Detailed explanation of powers/abilities
Orion:
* The beings of New Genesis call themselves Gods and live outside of normal time and space in a realm called the Fourth World. These New Gods have evolved due to their close proximity to the Source, a primeval energy, believed to be one of the ultimate foundations of the Universal Expression of Energy, along with their superior technology, into beings of genetic stability and evolutionary perfection. The denizens of New Genesis are immortal, stronger, faster, and smarter than homo sapiens, despite their resemblance to the same.
* Orion's primary abilities are his superhuman strength, speed, stamina and durability. His physical strength is difficult to gauge accurately, but he has successfully defeated Darkseid at least once. He has also been shown to hold his own against the likes of Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Superman. In one crossover series Orion has even been shown capable of combating the cosmic might of the Silver Surfer. No normal Earth-made barrier or substance can possibly stop Orion if he wishes to enter an area. Few barriers, even in the Fourth World are capable of stopping Orion. Battles that have had Orion at the scene are known to be catastrophically destructive and often have extreme loss of life.
* Bolstered by his rage and his mother box, Orion is virtually inexhaustible. In addition, Orion also possesses a regenerative Healing Factor in the event that enough force is brought to bear on him which might actually cause him any type of severe injury. He is also able to call upon his "Mother Box" to assist in healing injuries or to sustain his life energies.
* Orion is able to use his Astro Harness to project the Astro-Force, an energy described by Orion as "the Wrath of the Source". Orion can also channel the Astro-Force through his wristbands for smaller blasts when away from the Harness. In one notable case in Orion issue #25, it is implied that it lays waste to much of Apokolips. Orion's dual nature is crucial to his use of the Astro-Force; only someone like himself, who stands "poised between the ferocity of Apokolips and the compassion of New Genesis", can wield it. If Orion turns away from the Source and its teachings, as has happened in the past, then the Astro-Force can become uncontrollable and the Harness becomes a danger to its wearer. The Astro-Harness can also produce a force field barrier, and can absorb energy from the local environment in the event that its access to the Source has been cut off. It also has the ability to place a "Magna-Lock" on an object; this is similar to a tractor beam, allowing Orion to tow an object from a distance. The Harness can be programmed to fly another person to safety and then return to Orion.
Equipment
* The Astro-Harness is an alien artifact of unknown origin even amongst the New Gods. Worn around his waist and slung over his shoulders, with attached stirrup-like footrests, it is capable of several abilities and is used exclusively by Orion. The device makes Orion able to travel at faster than light speeds in space. Like much of the technology of New Genesis, the Astro-Harness is capable of self-repair and will repair itself completely as long as any portion of the device exists. In issue 21 of Orion (cover date Feb. 2002), Orion recreated his wristbands, and from them the complete Astro-Harness. Orion used a link to the Source (which did not obviously involve a Mother Box) to do this. It was revealed that the Harness and his wristbands are "a part of the Source and cannot be destroyed by mortals. Perhaps not even by gods!"
* Orion was granted a Mother Box that can calm his temper and temporarily change his appearance to something more handsome than his parentage normally allows. Orion's mother box expends much of its energy keeping Orion's rage in check. When she is not doing that she is maintaining Orion's link to the Source and directing the energies of his Astro Harness.
Silver Surfer:
The Silver Surfer wields "the power cosmic", absorbing and manipulating the universe's cosmic energy and is almost totally indestructible. He can navigate space, hyperspace and dimensional barriers, and can fly at near-limitless speeds on his board, entering hyper space when he exceeds light speed.[41] He has even proven capable of time travel on occasion.[42] The Surfer does not require food, drink, air or sleep, sustained entirely by converting matter into energy. He is immune to temperature extremes and most radiation, and can survive in vacuum environments such as outer space and hyperspace. He can analyze and manipulate matter and energy, and restructure or animate matter at will, even transmuting elements.[43]
He can heal living beings (though he cannot raise the dead),[41] and has proven capable of revitalizing or evolving organic life on a planet wide scale.[44] He can alter the size of himself or of other matter, cast illusions,[45] fire energy blasts, form and manipulate energy constructs, absorb and discharge most forms of energy, and phase through solid matter.[41] His senses enable him to detect objects and energies light years away, and to perceive matter and energy in subatomic detail[43]; he can even see through time, and with concentration can achieve limited perception of past and future events in his general vicinity. The Surfer has demonstrated limited telepathic ability on occasion, and has proven able to influence human emotion and sensation.[41]
Paraphernalia and weapons
The Surfer's board is composed of the same impervious, cosmic-powered silvery material as its master's skin, and is mentally linked to the Surfer; it moves in response to his thoughts, even when he is not in physical contact with it.[43] The board is almost totally indestructible, but on those rare occasions where it has been damaged or destroyed, the Surfer has been able to repair or even re-create it.[17] The Surfer can attack opponents remotely by directing the board against them, and the board is capable of absorbing and imprisoning other beings, at least temporarily.[46]
In addition, the Surfer and the Fantastic Four realized that Galactus' means of imprisoning the Surfer on Earth was linked to the board since the world devourer knew that his former herald would not think of leaving the planet without it. Putting the idea to the test, the Surfer left the board planetside and the Four transported him off the planet in their spacecraft. Once he realized he was free of Earth, the Surfer remotely converted the board to energy, recalled it to him and reformed it in space.[17]
