Can You Match These Iconic Superheroes To Their Species?
- by Kevin Stewart
- – on
- in The Geek Corner
How much do you know about superheroes? They're the flavour of the month in Hollywood at the moment, which has brought them to mainstream attention in recent times more than ever before, and that probably means you know at least something about the characters who've appeared in live action - Superman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Groot and so forth - but to what extent?
You probably know what they look like, what their names are, what superpowers they have (if any) and those kind of details, but what about the more intricate details, such as exactly what species they are?
Moreover, what about the superhero characters from the comic books who haven't yet made it to film? A lot of those guys are every bit as recognisable to comic book fans as the aforementioned flagship heroes, but not everybody knows very much about them.
In this quiz, we'll be tasking you with identifying the species of some of comics' most iconic superheroes - some of whom have appeared in movies, some of whom haven't. A few of these are very easy. Others... not so much! Let us know how you performed in the comments!
What species is Blade?
Blade - whose real name is Eric Brooks - is a Marvel antihero who, as well as regularly fighting on his own, is also strongly associated with a number of teams tasked with fighting supernatural threats in the Marvel universe, such as the Nightstalkers and the Midnight Sons. He is a master martial artist, swordsman and marksman who possesses moderate superhuman strength and durability, as well as a regenerative healing factor. But what species is this incredibly bad-ass dark warrior?
What species is J'onn J'onzz?
J'onn J'onnz - otherwise known by a name that would give away what species he is, so we're not telling you it - is an extremely powerful DC superhero who was a founding member of the Justice League of America. J'onn can fly, is super-strong, fast and durable, has a regenerative healing factor, possesses telepathy and telekinesis, can turn invisible and intangible, and can shape-shift - although he does have a very specific vulnerability to fire. But what species is this versatile green hero?
What species is Thor?
Thor - full name Thor Odinson - is Marvel's depiction of the eponymous mythological thunder god and a member of the Avengers. The biological son the All-Father Odin, Thor is super-strong, fast and durable and possesses a war hammer by the name of Mjolnir that grants him a plethora of additional powers, including flight, weather manipulation, electrical energy manipulation, dimensional transportation, and a variety of potent energy blasts. He can also call Mjolnir back to him by simply willing it. But what species is this mighty warrior?
What species is Wolverine?
Wolverine - whose real name is James Howlett, but who has also gone by the names Logan and Weapon X - is Marvel's animalistic superhero who is a prominent member of both the X-Men and Avengers. He possesses superhuman senses, razor sharp claws, an adamantium-coated skeleton, and a regenerative healing factor that allows him to heal from almost any injury and renders him effectively immortal. But what species is Wolverine that grants him the possession of such a potent array of powers and abilities.
What species is Superman?
Superman - otherwise known as both Clark Kent and Kal-El - is arguably the most iconic, famous and popular superhero in history. DC's flagship character is super-strong, fast and durable. He can fly, fire energy from his eyes, freeze things with his breath, and possesses x-ray vision. His powers stem from his ability to absorb the rays of Earth's yellow sun, which occurs thanks to his alien physiology. But what exactly is that alien physiology? What species is the Justice League's "Man of Steel"?
What species is Aquaman?
Aquaman - who also goes by the name of Arthur Curry - is a very underrated and unfairly chastised DC superhero and a founding member of the Justice League of America. His unique physiology enables him to breathe underwater and swim very fast, and it grants him superhuman strength, stamina, endurance, durability, reflexes, agility, senses, and healing, while he also boasts telepathy and mind control (particularly over aquatic life in the case of the latter power). But what exactly is that unique physiology? What species is Aquaman?
What species is Groot?
Ah Groot! Groot is a gigantic, tough-as-hell - but very lovable - humanoid tree. He's a prominent member of the Guardians of the Galaxy who can only say three words - "I am Groot". He possesses superhuman strength and durability, as well as a regenerative factor, the ability to control trees, and the ability to absorb wood in order to feed and further augment his already great strength. But do you know what the actual name of Groot's very unique species is?
What species is Gamora?
Gamora - who is known as the most dangerous woman in the universe - is a Marvel superhero, and adoptive daughter of Thanos, who is a prominent member of the Guardians of the Galaxy and a member of the Infinity Watch. Gamora possesses superhuman strength, speed and durability, as well as an accelerated healing factor. She is also a highly-skilled assassin, swordsman, gymnast and master martial artist. But do you know what alien species this green-skinned female warrior belongs to?
What species is Wonder Woman?
Wonder Woman - also known as Princess Diana of Themyscira and Diana Prince - is a powerful and incredibly skilled warrior and a founding member of the Justice League of America. She possesses superhuman strength, speed and durability, flight capabilities, and a number of lethal and/or magical items - including the Lasso of Truth, the Bracelets of Submission. the Sword of Athena and a nigh-indestructible shield. What species is the woman Batman once called "best melee fighter in the world"?
What species is Yondu?
Yondu - whose full name is Yondu Udonta - is a blue-skinned Marvel superhero with ties to both the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers. He doesn't possess any superhuman physical attributes, but is a natural mystic (as are all members of his species) and possesses a mystical "sixth sense" and a mystical rapport with nature as a result. He is a master archer who has the ability to control his yaka arrows by whistling in certain pitches. But what species is he?
What species is Flash?
The Flash - in this case Barry Allen - is a forensic scientist who gained superpowers when he was working one night and a lightning bolt shattered a case full of chemicals, which spilt all over him. He can move, react and think at incredible speed, vibrate his molecules to make himself intangible, create vortexes, and utilise a punch called the Infinite Mass Punch that can immobilise even the most powerful and durable of foes. But what species is he?
What species is Spider-Man?
Spider-Man - otherwise known as Peter Parker - gained superpowers when a radioactive spider bit him. As well as super-strength, speed and durability, he also gained the ability to stick to walls, and he has developed tech-based "web-shooters" that enable him to fire "webbing" that he can use to swing from place place, as an offensive weapon, and to immobilise his enemies. He is one of Marvel's most popular superheroes, but do you actually know what species the Webbed-Wonder is?
What species is Iron Man?
Tony Stark - the self-proclaimed genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist - is the incredibly popular Marvel superhero otherwise known as Iron Man, thanks to his penchant for wearing super-powered, awesome-looking, high-tech metallic suits of armour into battle. They grant him superhuman strength and durability, flight capabilities, and a wide variety of projectile weaponry. Iron Man is a prominent (and founding) member of the Avengers, but what species is the cocky and charismatic individual underneath the iconic red and gold suits?
What species is Hercules?
Hercules - a character who is based on the Greek mythological figure of the same name - is a superhero who is associated with a number of super-teams and groups in the Marvel universe, including the Avengers, the Champions, Damage Control, the Defenders and the God Squad. As a demigod, he is immortal, possesses superhuman strength and durability, and is skilled in a number of fighting styles (both with and without weaponry). But do you know what species Hercules actually is?
What species is Black Widow?
Sticking with the aforementioned spider theme, we now come to Black Widow. Black Widow is otherwise known as both Natalia Romanova and Natasha Romanoff, and she is a spy who has featured prominently in Marvel comic books - as both an agent of the espionage organisation S.H.I.E.L.D. and as a member of the Avengers. She is an expert martial artist, tactician and marksman who possesses mastery over a wide variety of weaponry, but do you know what species Black Widow is?
What species is Hulk?
The Hulk - the powerful alter-ego of scientist Bruce Banner - is a hulking green brute whose strength is proportionate to his anger, meaning the angrier he gets, the stronger he gets. This also means his strength is potentially limitless. He is also incredibly durable and can leap huge distances. Hulk's powers stem from Banner's exposure to gamma radiation courtesy of a laboratory accident. But what species is one of the strongest beings in the Marvel universe and founding member of the Avengers?
What species is Batman?
Batman - the superhero identity of billionaire businessman Bruce Wayne - is one of DC's most iconic superheroes and a founding member of the Justice League of America. He patrols Gotham City at night, fighting crime using his expertise in martial arts, stealth and being a detective. He is in incredible physical condition and utilises a plethora of high-tech gadgets that are generally housed in a utility belt that he wears as part of his costume. But what species is he?
What species is Supergirl?
Supergirl - whose real name is Kara Zor-El, is a DC superheroine who is super-strong, fast and durable. She can fly, fire energy from her eyes, freeze things with her breath, and possesses x-ray vision. Her powers stem from her ability to absorb the rays of Earth's yellow sun, which occurs thanks to her alien physiology. But what exactly is that alien physiology? What species is this incredibly powerful member of both the Teen Titans and Justice League of America?
What species is Professor X?
Professor X - also known by his real name of Charles Xavier - is a Marvel superhero who is both the leader of the X-Men and a member of the Illuminati. Professor X is a genius who possesses a number of telepathic abilities, including mind reading, mind control, memory manipulation, astral projection, illusion casting and psychic attack abilities. But what species is Professor X that enables him to have possession of such a potent array of telepathic powers and abilities?
What species is Abin Sur?
Abin Sur is a DC superhero and a member of the Green Lantern Corps. When Sur died in the original DC continuity, it was his ring that went on to choose the more well-known Hal Jordan as its next wielder, due to Jordan's great willpower and complete lack of fear. Sur can fly, absorb and manipulate energy, and create hard light constructs that are only limited by his willpower and imagination. But do you know what species Abin Sur is?
What species is The Thing?
The Thing - who also goes by the somewhat less harsh name Ben Grimm - is a member of the Fantastic Four and the team's "brick". Grimm gained superhuman strength and durability when his body was transformed due to exposure to cosmic radiation in space. He has a rock-like, orange hide. In spite of his unappealing appearance, Grimm kept his good sense of humour and is known for his trademark catchphrase "it's clobberin' time." But what species is The Thing?
What species is Cyclops?
Cyclops - whose real name is Scott Summers - is a founding member of Marvel's X-Men and the team's field leader. In addition to having the ability to fire powerful, concussive optic blasts from his eyes (which comes from his ability to metabolise sunlight and other ambient energy that he can later expel), Cyclops is a master tactician with incredible hand-to-hand fighting abilities, and he also possesses highly-advanced spatial awareness. But what species is Cyclops that grants him his powers?
What species is Namor?
Namor - who is also known as Namor the Sub-Mariner and Namor McKenzie - is a water-based Marvel superhero with links to a number of super-teams and groups, including the Avengers, the X-Men, the Defenders, the Heroes for Hire and the Illuminati. He is super-strong, fast and durable and can fly. He can breathe underwater and swim incredibly fast. He has also demonstrated a telepathic control over marine life at different points over the years. But what species is Namor?
What species is Hawkeye?
Hawkeye - whose real name is Clint Barton - is a Marvel superhero and long-time member of the Avengers who is also associated with super-teams like the Defenders, the Thunderbolts and various Avengers spin-off teams. He is a master archer and marksman whose aim is absolutely perfect, he's an expert tactician and superb martial artist, and he utilises a variety of trick arrows that can be used in countless different ways. But do you know what species Hawkeye actually is?
What species is the Silver Surfer?
The Silver Surfer, whose real name is Norrin Radd - is an incredibly powerful Marvel superhero whose powers come from the fact that, as a herald of Galactus, he was imbued with something known as the Power Cosmic. He possesses superhuman strength, speed and durability, can fly courtesy of his board, has massive energy manipulation abilities, and has even proven capable of interdimensional travel and time travel - and those are just some of his abilities. But what species is he?
What species is Karate Kid?
Karate Kid - whose real name is Val Armorr - is a DC superhero and arguably the most accomplished martial artist in all of fiction (he's a master of every martial art up to the 31st century across the galaxy). Such is the level of his skill, he is able to fight and defeat individuals who possess far more power than he does. He can sense the weak spots in objects and is resistant to mind control. He's a prominent member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. But what species is he?
What species is Power Girl?
Power Girl - who is also known as both Kara Zor-L and Karen Starr - is a powerful DC superheroine who is strongly affiliated with a number of super-teams, including the Justice League of America, Infinity, Inc., the Birds of Prey, the Suicide Squad and the Sovereign Seven. She is super-strong, fast and durable and can fly, fire energy from her eyes, freeze things with her breath, and possesses x-ray vision. Her powers stem from her ability to absorb the rays of Earth's yellow sun, which occurs thanks to her alien physiology. But what species is she?
What species is Daredevil?
Daredevil - whose real name is Matthew Murdock - is a blind lawyer from the Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood in New York City in Marvel comic books. However, at night, he also masquerades as a vigilante. Daredevil is able to fight crime, in spite of being blind, thanks to his other senses being honed to superhuman levels - which includes him having developed a unique "radar sense". He is an incredible hand-to-hand fighter who wields a "Billy Club" and is in peak condition. But what species is he?
What species is Starfox?
Starfox - also know as Eros of Titan - is a Marvel superhero and the brother of the villainous Mad Titan himself, Thanos. Starfox has been a member of the Avengers and possesses superhuman strength, durability and stamina, as well as flight, a regenerative healing factor and psychic control over the emotions of others (which he has used for some very questionable reasons since his first appearance - mainly to manipulate women). But do you know what species Starfox is?
What species is Saint Walker?
Saint Walker - whose real name is Bro'Dee Walker - is a DC superhero who is the leader of the Blue Lantern Corps. Saint Walker was a priest on his home planet and, when it was dying, he gave its people hope, prompting the Blue Lantern Corps ring to choose him as a wielder. With the ring, he has the abilities of flight and a protective aura - he requires a Green Lantern ring to be nearby in order to unlock his ring's full potential. But what species is he?
What species is Sodam Yat?
Sodam Yat is a brave and noble DC superhero and a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Even without a Green Lantern Corps ring, he is an incredibly powerful individual, as he is super-strong, fast and durable, has super-senses, can fly, and has heat vision and freeze breath. With his ring, he can absorb and manipulate energy, and create hard light constructs that are only limited by his willpower and imagination. But do you know what species Sodam Yat is?
What species is Lightning Lad?
Lightning Lad - who also goes by the name Live Wire and whose real name is Garth Ranzz - is a 30th and 31st Century DC superhero who is affiliated with super-teams like the Legion of Super-Heroes, the Workforce and the Legion Rescue Squad. His powers are generally all electrical in nature and include things like electricity generation and manipulation, limited weather control, and the ability to move at superhuman speed by channelling electricity internally. But do you know what species Lightning Lad is?
What species is Jack of Hearts?
Jack of Hearts - whose real name is Jonathan "Jack" Hart - is a Marvel superhero who is affiliated with both the Avengers and the Defenders. His powers come from the mutagenic effect of his father's "Zero Fluid", combined with the alien genes from his mother, and they include concussive blasts, flight, the ability to survive unaided in space, a sensitive brain that senses motion, and increased intelligence, strength, durability and memory. But do you know what species he is?
What species is Maxima?
Maxima is a DC superheroine (as well as an occasional anti-hero and supervillain) who is known for searching for mates among Earth's superpowered male population. She has worked with both the Justice League of America and Extreme Justice. Maxima has a huge array of powers, including superhuman strength, durability, speed and endurance, flight, telekinesis, empathy, telepathy, hypnosis, teleportation, optical force-beams and force field-generation. But do you know what species Maxima is that grants her such a potent plethora of powers and abilities?
What species is Vartox?
Vartox is a DC superhero who is considered as a friend and equal to Superman (the two have shared many an adventure together). Vartox's powers include flight, a high level of invulnerability, superhuman strength and senses, telekinesis, telepathy, energy projection, astral projection, and the ability to transfer those powers to other individuals. But do you know what species the man who bears a striking resemblance to Scottish actor Sean Connery is?
What species is Charlie-27?
Captain Charlie-27 is a Marvel superhero from the 31st Century with strong links to both the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers. He possesses superhuman strength, durability and stamina and, as a militiaman, is very well trained in hand-to-hand combat. He also has the ability to pilot most air and spacecraft, including all of the Guardians of the Galaxy's starships, such as the Freedom's Lady, Captain America I, and Captain America II. But do you know what species Charlie-27 is?
What species is Princess Projectra?
Princess Projectra - otherwise known by the mouthful of an alter-ego Wilimena Morgana Daergina Anaxandra Projectra Velorya Vauxhall - is a DC sorceress from the 30th and 31st century who is affiliated with the Legion of Super-Heroes. She can fly thanks to her Legion Flight Ring, has the ability to create incredibly realistic illusions, can remotely sense danger, and is a fantastic martial artist due to being trained by her husband, the Karate Kid. But do you have any idea what species Princess Projectra is?
What species is Bzzd?
Bzzd is a fly-like member of the Green Lantern Corps whose bravery and willpower far outweighs and contradicts his tiny size. With his power ring, Bzzd is protected by an automatic force-field, can augment his own physical attributes, can travel at great speeds through space, and has the ability to generate hard light constructs that are only limited by his willpower and imagination. He may look like a fly, but he's not a fly as we know them. What species is he actually?
What species is Valkyrie?
Valkyrie - whose lesser-known real name is actually Brunnhilde - is a Marvel warrior and superhero who is strongly associated with a number of super-teams, including her native Valkyrior, the Defenders and the Secret Avengers. She possesses superhuman strength, durability, endurance and longevity, as well as the ability to convey spirits of the dead (mediumship). She excels in sword fighting, as well as unarmed combat and horseback riding. But do you actually know what species this deadly female warrior is?
What species is Sentry?
Sentry - whose real name is Robert Reynolds - is one of the most powerful superheroes in the entire Marvel universe. Sentry has been a member of the New Avengers, the Mighty Avengers and the Dark Avengers - and he's been the most powerful member in all cases. Thanks to an extremely potent serum, he possesses superhuman strength, speed and durability, flight capabilities, a healing factor, telepathy, light manipulation, matter transmutation and intangibility. He also has a dangerous dark side known as the Void. But what species is this mighty superhero?
What species is Jade?
Jade - whose real name is Jennifer-Lynn Hayden - is a DC superheroine and the daughter of Alan Scott, the first Green Lantern ever seen on panel. She is a Green Lantern herself, but also has links to the likes of the Justice League of America, the Outsiders, the Blood Pack and Infinity, Inc. She can fly, absorb and manipulate energy, and create hard light constructs that are only limited by her willpower and imagination. But what species is Jade?
What species is Mister Miracle?
Mister Miracle - who also goes by the name Scott Free - is a DC superhero with strong ties to the Justice League of America. His physiology means he is effectively immortal, super-strong, fast and durable. He also possesses the Alpha Effect - which is the antithesis of Darkseid's Omega Energy - and high-tech equipment such as a Motherbox, Aero Discs and a Multi-cube. Free is a genius and a master escape artist. But do you know what species this powerful hero is?
What species is Orion?
Orion is a DC superhero with strong links to the Justice League of America. He is immortal, super-strong, fast and durable, and is a master combatant with a regenerative healing factor. He possesses a power called the Astro Force (which is channelled through an item he wears called the Astro-Harness) and he has a Mother Box - which is one of the most powerful items in the DC universe. But do you know what species this extremely versatile hero is?
What species is Luke Cage?
Luke Cage is a Marvel superhero and ex-criminal associated with super-teams like the Avengers, the Heroes for Hire, the Fantastic Four, the Defenders and the Thunderbolts. After being immersed in an electrical field conducted by an organic chemical compound, Cage acquired superhuman strength and durability to the extent that he is completely bulletproof - and God help anyone who owes him money, because he'll go through hell and high water to get it back! But do you know what species he is?
What species is Beta Ray Bill?
Beta Ray Bill is a Marvel superhero who is associated with a number of super-teams, including the Annihilators, Omega Flight and the Star Masters. He also has strong ties to Asgard and wields a weapon similar to Thor's Mjolnir called Stormbreaker. Bill is super-strong, durable and quick, while Stormbreaker grants him a plethora of additional abilities, such as flight, weather manipulation and electrical manipulation. He resembles a horse crossed with a duck, but what is Beta Ray Bill's actual species?
What species is Starfire?
Starfire - whose real name is Koriand'r - is a red-haired DC superheroine who has worked with a number of super-teams, including the Teen Titans, the Outsiders, the Justice League of America and the R.E.B.E.L.S. Her innate physiology grants her superhuman physical attributes, faster-than-light flight, a prehensile tongue and energy projection abilities. She is also a master martial artist and a great leader. But what species is Starfire to allow her such a vast array of fantastic powers and abilities?
What species is Sersi?
Sersi is a Marvel superheroine who is affiliated with a number of super-teams - namely the Avengers, the Heroes for Hire, the New Breed and the God Squad. She possesses a plethora of incredible powers, including superhuman strength and durability, molecular and atomic manipulation, psionic powers, flight and nigh-immortality, which makes her one of Marvel's most powerful heroic females. She is also an incredible martial artist. But what species is she to possess such a versatile array of powers and abilities?
What species is Kilowog?
Kilowog is a monstrous, hulking DC superhero and a member of the Green Lantern Corps. In addition to being a Green Lantern (who also happens to train the Corps' new recruits), Kilowog also has links to the likes of the Justice League of America and the Rocket Red Brigade. He can fly, absorb and manipulate energy, and create hard light constructs that are only limited by his willpower and imagination. But what is the name of the monstrous, hulking species that Kilowog belongs to?
What species is Quasar?
Quasar - whose real name is Wendell Vaughn - is a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and Marvel superhero who gained powers when he donned the cosmic items known as the Quantum Bands. He went on to be affiliated with super-teams like the Avengers, the Star Masters and the Annihilators. Quasar possesses flight capabilities, massive energy manipulation powers, the ability to teleport, and the ability to generate solid light constructs. He protects the universe from a wide variety of dangerous cosmic threats, but what species is he?
What species is G'Nort?
G'Nort - whose full name is G'nort Esplanade G Neeshmacher - is a dog-like DC superhero and a member of the Green Lantern Corps (albeit a notoriously incompetent one who is considered a real loser). He also has links to the likes of the Justice League of America and the Darkstars. He can fly, absorb and manipulate energy, and create hard light constructs that are only limited by his willpower and imagination. But what species is this canine-looking comic relief character?