Which superheroes would actually be the most powerful in the DCU realistically.

[mathew101281]

I’d probably say magic users followed the Flash. Martian man hunter is way more powerful then he is usually shown.

[j9ac9k]

Firestorm's transmutation powers

Green Lanterns

[NaVi]

The moment you mention realism, you eliminate all the powers that real science cannot explain, magic, reality control, powers like that are left out, so the most powerful would be cap atom type heroes.

[Ra-El]

Whoever the fastest Flahs is.

[Ascended]

Anyone who's a telepath.

Magic goes right out the window because "realism" and physics rules out anyone with physical powers. Flash? Runs right off the surface of the earth and bounces off the moon before imploding in the void of space. Superman? Cuts people to ribbons by catching them at terminal velocity, or watches a building collapse under its own weight when he tries to lift it. Nuclear powered heroes like Captain Atom and Firestorm? If they don't give themselves cancer and cook themselves alive within ten minutes, they're likely going to cook their entire city like a bad tv dinner.

If you try to apply real world science to these characters they become useless; most would be capable of only sitting around their homes, very carefully doing nothing. So the winner of this contest is anyone who can still go to their job; the psychics, possibly the shapeshifters or Lanterns.

[lemonpeace]

if by realistically you mean free of plot contrivances (so going full Zenkichi Devil Style) I would have to say Martian Manhunter. physically not many are matching him just due to sheer versatility, let alone brute physicality, and then he has the psychological advantage with his massively powerful telepathy. We saw what happened when he went Fernus, now imagine that situation free of plot convenience.

conversely, Batman is a mid-tier street leveler in this scenario and he loses to at least 4 or 5 of his own proteges.

[vasir12]

Anyone who's a telepath.

Magic goes right out the window because "realism" and physics rules out anyone with physical powers. Flash? Runs right off the surface of the earth and bounces off the moon before imploding in the void of space. Superman? Cuts people to ribbons by catching them at terminal velocity, or watches a building collapse under its own weight when he tries to lift it. Nuclear powered heroes like Captain Atom and Firestorm? If they don't give themselves cancer and cook themselves alive within ten minutes, they're likely going to cook their entire city like a bad tv dinner.

If you try to apply real world science to these characters they become useless; most would be capable of only sitting around their homes, very carefully doing nothing. So the winner of this contest is anyone who can still go to their job; the psychics, possibly the shapeshifters or Lanterns.

I think this thread isn't really talking about "realistic" but rather "internally consistent."

I'd say any person that can break the light barrier.

[Sandy Hausler]

Firestorm's transmutation powers

Right and Element Lad of the Legion, too.