When it comes to Superhero vehicles things can go one of two ways. Either they are absolutely cool, or they’re just downright ridiculous. Both of which can be incredibly entertaining depending on the context and the stories they appear in. But with that being said, overall, I think we can all agree that our favourite superhero vehicles are the ones that leave us in awe, not stitches of laughter.
So that begs the question… what are the coolest superhero vehicles of all time? Which superhero vehicles do we wish existed, so we could sell our organs on the black market to own them? As always, we’ve answered the question so you don’t have to…
Here are 15 Superhero Vehicles That Make Us Nerdgasm!
1. The Batmobile – Batman
Starting with the obvious one that anybody finding themselves in the land of Everything Geek should already know about, we have the Batmobile. Which is easily one the most famous superhero vehicles on this list. And similar to many of the entries on this list, there’s more than just one model of the Batmobile so it’s hard to single one version out. But this is Batman we’re talking about here so you can expect everything from indestructible armour to headlights that shoot laser beams in these bad boys!
Since its first appearance in Detective Comics #27 (1939), we’ve seen the Batmobile appear over 3066 times throughout comic books and various types of media. 12 of these appearances have been in a live action setting, many of which had actual working models built. This means that it’s also one of the only superhero vehicles that actually exist in real life! These cars were no duds either, the Batmobile that was used in Batman & Robin (1997) had a top speed of 350mph!
2. Fantasti-Car – The Fantastic Four
The Fantasti-Car first appeared in Fantastic Four #3 (1961) and despite looking pretty cool (and being on a list about cool superhero vehicles), outside of being a very practical way of travel it’s probably one of the most useless superhero vehicles on this list. Sure, it can carry 1200lbs and splits into four so they can travel singularly… but outside of that, it doesn’t do much else!
That being said, I think one of the coolest things about the Fantasti-Car is how iconic it is. Iconic in the sense that just but looking at its unique design, we’re reminded of our love for the Fantastic Four and how they wouldn’t quite be the same without their Fantasti-Car.
3. Hell Cycle – Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)
This is one of my personal favourites. The Hell Cycle was first seen in Marvel Spotlight #5 (1972) as the trusty steed of Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze). It transformed from a normal motorbike and created a symbiotic-like bond with him whenever it came into contact with his hellfire. This same process would occur with any chosen form of chosen transportation of someone who has been taken over by the Spirit of Vengeance and chosen to become Ghost Rider.
Of course, being a legacy superhero, there has been many Ghost Riders and not all of them rode motorcycles. However, despite some having used different types of vehicles, they have all been powered by hellfire. Meaning they all have similar capabilities and they don’t abide by the natural laws of physics. The Hell Cycle in particular; can travel at demonic speeds, and is also capable of moving across vertical surfaces, bodies of water and even flight. Ghost Rider also had the power to summon the bike at will and command it to do what he wants.
4. Helicarrier – S.H.I.E.L.D.
Most people will already be familiar with the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier after having seen it appear many times in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier made its first appearance long before this in Strange Tales #135 (1965). And to put it simply depicted it’s the floating, mobile headquarters for the intelligence/defence agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D. Although, confusingly, there is always multiple Helicarriers in use at a given time so presumably they now have multiple ready for different uses.
These structures are around 1000ft long! Packed with everything from vortex beams that can transfer people/objects to and from the carrier to the overkill horn (a weapon that is capable of shattering secondary adamantium). Not to mention the fact they also have cloaking systems, radar jammers to go completely undetected as they float through the sky and forcefields to protect them from incoming attacks!
5. Blackbird – X-Men
First seen in X-Men #104 (1977), Blackbird (also known as the X-Jet) is the main mode of transportation used by the X-Men. Usually piloted by Cyclops and Storm, it can travel at speeds up to Mach 4.2 (3,234mph). It was designed with the aim of being more of a spy plane than a weapon, so the space is usually sacrificed for surveillance equipment rather than weaponry. There has been times in the past that the jet has been equipped with weapons such as concussion missiles and automatic lasers, but who needs weapons when you have people like Jean Grey on board, right?
Speaking of surveillance equipment, it has a cloaking device and sensors made by the aliens of the Shi’ar empire. Not to mention an on board Cerebro! What more could a mutant want?
6. SpazzFrag 666 – Lobo
SpazzFrag 666, Spacehog or simply Ramona. Whatever you wanna call this thing there’s no denying that this is one of the coolest DC superhero vehicles! First appearing in Omega Men #3 (1983), Lobo’s Spacehog is a motorcycle shaped vehicle capable of interstellar travel. It goes from 0-60 instantaneously and according to Lobo himself it can go up to several million kilometres per minute. It’s power by a 17-litre 3X turbo engine that runs on “unleaded fuel” which presumably is the same unleaded fuel we use?
It responds to Lobo’s commands, carries multiple built in rocket launchers, and also has extra storage space for whatever weapons Lobo feels like carrying on a given day. Sounds pretty cool right? Well, the only problem is to ride it you need to be able to withstand the vacuum of space and atmospheric conditions as Lobo can, because this space hog was not built to protect you!
7. Mooncopter – Moon Knight
As you can imagine, being a billionaire vigilante with an affinity for Moon-themed equipment, Moon Knight has had a few vehicles we could’ve singled out on this list. However, none of them are as cool as the Mooncopter. First appearing in Werewolf by Night #32 (1975), Moon Knight’s Helicopter (that for some reason, in no way resembles a helicopter) features three under mounted rotors which is apparently enough to make it a helicopter.
Sketchy naming conventions aside, there’s no denying it’s place on the list. Just look at it! Not only does it look good but it’s completely silent when it’s in stealth mode. It can hover and stay completely still without making a sound. And if that’s not enough it’s also equipped with 2.75-inch folding fin aerial rockets, twin 30-millimetre automatic chain guns and 6 Hellfire antitank missiles. So yeah, Moon Knight is not someone to be taken lightly.
8. Punisher’s Battle Van – The Punisher
On the outside it might look like an ordinary van, but as you can see from the picture above it couldn’t be further from that. The Punisher’s Battle Van first appeared in Giant-Size Spider-Man #4 (1975) and it’s pretty impressive. For a start, it’s so heavily armoured, it can tear through most other vehicles with little effort. This is not it’s only offense though. Over the years, we’ve seen it equipped with miniguns, grenade launchers and even sonic weaponry (the latter being used to capture Venom).
One of the coolest features is it’s AI system that allows the Punisher to give the vehicle commands while it drives by itself. This combined with the fact the rear left door can extend so it can be used as a shield whilst firing at targets to the rear allows him to single-handedly drive and shoot simultaneously. The AI system can also be used hack into other computers, police scanners and CB radios.
9. Silver Surfer’s Surfboard – Silver Surfer
What would the Silver Surfer be without his surfboard? Well, he’d still be powerful and silver but he definitely wouldn’t be the Silver Surfer. First appearing in Fantastic Four #48 (1965), the Silver Surfer’s Surfboard was constructed with unknown materials by Silver Surfer’s former master, Galactus.
Covered in the same silvery shine as its master, the board is impervious to practically every type of damage imaginable. Interestingly, it can also be reformed to change its shape into a variety of weapons including drills, spears, and swords. The board always finds its way back to its master and has also been shown to be a sentient being, capable of thought.
10. E.V.A. – Fantomex
Ok, so this is a weird one because E.V.A. literally grew inside Fantomex. She first appeared in New X-Men #129 (2002) an issue after her partner. And for those who don’t know about Fantomex or E.V.A., Fantomex is Weapon XVIII of the Weapon Plus initiative. There, (amongst other things) he was given a detachable nervous system in the form of the techno organism, E.V.A.
Now you’re up to speed on their origins, E.V.A. originally took the form of a ship to transport Fantomex. She was able to change her form to accommodate his needs and adapt to situations. On top of this, she also had the ability to detect lifeforms, see thermal images, emit bioelectric blasts and communicate with her partner telepathically. Eventually, she evolved and took humanoid form after his death.
11. Iron Man’s Armor – Iron Man
Next, we have what is easily one of the most well-known Marvel superhero vehicles on this list, Iron Man’s Armor. Over the years, we’ve had over 72 different versions of Iron Man’s Armor that were created for many different purposes, but the Mark 1 first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 (1962). Since then we’ve seen Space Armor (Model 5), Multiple Stealth Armors, Hulkbuster (Model 13), Extremis Armor (Model 29) and Bleeding Edge Armor (Model 37), just to name a few of the standout models.
We’ve seen them do everything from storing themselves in Tony’s body until mentally commanded to deploy, to using light-bending technology for stealth purposes. Force fields, repulsor beams, laser blade…you name it, it’s been equipped in his armor at some point or other. You’d be hard pressed to find a capability that at least one of his armors haven’t had.
12. Deadpool’s Teleportation Device
Teleportation devices are pretty standard pieces of tech when it comes to comic books, but the thing that makes Deadpool’s Teleportation Device so cool is the man that wields it and how it compliments him as a character. The unkillable merc with a mouth with a teleporter? That’s just asking for trouble… Even Deadpool himself has admitted that he’s overpowered with it at his side.
Over the years, Deadpool has used many different teleportation devices, but the first one we saw him use was in Deadpool Vol.3 #1 (1997) and was created by his friend, Weasel. The device allowed to teleport instantly whether it was behind an enemy for a sneak attack or to travel across worlds, all of this was achievable with one click of a button on his Deadpool logo belt buckle.
13. Transformers – All of the Transformers
Transformers, robots in disguise. How could we miss them off this list? They literally are superhero vehicles. The Transformers began as a toy-line created by Hasbro, they approached Marvel Comics asking them to create a backstory for their toys. This then led to their first comic appearance Transformers Vol.1 #1 (1984). For anyone who’s not familiar with Transformers, they are race of sentient alien robots, who, as their name suggests, have the power to transform into vehicles.
Amongst them are Optimus Prime who can transform into a Freightliner FL86 Semi-Trailer Truck, Megatron who can transform into a tank, Jetfire who transforms into VF-1S Battloid Vexar and many others that between them can transform into just about every awesome vehicle you could possibly think of.
14. Lawmaster – Judge Dredd
Judge Dredd is a law enforcement and judicial officer in an overpopulated crime ridden dystopian future where the police have the power to convict and sentence criminals on the spot. He has a lot of high-tech equipment at his disposal but Judge Dredd’s Lawmaster contains most of the essential tools needed for him to carry out his duties as a street judge.
It first appeared in IPC Magazines’, 2000 AD No.2 (1977) and has a built-in computer system with limited AI allowing them to respond to commands. They’re also heavily armoured, and armed with dual mounted 20mm machine guns, lasers and stun gas grenade launchers. The Lawmaster also carries a widow maker (a form of shotgun), detaining equipment and CSI equipment. All of these features give it everything needed to be the judge’s mobile hall of justice.
15. Black Beauty – Green Hornet
Green Hornet was first introduced the world through a radio show in 1936. His first appearance in comic books came later on in Green Hornet Comics #1 (1940). He and his sidekick Kato pose as criminal outlaws in order to infiltrate the underworld and fight crime. So, depending on how you look at it this could technically make his vehicle Black Beauty, both a supervillain vehicle and a superhero vehicle.
There has been different versions of Black Beauty with the make and model of the car varying depending on when the story is set, but each version of the vehicle has been a black car kitted out to the nines with weapons and gadgets.
Various working versions of Black Beauty have been created for different projects over the years. Meaning, that just like the Batmobile, it’s also another one of the few superhero vehicles that actually exist in real life.
