What is the true meaning of power?

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silversurfer89

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In the comic book world, what does power really mean? When we say that character is powerful, which power are we referring too?

1. Strength

2. Amount of force to do something

3. Amount of effects that one can do with a certain spell, move, magic trick...etc

4. Amount of spells, effects magic, moves that one can do...

Example:Hulk is more powerful then Silver Surfer when it comes to strength, but Silver Surfer overall more powerful than Hulk because of the Power Cosmic...

Is this statement true? How would you apply this to characters?

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JonSmith

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#2  Edited By JonSmith

Pretty sure power is an average of all those factors, a compiled sum to reflect a character's overall ability. So in the proposed scenario, Silver Surfer would indeed be more powerful than Hulk.

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Imperfect_Cell

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A unit of work divided by a unit of time....

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Rpgesus

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@jonsmith said:

Pretty sure power is an average of all those factors, a compiled sum to reflect a character's overall ability. So in the proposed scenario, Silver Surfer would indeed be more powerful than Hulk.

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silversurfer89

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#5  Edited By silversurfer89

So is Surfer more powerful than Superman as well?

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Rpgesus

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@silversurfer89: i think so but some people may think superman has a big enough advantage in combat speed, striking power or durability to outweigh silver surfers versatility. so it really depends

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SuperDrummer

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Power resides where men believe it resides.

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JediXMan

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#8 JediXMan  Moderator

The ability to cause change.

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azdahahn

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Real true power is manipulation of all matter down to the atomic level. With that you control anything and eveeything at once.

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Blade_R

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@jonsmith said:

Pretty sure power is an average of all those factors, a compiled sum to reflect a character's overall ability.

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Sun-Wukong

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So is Surfer more powerful than Superman as well?

Going to assume you are talking about post crisis, in answer yes and no.

Surfer has a DC advantage and some can absorb energy to an extend. Superman has better speed, durability, strength advantage.

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Masker

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combine all of them and you come close, however sometimes it's just relative...

who's more powerful, Ironman or Daredevil? most people would say Ironman, but take away his armor and gadgets and make him fight 10 thugs while blindfolded, and he's nothing...

power is relative to each ability, but in general the more abilities you have the more powerful you become... and of course the more useful those abilities are, the more powerful you become

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HolyMistress

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No Caption Provided

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conner_wolf

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#14  Edited By conner_wolf

@silversurfer89:

"Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."-Sun Tzu

And cue Palpatine Gifs

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andr4132

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It reflects pretty much the particular character's overall abilities.

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MasterKungFu

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something to fear

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MrHamWallet

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Power can mean overall or just an ability that someone possess' that doesn't require strength. For example Jean Grey's TK is a power, she's not as physically strong as Hulk but when hosting the Phoenix Force she's definitely more powerful.

Versatility can come into it too, Silver Surfer is of comparable strength to the Hulk considering he can amp himself with the power cosmic too. At a certain point the Hulk should become stronger, but Surfer could still effortlessly beat him due to his power in other abilities.

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Redatom1234

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Being better or above someone...being batman

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DEADPOOL

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#19  Edited By DEADPOOL

It's an ambiguous term, no doubt. It could mean any number of things depending on what's at the disposal of whomsoever is saying it or whom it's referring to.

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JohnnyZ256

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Boris Zhukov is a lot less powerful than Captain America. Do you understand now?