Heroic Catchphrases You'll Never Forget
If you're a big comic book and superhero fan, you must know—and have your own personalized ranking of—countless memorable catchphrases. And let's face it: a great slogan can make or break a character. From Robin's hilarious "Holy" sayings to Superman's classic "Up, up, and away," here are 20 iconic superhero lines you know and love.
1. It's Clobberin' Time!
Anybody familiar with Fantastic Four will know this line, said by the Thing, or Ben Grimm. An astronaut and pilot, Grimm gained superpowers after exposure to cosmic radiation, which transformed him into an orange-skinned creature with superhuman strength.
Carter McKendry from New York, NY, United States on Wikimedia
2. My Spider-Sense Is Tingling
The all-time classic Spider-Man phrase! Of course, some may argue that "With great power, there must also come great responsibility" is the iconic tagline, but the first appearance of this quote came in 1962 in Amazing Fantasy #15, written by Stan Lee, in a narrative bubble.
Road Trip with Raj on Unsplash
3. Holy __, Batman!
Robin, Batman's ever-trusty sidekick, is known for saying iconic, ridiculous exclamations and sayings. We won't rank them, but by far some of the most beloved ones are: "Holy Tintinnabulation!"; "Holy Contributing to the Delinquency of Minors!"; "Holy Bouncy Boiler Plate!"; "Holy Switcheroo!"; and many, many more.
4. I'm the Best There Is At What I Do
Wolverine is likely one of the most well-known and loved characters from X-Men. His famous line—"I'm the best there is at what I do, but what I do best isn't very nice"—is one of many memorable quotes and appears in several issues, including the Wolverine mini-series published in 1982.
5. I Have the Power!
If you ever heard—or still hear—kids running around, holding sticks above their heads and declaring "I have the power!" it's probably because they're trying to channel their inner He-Man from Masters of the Universe. That's how you know a phrase is iconic, when kids still remember it decades later.
6. Hulk Smash!
Popularized by Hulk (what a surprise), "Hulk smash" is what this green-skinned creature with monstrous strength says when he's about to destroy everything in sight, so you might want to call your insurance broker. It doesn't help that Hulk is always angry, either.
7. Great Hera/Suffering Sappho!
Wonder Woman is known for exclaiming "Great Hera!" or "Suffering Sappho!" which have both become her catchphrases. Both Hera and Sappho are Greek goddesses, and the latter is a famous lyric poet (known as one of the greatest of all time) who lived on the island of Lesbos.
8. Up, Up, and Away
Anyone who knows Superman (and even if you don't) will know this catchphrase. It's said in reference to his flying capabilities, which is why he'll utter this before taking flight. But this quote has become so well known it's been popularized elsewhere in media, inspiring song titles, album names, and more.
9. Flame On!
After cosmic radiation turned Johnny Storm's body into a literal fiery torch—fittingly, his superhero alias is the Human Torch—he shouts "Flame on!" whenever he's about to turn into a human volcano. Technically, saying this is redundant since he can burst into flames at will, but it still stuck.
The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA on Wikimedia
10. I'm the Fastest Man Alive
Barry Allen, a.k.a the Flash in the Arrowverse franchise, is known for several catchphrases, though this is likely one of his most famous: "My name is Barry Allen, and I'm the fastest man alive." It definitely makes for a memorable introduction and first impression if you're unfamiliar with the character.
11. I Am Groot
If you watched Guardians of the Galaxy, then you probably know that 90% of the time, a sentient tree alien only repeats "I am Groot" every time he's on the screen. Despite speaking just three words most of the time, the line has become as iconic as Groot himself.
12. I'm Batman
When a superhero has probably the most boring (yes, boring) catchphrase ever but still remains a classic, beloved figure, you know the creator did something right. It's a good thing Batman makes up for it in every other way, from his looks to his powers.
13. Avengers Assemble
Though not said by any one superhero and referring to a group, "Avengers assemble" is such an iconic line that it needs no elaboration. Seriously, what's cooler than a catchphrase that calls the strongest heroes to gather and fight together?
14. To Me, My X-Men
One of the most—if not the most—memorable lines from X-Men is this one, said by Professor X, known also as Charles Xavier. Even though Cyclops later booted him from leadership and took the quote himself, it's still widely recognized (and actually wasn't popularized until 2013).
15. Odin's Beard
You're almost guaranteed to hear this catchphrase from Thor, whether you read the comics or watch the shows and movies. Sure, it might not be as unique or jazzy as the other superhero sayings out there, but it's Thor, so that counts for something.
16. Sweet Christmas!
"Sweet Christmas" isn't the original phrase from Luke Cage; in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #3, written by Archie Goodwin, he exclaims "Sweet sister!" It wasn't until Power Man #27 by Bill Mantlo that the catchphrases were combined into the one we know today.
Marnie Joyce from New York City, USA on Wikimedia
17. In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night
Arguably one of the most memorable things of the Green Lantern saga is the oath, said before jumping into action. Honestly, the oath sounds so powerful, you might be able to conjure up newfound abilities just by saying it out loud: "In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"
Phalinn Ooi from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wikimedia
18. Cowabunga
A favorite line of Michelangelo, one of the members (particularly, the one with nunchucks) of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is "Cowabunga." Though the phrase actually picked up on-screen in the 1987 animated series before the comics, it became so popular it remains a staple of the franchise.
19. Spoon!
Probably one of the most ridiculous catchphrases of all time is the one attributed to the Tick: "Spoon!" It somehow stuck when, in Tick #7, he randomly shouted it out while looking at said utensil, then declared it to be his battle cry. Bizarre as it is, it's... memorable, that's for sure.
20. Oh My Stars and Garters
If you didn't know the origin of this phrase, you would probably find it nonsensical and it might blow over your head. But if you're well-versed in the arts like Beast is, you would know it's a line (without the "garters" part) taken from The Troublesome Raigne and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, a 1593 play written by Christopher Marlowe.
