History Main / SuperHeroSpeciation

** Interestingly, this can be subverted as each Archetype can take powersets that use the same power concepts, but with different effects; for instance, a [[StoneWall Tanker]], [[GlassCannon Blaster]] and [[SquishyWizard Controller]] can all take [[PlayingWithFire fire]], [[AnIcePerson ice]], [[ShockAndAwe lightning]], etc powers, but they'll each use them in very different ways.

* Somewhat averted in ''PS238'', where characters with superman-like powers (flight, super strength, near invulnerability) are overlooked because there are so many of them, to the point that they are occasionally referred to as numbers. Of course, the main characters mostly have different powers from one another.

-->--'''Green Lantern''' to '''Elongated Man''', ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''

* Possibly more reasonable when dealing with skills rather than powers, though it seems like over time, everyone on the team should get at least a ''little'' familiar with their teammates' skills. Visible in ''Series/TheATeam'', ''MissionImpossible'', etc.

* Back in the SilverAge, the MartianManhunter's powers were very similar to Superman's, except that he had a much easier KryptoniteFactor (fire). PostCrisis, they made him stand out more by stressing his once-rarely-seen powers of shapeshifting, intangibility, and telepathy.

* Both played straight AND averted in ''Film/SkyHigh''. Averted in that there are known 'types' of power categories. Many are mentioned as they try to figure out what the main character's power will be. Played straight in that all of the important characters have different powers.

* For a time there was an actual ''rule'' that JusticeLeagueOfAmerica could not admit members with overlapping/similar powers. They abolished this when they finally allowed {{Hawkman}}'s partner Hawkgirl to join.

* ''OnePiece'' has many kinds of power giving Devil Fruits, but there can never be two of the same fruit or people with the same power at the same time (a fruit's current user dying it what lets their fruit come back for someone else to use).

*** A quasi-example with Gecko Moria and Marshall D. Teach of the Shichibukai. Both have [[DarkIsEdgy Darkness-based]] powers but are used in different ways as a LivingShadow and GravityMaster respectively.

** And by "similar to Superman's" we mean he could make ice-cream out of the vacuum of space and melt limestone by staring at it.
*** What, heat vision can't melt limestone?
** Later on they took the comparison even further stating that J'onn is basically the Franchise/{{Superman}} of the southern hemisphere, which also helped address the problem that not even Superman can be everywhere at once.

* ''CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers'': Each Planeteer had a unique power, and some ([[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway Heart]]) were decidedly more useful than others (Fire).

*** A quasi-example with Gecko Moria and Marshall D. Teach of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Both have [[DarkIsEdgy Darkness-based]] powers but are used in different ways as a LivingShadow and GravityMaster respectively.

* ''OnePiece'' has many kinds of power giving Devil Fruits, but there can never be two of the same fruit at the same time.

** Later on they took the comparison even further stating that J'onn is basically the {{Superman}} of the southern hemisphere, which also helped address the problem that not even Superman can be everywhere at once.

** Strangely, the Legion broke its own rule several times for characters having the SAME powers as Superman, with no apparent explanation. Such members included: {{Superboy}}, {{Supergirl}}, Mon-El (who at least lacked Superman's weakness to Kryptonite- but then so do most people), Ultra Boy (who could use only one of his powers at a time- a limitation rather than a power) and Andromeda (same powers as Mon-El.)

* A variant in TheDCU is Franchise/WonderWoman in terms of operating methods; while Franchise/{{Superman}} will not kill on general principle and Franchise/{{Batman}} is too worried about the SlipperySlope if he does, Diana is a classically trained Greek warrior who does not feel bound by ThouShaltNotKill if the situation demands it.

-->--'''Green Lantern John Stewart''', ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''

* ''Webcomic/PvP'' had the Christmas based superteam "The Jingle Force Five" were Jack Frost and Snowman both had [[AnIcePerson cold powers]] and fight over whose shot took out the evil Kringus.

* Subverted in ''{{Wildguard}}'' were two of its five members have fire powers, but no one can fly - or, for that matter, has especially super strength. Cordelia Hardman even lampshades it.

* A variant in TheDCU is WonderWoman in terms of operating methods; while {{Superman}} will not kill on general principle and {{Batman}} is too worried about the SlipperySlope if he does, Diana is a classically trained Greek warrior who does not feel bound by ThouShaltNotKill if the situation demands it.

** For that matter, this show's version of the Justice League includes Hawkman ''and'' Hawkwoman, plus two {{Green Lantern}}s (Hal and John)! Guy also made a cameo in one episode, though he's not in the League (and Hal and John hastily reject the idea of letting him in). They also have ''four'' {{Flying Brick}}s (Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and Icon- five if you count Martian Manhunter, whose shapeshifting and telepathic abilities are emphasized over strength as in ''Justice League'').
** Played straight with Miss Martian, who acquires the new power of telekinesis which she uses over super-strength. She ''does'' still have super-strength, but that's only according to WordOfGod - it never really shows up in the show.

* ''CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers'': Each Planeteer had a unique power, and some (Fire) were decidedly more useful than others ([[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway Heart]]).

* Both played straight AND averted in ''SkyHigh''. Averted in that there are known 'types' of power categories. Many are mentioned as they try to figure out what the main character's power will be. Played straight in that all of the important characters have different powers.

* Both played straight AND averted in ''SkyHigh''. Averted in that there are known 'types' of power categories. Many are mentioned as they try to figure out what the main characters power will be.
** Played straight in that all of the important characters have different powers.

** Helena's parents are Catwoman and Batman, neither of whom had powers, unless that was changed for this series.