By popular demand, the Infinite Wars are about to go where they've never been before! After two years of comprehensive canonical fight fact coverage, we're delving into the fictional world of fantasy fights, because you demanded it!
In the spirit of the immensly popular '96 DC/Marvel crossover event, we're pitting fifteen of each company's most relevant characters to 2007 against one and other! Stay tuned as we take a look at the imagine struggles of the superhero stars that have propelled the Infinite Wars across two full years of fisticuffs!
SUPERMAN versus THE SENTRY
Strength: Draw 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Superman 4 (Tactician)
Speed: Draw 6 (Mach Speed)
Stamina: Draw 6 (Generator)
Agility: Superman 3 (Acrobat)
Fighting Ability: Draw 3 (Street Wise)
Energy Powers: The Sentry 7 (Cosmic Power)
The Hook...
Do we really need to explain?
Ever since the character's psueod-hoax introduction in 2000, and his integration into the Marvel Universe proper in 2004, fans have debated the potential of The Sentry, with a very deliberate measure against his archetypal fore-father, Superman.
True to perception, the Sentry truly represented the Superman archetype as reimagined in the Marvel Universe. The bold two-colour costume, cape, flight, and super invulnerabilities make the Sentry the staple super-man, but bubbling underneath the shiney exterior is a man of great neurosis and fear.
Their differences don't end there.
The Sentry far outdoes his predecessor, suffering similar complaints of a character who is excessively powerful, and ill-defined. Favourite moments that contribute to the Sentry's status include the intergalactic trip that was the destruction of Carnage, and more recently, a clash with the Hulk.
The hook? This is a topic that's raged across the internet for years.
We may not hope to conclude answers, but certainly, it is our hope that the Infinite Wars provide a unique perspective; ie:
The Math: Superman Ranking: Superman (#8)
The Battle...
If you missed out, it might be to your chagrin that this battle was opened up to the fan vote. Much like the original DC/Marvel there was a little bit of ambiguity built into the result. Our vote was for who you, the War Mongers, felt should win overall between DC and Marvel; not Superman and Sentry.
I'm believe there's a way to write this battle both ways.The Sentry tends to be the variable in either conclusion. It's his ill-defined power range that conceivably lends an old fashioned slugfest that would give him the edge by scope. His abilities to travel through time and space seem to exceed a contemporary Superman considerably, and I think it would be quite reasonable, given enough credit to the characters, to conclude on Sentry's side of things.
On the other hand, there's the very simple solution for Superman in the psychological victory. The Sentry's anxious neurosis' are a well documented deus ex to his own infallability as a deux ex, keeping him away and reluctant from the major fights, at least until the very end; [deus ex machina; Latin meaning, "god out of a machine", used in reference to fictional characters with impossible powers over situations and plot].
If I had to be honest, I'd say I'm a little too unfamiliar with the Sentry characters to make any kind of confident assessment, either way. If we hadn't gone with the fan vote, I would honestly say I would err on the side of Superman, going back to that psychological influence.
As much as that presents a cop out for any writer dealing with the character, that very fact contributes to my assessment. I think if we're to believe at all in this character's internal struggles they need to remain ever present, so when faced with the ultimate confident and iconic character in Superman -- who undeniably challenges Sentry, regardless of which side of the fence you're on -- would find himself plagued his anxieties and doubts.
If we were to accept the model of the '96 crossover, this one needs a lot of time for blows thrown. Like the over-the-top sound effects of World War Hulk, this is a fight that deserves serious representation!
The Hammer...There you have it, folks!
For the first time ever the Infinite Wars have jumped into the realm of Fantasy Fights! Having been quite well received, no doubt you'll be seeing more of this fan-favourite pastime in 2008, perhaps even sooner than you think!
Drawing inspiration from the 1996 crossover, we mentioned that these characters were fighting for a cumulative tally that would decide the fate of their universes. Which poses the question, if one of these is to be erased, who's left?
It's been a huge month, in a huge year of Infinite Wars, and early- 2008 looks to continue the trend!
Anyone with a heart condition, small children, or deeply religious fears of the rapture should look away now, because coming on Jan 1st will be a Punch-Up so massive, it may very well cause the internet to manifest a physical form (visible from space) and wreak terrible, terrible havok on Tokyo bay!
Stay tuned for the Annual Punch-Up, the same great service, and more!
And remember, the Fantasy Fights are here by reader demand. If you have strong opinions, disagreements, or fantasy requests, be sure to scroll down to the comments section below, and lodge your claim. Posters need not be registered!
WINNER: The Sentry (65%)
No comments:
Post a Comment