gave up the powers of the Enigma Force and remained Captain Universe with all the cosmic powers that entailed. When the Inheritors' father, Solus, arrived, Peter thought he could defeat him. But even with the Enigma Force, Solus fed on Peter's spider totem essence and killed him, forcing the other Spiders to flee.
3 The Cosmic Ghost Rider
In an alternate timeline first seen in Thanos #13, Frank Castle died as the Punisher and made a deal with Mephisto that bonded him with the Spirit of Vengeance, making him the new Ghost Rider. In his vengeful search for Thanos, Castle found an injured Galactus and made a deal to become the world-destroyer's newest herald.
With the powers of both the Spirit of Vengeance and the Power Cosmic, Frank Castle became the Cosmic Ghost Rider. He was immortal, could unleash hellfire, travel the universe, and manipulate cosmic energy. This was by far the most powerful version of Frank Castle.
2 Jean Grey Becomes The White Phoenix
The Phoenix Force is one of the most powerful cosmic forces in the Marvel universe. The Phoenix has bonded with many hosts but the most famous is Jean Grey. The Phoenix is usually a neutral force of creation and destruction but can be corrupted (as readers have seen with the Dark Phoenix).
Where the Dark Phoenix is the result of a host corrupting the Phoenix Force, the White Phoenix is the result of a host becoming purely one with it. Readers have seen the White Phoenix in New X-Men #154 and Classic X-Men #43. In this form, Jean Grey possesses all the powers of the Phoenix Force to their highest extent.
1 Silver Surfer Becomes Worthy
This version of Norrin Radd first appeared in Thanos #15 on Earth-TRN666. In this universe, Thanos hunted Galactus across the stars and eventually killed him. The Silver Surfer, nowhere near powerful enough to challenge the now King Thanos, became worthy to wield Mjolnir.
With his body made of black matter, the Silver Surfer, now called the Fallen One, possessed the Power Cosmic and the power of Mjolnir. Alone, he battled King Thanos (a younger version of Thanos and the Cosmic Ghost Rider). Unfortunately, even with all that power, he wasn't strong enough to defeat them all.