It wouldn't be fair to include trans or skyfather characters which I consider most mages to be given their nature. Sure, many of them have limitations but they can amp giving the time and preperation. Also, anyone using artifacts or arsenal shouldn't be included (Orion). I'm going to limit my list to High Heralds:
The S on the chest shows up in just about very dc comic... How's that for versatility?
Lol.
If you go with overall history
The guy developed tvo... At one point had electromagnetic powers etc etc...
__________________ Quotes from Hia8:
"I claimed that the science is sometimes faulty."
"You don't understand. This is fiction. That means none of this stuff really happened."
"There is no writer to purposely ignore a character's natural ability just because it suits the story."
"in some cases because the writer knows that Character A will dominate Character B easily and refuses to allow this to happen for the sake of the story."
They aren't the most versatile, but way more versatile than what people initially think. They possess the ability to alter and change weather patterns, can provide raw magical source for spells, can summon appratus such as deep space equipment, can alter their form with the Shazam spell, can amp or occasionally throw lightning bolts, possess an extreme wealth of knowledge instantly for their gratification, etc. A lot more than flight, superstrength, invulnerability, and speed.
Although, I agree with your statement. I wouldn't include motherboxes. In my opinion, versatility comes from within the characters own powerset (Exluding Green Lantern).
Honestly, if they're below Kryptonians, it wouldn't really be by a huge margin. Kryptonians have the extra-sensory powers and vision powersets, and Marvel possess enhanced senses - enough to hear sweatdrops, apparently - as well as their psychological powers.
In a fight, Superman boasts more versatility than Marvel, but on the whole, not by a massive degree, imo.
Yes, but I don't put Kryptonians at the top either, so 'near kryptonians' IMO doesn't get them on the list
That's why I say the motherboxes themselves, rather than the holders of MBs They're living things, after all.
Ironically, they tend not to add all that much versatility to the wielder. Generally they help in the person's specialty, and providing boom tubes and healing, and that's about it 90% of the time. But the same motherbox'll do 20 different things when you hand it to 20 different characters, and a few characters use them a lot more than most, like Mr. Miracle.
Mmm, very interesting. I've always considered Motherboxes to be versatile, but never understood them quite well until you described them. So basically what your saying is that they amp the characters abilities?
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Motherboxes is Granny Goodness in the "Rock of Ages" story arc by Grant Morrison. Her life essense, or something like that was one with the motherbox.
For example, Orion's box contains his rage, masks his true harsher appearance as Darkseid's son, and help increase his healing ability when hurt (as well as often doing various one-off tasks). When given to Oracle, it upgraded her computers and iirc gave her technopathy, and when given to Steel when he was on a planet of evil telepaths, it created a mind-shield for him so he could act without being detected.
Mr. Miracle's box helps him plan his escapes and run the various gadgets he caries. The Tomorrow People used their box to harness their powers to summon Infinity Man, as well as a variety of utilitarian one-off purposes. At one point when Shazam was on New Genesis, Captain Marvel was given one so he could access Shazam's lightning despite being in a different dimension.
And any Motherbox could do any of that and more (though not at once. Versatility is much higher than multi-tasking).
In short, they do what is needed for their holder.
Ah yes, that would be the "Grandmother Box". Rather atypical, true Motherboxes are universally good.
Similarly, there's a Fatherbox Darkseid made as a darker copy to a motherbox, and another unrelated Fatherbox that is one of the seven treasures left to Earth's first superheroes by New Genesis. Iirc, that fatherbox gave a girl Zatanna-like powers.
without any doubt or question superman 1 million (kal kent) is the most versatile in DC universe, he is basically PC superman on steroids he is a telepath has telekinesis matter manipulation he has 5 dimension being powers he can manipulate energy force fields turn himself to pure energy he controls ESP he basically got any power you want and is limited to his will power as we see him almost dying having no power left and still breaking the time barrier 853 centeries into the future which was stated as impossible for anyone