History Main / BroughtDownToNormal

** ''ComicBook/UltimateThor'' has it revealed that, after Loki destroyed Asgard, Thor was reborn as a human. It takes up until Ultimates 2 for him to regain his full might. And when he does...

* A very important plot point in the semi-canon ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters: KYO'' manga. [[spoiler: One of Kyo's basic motivations to fight was [[DeclarationOfProtection protecting his loved ones]], as seen in a flashback he confided on his mother as a little boy, but as he grew up he gradually forgot it. At some point in the manga, Kyo started having self-doubts (like when a boy interested in his girlfriend Yuki beat him in a judo challenge), which ended up catching with him and caused him to lose his PlayingWithFire powers. This drove Kyo to [[HeroicBSOD close himself off his friends]] and have a big slump in his fighting skills... and almost to become BrainwashedAndCrazy by {{Orochi}}. Once he remembers his real fighting motivation thanks to his father staging a mix of HostageSituation and BatmanGambit, however, Kyo's beloved powers return.]]

* In ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea 4|APromiseUnforgotten}}'', the main character had this happen to him because [[spoiler: he refuses to break a promise he made not to drink human blood]]. Slightly subverted in that, thanks to [[ItMakesSenseInContext The Power Of Sardines]], he is still stronger than most of the enemies thrown his way. "Normal", in Hades, is still pretty badass.

* Iori Yagami as of ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters XII'' & ''XIII''. He can still tear you a new asshole with his bare hands.

* In "VideoGame/MortalKombat11", as Raiden [[LigtningFireJuxtaposition fused with Revenant Liu Kang]], which led to his past self becoming one with both, Liu Kang becomes Fire God, now rendering Raiden a mortal. In "VideoGame/MortalKombat1", Raiden is made to be a human by Liu Kang in his New Era to reflect this, as a farmer of Fengjian fields rather than a god.

* [[spoiler:Habaek]] from ''Manhwa/TheBrideOfTheWaterGod'' give up his powers to be with So-ah and have a normal life together. [[spoiler:Sadly, there's a problem within it...]]

* ''ComicBook/{{Nightwing}}'': In the {{Elseworlds}} series ''ComicBook/NightwingTheNewOrder'' Nightwing's initial attack ended up removing the powers of about 90% of the superhuman population's powers. The weapon Dick uses is shown to affect everyone with superpowers, regardless of source. At least it doesn't affect Lantern rings, showing that the writers at least did more research than Doug Moench. This is explained when it is revealed the device is [[spoiler:a weapon from Apokolips, designed to neutralize a planet to make it easier to invade]].

* Cole experienced this in ''Series/{{Tracker}}'', thanks to an energy weapon made by one of Zin's guys. It nullified his Cirronian energy, and he was essentially human until Mel realized she could power him up again.

* Former KnightTemplar Cass/Sister Kassdy from ''Literature/SoulRider'' agreed to give up all of her flux powers as part of becoming TheAtoner. Ironically, this actually results in her becoming even ''more'' badass since the mechanism involved also makes her totally ''immune'' to those powers, tuning her into every flux manipulator's worst nightmare: a ferocious MamaBear who cannot be injured -- or even detected -- by their powers. Given that most of the heroes are members of her extended family she is thus a person much to be feared. Fortunately for the bad guys the heroes tend to keep 'Grandma' in reserve until the absolutely last moment because she can't be healed by magic either.
* In ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'', ysalamiri are creatures that "[[PowerNullifier push back]]" the Force for a space of a few meters each. Their planet of origin has so many that on that world, the Force is inaccessible, which makes Luke Skywalker have some difficulties when he's [[Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy imprisoned on it]] and later has to go through a forest crowded with beasts that hunt Force-Sensitives. Interestingly, in ''[[Literature/JediAcademyTrilogy I, Jedi]]'', Corran Horn notices that when in a ysalamiri's field Luke seems younger and more optimistic, since not sensing the greater galaxy also means a reprieve from sensing his overwhelming responsibilities.

* In the ''Series/BabylonFive'' episode "[[Recap/BabylonFiveS03E06DustToDust Dust to Dust]]", Psi Cop Alfred Bester shows up on the station to track down a drug supply which gives mundanes telepathic abilities. Given that he is himself a powerful telepath whose history with the station crew has, ahem, created certain trust issues, he is forced to take "sleeper" drugs which completely inhibit his ability to read minds. He then uses the Psi Corps' reputation to trick a suspect into confessing by merely being present at the interrogation and blurting out "he's lying" at some point (he figured the guy had to be lying about something).

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': When Anne, Marcy and Sasha got teleported to Amphibia by the Calamity Box, the three gems on the box's lid lost their power and somehow got transferred to each of the girls, as evidenced by each girl's eyes flashing the color of the gem they're associated with before manifesting them. Recharging the gems at each of the temples causes them to lose their powers in addition to their connection with them, as shown by the glow draining out; this allows them to be useless against King Andrias in his quest to conquer all dimensions, just as he planned. [[spoiler:Anne only charged her gem halfway, meaning she still has her connection with it, which comes in handy in the Season 2 finale.]]

* In the ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'' WhatIf episode "Gwen 10", Ben wakes up without the Omnitrix, but remembering the series so far. Upon realizing that it's the day he got the Omnitrix, he tries to get it back... And fails. He kinda mopes for the rest of the episode, but nothing else is shown of how it would have gone from there; it's a one-shot "What if?" style episode, complete with ShoutOut at the end. A more straight version of this was the Season 2 finale, where Ben loses the Omnitrix after finally mastering its abilities, resulting in him having fight both of the show's major villains (up to this point in the franchise, anyway) without it. The episode ends with him and his cousin winning the battle with limited use of superpowers, and Ben regaining the Omnitrix, albeit unable to access the device's full abilities once more.

** In "[[Recap/JusticeLeagueS2E19And20Hereafter Hereafter]]", Superman takes a stint on a future earth with a red sun. He shows that he's apparently [[BroughtDownToBadass a very tough individual with a variety of skills]] even without his powers. For instance, he got around by getting an ancient automobile into running condition.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': The BigBad of Season 1, Amon, has the ability to take a person's bending powers away. [[spoiler:In the SeriesFauxnale, he eventually does it to Korra herself, but the trauma also unlocks her airbending, which she had been unable to use until then. Later she gains the [[SuperMode Avatar State]], restoring her own bending, and Aang teaches her to use spiritbending to restore everyone else's.]]

*** In the pilot, Princess Luna undergoes this after her defeat as Nightmare Moon.
*** Discord can take away pegasus wings and unicorn horns on a whim, which he demonstrates on the mane cast in the Season 2 opener.
*** Happens to Rainbow Dash at least twice: in "Fall Weather Friends," where she is dared to resist using her wings for leverage in the annual Running of the Leaves; and in "Read It And Weep," when a wing injury leaves her climbing the walls.
*** In the Season 4 premiere, [[spoiler:the Mane Six is forced to give up the Elements of Harmony to stop the Everfree Forest from growing out of control. On the plus side, doing so revealed a special chest that ''may'' be able to get them back. If they can find six special keys]].
*** "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 Twilight's Kingdom Part 2]]": Celestia, Luna and Cadance experience this when they transfer all their magic to Twilight, and Discord goes through this when Tirek drains him of his magic. This also happens to Twilight when she surrenders her own and the Princesses' power to Tirek. The Mane Six return the favor after unlocking the aforementioned Rainbow Power chest.
*** In the Season 5 premiere, Starlight Glimmer can take away a pony's Cutie Mark and replace it with an equals sign, resulting in this (e.g. Rainbow Dash no longer has SuperSpeed, Fluttershy can't communicate with animals, Applejack loses her SuperStrength). Though [[BroughtDownToBadass the mane six aren't helpless this time]] [[spoiler:[[GuileHero and use their wits to expose Starlight and restore the cutie marks of the townsponies]], who then help the Mane Six recover their own cutie marks]].

* Adora from ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'' loses the ability to transform into the titular heroine after breaking the Sword of Protection at the end of the fourth season to avoid triggering a universe-wide annihilation. {{Subverted|Trope}} later, when it's revealed that the sword was really a PowerLimiter created to control her, and she's She-Ra with or without it.

*** In the Season 4 premiere, [[spoiler:the Mane Six is forced to give up the Elements of Harmony to stop Everfree Forest from growing out of control. On the plus side, doing so revealed a special chest that ''may'' be able to get them back. If they can find six special keys]].

** In "Betty", Ice King is temporarily turned back into Simon Petrikov by Bella Noche, a being of AntiMagic.

* ''ComicBook/{{Convergence}}'': A number of heroes and villains are left powerless after their cities are domed, including pre-ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}} [[Characters/TheFlashWallyWest Wally West]] and pre-Zero Hour [[ComicBook/GreenLantern Kyle Rayner]] and pre-[[ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths COIE]] Wonder Woman. Once the domes are removed their powers snap back on. Even heroes who relied solely on technology have been depowered, in the sense that their weapons don't work. Pre-Flashpoint Batman and Robin can still use their gadgets, but Arsenal's cybernetic arm stopped working and the Atom's belt could no longer shrink him.

* ''ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}'': Characters/{{Deadpool|WadeWilson}} once lost his HealingFactor thanks to a serum Tombstone had engineered as part of his plot to get revenge on the Merc with a Mouth for the events of "Suicide Kings". This turned out to be a ''good'' thing for Deadpool -- the events leading up to this help him shake off his DeathSeeker nature and giving him a new will to live. The serum also restored his face.

* ''ComicBook/SecretInvasion'': In the aftermath, [[ComicBook/IronMan Tony Stark]] loses the Extremis inside him which allows him to basically "be one" with his armor, and even has to start using inferior models of his Iron Man suit.

** "ComicBook/SupermanVsMuhammadAli": Superman is forced to box in the Scrubb's homeworld Bodace, a planet that circles a red sun which nullifies his powers.
** "ComicBook/SupergirlsSuperPet": Streaky loses his powers the instant that the effects of the X-Kryptonite wear off. Given that he and his owner were off-world, Supergirl needs to catch him to bring him back to Earth safely.

* In the MassiveMultiplayerCrossover fic ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13536373/1/Total-Drama-Operation-Phoenix Operation Phoenix]]'', ''Franchise/TouhouProject'''s Reimu Hakurei has her RealityWarper powers forcibly stripped away from her by dint of WesternAnimation/{{Rick|AndMorty}} [[TrappedInAnotherWorld kidnapping her from her world]].

* Shir Khan, in ''Film/TheShadow'', awakens after the climatic battle, wearing a straight-jacket in an asylum. When the doctor shows up, he tries to use his mind-controlling ability on him to get free. After this fails, the doctor mentions how the life-saving surgery that kept him alive [[spoiler: had to remove a part of his brain, but only a part that "we never use"]]. As Khan starts shouting how he "must be released! [He is] [[CassandraTruth the direct descendant of Genghis Khan]], destined to rule the world!", other patients start yelling that they are Napoleon, or George Washington...

** In ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpider-Man1963'' #340, Spider-Man also lost his powers shortly after ''ComicBook/ActsOfVengeance'', via a plot of the Chameleon. In actuality, his powers were more suppressed than taken away. Initially, Peter wanted this, as it was one of those times he had grown weary of being Spider-Man. When he left the lab which held the machine responsible, he found out quickly that his enhanced strength was a large reason he was able to web-swing, and almost got killed.

** Spider-Man also lost his powers shortly after ''ComicBook/ActsOfVengeance'', via a plot of the Chameleon. In actuality, his powers were more suppressed than taken away. Initially, Peter wanted this, as it was one of those times he had grown weary of being Spider-Man. When he left the lab which held the machine responsible, he found out quickly that his enhanced strength was a large reason he was able to web-swing, and almost got killed.
** During his early days in ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManLeeAndDitko'', Spidey's powers disappeared during a low moment in his life. When the Sinister Six kidnapped his Aunt May and friends, Peter jumped back into action and it took him a FlyOrDie moment to realize his power loss was psychosomatic and they came roaring back.
** During ''ComicBook/TheCloneSaga'', Peter put himself in the line of fire of a weapon that, supposedly, took away his powers, letting him live his life with Mary Jane and his unborn child normally. It didn't last as they sprung back just in time for ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}''.

--->'''Mara Jade:''' Welcome back to the world of mere mortals. Don't like it, do you? It's not easy to suddenly lose everything that once made you special, is it?

* Former KnightTemplar Cass/Sister Kassdy from Creator/JackLChalker's ''Literature/SoulRider'' series agreed to give up all of her flux powers as part of becoming TheAtoner. Ironically, this actually results in her becoming even ''more'' badass since the mechanism involved also makes her totally ''immune'' to those powers, tuning her into every flux manipulator's worst nightmare: a ferocious MamaBear who cannot be injured -- or even detected -- by their powers. Given that most of the heroes are members of her extended family she is thus a person much to be feared. Fortunately for the bad guys the heroes tend to keep 'Grandma' in reserve until the absolutely last moment because she can't be healed by magic either.
* In ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'', ysalamiri are creatures that "[[PowerNullifier push back]]" the Force for a space of a few meters each. Their planet of origin has so many that on that world, the Force is inaccessible, which makes Luke Skywalker have some difficulties when he's [[Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy imprisoned on it]] and later has to go through a forest crowded with beasts that hunt Force-Sensitives.
--->'''Mara Jade:''' Welcome back to the world of mere mortals. Don't like it, do you? It's not easy to suddenly lose everything that once made you special, is it?"
** Interestingly, in ''[[Literature/JediAcademyTrilogy I, Jedi]]'' Corran Horn notices that when in a ysalamiri's field Luke seems younger and more optimistic, since not sensing the greater galaxy also means a reprieve from sensing his overwhelming responsibilities.

* In ''ComicBook/AllFallDown'', this happens to every superhero and super villain. Permanently. Many of them are locked in denial for a long time about staying that way.
* Komodo in ''ComicBook/AvengersTheInitiative'' had her powers removed by SPIN technology after refusing to go along with H.A.M.M.E.R.'s sinister perversion of the Initiative. Note: without her powers Komodo doesn't have any legs. Thankfully, a "cure" of sorts was eventually fashioned and she's back in action.

* ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'': In ''Hulk'' Vol. 3, an Extremis-enhanced Hulk called Doc Green decides to de-power the gamma-powered superheroes as he feels it is his responsibility to set things right. He manages to depower Betty Ross, Rick Jones, and Skaar.

* Following ''ComicBook/ChaosWar'', [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHercules Hercules]] burns out out of his godly powers and for the first time in his long, long life fully mortal without any god or demigod powers. He is so "weak" that he has to leave Olympus since he cannot survive around the other superpowerful gods. Of course "weak" is relative. He is still an extremely muscular man in top physical condition with centuries of combat training and experience. So he goes on to fight street level threats. He also steals some magical weapons from Olympus to help him fight more powerful foes.
* In ''ComicBook/{{Convergence}}'', a number of heroes and villains are left powerless after their cities were domed, including pre-ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}} [[Characters/TheFlashWallyWest Wally West]] and pre-Zero Hour [[ComicBook/GreenLantern Kyle Rayner]] and pre-[[ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths COIE]] Wonder Woman. Once the domes are removed their powers snap back on. Even heroes who relied solely on technology have been depowered, in the sense that their weapons don't work. Pre-Flashpoint Batman and Robin can still use their gadgets, but Arsenal's cybernetic arm stopped working and the Atom's belt could no longer shrink him.\\
\\
This is inconsistent -- ''Justice League International'' has the fully robotic ComicBook/RedTornado, who clearly has all his powers. ''ComicBook/{{Shazam}}'' sees Bulletman and Bulletgirl stepping in as Fawcett City's protectors since their gravity regulator helmets still work. And Ray Palmer, though he could not shrink or grow as the Atom, still had a superpower in his book; albeit with only the nigh-useless ability to make one of his hands grow very large. It seems that for some characters, like Red Tornado and Mr. Freeze, their technology and gadgetry was left untouched because they ever need it to survive or it's fundamentally ingrained in them.
* [[spoiler: [[Characters/WolverineSupportingCharacters Daken]]]] has his HealingFactor stripped from him in the last issue of ''The Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy'' when he's attacked by Siphon. This bites him on the ass ''hard'' in the first issue of ''ComicBook/{{Wolverines}}'' when Mr. Sinister [[AnArmAndALeg rips off one of his arms]] and [[EyeScream plucks out an eye]] for good measure.
* In the 50th Anniversary issue of ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'' set in a distant future, Matt Murdock's eyes are bathed in radioactive fluid when he saves New York. The result is him losing his radar sense.

* Characters/{{Deadpool|WadeWilson}} once lost his HealingFactor thanks to a serum Tombstone had engineered as part of his plot to get revenge on the Merc with a Mouth for the events of "Suicide Kings". This turned out to be a ''good'' thing for Deadpool -- the events leading up to this help him shake off his DeathSeeker nature and giving him a new will to live. The serum also restored his face.
* ''ComicBook/ElfQuest'': Rayek lost his magical powers for a while, after coming across [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong an important crossroad in his life (and messing up)]]. He hated it so badly it almost made him lose his mind too.
* ''ComicBook/JLAActOfGod'': A strange wave of energy hits Earth causing heroes and villains alike to lose their superpowers. Some disappear into the woodwork while others reinvent themselves as {{Badass Normal}}s in the Batman mold. Weirdly, this only applies if "normal" strictly means human. Superman and ComicBook/MartianManhunter don't have any superpowers, technically speaking; their abilities are "normal" for their species. The same goes for ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}, except possibly for his ability to breathe air (which he does not lose). ComicBook/TheAtom's powers vanish, despite him being a ''technological'' hero (his power comes from a belt with a fragment of a white dwarf sun.)
* In the {{Elseworlds}} series ''ComicBook/NightwingTheNewOrder'' Nightwing's initial attack ended up removing the powers of about 90% of the superhuman population's powers. The weapon Dick uses is shown to affect everyone with superpowers, regardless of source. At least it doesn't affect Lantern rings, showing that the writers at least did more research than Doug Moench. This is explained when it is revealed the device is [[spoiler:a weapon from Apokolips, designed to neutralize a planet to make it easier to invade]].
* This happens to [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy Krueger]] during ''ComicBook/FreddyVsJasonVsAsh: The Nightmare Warriors''. After Freddy betrays the [[TheManBehindTheMan Dream Demons]] who gave him his power by not sharing the [[Franchise/EvilDead Necronomicon Ex Mortis]] with them, they turn him back into a normal human and send him back in time, making sure that this time he ''gets arrested for good'' and never turns into a nightmare god.

* A plot in ''ComicBook/JLA1997'' saw six members of the League have their secret identities split off from their superhero selves. While Clark Kent, John Jones and Wally West saw it as a blessing, Bruce Wayne, Eel O'Brien and Kyle Rayner could barely hold it together. The split was mental as well as physical. For example, Plastic Man became an ineffective, gibbering fool, while his Eel O'Brien half reverted to the gangster he'd been before he got his powers. And Eel was doing a lot better than Bruce Wayne, as Bruce was now driven by the rage and trauma of the memory of his parents' murder without any way to channel that rage into his role as Batman. The whole point was to show that the characters' hero and non-hero identities were both necessary to make up a complete person.
* In the ''ComicBook/{{Justice Society|Of America}}'' storyline "Fatherland", every super-hero on Earth is robbed of their powers by super-villain Nazis and their darkness engine.

* EvilSorcerer [[BigBad Darkhell]] gave this treatment to his [[TheRival former rival]] Skroa in the French comic book ''ComicBook/LesLegendaires'' by testing the Stone of Jovenia (an artifact supposed to give youth back) on him, turning him back from a demonic garuda-like sorcerer to a regular small bird with no powers (though he retained his intelligence and the ability to talk). Skroa was then able to manipulate both an amnesic Darkhell and the heroes into leading him to the cure, allowing him to go back to his adult form with full power... [[spoiler:only to lose them again in later issues when the cure is taken away from him.]]
** Ironically enough, this was averted with the protagonist; while they did get the same treatment from the Stone of Jovenia, they retained all their abilities and skills (probably because unlike Skroa, those were actual skills and experiences that weren't requiring an adult body).
** Protagonist Jadina was victim of this when Vangelis injected her a serum called "antimag", which had the property to block magic. Since all of Jadina's powers were based on magic, this left her, according to herself, "as weak as an unborn". This didn't prevent her from still being badass, however, as [[spoiler:not only did she not mope about it (she did have an HeroicBSOD, but it was because at this point things got so messed up she wasn't even sure to be the real Jadina anymore), but she was still able to save her comrades from the almighty new villain Abyss, by ''kissing him'' so he would ingest the Antimag. By the end of the book, the Antimag's effect ceased and she got her powers back]].

* In ''ComicBook/PS238'' this seemingly happens to [[spoiler:Ron/Captain Clarinet]], though afterwards he gets [[RePower Re-Powered]] instead. It turns out that [[TheMedic Nurse Newby]] actually runs [[TropaholicsAnonymous a support group]] for [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividuals metahumans]] with this issue; Tyler's parents make him attend too, despite him actually having [[MuggleBornOfMages a different problem]].
* What Crux attempts to do to [[spoiler:Starfire]] in ''ComicBook/RedHoodAndTheOutlaws''. It didn't last for long, thanks to the Citadel's experiments on them.
* In ''ComicBook/RunawaysRainbowRowell'', Gert Yorkes is brought BackFromTheDead, but at the cost of losing her bond with Old Lace.
* ''ComicBook/SecretInvasion'': In the aftermath, [[ComicBook/IronMan Tony Stark]] loses the Extremis inside him which allowed to basically "be one" with his armor, and even has to start using inferior models of his Iron Man suit.

** After ''ComicBook/InfiniteCrisis'', Superman loses his powers for an entire ''year''. ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo'' and ''ComicBook/SupermanUpUpAndAway'', the series that cover this one-year gap, has him lying low, focusing on his job as a reporter with the Daily Planet. It turns out that, despite how he views Clark as his "real" personality, he really is bad at his life without Superman's powers. He is more timid and unsure of himself as a reporter, and Perry White actually moves to ''fire'' him after he lets the ''Planet'' get scooped on the large story of a new superhero. However, this revelation that he is letting his new status change how he lives his life, which he never thought would happen, galvanizes him to take dramatic action (i.e. ''jumping out the window'') in order to attract the attention of the new hero and get the story. The writers explained that they included that scene because they wanted to make it clear that even without his powers he is still Superman, and his willingness to take extreme personal risks did not go away just because he can no longer take a bullet.
** Also ''Krisis of the Krimson Kryptonite'', where Mxyzptlk makes a chunk of plot device Kryptonite for Luthor that takes Superman's powers away. Notably Superman is never happy with this outcome unlike in the above example and tries to return to duty in powered armor. Also notable as the storyline where Clark proposes and Lois accepts his proposal.
** During the CrisisCrossover ''ComicBook/FinalNight'', Superman's powers disappear as a result of the sun being ate by the Sun-Eater. It takes until after ''ComicBook/SupermanTheWeddingAlbum'' for Supes to regain his powers.

** Pre-Crisis Superman also had another superhero life while in the bottle city of Kandor, where he has no powers. In ''ComicBook/Superman1939'' #158 He becomes a Franchise/{{Batman}} {{Expy}} with [[Characters/SupermanJimmyOlsen Jimmy Olsen]], becoming Nightwing and Flamebird -- Dick Grayson uses the former name in honor of Supes.

** In ''ComicBook/KryptoniteNevermore'', Superman gradually loses most of his super-powers. Even so he manages to defeat three armed gangsters in spite of not being bulletproof.
** Happens again in ''ComicBook/SupermanAndTheLegionOfSuperHeroes'', where Clark goes ten centuries into the future and becomes stranded at a time where the sun has been turned red.
** In ''ComicBook/TheUnknownSupergirl'', [[MadScientist Lesla-Lar]] took away Characters/{{Supergirl|TheCharacter}}'s powers as part of a scheme to replace her. While in her powerless state, Kara finally found adoptive parents. She nearly abandoned her career as Supergirl, until Mr. Mxyzptlk granted her all the abilities of Superman, plus a (temporary) invulnerability to green kryptonite.
** In ''ComicBook/DemonSpawn'', Linda gets stripped from her powers temporarily when she is brought to the Innerverse. She feels even weaker than an ordinary human.
** In ''ComicBook/Supergirl2011'', right after the ''ComicBook/{{Crucible}}'' story arc, Kara was depowered due to the manipulations of Vandal Savage. DEO agent Cameron Chase, offered to help her get her powers back if she joined the Department of Extra-normal Operations.

** ''ComicBook/SupergirlsGreatestChallenge'': Subverted. The entire Legion of Super-Heroes have apparently lost their powers, and Cosmic Boy suggests the cause might be radiation fallout caused by the explosive collision of two eldritch abominations. However, [[spoiler:it turns they were an alien race of shape-shifters impersonating the Legionnaires]].

** "ComicBook/SupermanVsMuhammadAli": Superman is forced to box in the Scrubb's homeworld Bodace, a planet which circles a red sun which nullifies his powers.

** Diana was depowered in the [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Silver Age]], and again when [[Characters/WonderWomanAllies Artemis]] temporarily took the Wonder Woman title and responsibilities. Given her extensive training and the fact that some of the things which appear to be "powers" are actually the result of said training she was more BroughtDownToBadass and neither time did she stop for an instant trying to save people, even though the second case was caused [[spoiler:by her mother]] specifically to try to get her to step back and be safe as a normal human.
** In ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'' ComicBook/WonderGirl Cassie Sandsmark's mother is (temporarily) given the ability to nullify her powers in order to keep her safe and prevent her from jumping in to dangerous situations without her mother's permission. She eventually gets enough training that this just results in her being BroughtDownToBadass rather than crippling her ability to help.

** While he couldn't lose ''all'' of his powers lest he ends up dying, Spider-Man is forced to drain a majority of PhysicalGod Alpha's power after the kid recklessly battles Terminus, nearly killing Spidey's Aunt May and her husband (also J. Jonah Jameson's father) in the process.
** Spider-Man also lost his powers shortly after ''ComicBook/ActsOfVengeance'', via a plot of the Chameleon. In actuality, his powers were more suppressed than taken away. Initially, Peter wanted this, as it was one of those times he had grown weary of being Spider-Man. When he left the lab which held the machine responsible, he finds out quickly that his enhanced strength was a large reason he was able to web-swing, and almost got killed.
** During his early days, Spidey's powers disappeared on him during a low moment in his life. When the Sinister Six kidnapped his Aunt May and friends, Peter jumped back into action and it took him a FlyOrDie moment to realize his power loss was psychosomatic and they came roaring back.
** During ''ComicBook/TheCloneSaga'', Peter put himself in the line of fire of a weapon that, supposedly, took away his powers, letting him live his life with Mary Jane and unborn child normally. It didn't last as they sprung back just in time for ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}''.

* '''Inverted''' in ''Literature/{{Allegiant}}''. [[spoiler:It is revealed that the Chicago walled community was an experiment to restore humanity back to normal after years of selective breeding caused what they considered to be "damaged genes" in humans, making them prone to certain vices and violence.]]

* * In ''Literature/ALittleVice'', [[spoiler:Saint Castitas suffers a HeroicBSOD after losing to Invidia Bat, losing her ability to transform.]]

* Brynhild in ''Literature/TheSagaOfTheVolsungs'': Brynhild.

** in ''Anime/YashahimePrincessHalfDemon'', Inuyasha's half-demon niece, Towa, goes through the same transformation at the exact same time.

* ''Manga/SoulHunter'': after using the energy-channeling Paopei Kyokoki for the first time against Prince Inko, Taikoubou claims that after this use he'll be unable to use Sennin powers for a while and he'll dry to a husk should he dare touching a Paopei, so that for the following arc all his companions have to fight the baddies. [[spoiler: Or so it seems: [[InvokedTrope he lied to them in order to]] both: store enough energy for the upcoming battle with Chou Komei and give his friends the chance to grow stronger.]]