But it’s said many times that many (most?) of them can use and control their powers to an extent that most of their people can’t. Cos has magnetic powers way beyond most Braalians, Vi can both shrink and grow faster than most from Imsk, etc. That’s all over the book. I fundamentally disagree with

your view of their public perception (certainly Levitz had them very respected as superheroes, and I’d argue Shooter did as well), but that can be a matter of opinion. (Also it’s getting late and I have work in the morning, so I’m going to have to go soon.)

Well, Cos was a mango-ball star. So sure, he's really good at that thing Braalians do. But they have enough Braalians who are good at it to have a whole league of teams. He may be the best. But he's the best of a large group. Unlike, say, the Flash.