DC's Strongest Hero Is God-Tier, And He Makes Darkseid Look Pathetic

There is no shortage of powerful figures in the DC Universe. Superman is certainly a force to be reckoned with, but even the Man of Steel doesn't come close to matching the might of the serious powerhouses that make up the oldest superhero universe in comics. With figures like Lady Blaze, Lord Satanus, and Neron watching over Hell, and the New Gods running around on New Genesis and Apokolips, most of the heroes wouldn't stand a chance going one-on-one with the truly powerful beings of the universe. But, above them all is one figure. A hero — at least they are usually a hero — who is so powerful no one can truly stop them. The Spectre.

The embodiment of God's wrath, the Spectre is an unstoppable force that is always on the lookout for sinners who need to learn a lesson, and his lessons are not easy. A sometimes member of the Justice Society, the Spectre is often connected to a human host to help them stay in control and not go too far in taking vengeance against others. But when the being loses its human anchor, which isn't uncommon, there is nothing in the DC Universe that can stop it if it wishes to lay its vengeance upon the galaxy.

The Spectre's Power Has Only Increased

When he was first introduced in More Fun Comics #52, the Spectre wasn't as powerful as he would later become. He was already the agent of devine justice, but his connection to the recently murdered Jim Corrigan helped keep the celestial being grounded. He soon joined the Justice Society and, in time, became an almost comedic character, acting as the protector of a clumsy cop named Percival Pop. As the superhero genre lost its initial audience, Spectre vanished from the comics in 1944.

But a good idea doesn't stay buried for long, and in 1966 Spectre was brought back with a vengeance (if you'll excuse the pun). It was Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson who resurrected Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily's creation and returned him to his original concept as an avenging spirit. They also upped Specter's power, making him one of the most powerful characters at DC. And to show just how powerful Spectre was, Fox made him a central figure in an early Crisis event in Justice League of America #46-47. In the story, the Spectre is forced to keep the two Earths from slamming together by literally pushing them apart.

And he would only get more powerful from there.

The Spectre Can Only Be Reined In By God

Even with a human host to give the Spectre a sense of morality beyond vengeance, the divine being is still unbelievably powerful. In Crisis on Infinite Earths, Spectre takes the Anti-Monitor on and nearly defeats him, but holds back because killing the Anti-Monitor would erase countless others from existence. In America vs The Justice Society, when the JSA is put on trial by Congress, Spectre offers to transport his former teammates to another reality and throw Earth-Two into the sun. He also threatens to pull the soul out of a congressman. Clearly Spectre is not to be toyed with.

But in those moments, Spectre was still connected to a human soul. When he isn't things get real bad for everyone. In Bill Willingham and Justiniano's Day of Vengeance, an unmoored Spectre is convinced by the underrated Eclipso that all magic users are evil and begins to take his vengeance out on them. Spectre goes on a spree, ripping the Wizard Shazam in two and killing Nabu, the Lord of Order, as well. That's when God finally notices what is happening and forces Spectre to join with a human host, stopping the bloodshed. But if God had not stepped in, nothing could have kept Spectre from killing everyone.

When the only way to stop someone from destroying all creation if for God to show up and put an end to it, it's safe to say you've seen the most dangerous threat the universe will ever face.