10 Reasons Mr. Terrific is the Smartest Man Alive 

The recent Superman reboot by James Gunn is now a modest hit. However, one of the breakout characters of the film is Mr. Terrific. Fans fell in love with the character’s coolness, bravery, stoicism, and intelligence. It’s amazing that many casual fans who saw a Superman film came out raving more about Mr. Terrific.

In the comic books, Michael Holt, also known as Mr. Terrific, has no powers. His greatest weapon is his intellect and his control and understanding of technology. Depending on who you ask in the comic books, Holt is either the third smartest or the smartest man alive.

Here are 10 reasons why I think Mr. Terrific is the smartest man alive.

1. Mr.Terrific Was a Genius as a Child

Holt does not have any superpowers. His primary super ability is his mind. Holt has the ability to learn anything easily. He had the mindset and understanding of a nuclear physicist when he was a small child. Holt now possesses over 14 Ph.Ds.

2. He Is Known As the 3rd Smartest Man Alive

In the world of DC Comics, Mr. Terrific is the third smartest man in the world. Other characters imply that only Batman and Lex Luthor are smarter than Holt. However, it is never disclosed which character is the smartest. It could be Batman or Lex, depending on the creative team or the point of view of the reader. 

3. Mr. Terrific Might Now Be the Smartest Man Alive

In the 2023 DC Comics series, The Penguin, written by Tom King, The Penguin and Riddler are engaging in a passive-aggressive debate. The Riddler tries to get a rise out of the Penguin, as they are criminal rivals. So, the Penguin mockingly asks him why no one respects the Riddler, given his intelligence?

During this conversation, The Penguin says that Mr. Terrific is basically the smartest man in the world, even ahead of Batman. It is self-serving for one of Batman’s foes to say this, but this fact seems to be canon in current DC Comics as well.

4. He is a Technological Genius

Holt is probably the world’s smartest man when it comes to understanding, manipulating, and interfacing with current, new, and prototype technologies. Mr. Terrific can control any technology he comes into contact with on his terms. He understands and controls technology in a way that most traditional technologists or inventors can’t comprehend. 

His greatest weapon is his T-Spheres. T-Spheres are robot drones that he uses as computers, weapons, and communication devices.

The 2012 Mr. Terrific series showcases Holt’s intellect, how he utilizes technology to fight crime, and how he wants the next generation to do better. This 187-page paperback collects the first six issues of the series. Buy it now on Kindle for $2.99.

5. He is an Olympic-Caliber Athlete

Holt believes in maintaining peak physical fitness at all times. He is an Olympic-caliber athlete who works out regularly and keeps his body in peak physical condition. As Mr. Terrific, he believes that people should strive to be the best version of themselves at all times. In DC Comics, Holt is an Olympic decathlete.

6. Holt is a Master Martial Artist

Like Batman, Holt is a master of several different kinds of martial arts. Holt believes that his body should always be in peak form just as much as his mind. While there is no canonical proof that Mr. Terrific ever fought Batman and won, there is no doubt it would be an epic fight. 

7. Holt is a Self-Made Millionaire

Holt is a child genius, prodigy, and technological genius. He is also a self-made millionaire. He made millions with his company Holt Holdings. Holt’s technologies were so advanced and ahead of their time that Bruce Wayne bought out Holt Holdings. So, there may be some validity to the idea that Mr. Terrific is smarter than Batman.

In Challengers of the Unknown #2, Batman is unnerved by Mr. Terrific’s thought processes and strategies. Even Batman thinks Mr. Terrific goes too far when trying to achieve an objective.

8. He Does Not Let Trauma Hold Him Back

Holt only became Mr. Terrific after his successes, riches, and experiencing trauma. Holt is an atheist who does not believe in God, the soul, or resurrection. He got into a debate with his pregnant wife, a pious woman, about religion, which delayed her church appointment. Holt’s wife and unborn child died in a car accident.

Distraught, Holt was ready to end his life when he met the Spectre. The Spectre made him reassess his purpose in life and told him about the first Golden Age Mr. Terrific, Terry Sloane. Holt finds a new purpose in life and becomes the new Mr. Terrific. 

9. Holt Won’t Let Technology Be Used as a Weapon Against Him

Holt integrates nanobots within his own body so he can better control outside technologies. The nanobots form the T-shaped mask on his face. These nanobots make Holt invisible to all forms of electronic surveillance. 

10. Holt’s Genius Makes Him a Natural Leader

Holt became a member of the Justice Society of America. He also became their leader without trying. While members Sand and Hawkman argued over who should be the leader, the JSA chose Mr. Terrific instead. In the 2018 series The Terrfics, Mr. Terrific became the leader of his own superteam, The Terrifics. 

The Terrifics are a pastiche of characters inspired by the Fantastic Four. Rounding out the team is Phantom Girl, Metamorpho, and Plastic Man. 

Mr. Terrific Deserves His Spotlight

I have been reading about Mr. Terrific since the late 1990s. He is actually the second Mr. Terrific in the comic books. Mr. Terrific is a character who shows that anything is possible if you try hard enough. His only superpower is his mind.

It blows my mind that if James Gunn had not included Mr. Terrific in Superman, then casual readers would not be obsessing over him now. People who had never heard of the character two months ago are now infatuated with him. A lot of credit must go to actor Edi Gathegi’s suave, commanding, and stoic portrayal of the character, too.

If you only found out about the character from the recent Superman film, then I implore you to read his comic books. Read the 2000s era JSA run by Geoff Johns, Mr. Terrific was a member of the team then, and also became the leader. The character also led a comic called The Terrifics, which was a riff on the Fantastic Four.

There is also a limited series, Mr. Terrific: Year One, that is being published now. Remember, the best stories are not in the comic book films; they are in the comic books.

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