Superman is the face of DC Comics, and he has been since his debut. Heck, he’s the face of superhero comics typically. Superman is the de facto superhero, to the purpose the place, when folks consider the archetypal hero, they’re most likely going to consider the Man of Tomorrow. He’s the usual by which all heroes are measured, and the effectively from which inspiration for the style was pulled. DC has made certain to all the time push Superman to the entrance and middle, displaying everybody that he’s the superhero to finish all superheroes. In DC, he’s the final word embodiment of what a hero is when it comes to energy and spirit, however that additionally forces us to ask the query: how does he evaluate to a different firm’s heroes?
Superman is the primary individual to crossover with the heroes from throughout the omniversal pond, alongside the Darkish Knight, in fact. He’s battled alongside loads of Marvel heroes over time, however he’s additionally battled them immediately. Right now, we’re having a look at each Marvel hero that Superman has determined that he must beat down for one purpose or one other. The Man of Metal is DC’s pinnacle of energy, and he’s greater than confirmed that towards even the strongest of Marvle’s combatants. So, with out additional ado, let’s swing into Superman’s implausible multiversal exploits.
5) Unbelievable 4
Similar to Superman is DC’s first true hero, the Unbelievable 4 are Marvel’s First Household. They aren’t the primary heroes that Marvel ever produced, however they’re the crew that skyrocketed the corporate into recognition. Their cleaning soap opera fashion was an immediate hit, and shortly grew to become the default for Marvel’s fashion, spreading throughout their complete line. On prime of that, these 4 are simply as optimistic as Superman, all the time searching for a method ahead that saves everybody, with out query. They journey area and time on wacky sci-fi adventures, saving lives wherever they go. Additionally they tend to battle wealthy megalomaniacs, funnily sufficient.
Their battle got here in Superman/Unbelievable 4, but it surely wasn’t a lot of a battle. Galactus forcibly reworked Clark into his latest Herald, and when the FF tried to free him, he simply batted them apart. Superman wouldn’t have a lot bother with the Unbelievable 4 beneath regular circumstances, however including the Energy Cosmic to his already unbelievable energy? The crew very, in a short time realized that they stood no probability towards Superman, even with Cyborg-Superman backing them up. They as a substitute targeted on snapping him again to consciousness, which they finally did. Nonetheless, he whalloped them good earlier than he returned ot his senses.
4) Captain Marvel
Talking of fast fights, let’s check out the downright quickest battle on this checklist, being only some panels lengthy. It occurred within the pages of JLA/Avengers #2, through the sport the place DC and Marvel’s heroes had been compelled to journey round each Earths, amassing objects of energy. Superman and Inexperienced Lantern discovered themselves on the improper facet of Marvel Man and Carol Danvers, who was then going by Warbird. Like I stated, this wasn’t a lot of a battle. Whereas Inexperienced Lantern dealt with Marvel Man, Superman flew round Warbird so shortly that it sucked the air out of her lungs.
She misplaced instantly, whereas the 2 DC heroes continued on, undisturbed. This battle, if nothing else, exhibits simply how a lot greater DC’s heroes are inclined to scale than Marvel’s. Carol by no means stood an opportunity, and though she’s stronger now, I doubt the outcome can be a lot completely different. I might like to see an eventual rematch between these two, however I might nonetheless put all my cash on Superman.
3) Thor
Talking of JLA/Avengers, this battle was simply the central battle of the sport part of the story. Superman and Thor clashed with phrases, and some blows earlier than, however their actual battle to the end got here in challenge #2. They had been their sides’ respective powerhouses, and Superman was being pushed in the direction of anger by the unstable universes. Thor took that personally, and so they clashed with abandon. It was a protracted, dead-even battle, however ultimately, Superman managed to come back out on prime. The hassle took all the pieces he had, nevertheless, and the remainder of the Avengers instantly piled on the weakened Man of Metal, aiming to avenge Thor.
The God of Thunder had loads of benefits on this battle, to be sincere. Superman is understood to be weak to magic, and his enchanted hammer is likely one of the multiverse’s strongest magical artifacts. They had been about equal when it comes to uncooked energy, though Superman simply etched him out. The Man of Metal additionally matched all of Thor’s lightning with warmth imaginative and prescient, closing that hole. This battle was all the pieces a fan might hope for in a crossover like this, being large, bloody, thrilling, and essential to the plot. Better of all, it made certain to respect each characters, which is all the time a win.
2) Hulk
A battle between Superman and the Hulk is, frankly, one of the apparent ones followers might ask for. Superman is the final word peak for bodily prowess in DC, and the Hulk doesn’t tout the title of being the Strongest There Is for nothing. These two are the top of energy of their respective universes, however that’s solely half the attraction of seeing them conflict. They’re additionally whole opposites, with the Hulk being a monster of rage and destruction, and Superman being the embodiment of calm, selfless heroics. They’re opposed in nearly each regard, even all the way down to their designs, with crimson and blue battling inexperienced in an superior showcase of colours. These two had been made to conflict.
Working example, Superman and the Hulk have battled three separate occasions. These had been in Superman and Spider-Man, Marvel vs. DC #3, and Unbelievable Hulk vs. Superman, respectively. Superman solely knocked out the Hulk within the second, however in all three crossovers, he proved to be the Jade Large’s higher. Superman commanded the battlefield, with the Hulk both not having the ability to damage him or with him tossing the Hulk round along with his superior abilities and maneuverability. That’s all on prime of really simply straight up overpowering him, which proved that, though he is perhaps prime canine the place he comes from, the Hulk isn’t actually the strongest that there’s wherever.
1) Spider-Man
Spider-Man is one thing particular to Marvel. Not solely is he the corporate’s hottest hero by a landslide, however he’s the image of all the pieces their model of heroism seems to be like. Spider-Man is a deeply human man who struggles with real-world points as a lot as he does supervillains. But, regardless of how a lot life throws at him, he all the time chooses to do the proper factor and save the day, regardless of how a lot it prices him. Similar to Superman showcases all the pieces nice about how DC creates heroes, Spider-Man does the identical for Marvel. They’re each the shining examples of what heroes needs to be, and the inspirations everybody else seems to be as much as. And in that sense, they’ve crossed over a lot.
Their largest battle got here of their very first assembly, in Superman vs. The Wonderful Spider-Man. Lex Luthor and Physician Octopus joined forces to set the 2 heroes towards one another, however, predictably, there might solely be one winner. The villains tried to stage the taking part in area by blasting the Net-Slinger filled with crimson solar radiation, however after that factor was eliminated, Spider-Man by no means stood an opportunity. Heck, he about broke his fingers attempting to punch him. Spidey has rather a lot going for him, however when it comes to uncooked energy, he’s not even taking part in the identical sport as Superman.
On the finish of the day, the Man of Metal will all the time be DC’s primary, and that’s greater than sufficient to face as much as Marvel’s catalogue, too. Which Marvel hero would you like to see him go up towards? Tell us within the feedback beneath!