Dialogue in comics and other media has gotten much better over time. For years, overly corny or unrealistic conversations were a major reason why some people didn’t take superheroes seriously.
Superhero stories used to heavily feature memorable catchphrases – lines repeated by characters so often they became iconic. Now, these are rarely used. But which of these famous comic book lines is not only the most well-known, but also the most impactful?
“SHAZAM!”
Young Billy Batson was selected by a wizard to fight evil, and given a remarkable power: by saying the word “SHAZAM!”, he could instantly gain incredible abilities. This single word transformed the boy into a powerful adult.
Originally, DC Comics planned to name Billy’s superhero alter ego ‘Captain Marvel,’ but a trademark conflict with Marvel Comics forced them to change it. They ended up using his transformation word, ‘SHAZAM!’, as his official name – which actually fits better anyway. It’s a really fun word to shout out, even though fans of The Andy Griffith Show might recognize it as Gomer Pyle’s famous saying.
“What Evil Lurks in the Hearts of Men? The Shadow Knows!”
Man, The Shadow is a total legend. Seriously, Walter B. Gibson created him way back in 1930, and at first, he wasn’t even the main guy! He started as just the voice narrating stories on a radio show called Detective Story Hour before finally getting his own program. It’s crazy to think how much influence that character has had, starting from such humble beginnings.
As a huge fan, one of the things I always loved about The Shadow was the way each radio show – and later the comics – started. That iconic line, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” wasn’t just a cool intro, it really hinted at his incredible power – the ability to sense when something bad was about to happen. Honestly, that phrase is a big reason why The Shadow has always felt so mysterious and a little bit scary, even after all these years!
“It’s Clobberin’ Time!”
People unfamiliar with the Fantastic Four’s origins might not know how difficult it was for Ben Grimm to come to terms with his rocky appearance after the accident that gave him and his friends superpowers. Despite this, the New York pilot always seems to embrace his role as a hero, famously shouting, “It’s clobberin’ time!”
If an ordinary person said this, it would sound ridiculous. But coming from a massive, rocky creature like The Thing, it’s incredibly intimidating.
“Hulk Smash!”
Dr. Bruce Banner is a brilliant scientist, but physically, he’s not very strong. When he transforms into The Incredible Hulk, it’s the opposite – immense strength, but with less intelligence. Luckily, this combination usually works to the Hulk’s advantage.
It doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t talk much when they’re incredibly strong, durable, and practically indestructible. The Hulk’s famous catchphrase, “Hulk smash!,” is a simple, direct way of explaining exactly what he’s going to do as a hero. What more could you possibly need to know?
“Up, Up And Away!”
Superman is known for always being there when people need help. Because he can fly incredibly fast, he can reach anyone, anywhere. In the beginning of his adventures, he famously announced his takeoffs with the phrase, “Up, up and away!”
The phrase became widely known in the 1950s thanks to George Reeves, who played Superman on television. While it hasn’t been used much by the character in movies or TV since then, it’s still one of the most famous superhero quotes of all time. Its popularity has even spread beyond Superman, notably inspiring the title of the 2000 film, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
“Flame On!”
Despite the generally negative reception to Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four, the film did offer a compelling, if disturbing, take on Johnny Storm’s powers. Instead of being able to control his flames like in most versions of the story, this version showed a Johnny Storm constantly engulfed in fire with no way to stop it, exploring a truly nightmarish scenario for the Human Torch.
Many people believe Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, needs to say “Flame on!” to ignite his powers and fly. But that’s actually just a phrase he enjoys saying – and it’s easy to see why! Great catchphrases often sound like magical commands, and it’s fun to imagine that’s true for his signature line.
“Avengers Assemble!”
As a huge MCU fan, I’ll never forget exactly where I was when Captain America said that line during the final battle of the 2019 movie. It had been seven years since we first saw this version of the Avengers team up on the big screen, and honestly, it made all the waiting totally worth it. That moment really brought everything together.
It’s surprising, but Thor actually said the famous line “Avengers Assemble!” first, back in 1964 in Avengers #10. Although Captain America is now most linked to the phrase, it doesn’t really matter who said it originally. Ultimately, a message about working together shouldn’t belong to just one person.
“In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night…”
Unlike most superheroes who gain their powers by accident or decide to become crime-fighters, Green Lanterns like Guy Gardner and Hal Jordan are chosen to join a special group called the Green Lantern Corps. When they become members, they have to say a specific oath.
The complete oath goes, “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!” This is meant as a pledge for all Green Lanterns to uphold while fighting for justice. However, the line “beware my power” gained extra significance when John Stewart became a Lantern, and he particularly emphasized it. This helped establish Green Lanterns as a powerful, intimidating force in the universe, commanding both fear and respect.
“I’m Batman.”
Sometimes, a superhero only needs a memorable way to introduce themselves to create a great catchphrase. No one has done this quite as effectively as Batman, starting with Michael Keaton’s iconic portrayal in Tim Burton’s 1989 film, Batman.
The line “I’m Batman,” delivered with simple confidence and power, quickly became iconic. It’s been repeated in many Batman movies and used by comic book writers to create dramatic moments. It’s easy to see why so many people dream of being Batman – just saying the line is incredibly fun!
“With Great Power There Must Also Come — Great Responsibility!”
Many superhero fans think they know the famous line about power and responsibility, but they might be surprised. It’s often quoted as, “With great power comes great responsibility,” thanks to Sam Raimi’s 2002 Spider-Man movie. However, that exact wording wasn’t originally said by Uncle Ben – at least, not the first time it appeared in the comics.
The famous line, “With great power comes great responsibility!” first appeared in the last panel of Spider-Man’s 1963 comic book debut, Amazing Fantasy #15. Though the wording may vary, the core message—that significant advantages require equally significant duties—remains powerful and is valuable advice for everyone.
Read More
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Sora Guide: Best Build, Emblem and Gameplay Tips
- Brawl Stars December 2025 Brawl Talk: Two New Brawlers, Buffie, Vault, New Skins, Game Modes, and more
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- Best Hero Card Decks in Clash Royale
- Best Arena 9 Decks in Clast Royale
- Clash Royale December 2025: Events, Challenges, Tournaments, and Rewards
- Call of Duty Mobile: DMZ Recon Guide: Overview, How to Play, Progression, and more
- All Brawl Stars Brawliday Rewards For 2025
- Clash Royale Best Arena 14 Decks
- Clash Royale Witch Evolution best decks guide
2025-12-01 06:45