  We explore how the lens of fictional superpowers can help characterize how
visualizations empower people and provide inspiration for new visualization
systems. Researchers and practitioners often tout visualizations' ability to
"make the invisible visible" and to "enhance cognitive abilities." Meanwhile
superhero comics and other modern fiction often depict characters with
similarly fantastic abilities that allow them to see and interpret the world in
ways that transcend traditional human perception. We investigate the
intersection of these domains, and show how the language of superpowers can be
used to characterize existing visualization systems and suggest opportunities
for new and empowering ones. We introduce two frameworks: The first
characterizes seven underlying mechanisms that form the basis for a variety of
visual superpowers portrayed in fiction. The second identifies seven ways in
which visualization tools and interfaces can instill a sense of empowerment in
the people who use them. Building on these observations, we illustrate a
diverse set of "visualization superpowers" and highlight opportunities for the
visualization community to create new systems and interactions that empower new
experiences with data.
