Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Umbrella Academy seasons 1-4.

Summary

• Luther’s super strength in
  The Umbrella Academy
  makes him a formidable leader, and his durability sets him apart from his siblings.
• Luther’s ape body is separate from his powers; it is the result of a serum given to him by Sir Reginald Hargreeves.
• The character’s powers in the live-action adaptation align closely with the source material, but inconsistencies can be found in the portrayal.

Luther is the leader of the titular team in The Umbrella Academy, and his powers make him an asset in a fight — even if they aren’t the most interesting after the Hargreeves’ upgrades in season 4. Dubbed Number One by Sir Reginald himself, Luther is the biggest and strongest member of the Umbrella Academy, but he’s also the most obedient and loyal. Luther puts the team above all else, even after they’ve all gone their separate ways. And right through to The Umbrella Academy season 4’s ending, Luther remains consistent when it comes to the people he loves.

Luther also gets to show off his powers before the Netflix series comes to a close, as the marigold Ben finds in the premiere gives the Hargreeves their abilities back. This isn’t something Luther necessarily welcomes, especially because his ape body returns alongside his powers. Still, Luther’s abilities come in handy throughout The Umbrella Academy. And with season 4’s upgrades and changes, viewers may need a refresher covering what Luther’s powers actually are.

Luther Has Super Strength In The Umbrella Academy

He’s More Durable Than The Other Hargreeves Siblings

Luther’s power in The Umbrella Academy is super strength, and he demonstrates that throughout the Netflix series. In season 4, Luther makes easy work of a group of government agents during a short elevator ride. This isn’t the first time he quickly dispatches enemies, either, and it’s mostly because he’s stronger than everyone he comes into contact with. Luther’s physical prowess makes a good match for his leadership skills, as the latter proves he isn’t all brawn. The combination of talent is likely why Reginald views him as the leader of the Umbrella Academy.

Luther’s power is a practical one, and it saves him and his siblings on more than one occasion.

Because of his super strength, Luther is also extra durable throughout The Umbrella Academy. He doesn’t get hurt or die as easily as his siblings, which makes his near-death experience in The Umbrella Academy season 3 that much more jarring. All in all, Luther doesn’t have the most interesting ability — and it doesn’t seem to get an enhancement in season 4. However, Luther’s power is a practical one, and it saves him and his siblings on more than one occasion.

Luther’s Ape Body Is Separate From His Powers

It Is The Result Of A Serum Sir Reginald Hargreeves Gives Him

Luther’s size and excessive body hair stems from his ape body, which seems to be a part of his power at first glance. However, Luther’s ape body doesn’t come from his power in The Umbrella Academy. It’s actually the result of a serum that Sir Reginald injects him with. Reginald does this with good intentions, as the serum saves Luther’s life after a failed mission. The Umbrella Academy season 3 shows that Luther was fatally injured, forcing Reginald to take desperate measures to help him.

This is why Luther’s body doesn’t look as large in flashbacks to the Hargreeves’ childhood; he didn’t always have it. And recent seasons of The Umbrella Academy make the mistake of connecting Luther’s ape body to his powers, making matters more confusing. Even if the timeline reset at the end of The Umbrella Academy season 3 takes away the Hargreeves’ powers, it should leave Luther’s body intact. There’s no reason the marigold should return Luther’s body in The Umbrella Academy season 4, either.

Why Luther’s Ape Body Returns In The Umbrella Academy Season 4

It’s Unclear Why The Marigold Brings His Old Body Back

The Umbrella Academy season 4 turns the return of Luther’s powers into a gag, as Luther is a professional dancer when the final season opens. When his seemingly ordinary body transforms back into his ape body on-stage, it understandably causes concern. But there’s no clear explanation for why the marigold brings Luther’s old body back, as this aspect of his character isn’t connected to his extraordinary abilities. The marigold should have just restored his strength and durability, not his ape-like features.

The marigold should have just restored his strength and durability, not his ape-like features.

Of course, the timeline reset also shouldn’t have taken Luther’s body away, since it only altered the Hargreeves’ ability to use their powers. Season 4’s correction could be an attempt to rectify this error, or it could just be the Netflix series’ way of playing Luther’s arc for laughs. The final season turns Luther into comic relief on multiple occasions, so it isn’t surprising it brings back Luther’s ape body in such a silly way. What’s more disappointing is that it never explains why his ape body returns at all.

How Luther’s Live-Action Powers Compare To The Comic Books

Luther Has The Same Powers In The Source Material

The Umbrella Academy changes many details from the comics it’s based on, but it keeps Luther’s power more or less the same. Luther also boasts enhanced strength and durability in Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá’s source material. He still has the body of an ape in the comics as well. But the way Luther ends up with the latter differs in the books. While Reginald’s serum causes a mutation in the Netflix show, Reginald surgically attaches Luther’s head to an ape’s body in the comics. This obviously would not have come off well in a live-action adaptation.

Luther’s personality is also a bit different in the comics, as he’s more serious and merciless than his Netflix counterpart. The TV series introduces Luther as someone who isn’t always sure of himself and is compassionate and sensitive to the people around him. He also becomes far less serious as the show continues. It’s a subtle but noticeable difference for those familiar with both versions of The Umbrella Academy.

Luther’s Powers Are Inconsistent Throughout The Umbrella Academy

His Super Strength Comes & Goes When It’s Convenient

Super strength can be a difficult power to use in storytelling, as it often winds up being inconsistently wielded throughout the narrative. This is the case with Luther, whose strength and durability change depending on the circumstances. Luther’s super strength in the Netflix series never quite reaches the heights of his comic character’s power. However, even within the TV show’s universe, Luther’s power comes and goes when it’s convenient. This makes it seem incredibly inconsistent — and even disappointing at times.

Even within the TV show’s universe, Luther’s power comes and goes when it’s convenient. This makes it seem incredibly inconsistent.

There are numerous examples of this throughout The Umbrella Academy seasons 1-4, and none of them explain why Luther can’t hold his own against certain enemies that are weaker than he is. His fight with Hazel in season 1 ends with Luther losing, which makes little sense given their difference in physical strength. It’s even wilder when you consider that Luther proves himself capable of taking out an elevator full of agents in season 4 — or even walking away from a rocket blast in season 2. Luther’s powers come off as confusing for this reason.