ROUND 1: STRENGTH STRUGGLE
DC COMICS: Superman a.k.a. Kal-El of the planet Krypton is the embodiment of all things super: super strength, super speed, super hearing – the list goes on! Superman was also born with the powers of x-ray and heat vision, and invulnerability. Did I mention he can fly?
MARVEL: The Incredible Hulk can leap long distances in a single bound and thunderclap his enemies into a concussion! However, even with his immense strength, Superman’s speed and other abilities give him the edge. The Hulk could try to thunderclap him, but remember: Supes is invulnerable. He can’t be touched.
The Man of Steel uses his combined powers to knock out the green machine!
SCORE: DC COMICS – 1
MARVEL – 0
ROUND 2: TEAM WORKS
DC COMICS: The Justice League of America is DC Comics’ superhero dream team, which originally included Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter. Their multiple powers make the League a worthy opponent.
MARVEL: Meanwhile, the X-Men are a group of no-nonsense mutants, including Wolverine, Professor X, Storm, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and Jean Grey among others. The JLA is a stronger competitor, but Superman and Batman’s moral code would interfere with their ability to effectively defeat the X-Men.
Wolverine’s savage instincts wait for no one. The X-Men snag a very close point!
SCORE: DC COMICS – 1
MARVEL – 1
ROUND 3: SUPER HEROES
DC COMICS: Batman is, at best, a billionaire dressed up in a bat suit. His alter ego, Bruce Wayne, is perhaps the greatest martial artist. He also has a utility belt equipped with an array of weaponry, but still, the Caped Crusader is only human.
MARVEL: Unlike Batman, Spider-Man has many superpowers. For starters, he is 15 times faster than any other human with super strength and great agility. As much as I personally like Batman, Spider-Man’s spider-sense would alert him of Batman’s sweeping presence before the Dark Knight ever had a chance to attack.
Spidey spins a web to trap the Batman and an extra point!
SCORE: DC COMICS – 1
MARVEL – 2
ROUND 4: GIRL POWER
DC COMICS: Selina Kyle is Catwoman, feline fatale! With razor-sharp, retractable claws and whips, Catwoman is a frisky fighter and an expert cat burglar. She has experience in boxing and various martial arts and she can even climb up walls.
MARVEL: On the other hand, Elektra is a trained ninja who has been resurrected from the dead! She does not possess any other special powers. However, Elektra is an assassin and since it is her job to kill, Catwoman wouldn’t know what hit her if she met Elektra in a dark alley. Two words: kitty litter.
Catwoman just lost the last of her nine lives. Elektra wins Round 4!
SCORE: DC COMICS – 1
MARVEL – 3
ROUND 5: BIGGEST BADDIE
DC COMICS: When it comes to villains, the Joker is no joke. The Clown Prince of Crime isn’t the strongest or most powerful bad guy, but he is without a doubt the craziest! Using deadly gags and poisonous Joker Venom, he is a ruthless, psychopathic killer with no apparent motive.
MARVEL: Next to the Joker, the Green Goblin looks almost sane. Sure, he has a pack of pumpkin bombs, superhuman strength, and a cool glider, but the Joker’s sheer unpredictability is what sets him apart.
The Joker smashes the Green Goblin’s pumpkin bombs! DC Comics scores!
SCORE: DC COMICS – 2
MARVEL – 3
ROUND UP: The Joker may have had the last laugh, but Marvel’s team of heroes has won the war. Next to Spider-Man, Wolverine and every man and mutant in between, DC Comics is really nothing to marvel at. Ultimately, each universe has its share of star players, but Marvel outshines all comic book competition.
Web Links:
www.dccomics.com
www.marvel.com