I was a comic book reader when I was a kid, but I didn't really care for superhero comics. I didn't read Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, the Green Lantern, the Fantastic Four or anything like that unless someone (generally my parents or grandparents) bought me a copy. I was more into the Archies and Dennis the Menace than the DC and Marvel universes.
However, it's still fun to think about being a superhero and have a discussion about it. The question I usually ask is: If you could have just one super ability, what would you prefer?
You can come up with a good argument for any answer. Super strength comes in handy when you're working or fighting. The ability to fly would certainly save you money on transportation. Invisibility and x-ray vision would both be fun. And you can think of a million instances, I'm sure, where the ability to morph into any shape or substance could work out well.
Personally, I'd opt for super intelligence, something in the neighborhood of a 500 IQ. I think it was Paul J. who said he'd like to be able to speak, understand, read and write in every language that exists. Your own preference may vary.
This morning I checked the Internet to see if anyone had compiled a list of the most coveted super powers. And yes, they had.
This is a list I found at askmen.com. It's the top ten super abilities wanted by men.
Number 10, the Green Lantern's telepathy. Imagine being able to find out what women really want. Or imagine your advantage the next time you play poker.
Number 9, Plastic Man's elasticity. Never again would you have an itch you can't scratch.
Number 8, Thor's reflexes. They'd come in handy in sports. You could lead the NBA in steals and blocked shots and lead the NFL in tackles and fumble recoveries.
Number 7, Wolverine's accelerated healing. Medical bills would be a thing of the past.
Number 6, the Invisible Man's invisibility. I'm not sure this one could be used ethically, but it would increase your abiliteis in eavesdropping, insider trading and being a peeping tom.
Number 5, Professor X's memory manipulation. Another one that's probably not so ethical. You'd have the ability to plant false memories into other people's minds. For instance, you could make the boss remember that he promised you a raise. And you could do it every day.
Number 4, Leader's superhuman intelligence. I imagine your ability to achieve an advanced degree in any discipline would be useful. You also might be able to solve all of the world's solvable problems. And you could clean up on Jeopardy.
Number 3, Flash's foot speed. Big savings on gasoline, plane tickets and shipping costs.
Number 2, Superman's power of flight. Same deal. Have you ever been stranded somewhere? Not anymore.
Number 1, the Hulk's superhuman strength. Actually, I'd prefer Superman's superhuman strength over the Hulk's, but only because I can't think of that many things that need smashing.
Didn't see your favorite in the top ten? There are plenty of other abilities, and a lot of them are silly. In "Mystery Men", Ben Stiller's character Mr. Furious had the ability to get really, really mad. Another character could become invisible, but only if nobody was looking at him. And what would it be like to have a super-metabolizing liver? Or a universal mute button? Or a wallet that's never empty?
I do think there's a very fine line between superheroes and super villains. And it's an easy line to cross.
