special powers (idea)

To begin with: Batman doesn't have special powers. He is the epitome of the answer to "what would you do with your life if money were no object?" The answer: I'd dress up as a bat and fight crime to avenge my parents' murder! He's filthy rich and physically fit as all hell, but Batman has no special powers.

Special powers are powers that make a given person (or character) stronger, faster, or better than your average Joe in some respect. This can be associated with an emotional trigger, a talisman of some sort, or be inherent. Some examples:

• The Incredible Hulk - when angered, becomes much stronger, but demonstrates poor impulse control.
• Superman - as long as he's not near Kryptonite, he's faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
• The Tick - he's nigh invulnerable!
• He-Man (and She-Ra) - became significantly stronger and gained serious muscle definition when holding a sword aloft and reciting an incantation.
• Lion-O, from the Thundercats - ditto...
• The Flash - superhuman speed
• Dr. Manhattan - has complete knowledge of the space-time continuum, but he can't always fix what ails it, and he's quite moody.

Characters like Batman, the Punisher, Rorschach, and many others are popular because they have no special powers; they simply possess the willpower, resources, and foresight to accomplish any goal they set their mind to, and to accomplish any challenge that presents itself.