They Were Holding Back
@thwehoba.bsky.social
Logical explanations about instances in media where a character must not have been using their full power.
Updates: Every Monday.
Updates: Every Monday.
Schedule: Updated!
I will be changing my update schedule to every "Whenever inspiration strikes me".
I will be changing my update schedule to every "Whenever inspiration strikes me".
December 24, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Schedule: Updated!
I will be changing my update schedule to every "Whenever inspiration strikes me".
I will be changing my update schedule to every "Whenever inspiration strikes me".
It may look like Batman was willing to risk killing Jason just to save the Joker here, revealing truly demented priorities when it comes to handling super villains.
However, we know that Batman's perception is into the molecular range from every time he has sliced apart and dodged lasers.
However, we know that Batman's perception is into the molecular range from every time he has sliced apart and dodged lasers.
December 17, 2025 at 3:31 AM
It may look like Batman was willing to risk killing Jason just to save the Joker here, revealing truly demented priorities when it comes to handling super villains.
However, we know that Batman's perception is into the molecular range from every time he has sliced apart and dodged lasers.
However, we know that Batman's perception is into the molecular range from every time he has sliced apart and dodged lasers.
Superman, despite his clear rage, is being quite merciful here.
He could have killed the Joker at any time after the few seconds it took to trace the bombs. He technically didn't even to confront him to figure out the trick, either.
And so the clown gets another chance to mend his villainous ways.
He could have killed the Joker at any time after the few seconds it took to trace the bombs. He technically didn't even to confront him to figure out the trick, either.
And so the clown gets another chance to mend his villainous ways.
December 9, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Superman, despite his clear rage, is being quite merciful here.
He could have killed the Joker at any time after the few seconds it took to trace the bombs. He technically didn't even to confront him to figure out the trick, either.
And so the clown gets another chance to mend his villainous ways.
He could have killed the Joker at any time after the few seconds it took to trace the bombs. He technically didn't even to confront him to figure out the trick, either.
And so the clown gets another chance to mend his villainous ways.
This one is tragic.
We know that Clark can move fast enough to save people from, or disable, bombs mid-explosion.
But in this moment, facing a hero that threatened his position as the most popular hero in metropolis, his heart wavered for a few, vital picoseconds that allowed the bomb to go off.
We know that Clark can move fast enough to save people from, or disable, bombs mid-explosion.
But in this moment, facing a hero that threatened his position as the most popular hero in metropolis, his heart wavered for a few, vital picoseconds that allowed the bomb to go off.
December 2, 2025 at 2:43 AM
This one is tragic.
We know that Clark can move fast enough to save people from, or disable, bombs mid-explosion.
But in this moment, facing a hero that threatened his position as the most popular hero in metropolis, his heart wavered for a few, vital picoseconds that allowed the bomb to go off.
We know that Clark can move fast enough to save people from, or disable, bombs mid-explosion.
But in this moment, facing a hero that threatened his position as the most popular hero in metropolis, his heart wavered for a few, vital picoseconds that allowed the bomb to go off.
This is a scene of self sacrifice for Peter.
His Spider-Sense worked just fine, however, he was too close to the source of danger. Twitching his head out of the way at Massively Hypersonic+ speeds would have saved him... but also caused a shockwave that would liquify every civilian on that street.
His Spider-Sense worked just fine, however, he was too close to the source of danger. Twitching his head out of the way at Massively Hypersonic+ speeds would have saved him... but also caused a shockwave that would liquify every civilian on that street.
November 18, 2025 at 4:12 AM
This is a scene of self sacrifice for Peter.
His Spider-Sense worked just fine, however, he was too close to the source of danger. Twitching his head out of the way at Massively Hypersonic+ speeds would have saved him... but also caused a shockwave that would liquify every civilian on that street.
His Spider-Sense worked just fine, however, he was too close to the source of danger. Twitching his head out of the way at Massively Hypersonic+ speeds would have saved him... but also caused a shockwave that would liquify every civilian on that street.
Captain Marvel has ESP, molecular-scale perception, and relativistic speed. She obviously allowed Peter to web up her mouth.
She did this because, unlike the rest of the Avengers, she believed Peter when he said they were under mind control. Thus, she took a dive to give him a chance to escape.
She did this because, unlike the rest of the Avengers, she believed Peter when he said they were under mind control. Thus, she took a dive to give him a chance to escape.
November 4, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Captain Marvel has ESP, molecular-scale perception, and relativistic speed. She obviously allowed Peter to web up her mouth.
She did this because, unlike the rest of the Avengers, she believed Peter when he said they were under mind control. Thus, she took a dive to give him a chance to escape.
She did this because, unlike the rest of the Avengers, she believed Peter when he said they were under mind control. Thus, she took a dive to give him a chance to escape.
Hammerhead never meaningfully staggered or withstood the full power of Ben during this run. He was simply disillusioned by how comparatively long he lasted while amped up with artificial superpowers.
Source: The Thing (2025) Issues 3-5
Source: The Thing (2025) Issues 3-5
October 28, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Hammerhead never meaningfully staggered or withstood the full power of Ben during this run. He was simply disillusioned by how comparatively long he lasted while amped up with artificial superpowers.
Source: The Thing (2025) Issues 3-5
Source: The Thing (2025) Issues 3-5
Jon didn't really break out of a temporal anomaly with brute force.
These child murderers were putting on a front so as not to be punished by their boss.
These child murderers were putting on a front so as not to be punished by their boss.
October 14, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Jon didn't really break out of a temporal anomaly with brute force.
These child murderers were putting on a front so as not to be punished by their boss.
These child murderers were putting on a front so as not to be punished by their boss.
This crash was just an elaborate gambit to draw the Joker in close.
The logic is simple:
While significantly weaker, Bruce can still keep up with the rest of the Justice League in melee.
The average JL Member combat speed/perception is massively FTL. (cont.)
The logic is simple:
While significantly weaker, Bruce can still keep up with the rest of the Justice League in melee.
The average JL Member combat speed/perception is massively FTL. (cont.)
October 7, 2025 at 12:47 AM
This crash was just an elaborate gambit to draw the Joker in close.
The logic is simple:
While significantly weaker, Bruce can still keep up with the rest of the Justice League in melee.
The average JL Member combat speed/perception is massively FTL. (cont.)
The logic is simple:
While significantly weaker, Bruce can still keep up with the rest of the Justice League in melee.
The average JL Member combat speed/perception is massively FTL. (cont.)
Spider-Man is massively hypersonic (Mach 25+) and has precognition capable of anticipating teleportation.
Him getting slammed here is just a result of Miles' renowned imposter syndrome, amplified by being near a high school, debuffing him.
Source: Miles Morales Spider-Man Issue 32
Him getting slammed here is just a result of Miles' renowned imposter syndrome, amplified by being near a high school, debuffing him.
Source: Miles Morales Spider-Man Issue 32
September 30, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Spider-Man is massively hypersonic (Mach 25+) and has precognition capable of anticipating teleportation.
Him getting slammed here is just a result of Miles' renowned imposter syndrome, amplified by being near a high school, debuffing him.
Source: Miles Morales Spider-Man Issue 32
Him getting slammed here is just a result of Miles' renowned imposter syndrome, amplified by being near a high school, debuffing him.
Source: Miles Morales Spider-Man Issue 32
The Joker let Talia kill him here. As we all know, he has nearly infinite pain tolerance and physicals on par with Batman, enabling him to easily dodge bullets.
The clown prince of crime simply thought it would be funny to see Batman use a valuable, magic artifact to revive his sworn enemy.
The clown prince of crime simply thought it would be funny to see Batman use a valuable, magic artifact to revive his sworn enemy.
September 22, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The Joker let Talia kill him here. As we all know, he has nearly infinite pain tolerance and physicals on par with Batman, enabling him to easily dodge bullets.
The clown prince of crime simply thought it would be funny to see Batman use a valuable, magic artifact to revive his sworn enemy.
The clown prince of crime simply thought it would be funny to see Batman use a valuable, magic artifact to revive his sworn enemy.
The powerstone actually did not affect Thor's weapon here, as it already has infinite power.
Mjolnir just felt like exploding at that moment as a flex.
Source: The Immortal Thor Annual 1
Mjolnir just felt like exploding at that moment as a flex.
Source: The Immortal Thor Annual 1
September 22, 2025 at 11:00 PM
The powerstone actually did not affect Thor's weapon here, as it already has infinite power.
Mjolnir just felt like exploding at that moment as a flex.
Source: The Immortal Thor Annual 1
Mjolnir just felt like exploding at that moment as a flex.
Source: The Immortal Thor Annual 1
Reposted by They Were Holding Back
#flash
Barry just felt bad for Deathstroke here.
With guns trained on his location and an angry speedster literally around the corner, his only recourse was to try something straight out of Looney Tunes.
So, why not pretend to let it trip him? Not like it'd hurt.
Barry just felt bad for Deathstroke here.
With guns trained on his location and an angry speedster literally around the corner, his only recourse was to try something straight out of Looney Tunes.
So, why not pretend to let it trip him? Not like it'd hurt.
March 14, 2025 at 2:31 AM
#flash
Barry just felt bad for Deathstroke here.
With guns trained on his location and an angry speedster literally around the corner, his only recourse was to try something straight out of Looney Tunes.
So, why not pretend to let it trip him? Not like it'd hurt.
Barry just felt bad for Deathstroke here.
With guns trained on his location and an angry speedster literally around the corner, his only recourse was to try something straight out of Looney Tunes.
So, why not pretend to let it trip him? Not like it'd hurt.
#darkseid
Mr. Freeze did not authentically defeat Darkseid here.
The god of Fascism & Tyranny felt a mild appreciation for Victor's use of the excuse of his wife's peril to rule over and terrify others. Thus, he changed the biology of his avatar, enabling the blast to depower him for a short time.
Mr. Freeze did not authentically defeat Darkseid here.
The god of Fascism & Tyranny felt a mild appreciation for Victor's use of the excuse of his wife's peril to rule over and terrify others. Thus, he changed the biology of his avatar, enabling the blast to depower him for a short time.
March 11, 2025 at 3:22 AM
#darkseid
Mr. Freeze did not authentically defeat Darkseid here.
The god of Fascism & Tyranny felt a mild appreciation for Victor's use of the excuse of his wife's peril to rule over and terrify others. Thus, he changed the biology of his avatar, enabling the blast to depower him for a short time.
Mr. Freeze did not authentically defeat Darkseid here.
The god of Fascism & Tyranny felt a mild appreciation for Victor's use of the excuse of his wife's peril to rule over and terrify others. Thus, he changed the biology of his avatar, enabling the blast to depower him for a short time.
#flash
Being a scientist, the Flash was just curious about the biological effects of a bullet going through the heart of someone traveling at super speed.
Otherwise, he would have dodged as soon as it broke the first layer of his skin, as he had done multiple times before.
Being a scientist, the Flash was just curious about the biological effects of a bullet going through the heart of someone traveling at super speed.
Otherwise, he would have dodged as soon as it broke the first layer of his skin, as he had done multiple times before.
March 7, 2025 at 2:03 AM
#flash
Being a scientist, the Flash was just curious about the biological effects of a bullet going through the heart of someone traveling at super speed.
Otherwise, he would have dodged as soon as it broke the first layer of his skin, as he had done multiple times before.
Being a scientist, the Flash was just curious about the biological effects of a bullet going through the heart of someone traveling at super speed.
Otherwise, he would have dodged as soon as it broke the first layer of his skin, as he had done multiple times before.
#thanos
Thanos knows that Stark Industries has close ties to the US Gov. and both are likely to know where any Infinity Stones on earth are located.
By letting himself be arrested and put into federal custody he has gotten closer to his goal without needing to fight the Avengers.
Thanos knows that Stark Industries has close ties to the US Gov. and both are likely to know where any Infinity Stones on earth are located.
By letting himself be arrested and put into federal custody he has gotten closer to his goal without needing to fight the Avengers.
March 3, 2025 at 11:50 PM
#thanos
Thanos knows that Stark Industries has close ties to the US Gov. and both are likely to know where any Infinity Stones on earth are located.
By letting himself be arrested and put into federal custody he has gotten closer to his goal without needing to fight the Avengers.
Thanos knows that Stark Industries has close ties to the US Gov. and both are likely to know where any Infinity Stones on earth are located.
By letting himself be arrested and put into federal custody he has gotten closer to his goal without needing to fight the Avengers.
#ironman
Tony could have just flooded May’s body with nanobots to suture up all of her injuries without the need for intense or risky surgery.
He sent his butler with a fake name and 2 mill instead to avoid having his tech seen helping out the family of a criminal. (It’d cause a PR disaster.)
Tony could have just flooded May’s body with nanobots to suture up all of her injuries without the need for intense or risky surgery.
He sent his butler with a fake name and 2 mill instead to avoid having his tech seen helping out the family of a criminal. (It’d cause a PR disaster.)
February 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
#ironman
Tony could have just flooded May’s body with nanobots to suture up all of her injuries without the need for intense or risky surgery.
He sent his butler with a fake name and 2 mill instead to avoid having his tech seen helping out the family of a criminal. (It’d cause a PR disaster.)
Tony could have just flooded May’s body with nanobots to suture up all of her injuries without the need for intense or risky surgery.
He sent his butler with a fake name and 2 mill instead to avoid having his tech seen helping out the family of a criminal. (It’d cause a PR disaster.)
#spiderman
Rhino just felt bad about kidnapping Peter’s daughter in this scene.
So he rolled with the punches and faked being unconscious as a token of apology.
The blood? Ketchup packets on the table that Spider-Man overlooked.
Rhino just felt bad about kidnapping Peter’s daughter in this scene.
So he rolled with the punches and faked being unconscious as a token of apology.
The blood? Ketchup packets on the table that Spider-Man overlooked.
February 23, 2025 at 3:31 AM
#spiderman
Rhino just felt bad about kidnapping Peter’s daughter in this scene.
So he rolled with the punches and faked being unconscious as a token of apology.
The blood? Ketchup packets on the table that Spider-Man overlooked.
Rhino just felt bad about kidnapping Peter’s daughter in this scene.
So he rolled with the punches and faked being unconscious as a token of apology.
The blood? Ketchup packets on the table that Spider-Man overlooked.
#spiderman
Spider-Man has previously been able to dodge and recover even after being hit by the likes of the Hulk, Captain Marvel, and Sentry.
He purposely didn’t dodge here because otherwise, the arc of the swing would have hit the fleeing civilians.
Spider-Man has previously been able to dodge and recover even after being hit by the likes of the Hulk, Captain Marvel, and Sentry.
He purposely didn’t dodge here because otherwise, the arc of the swing would have hit the fleeing civilians.
February 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
#spiderman
Spider-Man has previously been able to dodge and recover even after being hit by the likes of the Hulk, Captain Marvel, and Sentry.
He purposely didn’t dodge here because otherwise, the arc of the swing would have hit the fleeing civilians.
Spider-Man has previously been able to dodge and recover even after being hit by the likes of the Hulk, Captain Marvel, and Sentry.
He purposely didn’t dodge here because otherwise, the arc of the swing would have hit the fleeing civilians.
#spiderman
Peter could have just ripped off Rhino’s arm here. As established in the Superior Spider-Man run, he is several times stronger than his rouges gallery.
It’s just that the shockwaves produced from the force necessary to maim someone like Rhino would have killed Sabel anyway.
Peter could have just ripped off Rhino’s arm here. As established in the Superior Spider-Man run, he is several times stronger than his rouges gallery.
It’s just that the shockwaves produced from the force necessary to maim someone like Rhino would have killed Sabel anyway.
January 29, 2025 at 1:21 AM
#spiderman
Peter could have just ripped off Rhino’s arm here. As established in the Superior Spider-Man run, he is several times stronger than his rouges gallery.
It’s just that the shockwaves produced from the force necessary to maim someone like Rhino would have killed Sabel anyway.
Peter could have just ripped off Rhino’s arm here. As established in the Superior Spider-Man run, he is several times stronger than his rouges gallery.
It’s just that the shockwaves produced from the force necessary to maim someone like Rhino would have killed Sabel anyway.
#FantasticFour
In keeping with his history of surviving black holes and star-level heat; Taskmaster's blaster did nothing to Reed here.
Mentally and physically exhausted from the events of Civil War, Mr Fantastic just so happened to collapse at the exact moment the beam hit him.
In keeping with his history of surviving black holes and star-level heat; Taskmaster's blaster did nothing to Reed here.
Mentally and physically exhausted from the events of Civil War, Mr Fantastic just so happened to collapse at the exact moment the beam hit him.
January 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
#FantasticFour
In keeping with his history of surviving black holes and star-level heat; Taskmaster's blaster did nothing to Reed here.
Mentally and physically exhausted from the events of Civil War, Mr Fantastic just so happened to collapse at the exact moment the beam hit him.
In keeping with his history of surviving black holes and star-level heat; Taskmaster's blaster did nothing to Reed here.
Mentally and physically exhausted from the events of Civil War, Mr Fantastic just so happened to collapse at the exact moment the beam hit him.
#spiderman
Little do people know; Peter holding back applies to all of his powers, not just his strength.
So while going through his own home of course he only had street-tier durability up.
Little do people know; Peter holding back applies to all of his powers, not just his strength.
So while going through his own home of course he only had street-tier durability up.
January 20, 2025 at 9:34 PM
#spiderman
Little do people know; Peter holding back applies to all of his powers, not just his strength.
So while going through his own home of course he only had street-tier durability up.
Little do people know; Peter holding back applies to all of his powers, not just his strength.
So while going through his own home of course he only had street-tier durability up.
#catwoman
Poison Ivy was holding back here because she was charmed by Catwoman’s startling beauty. (A common affliction among gay, super-powered women in Gotham City.)
She even went so far as to have her spore-controlled Flash-es run at Selina one at a time.
Poison Ivy was holding back here because she was charmed by Catwoman’s startling beauty. (A common affliction among gay, super-powered women in Gotham City.)
She even went so far as to have her spore-controlled Flash-es run at Selina one at a time.
January 18, 2025 at 10:12 PM
#catwoman
Poison Ivy was holding back here because she was charmed by Catwoman’s startling beauty. (A common affliction among gay, super-powered women in Gotham City.)
She even went so far as to have her spore-controlled Flash-es run at Selina one at a time.
Poison Ivy was holding back here because she was charmed by Catwoman’s startling beauty. (A common affliction among gay, super-powered women in Gotham City.)
She even went so far as to have her spore-controlled Flash-es run at Selina one at a time.