Rankings have long been the spine of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths. Based on the cumulative record of win/loss results: relevant rankings are updated at the bottom of every new featured fight -- but only for characters involved! Rank & File is a chance to compare and contrast more of the 1000+ ranked characters by highlighting the ten best heroes & villains of different topical categories!
The Summer Olympic Games were postponed last year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, but the world's greatest athletes at last descended upon Tokyo on July 23rd to compete in the Games of the XXXII Olympiad! It would seem to have been a safe & successful event, with the United States of America topping the medal tally at the last moment with 1 more gold than China.
With the games now closed we look to find which countries reign supreme in the fighting ranks of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths. The Top 10 National Champions are the highest ranked representative of each country. Remember: This list is based on cold, hard win/loss records. Hit the comments section to share your Top 10 national icons! You can also choose a topic for a future Top 10 Rank & File by signing up to the Warbonds Top 10 level on Patreon! You'll be my #1 if you do!
The Summer Olympic Games were postponed last year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, but the world's greatest athletes at last descended upon Tokyo on July 23rd to compete in the Games of the XXXII Olympiad! It would seem to have been a safe & successful event, with the United States of America topping the medal tally at the last moment with 1 more gold than China.
With the games now closed we look to find which countries reign supreme in the fighting ranks of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths. The Top 10 National Champions are the highest ranked representative of each country. Remember: This list is based on cold, hard win/loss records. Hit the comments section to share your Top 10 national icons! You can also choose a topic for a future Top 10 Rank & File by signing up to the Warbonds Top 10 level on Patreon! You'll be my #1 if you do!
#1 Batman (DC)Nation: [United States of America]
Real Name: [Bruce Wayne]
First Appearance: [Detective Comics #27 (May, 1939)]
Recent Opponents: [Darkseid, Bronze Tiger, Bloodsport]
Featured Fight: [Captain America versus Batman]
It comes as no surprise that American heroes dominate American comic books and the most dominant of them all is The Batman! He may not wear the colours of the flag, but wealthy Bruce Wayne is an icon of 20th century American industry and ideals. He possesses many of the traits of an Olympian as well, having trained his body and mind to compete at the very highest level. He's mastered skills of martial arts, athletics, gymnastics, and marksmanship in his endless crusade against crime.
Batman's main haunt is the gothic modern metropolis of Gotham City, but he's found a global presence as a member of the Justice League, and during his own adventures abroad. Although sometimes finding himself at odds with other nations, he's also found many global allies, even inspiring an international offshoot of Batmen of All Nations, and their modern organized franchise: Batman Incorporated.
Batman's main haunt is the gothic modern metropolis of Gotham City, but he's found a global presence as a member of the Justice League, and during his own adventures abroad. Although sometimes finding himself at odds with other nations, he's also found many global allies, even inspiring an international offshoot of Batmen of All Nations, and their modern organized franchise: Batman Incorporated.
#2 Wolverine (Marvel)Nation: [Canada]
Real Name: [James "Logan" Howlett]
First Appearance: [Incredible Hulk #181 (November, 1974)]
Recent Opponents: [Fantastic Four, Magneto, Hellfire Club]
Fight Spotlight: [Lady Deathstrike versus Wolverine & Vindicator]
America's neighbours to the north have proven to be a comic book global power through the omnipresence of one of their most famous agents! Wolverine may predominantly operate out of the United States, but his roots in Canada run deep, making him a former member of the Canadian super-team Alpha Flight, and tying him to a history of cross-border espionage.
His indomitable spirit and mutant healing factor are a fitting metaphor for Canada's world famous conscientious free healthcare system, and have made him one of the busiest heroes in comics. His adventures have taken him far and wide, most notably establishing a spiritual connection with Olympic host nation Japan, and involving him deeply with the fictional crime-ridden principality of Madripoor.
His indomitable spirit and mutant healing factor are a fitting metaphor for Canada's world famous conscientious free healthcare system, and have made him one of the busiest heroes in comics. His adventures have taken him far and wide, most notably establishing a spiritual connection with Olympic host nation Japan, and involving him deeply with the fictional crime-ridden principality of Madripoor.
#3 Wonder Woman (DC)Nation: [Themyscira]
Real Name: [Diana of Themyscira]
First Appearance: [All-Star Comics #8 (December, 1941)]
Recent Opponents: [Darkseid, Queen Clea & Blockbuster, Superman]
Featured Fight: [Justice League versus Ultramarine Corps]
The paradise island city-state of Themyscira may have withdrawn from the world of man, but its traditions continue to resemble those of the Ancient Greeks who founded the Olympic Games. The cloistered island has evolved a culture of sporting contests and athletic excellence that would surely make them a competitive powerhouse at the Modern Summer Games!
The greatest of Themyscira's Amazons is Wonder Woman, who embraces the world as an ambassador for peace, and a warrior for justice. Her humanitarian concerns have taken her across the world and made her a liaison to the United Nations and a charter member of the Justice League. Her super-human abilities make it difficult to imagine an Olympic event where she wouldn't take gold!
The greatest of Themyscira's Amazons is Wonder Woman, who embraces the world as an ambassador for peace, and a warrior for justice. Her humanitarian concerns have taken her across the world and made her a liaison to the United Nations and a charter member of the Justice League. Her super-human abilities make it difficult to imagine an Olympic event where she wouldn't take gold!
#4 Aquaman (DC)Nation: [Atlantis]
Real Name: [Arthur Curry]
First Appearance: [More Fun Comics #73 (November, 1941)]
Recent Opponents: [Black Manta, Mera & Tempest, Ocean Master]
Featured Fight: [Sub-Mariner versus Aquaman]
The underwater domain of Atlantis has produced many powerful heroes & villains, but at present it's Aquaman who reigns supreme above all. His unique genetic makeup means he could rightly participate in any event, but it's obvious the deep sea hero would rule the Olympic pool!
Like Themyscira, the underwater kingdom of Atlantis has roots in the ancient world, but its culture has evolved to become uniquely its own. Sometimes this distance has led Atlanteans to regard the surface world with hostility, but Aquaman is always there to balance each realm. As monarch of the seas and a member of the Justice League he's responsible for defending more of the world than most!
#5 Black Adam (DC)Nation: [Kahndaq]
Real Name: [Teth-Adam]
First Appearance: [Marvel Family #1 (December, 1945)]
Recent Opponents: [Superman, Mary Marvel & Ibis, Mary Marvel]
Featured Fight: [Black Adam versus Azraeuz]
When ancient Kahndaq was visited by the wizard Shazam he chose Teth-Adam to be his mortal champion. As Black Adam he possesses the stamina of Shu, the swiftness of Heru, the strength of Amon, the wisdom of Zehuti, the power of Aten, and the courage of Mehen -- skills that have made him one of the world's mightiest mortals that would surely sweep the Olympic Games!
Absolute power corrupted Adam absolutely, but returning from centuries in exile to the modern era, he redoubled his efforts to liberate the Middle Eastern nation of Kahndaq at any cost. His conquest of the throne may have sparked international controversy, but his goals to eradicate the corrupting influence of organized criminal institutions such as Intergang has restored Kahndaq to global attention in the DCU.
Absolute power corrupted Adam absolutely, but returning from centuries in exile to the modern era, he redoubled his efforts to liberate the Middle Eastern nation of Kahndaq at any cost. His conquest of the throne may have sparked international controversy, but his goals to eradicate the corrupting influence of organized criminal institutions such as Intergang has restored Kahndaq to global attention in the DCU.
#6 Ryu (Capcom)Nation: [Japan]
Real Name: [Ryu]
First Appearance: [Street Fighter (August, 1987)]
Recent Opponents: [Rose, Sadler's Cyborg, Sagat & Vega, Ken]
Featured Fight: [Ryu versus Sagat]
Olympic host nation Japan has robust representation in American comic books, not to mention their own rich history of unique manga characters & culture, but our top ranked Japanese fighter is a martial artist who originates from one of the greatest video game series produced in Japan: Street Fighter!
His journey may've started in the arcade, but some of its most memorable chapters have been told in the pages of manga and comic books. Ryu is the quintessential legendary martial arts hero, travelling the globe in search of martial arts insight by confronting & learning from the greatest practitioners in the world. There really couldn't be a better representative for Japan in a year when karate joined the official line-up of events at the Summer Olympic Games!
His journey may've started in the arcade, but some of its most memorable chapters have been told in the pages of manga and comic books. Ryu is the quintessential legendary martial arts hero, travelling the globe in search of martial arts insight by confronting & learning from the greatest practitioners in the world. There really couldn't be a better representative for Japan in a year when karate joined the official line-up of events at the Summer Olympic Games!
#7 Black Panther (Marvel)Nation: [Wakanda]
Real Name: [T'Challa]
First Appearance: [Fantastic Four #52 (July, 1966)]
Recent Opponents: [Klaw & Killmonger, Thanos, Wolverine, Klaw]
Featured Fight: [Black Panther & Storm versus Doctor Doom]
The fictional African nation of Wakanda may have closed itself off from the rest of the world, but it did so having excelled in a great many ways! Ruling monarch T'Challa is famous for his brilliance in the technological fields of engineering and science, but the trials of Black Panther also mean he's a phenomenal physical specimen, adept in gymnastics, hand-to-hand combat, and more!
As a tenured member of the Avengers, Black Panther has maintained a Wakandan presence in the world, often operating out of the United States. His regal title also involves him with some of the Marvel Universe's other monarchies, such as Atlantis and Latveria.
As a tenured member of the Avengers, Black Panther has maintained a Wakandan presence in the world, often operating out of the United States. His regal title also involves him with some of the Marvel Universe's other monarchies, such as Atlantis and Latveria.
#8 Storm (Marvel)Nation: [Kenya]
Real Name: [Ororo Munroe]
First Appearance: [Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May, 1975)]
Recent Opponents: [Sentinels, Blitzkrieg, Magneto, Hellfire Club]
Featured Fight: [Storm versus Wonder Woman]
Ororo Munroe is a citizen of the world, born to a Kenyan tribal princess and an American man, who then travelled to Egypt, where she was raised from a young age. In early adulthood she was praised as a "goddess" when her mutant gift to manipulate the weather manifested on the Serengeti. A cooling wind and blessed rains would surely be welcomed in Japan, where athletes have endured a sweltering heat during the Summer Games of the 32nd Olympiad!
Storm was one of many international mutants recruited into the second generation X-Men. Their adventures have continued to take her out into the world, where she even enjoyed the distinction of being Queen of Wakanda for a time! These days she's a senior figure in the mutant nation of Krakoa, but once upon a time she lost her powers, relying on athletic prowess and guile to combat evil!
Storm was one of many international mutants recruited into the second generation X-Men. Their adventures have continued to take her out into the world, where she even enjoyed the distinction of being Queen of Wakanda for a time! These days she's a senior figure in the mutant nation of Krakoa, but once upon a time she lost her powers, relying on athletic prowess and guile to combat evil!
#9 Black Widow (Marvel)Nation: [Russia]
Real Name: [Natasha Romanova]
First Appearance: [Tales of Suspense #52 (April, 1964)]
Recent Opponents: [Captain America, Jigsaw, Secret Avengers]
Featured Fight: [Iron Man, Black Widow & Crimson Dynamo versus Titanium Man]
A state-sponsored doping scheme has seen Russia disqualified from this year's Summer Olympics, even though tested athletes were allowed to compete under the banner of Russian Olympic Committee. This duplicitous pursuit of results isn't always such a bad thing, as in the case of super-spy Black Widow, who emerged from intensive training in the "Red Room" in peak physical condition!
Natasha Romanoff ultimately defected to the United States, where she became a member of the aptly named Champions, and more famously, The Avengers. Not traditionally super-powered, she's relied on Olympic level gymnastic agility and hand-to-hand combat to level the playing field against dangerous adversaries!
Natasha Romanoff ultimately defected to the United States, where she became a member of the aptly named Champions, and more famously, The Avengers. Not traditionally super-powered, she's relied on Olympic level gymnastic agility and hand-to-hand combat to level the playing field against dangerous adversaries!
#10 The Phantom (King Features)Nation: [Bangalla]
Real Name: [Kit Walker]
First Appearance: [The Phantom (February, 1936)]
Recent Opponents: [Jungle Thieves, Roughnecks, Masked Marvel]
Featured Fight: [The Phantom versus The Masked Marvel]
Bringing Up The Rear:
First Appearance: [The Phantom (February, 1936)]
Recent Opponents: [Jungle Thieves, Roughnecks, Masked Marvel]
Featured Fight: [The Phantom versus The Masked Marvel]
For twenty-one generations the fictional nation of Bangalla has been home to costumed pulp adventurer The Phantom. Generally considered somewhere in Africa, but sometimes taking on traits of India as "Bengali"; this exotic former British colony has allowed the Walker family to carry out their oath against piracy, cruelty, and injustice for over four hundred years.
Family legacy leads the world to believe there is one unchanging Phantom, but his role has evolved over the years from presiding over jungle tribes, to supporting an independent democratic government first formed under President Lamanda Luaga. He and his family's adventures are chronicled across the world, where the Phantom's mark is remembered by evil and good alike.
Family legacy leads the world to believe there is one unchanging Phantom, but his role has evolved over the years from presiding over jungle tribes, to supporting an independent democratic government first formed under President Lamanda Luaga. He and his family's adventures are chronicled across the world, where the Phantom's mark is remembered by evil and good alike.
Bringing Up The Rear:
Union Jack (United Kingdom), Dhalsim (India), Morbius (Greece), Noob Saibot (China), Vixen (Zambesi), Magneto (Germany), Doctor Doom (Latveria), Black Bolt (Attilan), Steel Serpent (K'un-Lun), Apocalypse (Egypt)
Remember: The Rank & File Top 10 is determined by recorded win/loss rankings
at the time of publication. There are many more world warriors from Olympic nations. Who would get a medal in your list? Share your Top 10 National Champions in the comments and become a Patreon subscriber to choose the next Rank & File Top 10 topic!
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