Hey there, Jim, how’s it going?
Hey Daron going well here. I think I’m ready for another big week.
Well that’s good, because here we are, ready to go. We’ve got a brand new column, with the exact same creative team, doing pretty much the same thing we’ve done for the last three or so years. So what do you think?
I think that we have a lot more surprises in mind for our fans and we may actually break some new ground that the fans will love.
How about the snazzy new logo?
I like the logo. I could have a Marvel shirt on or something but I approve it.
Indeed. I think all the new bells and whistles will be enjoyable. And eh, if our readers don’t like it, we’ll just do like our namesake do and keep delivering it anyway.
Before we get on with the show here, I’d just like to point out the new color schemes. Reade’s emails will now be regular white text (instead of white text in italics). Jim’s responses will be in his new ostentatious fuchsia colored text. And my responses, as always will be in yellow. I hope you all enjoy this our first issue of The Ultimate Marvel Handbook (and if you don’t, I’m sure we’ll here from you :)
Beadle posted
Jim / Daron,
I know I’m heading for status as Geekmaster General for this, but my reason for including Thor and Herc as top fighters in the first place (which sparked off all this argument – sorry about that) is based on Marvel-approved stats for characters. Those from the Marvel Superheroes RPG (from way back in the day). To sum up for those that never saw / played the game, each of the characters had 7 stats (Fighting, Agility, Strength, Endurance, Reason, Intuition & Psyche).
Each stat had a rating, according to the following list:
Feeble (1)
Poor (3)
Normal (5)
Good (10)
Excellent (20)
Remarkable (30)
Incredible (40)
Amazing (50)
Monstrous (75)
Unearthly (100)
And then 7 higher ratings that are mainly reserved for higher beings like Galactus, ultra-powerful gods like Odin or Zeus, or fundamental aspects of the universe like Eternity or Death.
In those ratings, guys like Cap and Punisher had a “Fighting” score of Amazing. Thor and Herc on the other hand were Unearthly. Millenia of learning different fighting styles and using different weapons. And those scores were completely unrelated to their strength. It was pure fighting prowess.
Daredevil was merely Incredible.
And having read bits and pieces from The Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe, I see nothing to contradict this view.
I can understand the argument against Taskmaster or Karnak being involved, because their fighting ability is directly linked to their powers, but Thor’s and Herc’s isn’t.
Wolverine fights in a certain way because he knows he can heal from any punishment he takes, and so he takes a direct route, risking personal harm. But if his healing factor failed him, he’d still have special ops and samurai training to fall back on. He’d fight differently. Just because he favours one fighting style that’s not “technically superb”, doesn’t mean he couldn’t fight that way.
Same with Thor and Herc. They tend to use more brawling styles, because they can press over 100 tons, and pretty much take a tactical nuke in the face from close range. But that doesn’t mean they’re not masters of other fighting styles. It just means they favour a style that works with their other abilities. Plus, I think Herc just brawls because he finds it more fun, and he’s often pissed out of his skull.
Just because I use a boat to cross a river, doesn’t mean I couldn’t swim it. The boat’s there, so I use it.
(And I totally agree with Coren. Taskmaster is the single coolest character in Marvel. Think of every Chuck Norris “fact” you’ve ever read, and Taskmaster would fit just as well. There is no theory of natural selection, just animals Taskmaster allows to live).
Very interesting way of seeing this. I’m hoping we resolve this thing starting this week. I’m putting the tournament in this week. Depending on length. Hopefully, Daron won’t cut it. If not this week expect it next week. I just made the brackets Saturday.
Oh so now I’m the bad guy? It wasn’t my fault your Decimation Update got cut last week, the site literally made me cut something because the column was too long. Hopefully we don’t run into that this week.
As to your points on Thor/Hurc, Beadle. I agree to a point. And I think your example about Wolverine works just as much against your argument as it does for it. Both of these guys use styles that compliment their other abilities and what have you, so yes if they lost their powers they’d still be able to fight based on sheer experience. However, I still say that someone with extensive training is still going to take these two guys depowered and going hand-to-hand.
As to the RPG info, I have to say that I think it’s flawed for use in this debate. The system is simplistic for ease of use, and I think the “Strength” chart represents their raw physical strength, like how much they can lift and throw”¦that sort of thing. While their “Fighting” does reflect their, skill, strength, speed, and what have you, even though it’s not listed because let’s face it all of those things NEED to be considered when “gauging” one’s fighting ability.
A_Faceless_Name posted
I would imagine if you include them, Ares would likely be higher up too. His style is largely brutal, but effective. He is the God of war, so I think he probably knows a few styles. Achilles would be up there too.
Yep Ares and Achilles should be on the list. BUT they won’ make the tournament. You’ll find out why when I post it up later.
I don’t recall seeing it, but would Psylocke rank too? She is a semi-ninja or some $h!t.
Psylocke, I will have to rank some time soon too. I’m adding her to the tournament. I’ll add quite a few females. So stay tuned for March.
Psylocke is skilled, but she’s not one of the first names I think of when I think of the best of the best fighters. Personally, I think she relies too much on her sword to take advantage of an opponent rather then using pure “skill.”
Jagjiwan emails
Hey guys…got some questions
Hey Jag
1) I was talking with my buddies about convoluted Spiderman crossovers and thought of Maximum Carnage. I remember a character (i think the name was Nightwatch?) that looked like a big Spawn-knockoff? Little help?
Good question
Nightwatch
Real Name: Kevin Barry Trench
First Appearance: Web of Spider-Man 100
Nightwatch was Doctor Kevin Trench, who witnessed a costumed man die battling some terrorists armed with invisibility-generating ‘cloaking” devices, and unmasked the corpse to learn that it was an older version of himself.
Freaking out, he stripped the costume from “his” body (an odd reaction, if you ask me) and fled to a deserted island, reasoning that if he just never wore the suit or went home, he wouldn’t die (Web of Spider-Man #100). Events conspired to bring him back, as the criminal Alberto stole one of the costume gloves after washing up on the island and being nursed to health by Trench (Web of Spider-Man #98-9). After Alfredo had been dealt with, Trench decided that he couldn’t avoid his destiny, and ecided to investigate the costume’s origins (Web of Spider-Man #100).
In the interim, he battled menaces like the “Maximum Carnage” gang and the mutated Deathmask, Graduating into his own book, Nightwatch encountered similar “cloaked” villains, and was shocked when their technology merged with and enhanced his costume (Nightwatch #1). In between battling menaces like Flashpoint, Cardiaxe & Cardiac, whose technology had been stolen to create the more vicious (Cardiaxe), and Venom, Nightwatch discovered that an old ex-girlfriend was working for the shady Morelle Pharmaceuticals on a nanotech project.
Ultimately, project head Phillip Morelle proved to be corrupt, and Nightwatch defeated his sinister plans (Nightwatch #2-10). Justin Morelle, the son of Phillip and Trench’s ex, received nanotech arms from the project in the bargain. Nightwatch’s costume boosted his strength and durability by triggering his adrenal glands, and nanotechnologically repaired itself.
It’s cape responded to his subconscious thoughts to move on its own, and allowed him to glide on air. After he was boosted by the later-generation Morelle technology, the durability of the costume increased, the cape became more metallic, and he had something closer to true flight.
2) What happened to Demogoblin and the Spider-doppelganger?
Demogoblin: held a pillar up long enough for the child to escape, but was crushed to death when his strength gave out.
Spider-Man doppleganger: Carnage actually killed him in Maximum Carnage after he tried to stop him from killing Shriek
And who says Marvel characters don’t stay dead?
3) I dont understand the big deal with this Who’s the best fighter in Marvel thing….we all know its Stilt-Man.
Anyway, how about a reader tournament set up like you did a while back with the cosmic heroes?
Right here in this article. We’ll start it later on. Rules are simple pick your winners and email them to me
That does sound simple”¦that can’t possibly work for us.
4) THANK YOU. I HATE Gambit with a passion and I’m glad there are more out there like me. The world is a better place because of it.
Keep up the good work.
Hahaha I have a bad feeling Gambit’s going to be booted right out of the tournament in the first round. We’ll keep up the good work as long as people like you keep emailing.
And I’ll keep up my civic duty of bashing Gambit into the ground. Maybe we should start a support group”¦
Jon emails
Hey guys love the column. I had a new theoretical comics question… we always talk about hero vs hero in DC vs marvel. How about DC vs Marvel the villains?
Who do you guys think would win if they matched up similar evildoers in both universes…
Villains fighting. FUN! Let’s start this baby up
Darkseid Vs Thanos
Thanos with or without Gauntlet? Because this fight could get interesting anyway. Thanos with his one gem even can get interesting. Darksied likely would get his ass handed to him with those things.
But without them it’s more even. Hard match to tell. Might actually be one of those fights that turn into a draw.
Yeah”¦if we took away powers from the fighters, I think it’s safe to say we’re taking away any Infinity Gems. NO ONE realistically stands a chance against someone with one of those things.
Anyway, barring all that”¦ I pretty much agree that this one will probably rage on for all eternity if left unchecked. These two guys are pretty much each othe’s mirror image, and have very similar roles in their respective universes. I personally think this one is too close to call. Anyone else?
Lex Luthor vs Dr Doom
Oh this ones easy. Doom. Doom has magic and is more evil. He’s the end all and be all of most any villain. He’d take Luthor and let him think he’s winning the fight and then snap a finger and kill him.
Yeah, I have to agree again. (Which scares me to no end.) But if we’re talking about an actual fight, I don’t think Lex has a chance in hell of taking Doom.
Deathstroke vs Taskmaster
Taskmaster. Deathstroke is a dead man. He’d just get all his moves mimicked and all the other moves Taskmaster can use on him. Ta
Ta? What the hell is Ta?!?
But yeah, I’m torn on this one. I want to say Taskmaster should win, he really should win, but between the way Taskmaster has been used at Marvel (i.e. always getting his @$$ kicked), and the way Deathstroke has been used at DC (i.e. single handedly defeating the entire JLA without breaking a sweat). I really want to say Taskmaster here, but I think realistically Deathstroke would win.
Eclipso vs Apocalypse
Eclipso I had to look up. I don’t know him. So I might be wrong on the winner here. But I’ll go with Eclipso. I read that this sob is a god in ways. Apocalypse lets his hencemen do most of his work. This guy would take Apocalypse.
Anyone else finding it harder to judge these because the villains almost always lose so it’s harder to judge them by who’ve they beaten?
Joker vs Green Goblin
Joker. Just because he’s insane enough to figure out Norman’s secret and use that against him better. Joker is nuts. Hell I think Joker is the best Dc villain listed here. He’d outdo Norman.
Finally, I can disagree with you! As much as I like the Joker, I don’t see him going toe-to-toe with the Goblin. Again is this is any sort of actual fight, the Goblin would literally tear him apart. Remember Bats refrains from hurting his villains (too much) because he wants to walk the line not cross it, I’m thinking Norman would have no such dilemna.
Deadshot vs Bullseye
Hmmmm this one might be interesting. Bullseye could win it BUT it’s going to be luck. I think Deadshot is good. Damn good. So this is pretty even.
Is anyone else noticing how many of these Jim is giving to the DC villains?
And well you get the picture. Who do you guys think the best match ups would be and who do you think would win?
Well I like the ones above. No other ones are coming to mind at the moment, BUT I’ll bet that other will think of a few.
Here’s one for next week: The Recently Returned From The Dead Grudge Match: The Winter Soldier (Bucky) vs The Red Hood (Jason Todd). This will be a cage match with only a crowbar and the two opponents on the inside of the cell. Let the games begin.
Michael emails
I believe in Avengers Disassembled, Fury claimed to have fought in Wold War 1 as well. So he is probably about the same age as Elijah Snow.
Why do I think that was Bendis screwing up? He’s had a habit of making up his own continuity. I don’t think Fury is that old. Sorry.
No doubt. No one who fought during WWI would be running shield, unless they too were stuck in a block of ice for 40 years”¦
Ryan emails with a correction
hey Jim…you wrote this
I’d love for there to be a throwaway line about this, like “I was crying
in a cradle when the Titanic was sinking.” (The Titanic sunk on April 15, 1912), just to wrap this up once and for all.
That would be a good idea for Ellis to use in Peacemaker. Someone get Ellis to read this one.
It’s ENNIS…ENNIS!!!! the L and the N aren’t even close to each other on a keyboard!!! c’mon man!! i kid and you know i love the column, but i got permission from the DOL to “sick” you as he said.
Yeah I noticed it AFTER I posted it and forgot to go back and edit. I was hoping someone would catch that.
And just so we’re clear, EVERYONE ALWAYS has permission to “sick” Jim whenever they damn well please.
Brian emails
In Captain America #321, Cap killed a terrorist when he had no choice. You can get good details here
That was an accident in reality and Cap regretted it. In fact in a later issue of Cap we saw that. He regretted that and the deaths of many of his other foes. He didn’t mean to kill him though.
Cory emails
Sup fellas, Cory here…..another week…more questions: Btw, as for a name change “MARVEL MATRIX” sounds straight!
Hahaha shame Daron already picked the name.
Indeed I did, and already got it copyrighted, so there’s no turning back now.
1. Is it me, or is the Incredible Hulk Marvel’s “sacrificial lamb”? For being the strongest there is, he usually loses hi-quality matches. From Superman to Batman to Wolverine, what big matches does the Jade Giant ever win?
HAHAHA You know you have a damn good point. Hulk normally doesn’t beat the big heavy weights in names. He didn’t beat Cap, Wolverine, Supes and even Thor in most fights.
But he has beaten Rhino, Absorbing Man, Abomination, Juggernaut, Modok, plus most of his normal foes. But as you said he doesn’t do it to much against the big heroic guns. He takes a beaten most of the time. But he did give Onslaught a nice shot.
2. Last week, I mentioned Capt. America (C.A.) against Thanos. My memory eludes me, but how did the battle come down to those 2, and HOW did he win?
Thanos actually won. He killed Cap in the end BUT he was the last man standing. He was the bravest and fought the best. He was able to give it his all. He waited to strike last. He did help the others but played strategy as well. The best fighter always picks the best moment to strike. Cap did, but still lost.
And this was the argument you were using against me”¦
*shakes head*
3. (Evil Genius) mentioned this last week, so: What heroes would you have battled against soldiers, etc?
Cap of course, Wolverine, Nick Fury, Punisher, Silver Sable, and likely Hulk.
And what heroes would you want to have with you in a life-or-death streetfighting match?
Cap, Wolverine, Daredevil, Iron Fist, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, and the Cat
HAHAHA, isn’t this walking right back into the “best fighters” argument that we just finally got out of? Well for me, I’d like to have one of the following, Black Panther, Daredevil, Iron Fist, Shang-Chi, or Wolverine (without or without powers and claws).
4. Since we now know N.Fury’s age, what about C.A.?
Well Cap was likely 18 when he took the super soldier formula. I’ll say he’s about 84.
5. Statement: If you have training/experience, strength means little to nothing. With this said is this how Wolverine usually defeats the Hulk, along with speed?
Yep. Wolverine is trained really well. It’s like Cap. Cap can take down Hulk. Just use your speed and training and they win.
Cap also has a big honkin’ shield to deflect incoming blows, and can also use that to strike with, thereby increasing his “attack power.”
6. TOP 12 FIGHTERS: How & when did Black Panther keep Wolvie at bay? & when did he flat out beat Iron Fist?
I believe it was during Black Panther volume 2: Enemy of the State #41-45 for BP vs. Wolverine
Do you mean Wolverine volume 2 #41-45: Enemy of the State?
Black Panther Volume 3 #39 for the Iron Fist fight. That one is thanks a lot to Black Dragon
6A. Where do fighters like Sabretooth, Shatterstar, Hawkeye, Cable, Maverick, Silver Samurai, N.Fury, Moon Knight all fit into the top tier fighters?
Damn you. I forgot atleast two of them. Now I have to edit the tournament. Just added Hawkeye, Shatterstar and Maverick. The rest we have been seeing on list every so often.
7. How does DC’s Thor differ from Marvel’s Thor?
Marvel Thor is the god of Thunder. The real deal. I think DC version is too but he’s more of pervert.
What I know of DC’s:
Thor is one of the greatest of the Aesir, the Gods of Norse Mythology. The red-bearded Thunder God is not very active in these days, but has encountered Dream the Sandman and the New Gods, as well as the JSA, the All-Star Squadron, and the JLI. He has a magic Hammer called Mjolnir. If he rubs it, it gets bigger.
What was that last part again?!?
8. When, why, and how did Doom lift Mjolnir?
When: coming up in FF # 536
Why: it’s Civil War related we’ll find out why soon.
How same goes for this answer.
9. Why did Taskmaster sacrifice his reputation in JLA/Avengers just to put Batman over in a off-panel fight?
I don’t think he did. I think Kurt Busiek did by allowing Batman to kick his ass. Damn Busiek should’ve known Taskmaster better then that. JLA/Avengers made the DC universe look so much better then Marvel in so many ways. It was just laid out wrong.
10. Possible Mjolnir lifters: How about Nightcrawler (the holy religion aspect), Beast (the endearing aspect), Cyclops (boy scout aspect)……hmm what about the Silver Surfer?
Surfer would be sick. Hell, I think he’s the best name on your list. He could do it I bet.
Just have to see it.
Cyclops is to much of a pansy lol. He’s a bigger pansy then Superman. I don’t care how Whedon makes him out to be. I like Whedon but Cyc is a pansy.
I don’t know if I’d go as far as to call him a pansy, but I don’t think he’s worthy. Probably the only X-Man who I think is, is Colossus.
Kurt is possible. As you said it’s the religion facto. He’s got beliefs.
Again, I don’t think so, and if anything the religious aspect only works against him on two points. 1) Sure he’s religious, but it’s the wrong religion for trying to lift a heathen god’s weapon. 2) His religious background makes him even less of “warrior” (by most of your standards) than Supes.
Beast I think tried it before and failed. I could be wrong though.
11.About the list of people the Taskmaster has trained/studied, when did he do anything with DC’s Huntress? I know I saw her on the list.
He didn’t train her. BUT he did meet her in a crossover and watched her in combat. May have even fought her.
12. Besides Deadpool & the Joker, what other superheroes/villains are aware that they are comic book characters?
Marvel:
Deadpool
She-Hulk
Blond Phantom
Louise Mazon
Squirrel Girl
DC:
Ambush Bug
Animal Man
Lobo
Joker
13. In the Marvel vs DC miniseries, Spider-Man (Ben Reilly) in Gotham, the Joker spoke to him in familiar terms and even commented on his costume change, an oblique reference to an older crossover tale which had subsequently been assumed to have been retcon-ed out of existence. Is this still acknowledged by both companies in any aspect of sorts?
Well, I think that was the only reference to the old crossover really. I don’t think they did it otherwise. But Joker knew that anyway since he knows he’s a comic book character.
Somehow I doubt that many writers write Joker with the mindset that he “knows” he’s a comic character. I’m sure that was just a reference to the old crossover.
14. About my Sentry “Superman” in-joke, has there been other times when Marvel has done this before & has DC ever done this as well?
Supreme Power/Squadron Supereme. Marvels own JLA. Not many in jokes other then a few in Supreme Power if you can pick them out. Other then that well I think Marvel has had a few other pokes at DC. Just can’t pick them all out.
If you think about it though. Marvel did it in the movies some. Remember the line from Spider-Man 1.
Aunt May to Peter: “Your not Superman you know.”
15. Quote: We just have to accept that there are characters that, as a part of their character, are 99% of the time going to win. That’s Captain America, and that’s Superman, and to a lesser extent, Spider-man and Batman. So Wolverine is chopped liver now, huh???
Hehe Wolverine normally will win about 95% of his fights. I’ll give the other 5% to Sabretooth and a few others. Remember he had no adamantium for a time and got beat a few times.
16. Mentally, his battle experience and training has also made him an expert tactician and an excellent field commander, with his teammates frequently deferring to his orders in battle. Rogers’s reflexes and senses are also extraordinarily keen. He has mastered boxing, jiu jitsu and judo, combined with his virtually superhuman gymnastic ability into his own unique fighting style. Years of practice with using his indestructible shield has made it practically an extension of his own body, and he is able to aim and throw it with almost unerring accuracy and ricochet the shield to hit multiple targets; all told, he is one of the finest hand-to-hand combatants in the Marvel Universe. ~Wikipedia.com
&
Captain America has mastered the martial art of American-style boxing and judo, and has combined these disciplines with his own unique hand-to-hand style of combat. He engages in a daily regimen of rigorous exercise (including aerobics, weight lifting, gymnastics, and simulated combat) to keep himself in peek condition. Captain America is one of the finest human combatants Earth has ever known.~Marvel Directory. I hoped that helped a lil bit.
Yep very helpful. Helps defend Cap in so many ways. Hope Daron is paying attention.
Well at least “someone” got some facts to base their opinions on”¦though I think the styles listed are a bit odd for Cap. I don’t see him as much or submission/grappler, which is where a lot of the strengths of those two styles lie. I’d still like to see this backed up in an actual comic though.
Thanks, keep up the good work, and same time next week.
Welcome and talk again next time, Cory.
Next time? You can’t possibly have any more questions after that”¦
The Decimation 198 update
1. Alchemy (198 Files)
2. Anole (New X-Men 21)
3. Apocalypse (X-Men 182)
4. Arclight (198 Files)
5. Aurora (198 Files)
6. Avalanche (198 Files)
7. Banshee (X-Men Deadly Genesis 1)
8. Beast (House of M 8)
9. Beautiful Dreamer (198 Files)
10. Big Betha (GLX-Mas)
11. Tito Bohusk (Exiles 72)
12. Bishop (House of M Day After 1)
13. Black Box (Cable/Deadpool 21)
14. Blaquesmith (All New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z 2)
15. Blindfold (198 Files)
16. Blindspot (All New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z 2)
17. Bling (X-Men 177)
18. Bella Donna Boudreaux (All New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z 2)
19. Jamie Braddock Jr. (198 Files)
20. Bruiser (Runaways 12)
21. Cable (Cable/Deadpool 18)
22. Caliban (198 Files)
23. Cannonball (Cable/Deadpool 18)
24. Centennial??? (All New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z 2)
25. Catiana (198 Files)
26. Lila Cheney (198 Files)
27. Cloak (Runaways 12)
28. Collective Man (198 Files)
29. Colossus (House of M 8)
30. Cyclops (House of M 8)
31. Dagger (Runaways 12)
32. Dark Beast (198 Files)
33. Dazzler (New Excalibur 1)
34. Diamond Lil (198 Files)
35. Domino (House of M Day After 1)
36. Doorman (GLX-Mas 1)
37. Dragoness (198 Files)
38. Dust (New X-Men 20)
39. Elixar (New X-Men 20)
40. Empath (198 Files)
41. Erg (House of M Day After 1)
42. Ernst (198 Files)
43. Exodus (198 Files)
44. Fever Pitch (198)
45. Firestar (House of M Day After 1)
46. Flatman (GLX-Mas)
47. Forge (Cable/Deadpool 18)
48. Frenzy (198 Files)
49. Emma Frost (House of M 8)
50. Gambit (House of M Day After 1)
51. Gateway (198 Files)
52. Ghoul (Generation M 1)
53. Glob Herman (198 Files)
54. Havok (House of M Day After 1)
55. Hellion (New X-Men 20)
56. Husk (House of M Day After 1)
57. Iceman (X-Men 178)
58. Icarus (New X-Men 20)
59. Hisako Ichiki (198 Files)
60. Indra (House of M Day After 1)
61. Jazz (198 Files)
62. Madison Jeffries (198 Files)
63. Martha Johansson (198 Files)
64. Johnny (Son of M 1)
65. Johnny (Son of M #1)
66. Justice (House of M Day After 1)
67. Karma (House of M Day After 1)
68. Kid Omega (198 Files)
69. Kylun (198 Files)
70. Lady Mastermind (198 Files)
71. Leech (198 Files)
72. Lifeguard (198 Files)
73. Litterbug (198 Files)
74. Living Monolith (198 Files)
75. Loa (198 Files)
76. Lorelei (198 Files)
77. M (X-Factor 2)
78. Madrox (House of M Day After 1)
79. Magma (House of M Day After 1)
80. Mammomax (House of M Day After 1)
81. Marvel Girl (House of M Day After 1)
82. Marrow (Generation M 4)
83. Match (198 Files)
84. Meltdown (Cable/Deadpool 18)
85. Mentallo (198 Files)
86. Mercury (New X-Men 20)
87. Microbe (New Warriors 5)
88. Micromax (198 Files)
89. Layla Miller (House of M Day After 1)
90. Mister Immortal (GLX-Mas 1)
91. Mister M (Mutopia X 5)
92. Armando Munoz (Deadly Genesis 2)
93. Mystique (X-Men 179)
94. Nightcrawler (House of M 8)
95. Kiden Nixon (198 Files)
96. Nocturne (New Excalibur 1)
97. Northstar (198 Files)
98. Omega Red (198 Files)
99. Outlaw (X-Men 179)
100. Onyxx (198 Files)
101. Peepers (House of M Day After 1)
102. Persuasion (198 Files)
103. Pixie (New X-Men 21)
104. Prism (198 Files)
105. Pulse (X-Men 179)
106. Psylocke (House of M Day After 1)
107. Quill (198 Files)
108. Random (198 Files)
109. Mikhail Rasputin (Colossus: Bloodline 3)
110. Rhapsody (198 Files)
111. Franklin Richards (Fantastic Four)
112. Valeria Richards (Fantastic Four
113. Riccochet (198 Files)
114. Rockslide (New X-Men 20)
115. Rogue (House of M Day After 1)
116. Sabra (198 Files)
117. Sabretooth (198 Files)
118. Sack (198 Files)
119. Sage (House of M Day After 1)
120. Scalphunter (198 Files)
121. Scrambler (198 Files)
122. Selene (198 Files)
123. Shatterstar (198 Files)
124. Shadowcat (House of M 8)
125. Sebastian Shaw (198 Files)
126. Shinobi Shaw (198 Files)
127. Silver Samurai (Wolverine 36)
128. Siryn (Cable/Deadpool 18)
129. Skein (198 Files)
130. Skids (All New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z 1)
131. Gregor Smerdyakov (Mutopia X 5)
132. Squirrel Girl (GLX-Mas)
133-135. Stepford Cuckoos (New X-Men 20)
136. Storm (House of M Day After 1)
137. Strong Guy (House of M Day After 1)
138. Sunspot (House of M Day After 1)
139. Surge (New X-Men 20)
140. Swordsman IV (Andreas von Strucker) (New Thunderbolts 17)
141. Tempo (198 Files)
142. Thunderbird III (198 Files)
143. Toad (198 Files)
144. Trance (198 Files)
145. Ursa Major (198 Files)
146. Vanguard (198 Files)
147. Voght (198 Files)
148. Vulcan (Deadly Genesis 1)
149. Wallflower (New X-Men 20)
150. Warpath (Cable/Deadpool 18)
151. Evangeline Whedon (Uncanny X-Men 466)
152. Whirlwind (198 Files)
153. Pete Wisdom (House of M Day After 1)
154. Wither (New X-Men 20)
155. Wolfsbane (House of M Day After 1)
156. Wolf Cub (New X-Men 21)
157. Wolverine (House of M 8)
158. X-23 (New X-Men 20)
Alright the field of 64 MIGHT be missing some people. I’ve got a lot ofnames in. I left out the gods and cosmic beings (except Gamora) as we know it’s hard to rank them, but I had some help devising the brackets so hopefully this will work. I also took out dead characters. Lastly, I ruled out super strong characters like Thing, Hulk and She-Hulk among others so this should be as good as we can get.
I needed names for the regions so picked the four big Marvel teams so ignore where everyone is right now. Straight out fighting. No powers involved.
The Avengers region:
1. Captain America
16. Silhouette
2. Black Panther
15. Shadowcat
3. Karnak
14. Namor
4. Nick Fury
13. Fatale
5. Luke Cage
12. Shroud
6. Crossbones
11. Impala
7. Winter Soldier
10. Domino
8. Nightcrawler
9. Wildheart/Wild Child
The X-Men region:
1. Wolverine
16. Beast
2. Iron Fist
15. Invisible Woman
3. Gamora
14. Storm
4. Elektra
13. Diamondback II
5. Sabretooth
12. Moon Knight
6. Agent X
11. Silver Samurai
7. Shatterstar
10. Spider-Man
8. Hellcat
9. Fantomex
The Fantastic Four region:
1. Taskmaster
16. U.S. Agent
2. Deadpool
15. Gambit
3. Silver Sable
14. Colleen Wing
4. Zaran
13. Yukio
5. Cable
12. Cat
6. Bullseye
11. Callisto
7. Psylocke
10. Black Widow (Natasha)
8. Lady Deathstrike
9. Battle Star
The Defenders region:
1. Ronin
16. Viper
2. Shang-Chi
15. Black Cat
3. Daredevil
14. Maverick
4. Punisher
13. Spider-Woman I
5. White Tiger (current)
12. Misty Knight
6. Batroc
11. Black Widow (Yelena)
7. Mantis
10. Puma
8. Puck
9. Night Thrasher
Alright that’s it for this week. Note that not everything went as planned for this week. We had a couple others ideas that will be added next week as well, so expect more fun then. But let’s see what Daron thought.
I thought it went rather well. We’ve got a lot of new stuff here (mostly visual I admit) but hopefully everyone likes it.
I’ll sign off first:
Notes:
1. Marvel.com pollWho is your favorite Wolverine foe?
2. Digital comics Comics you can read online
3. superherohype poll How would you rate the photo of Spidey wearing a black suit in “Spider-Man 3”? (with 10 being best)
4. Marvel is in the process of adding new bios and added a ton of new ones. Yes I’m submitting some to for approval. Check them out here Also feel free to help Marvel too. While at it check out the new look of the site.
5. As always your opinions on anything in the article or out on the shelves is welcome. After all you never know what type of response you will get.
6. Keep those emails coming and make sure to label them Marvel Handbook.
That’s it from my end. Reporting from my corner of the Marvel Universe I’m Jim Trabold. Have a great week and see you at the comic shop.
As I said above, we’re throwing a lot of new stuff at you, and your feedback on any or all of it would be great so we know what’s working and what’s not.
Before I go I’d like to thank Sean Long for designing our new logo up top. Some of you may recall Sean’s work from the DOL’s comic strip. He’s been a great help in getting this relaunch off the ground. Check out his site and see some of his other work.
Thanks everyone, have a great week!
