Comic book: The curse of having popular superpowers

Healing factor:

Comic book characters: Deadpool, Wolverine

A healing factor is one of the few ideal powers because it has more pros than cons. You’ll never need to see a doctor, you’re immune to everything, and you’re life will be extended. There’s also a plethora of dangerous jobs you can apply to.

There are a few misconceptions about healing powers. First, they don’t take the pain away. Second, healing at an accelerated rate hurts. Lastly, there are still phantom pains. Wolverine brings up the latter in 2005’s X-Men Unlimited No. 12. When it comes to having an extended life, it’s a matter of opinion. You may not mind outliving the people you know. Others might hate it.

Photographic memory

Comic book character: Taskmaster

Taskmaster’s photographic memory was a mystery for years. In Fred Van Lente’s mini-series Taskmaster, he explained the cost of the mercenary’s powers. Since the brain has a finite amount of space, it has to make space for new moves and techniques. This is what happens to Tasky.

Taskmaster forgets something whenever he absorbs a new skill. The more complex things he learns, the bigger the memory. Among the things he’s forgotten is being a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and really a good guy. He also always forgets that he has a wife.

Is forgetting the best moments of your life worth gaining new skills just by seeing them happen?