Throughout human history, people have been fascinated by the four classical elements — air, water, fire, and earth. As a result, these primal forces have often featured in mythology, both old and new. In Marvel Comics, various characters use their powers to tap into these core elements, making the people wielding them some of the strongest beings in the world.
Some of Marvel’s heroes and villains specialize in only one element, such as control over fire. However, several characters can actually use multiple elements when fighting their enemies or helping innocent bystanders. Storm, of the X-Men, is one of the best known wielders of elemental powers, but she is far from the only one in Marvel Comics.
10 Storm
Storm is best known for her role in the X-Men. However, as she developed over time, she took on far greater roles in the Marvel Comics universe. Storm has become a powerful leader among Mutants, first for the X-Men, and more recently as a member of the ruling councils of both Krakoa and Arakko.
Storm can use several of the elements to devastating effect. By controlling the weather, she can contain her opponents with powerful winds, or lash them with rain or hail. She can set things ablaze using lightning. With so many formidable and diverse uses for her powers, it’s no wonder Storm was originally worshiped as a goddess.
9 Hydro-Man
Morris Bench was working on a cargo ship when he was accidentally pushed overboard by Spider-Man. An experimental device was in the water at the time, and it altered Bench’s body so that he could transform into a being made of water. Bench became Hydro-Man, a superpowered villain who blamed Spider-Man for his transformation.
Hydro-Man’s powers make him a daunting opponent in a physical fight. He can turn to water before anyone can hit him. Hydro-Man can also control every drop of water comprising his body, allowing him to reform even when parts of him are far away. The simplistic nature of his powers leave him open to some major weaknesses though, such as freezing or electrocution.
8 Human Torch
After being bombarded with cosmic rays, Johnny Storm developed the ability to envelop his body in flames, earning him the nickname “The Human Torch.” Over the years, the Human Torch’s competitive nature drove him to push his powers even further. His current powers comprise a range of fire-related abilities.
Human Torch can cover his body in flame, or transform into a being made of flame that physical objects can pass through. He can project shapes or tools made of fire from his body, including super-hot bursts of “nova flame.” Human Torch’s abilities also have given him the power of flight, and the ability to change the temperature of his surroundings — making things hotter and colder.
7 Rictor
One of the most powerful wielders of earth-powers in Marvel Comics is Julio Richter, a Mutant hero who belonged to numerous X-teams, including X-Force and X-Factor. Going by the nickname Rictor, his powers first manifested as seismic abilities, creating powerful earthquakes that devastated his area.
Over time, Rictor gained more control over his formidable abilities. He can still create seismic events, but he can now shape the earth, create earth-based projectiles, and easily create passages through it. Rictor's earth affinity has also given him some amount of control over both plants and lava, including a thermal resistance that prevents lava from harming him.
6 Thor
Many fans know Thor and his brother Loki from their appearances in the MCU. However, Thor’s powers are even more impressive in Marvel Comics. All Asgardians possess superhuman strength and durability, but as the god of strength, Thor’s might surpasses even that of his people. He also possesses superhuman speed, agility, healing, and longevity.
Thor is best known as the god of thunder. Like Storm, Thor can control the weather, creating winds, rains, and lightning. Thor’s power over the weather is so strong that he can create planet-wide blizzards, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tidal waves. With powers of that magnitude, it’s no wonder Thor was worshiped as a god on Earth.
5 Iceman
Iceman was one of the founding members of the X-Men. When he was young, he could freeze objects and turn himself into a snowman-like form. As he grew up, Iceman struggled to improve and grow his powers. Then he received a glimpse of his incredible potential after he was temporarily controlled by the powerful telepath Emma Frost.
Currently, Iceman is considered an Omega-level mutant. His power and control over water and ice are unparalleled. Iceman can control water and ice on a molecular level, and has used his ice to stop things as powerful as atomic bombs and the Hulk. Iceman’s control over water on a planetary scale was even instrumental in terraforming Mars into Arrako.
4 Firestar
Like most mutants, Firestar discovered her powers when she was 13 years old. Although her powers technically allow her to control microwave radiation, it most often manifests itself in the form of plasma and flames. Firestar can project these flames and use them to fly.
Firestar is still young and in learning more about the limits of her powers. So far, she seems to be incredibly powerful, but she often holds back when on Earth for fear of hurting others. Firestar is an enthusiastic team member currently serving on the X-Men, but she has also teamed up with other heroes in order to save lives.
3 Quake
When Quake’s powers first manifested, she believed she was a mutant. It turned out that she was actually an Inhuman, granting her the enhanced reflexes, strength, speed, and endurance common to her people. Quake’s power is the control of vibrations.
Quake can create violent earthquakes, but she has also developed fine control over her vibration powers. On one occasion, she was able to pinpoint and destroy Wolverine’s heart in his chest with her powers. Quake has used her abilities both as a member of the Avengers and as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2 Cyclone
In comic books, Cyclone is usually known as a hero in DC Comics. However, there is also a character named Cyclone in Marvel Comics who is far less heroic. André Gerard was a French engineer who designed a suit that created powerful, swirling winds around his body. He became a villain who fought against Spider-Man and the Avengers.
Although Cyclone’s suit gave him incredible control over tornado-strength winds, he did not have any natural superpowers or durability. This weakness ended up being his downfall, as he died not once, but twice, after the Hood resurrected him the first time. His suit was later used by Maggia member Pierre Fresson, who also went by Cyclone.
1 Crystal
Crystal is an inhuman and sister to queen Medusa of the Inhumans. Like most Inhumans, she possesses enhanced strength, endurance, speed, and reflexes. Her main power, however, is control over the four classical elements of earth, wind, fire, and water.
Crystal can control the elements at an atomic level using her mind. She can fly using the wind. She has levitated entire cities using her power over earth. Crystal can spontaneously create water, and manipulate temperatures, growing or shrinking flames. Because of her fine control, Crystal can also sense anything made of the elements, giving her incredible perceptive abilities.