Since superheroes have super-powered bodies, does this mean that they metabolize alcohol differently? For many, the answer is yes. Heroes like Wolverine are often seen with a bottle in their hands, but the problem is, four beers will affect Wolverine in a much different way than they will Tony Stark.
Alcohol immunity is often attributed to regenerative healing factors or accelerated metabolisms. This suggests that more than a few heroes may be unable to become intoxicated. So, here are some costumed heroes you might catch drunk — or not — at a bar on a Friday night.
Can: Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones drinks pretty much whenever she feels like it. Like her fellow heroes Iron Man, Wolverine, and Captain Marvel, you’ll rarely find her sober. Because of her frequent drinking, she’s built up an impressive tolerance, but that doesn’t mean she’s immune to its effects.
As seen in the Netflix series, Jessica recovers from the effects of alcohol quickly, like when a truck hit her and she just walked away unharmed. However, Jessica isn’t completely invulnerable. She doesn’t blackout or stumble but she does show some signs of intoxication like a short, violent temper.
In both the television show and in the comics, Jessica is a notorious alcoholic and uses liquor to cope with her trauma. In the comics, she only quits hitting the bottle after the birth of her daughter. The superhero detective is very durable, but her powers don’t include any rapid healing factor that could counter alcohol.
Can’t: The Flash
Besides his super speed, Barry Allen’s powers also include an accelerated metabolism. His body metabolizes substances faster than they can affect him. He needs to eat large amounts of food and can rid his body of most poisons and toxins, including alcohol. This is also true of Wally West who needs to eat all the time to keep up with his metabolism, as shown in Young Justice.
In The Flash Season 1 episode “Plastique,” Caitlin tells Barry that his hypermetabolism is to blame. In the Season 4 episode, “Girl’s Night Out,” Cisco crafts a “special concoction” that manages to get Barry drunk. Although the comics don’t explore this particular ability of Barry’s often, a Justice League drinking competition would definitely make for a fun read.
Can: Deadpool
Deadpool’s regenerative abilities make him near immune to most toxins, but he can still feel some of their effects. Much like Wolverine, it takes quite a few drinks to get him drunk, but it’s not impossible. He can recover from any disease or injury, but as seen in the Deadpool movie and its recent sequel, he still feels pain. This means that it would take a while for him to get a buzz and it wouldn’t last long, but he could still become intoxicated.
In the comics, the capacity of Deadpool’s healing factor often varies from writer to writer. However, it’s generally agreed upon that he’s resistant to disease, poisons, and toxins, but not immune. This is shown in Deadpool Vol. 3 #7, a parody of the Demon in a Bottle story arc, when Wade Wilson gets drunk while in Iron Man’s armored suit to make good on a deal with a demon.
Can’t: Captain America
Along with many physical enhancements, the Super Soldier Serum also gifted Steve Rogers with an accelerated metabolism. In Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve tells Peggy Carter that his metabolism is four times faster than that of an average human. Put more simply, it processes alcohol far too efficiently for him to get drunk.
The comic Captain America Vol 1 #261 became controversial in its depiction of a drunk Steve Rogers. Before this, fans believed that Captain America was unable to become intoxicated. In Captain America Vol 4 #27, the modern continuity of the character firmly established that he could not get drunk.
Although Steve Rogers has enjoyed the occasional beer, even if it were possible for him to become intoxicated, he likely wouldn’t drink much due to his family history. Steve’s father, Joseph Rogers, was notorious for being an abusive drunk so Steve would have probably steered away from following in his footsteps.
Can: Thor
Thor, the God of Thunder, comes from a culture of drinking in Asgard. Whether socially or at the extreme level of Valkyrie, Asgardians enjoy their booze. In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor drinks an Asgardian mead with Stan Lee and Steve Rogers that is far more potent than any earthly brew. “[It has been] aged for a thousand years, in the barrels built from the wreck of Brunhilde’s fleet,” Thor tells his drinking buddies in the film. “It’s not meant for mortal men.”
Like the aforementioned Valkyrie, Asgardians can get drunk. In Thor: Ragnarok, Valkyrie is first seen stumbling and falling down drunk. It can then be assumed that even though Thor possesses godly powers, he could also reach that level of intoxication. However, it would likely take an Asgardian brew for him to feel the effects similar to what a regular beer would have on a human.