Do we need our superheroes to be relatable, or can they just be good characters?

[Tuck]

Wolverine and Punisher are among the most popular comic book characters in America. How many readers would relate to Wolverine and Punisher, both of whom judge and execute bad guys instead of bothering to turn them over to the law?

A good chunk of people on social media from what I can tell.

[Agent Z]

Their are even certain powers that actively work against you being in shape. For example telekinesis. Why would you work out when everything could be done mentally? Building muscle involves breaking down muscle tissue and then letting it grow back stronger. Try doing that if your nearly invulnerable.

There's an argument to be made that the healthier you are, both physically and mentally, the more efficient you are with your powers.

Plus, there's also needing combat training in the event your powers are taken from you.

[DrNewGod]

To be honest it doesn't even make sense to have every superhero in perfect shape because most of them were just regular people who gained powers through accidents or mutations in genetics or technology.

For example, does Scott Lang (my favorite character) need to look like a body-builder? He is a guy who stole a suit. He is supposed to be strong because ants can lift more weight relative to their size.

And why would every X-Man be jacked when most of them have powers that have nothing to do with strength, like freezing stuff or shooting lasers out of their eyes.

And then there are superheros who are kids, like Nadia Van Dyne. She is only 15 so there is no reason she should have an adult woman's body, it's just weird.

For most of what you say, I agree, but Ant-Man and the X-Men both have a reason to be exceptionally fit.

Lang is (was) a catburgler, and at some point had to be in condition for scaling buildings and whatnot. It's believable that he formed a habit of intense fitness regimes.

As for the X-Men, intense training has always been a part of their history; they made more out of training as part of their schtick than anybody else in comics. Several points along the way (notably New Mutants vol. 1, no. 1), the point gets raised that mutant powers are a function of mutant physiology. So in order to develop both their abilities, and their control over their abilities, requires that they hone their bodies.

[KurtW95]

That panel of emasculated Hawkeye is not drawn by David Aja. It’s Leonard Romero.

[ed2962]

For the purposes of discussion comparison and contrast, here's some art from John Buscema who no one would accuse of trying to erase the differences between men and women.

Here's his Hawkeye. While athletic, Clint is kind of lean.

[Colt Cape]

Jonah Hex and Superman aren't relatable, yet they can still be plenty interestin'.

[ed2962]

Here's his Carol. While obviously meant to be pretty, a far cry from the balloon/stripper proportions she gained in the 90's

[ed2962]

Another interesting picture for comparison. Clint is the the least muscular looking of all the men. All the others are ripped but the only one who's really bulky is Hank Pym.

[kjn]

That panel of emasculated Hawkeye is not drawn by David Aja. It’s Leonard Romero.

If you think showing feelings, including being afraid or anxious, is emasculating, then you have an awfully narrow view of masculinity.