GREEN LANTERN versus BATMAN

Gray Life Gray Dreams (DC)
Where: Justice League #5 When: September 1987
Why: Keith Giffen & JM DeMatteis How: Kevin Maguire

The Story So Far...
A nefarious scheme hatched by Darkseid and his evil minions turned public opinion against the once celebrated ranks of the costumed super-heroes, but when they rise to the challenge of violent mobs, a new Justice League is brought together in the shadow of the old one.

Sticking together at the suggestion of Doctor Fate, the new lineup returns to their old headquarters, but even as they succeed in defeating strange visitors from the planet Angor, and The Royal Flush Gang -- tension simmers within the ranks!

Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, thinks he's a real hotshot, and should be steering the Justice League into the late eighties with action movie machismo. An attitude that sets him on a collision course with their Dark Knight leader: Batman!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Intelligence: Batman 5 (Professor)
Speed: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Draw 5 (Marathoner)
Agility: Batman 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting: Batman 5 (Martial Artist)
Energy: Green Lantern 7 (Cosmic Power)
Total: Batman 29 (Metahuman)

If you somehow missed it - the Green Lantern in question is eighties antagonist to the stars: Guy Gardner. A GL with a lousy attitude and a haircut to match!

At times it seems like he's crossed swords with fellow heroes as much as any of the rank & file of Green Lantern villainy -- and we've got plenty of examples:

He was put in his place when he jumped the gun against the Golden Age Green Lantern, learned his lesson taking on stand-in Superman - Eradicator, got corrupted by devils fighting Captain Marvel in Hell, and threw down with the new kid in the debut issue of Blue Beetle!

He's a quick-tempered jerk with a knack for getting it wrong, but his indomitable will isn't always focused in the wrong direction. Deep down he has somewhat good intentions, and was there on the frontline with the Justice League & Superman to fight the rampaging Doomsday, and helped drive back Warworld and the Yellow Lanterns when the Sinestro Corps War reached Earth!

Batman isn't always "Mr. Personality" himself, preparing for worst-case scenarios against more powerful opponents - be they friend or foe.

He doesn't have a Green Lantern power ring -- relying on tactical wiles, preparation, and vast technological resources to even the score against high-level opponents. He's upset Captain Marvel & Hawkman, Amazo, The Society, Darkseid, and even the comparably light-wielding - Doctor Light.

The Bat has an impressive record against Superman, but things don't always go his way. Bronze Tiger earned a lionized win in a classic one-on-one duel, while in the dark future of Rock of Ages, Darkseid's Omega Effect beams brought about his demise, similarly to a later encounter in Final Crisis.

The Final Crisis also saw Alpha Lantern Kraken earning a damning victory over the ambushed Dark Knight Detective, and on paper a Green Lantern outclasses him in power stakes -- but today's fight won't need to take that into account.

Gardner has shed his ring to take Batman on man-to-man -- a tactic that hasn't always served him well, as in his fistfight with Black Hand & goons. Will he get a good shot in on Batman? I think you probably already know the answer...

The Tape: Batman Ranking: Batman (#1)

What Went Down...

Tensions have been building within the newly assembled Justice League ever since they decided to regroup. As if external scrutiny wasn't challenging enough -- inter-personal politics between the new members has put a strain on everyone.

From the moment they returned to their abandoned headquarters -- Guy Gardner has fancied himself an action hero inspired commander-in-chief for the Justice League of the late eighties.

Until now Gardner's fallen in line -- bristling, but quietly shrinking beneath the looming oversight and natural command of The Batman. With the rush of their recent successes behind them, and more time spent couped up with the rest of the team, the loudmouth Green Lantern is finally ready to make a play.

Batman doesn't give an inch. There's no reason to. Few of the current line-up is as unqualified to lead as Gardner. Even a wide-eyed innocent like Captain Marvel makes a more compelling case than a juvenile like Guy. A vocalized fact that sours the invulnerable mood and mars even the sunny Power of Shazam.

Gardner hands off his ring to Blue Beetle, who's next on his list after he proves he's top dog with nothing but his fists. "Gosh. I'm scared."

Captain Marvel compels Batman to provide an example as leader of the League, but that would presume too much of Gardner's outlook. "I know what I'm doing here, Marvel. And maybe when you've had my years of experience, you will, too."

Batman meets Gardner's challenge head-on: "All bark and no bite."

He provokes the meathead Green Lantern -- and Gardner takes the bait like a greedy catfish.

Guy closes in, fist recoiled, face scowling, with intent to do harm -- and then...

The Batman strikes!

A single, straight-on, precision punch direct to Gardner's oncoming face!

The expert blow drops the Green Lantern like a sack of potatoes. Out cold with a lone blow. A fact that tickles Blue Beetle's funny bone: "One punch! One punch!"

Martian Manhunter and Black Canary arrive for the meeting. Dinah can hardly believe she missed Gardner finally getting put in his place. They leave the unconscious Lantern on the floor as they attend more pressing matters.

The Hammer...

The post-Crisis years of the DC Universe have given Batman a lot of contentious relationships within the superhero fraternity.

The influence of Dark Knight Returns has made his paranoid, on-again/off-again rivalry with Superman one of the most noteworthy in comics -- but was there ever a more fitting and hilarious friction than with Guy Gardner?

The resonance of "one punch" reverberates with us still. Transcending rebooted realities and multimedia to be quoted, repeated, and adapted into different formats many times over. Despite its truncated page count -- it remains a highly sought after showdown, and has been on my To Do List for many years.

Although worthy of a high-level position on any fight card, this significant moment in comics probably won't go down as one of the best battles we've ever covered on The Comic Book Fight Club. It doesn't need to. That's not what it's about. This one ranks top marks on the funny and character-driven scale.

I don't know the exact division of labour. Full credit to JM DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire, whose contributions are obviously undeniable, but I have other things on my mind right now. You probably understand.

Keith Giffen did a heckuva lot in his long running comic book career.

Justice League is arguably one of his biggest works -- and for that reason, it's always been kind of easy to take for granted it'll always be there, delaying the inevitable examination of its various conflicts, because it's just so obvious.

We all already know how special it is. How memorable. How much it made an impact on everyone -- including me -- when I was a small boy gazing up at the racks of recent issues. I could take a detour through some of Giffen's other work. Looking back at his early Egghead pencils in Defenders #43, his collaborations writing with Peter David to redefine the Justice League origin, and with John Rogers to create a new Blue Beetle that just starred on the big screen.

I wasn't there for the opening six issues of Justice League, which bridged a post-Crisis status quo out of the pages of Legends, but these comics didn't evaporate as soon as they were released. They lingered in wonderful perpetuity. Within reach as I was visiting the newsstands and comics shops a few years later, and into the early nineties, or in trade paperback collections in the twenty-ohs.

I have a particular memory of an adventurous trek to a deli that had Justice League International on its newspaper and magazine rack. Staring across at the issue, but coming away with naught. Comics in the wild always garnered my keen attention. Was Black Velvet on the radio? Maybe. Either way, I got my hands on some Justice League Europe sometime later. Good times.

JLI, as it came to reverently be known, was always there when I found Giffen's work on the New Gods through DC & Marvel's Thorion and the epic Countdown, when he helped restore much missed cosmic Marvels through the Annihilation reboot, helped make a year in the DC Universe possible in 52, and tugged at Frank Miller & Claremont references for a presumably forgotten Beast mini-series!

If it wasn't the definitive Justice League - it was the eternal blueprint for a team who had more personality than some prior incarnations, and simply were The team when I was early in my formative years. So right as to never be questioned as anything but the obvious conclusion for a lineup of DC's super-heroes. Not necessarily the "Big Seven", but a wonderous all-star swatch of the DCU fabric.

There were a lot of works. I never cracked the Legion of Super-Heroes or quite got into Ambush Bug, but Lobo grew into an undeniable icon, his Doctor Fate was truly mesmerizing, and I was as bewildered as anybody when an issue of Trencher fell into my possession without adequate warning. When the band got back together for more Justice League -- I couldn't believe how fresh it still felt.

Keith Giffen left us a couple of days ago. He was 70. I'm sad there won't be any more. Over the years it felt like that font might never completely turn off. That those ideas -- which those who knew and worked with him have described as nigh infinite -- might continue to trickle out in joyous new forms for years to come. Even if there were some breaks in between.

He was still writing at the end. Still making us laugh. It was hard not to chuckle when a post-humous entry from his Facebook page made the rounds amongst comic book fans as the news broke: "I told them I was sick... Anything not to go to New York Comic Con. Thanx. Keith Giffen 1952-2023. Bwah ha ha ha ha."

I particularly enjoyed reading Colleen Doran's account of their friendship, and mutual enjoyment of museums, high tea, and "beautiful, interesting things". The softer side behind the widely described performative "curmudgeon" that somebody like me might never know about, but can find very relatable.

I didn't have the pleasure to know Keith Giffen on any personal level, but he was a part of my life, shaping some of my perspective on enjoyment, comics, and what they should be. As we lose more creative titans like him, who shaped so much of this world and leave a gaping hole, I feel sad and grim, but I suppose it's nice to remember them for having lived, and made so much we can still enjoy.

If you'd like to relive and revel in the works of Keith Giffen and other wonderful creators -- I encourage you to explore the links throughout this post. You can also find more musings and superhero smackdown by diving into the Secret Archive for a complete index of featured fights in order of publisher, series, and issue.

Secret Wars on Infinite Earths has recorded over 700 battles and ranked well over 1,000 characters! A document not just of punches and super-powers, but of a vast array of stories, creators, and fond memories. A gateway to remember and discover so much more. If you'd like to contribute to the Patreon - I'd appreciate it, and will endeavor to share more good times with you soon.

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Winner: Batman
#1 (--) Batman
#163 (-2) Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)

GUY GARDNER versus GREEN LANTERN

Hearts of Darkness, Eyes of Hate! (DC)
Where: Justice Society of America #9 When: April 1993 Why: Len Strazewski How: Mike Parobeck

The Story So Far...
The Justice Society of America fought for truth, justice, and the American way throughout the 1940s, but when post-paranoia of the McCarthy era set in, they were driven underground by congressional hearings that turned masked heroes into figures of suspicion.

Decades later they return to fight the good fight, but when a current affairs program claims to have uncovered FBI files that prove they worked to spy on Americans, and sold their services to the Soviet Union, a fresh wave of paranoia turns the people against them!

As the owner of the network that made the false report, Alan Scott is quick to leap into action as The Green Lantern -- but it isn't long before he finds himself under attack by one of his loyal viewers: Guy Gardner!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Guy Gardner 3 (Athlete)
Intelligence: Green Lantern 4 (Tactician)
Speed: Draw 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Green Lantern 6 (Marathoner)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Guy Gardner 4 (Trained)
Energy: Draw 7 (Cosmic Power)
Total: Green Lantern 27 (Metahuman)

It's a battle of the ring slingers! Each has answered to the same moniker, but they represent very different spectrums in attitudes and light!

At this point: Guy Gardner had lost his Green Lantern power ring to Hal Jordan, forcing him to take up the yellow light of a Qwardian ring once used by Sinestro. Guy sought out the then-deceased villain's weapon after failed attempts to fight crime sans powers, as seen in Guy Gardner Reborn #1.

Once Guy found a new ring, it wasn't long before he was back with the Justice League fighting the likes of: Doomsday in Superman #74, and Eradicator in Action Comics #688. Neither fight went particularly well for the brash hero.

Long before Earth saw its first recipient of a Green Lntern Corps ring, there was the Green Lantern whose power derived its charge from the mystic Starheart: Alan Scott was a founding member of the Justice Society of America, who used his ring to fight the Axis of Evil throughout the Second World War.

His energy is magic in nature, but can achieve many of the same will-powered functions as a Corpsman -- as long as they aren't rendered against wood: his weakness! We saw his arch-enemy Solomon Grundy exploit that in JSA #65!

When Guy Gardner was a Green Lantern, his ring was unable to affect anything yellow. Now that he wields the yellow spectrum itself, there's no impurity creating a weakness. That gives him a theoretical advantage against Scott.

The Golden Age Lantern has bags of experience to call upon, and a level head that's seen him through countless battles. Guy Gardner may be a better fighter, but Alan Scott is arguably the superior tactician. Let's see how it plays out...

The Tape: Green Lantern Ranking: Guy Gardner (#134)

What Went Down...
Soaring over the city with determination -- The Green Lantern doesn't notice a gigantic yellow fist coming for his chin until it's too late!

The oversized uppercut stops GL in his tracks and signals the airborne arrival of Guy Gardner!

With his yellow power ring charged, the brash hero is full of piss and vinegar over televised reports that the JSA were once involved in post-war collusion with foreign powers. He's come to swat the traitor from the sky, but Green Lantern is in no mood for dealing with "phony Green Lanterns."

GL conjures the cutting edge of a giant chainsaw to cut through the giant yellow swatter swinging at him. Gardner is stunned his yellow construct had no effect on the Green Lantern's construct, confusing the original with his former Corps.

It looks like it's going to be an even match of ring against ring, but the Golden Age hero is unimpressed when Gardner leads with a giant mallet. He's been conjuring those for decades, and easily throws up a defensive shield.

Guy updates his offensive with a more modern tact, launching yellow rockets at his target -- but GL deflects them with a giant propeller just as easily as he challenges Gardner's willingness to believe slander against the JSA in the media.

The younger hero rationalizes their alleged overseas mercenary work as perfect explanation for the JSA's periodic disappearances. He backs it up with twin barrels of mega machine guns, but the Green Lantern catches his yellow munitions in the curve of a green pipe and sends them back overhead.

The Golden Ager questions how a gullible conspiracy theorist joined the Justice League, using the moment of provoked bravado to flick Guy with a giant hand!

Green Lantern continues to lecture Gardner on the dedication, creativity, and intelligence required of wielding a power ring. His coarse style of mentoring only riles Gardner up to be more bullheaded in opposition -- literally!

Guy rides a giant charging bull at his opponent, but Green Lantern tries his hand at being a matador. He steps aside, swishing his purple cape to reveal a great big green anvil that Gardner crashes straight into!

Seeing stars doesn't stop a dazed Gardner taunting the senior hero, who directs his attention to his feet. A green 500lbs weight precedes his plunge from the sky to the streets below, where the JSA has gathered amongst the onlookers.

Gardner emerges from a crater in the road and furiously shakes his fist skyward. It's only then he notices his yellow ring is no longer in his possession!

Green Lantern descends from the sky with a lesson in skills and humility, juggling the ring in one hand before he chucks it back to Gardner and slugs him with an old fashioned left hook!

Wildcat and Flash offer their compliments as Guy Gardner hits the deck. KO!

The Hammer...

The Green Lantern and Justice Society may have aged, but seeing Guy Gardner get kayoed when he's asking for it never gets old!

It wasn't the most diplomatic way to handle the situation, but occasionally a smack in the mouth is all that will do. Especially when there are sinister forces working behind the scenes to whip the public, and Guy, into an anti-JSA frenzy!

It's a situation reminiscent of the anti-superhero hysteria sparked by Glorious Godfrey (as G. Gordon Godfrey) in Legends. The masses become enthralled with a hypnotic mantra of hatred, but this time its laced with the dark sorcery of a Golden Age Spectre villain: the ancient destroyer of civilizations - Kulak.

A mob descends on GL and the JSA immediately after Guy Gardner hits the pavement. Not wanting to hurt the bewitched masses, they find a well-timed getaway driver in Carter Hall. Too bad for them he's under Kulak's spell as well!

Stories that vilify broadcast television were a dime a dozen in the 90s [see; Spider-Man #65], but the way Justice Society of America #9 represents the perils of "yellow" tabloid journalism, and obvious false reporting, feels awfully prescient. As does the transmission of misinformation amongst an audience all too willing to angrily mobilize to destroy institutions working to serve them.

The mysticism enhancing Current Affairs Spotlight's tabloid takedown only seems to bring the analogy forward to the present day's malicious, rapid spread propaganda of online viral channels. I shouldn't want to tinge the tale with too much of a contemporary political perspective, but the metaphors are deliberate.

The story also presents a generational struggle between the WWII statesmen, and Gen X's shoot-first action movie meatheads, who Guy Gardner parodies.

The Justice Society of America series featured in today's entry was actually the second JSA revival for the early nineties. Volume 1 was published in 1991 and set its adventures in the 1950s. Volume 2, as we can see, brings the vintage heroes into the modern age, alongside 90s icons like Guy, and Superman.

There's a modern sensibility but also a palatable sense of nostalgia, provided in part by Mike Parobeck's simple & clean renderings of the characters. It's a very nice looking comic that my scanning doesn't do full justice. Particularly to the colours by Glenn Whitmore, who keeps the world neutral and the heroes bold. Mike Machlan's inks add to the atmosphere with heavy shadows, as well.

As time marches on, the case against DC's Golden Agers seems to ebb increasingly hard against them. Former DC Publisher Dan Didio makes the case that multiple generations are part of a problem that ages evergreen DC icons like Batman. That was apparently the impetus for excising them, and the third generation Teen Titans, from the New 52 reboot.

Aging was indeed a legitimate problem, by design, pre-Crisis, but streamlining in the eighties facilitated classic returns as historic figures, still fighting evil in feature series like this one, and in mentoring support roles such as Flash #77.

The strength of the characters, and affections for them, constantly confirm their enduring appeal, and the value they offer by embellishing the DC canon. Their place in history is only ever as difficult as the publisher chooses to make it.

As one of the most exciting on-going series of the 2000s, JSA proved this. Its balance of classic and contemporary approach helped cement writer Geoff Johns as a creative force. It also reaffirmed the iconic status of Golden Age characters like Green Lantern, Flash, Hawkman, and Black Adam, creating new fans who are still eagerly supporting them in multiple mediums.

It's been good to see DC Comics restoring some of this legacy of late. Planned celebrations for the Green Lantern's 80th anniversary are exciting, and the development of a live-action Stargirl series, featuring the JSA, is pretty cool too.

If you like these characters and want to see more of them in action, you can dive into the Secret Archive for a complete index of featured fights ordered by publisher, series, and issue number. Links throughout this post are also means to discover more about the DC Universe and related characters!

Secret Wars on Infinite Earths has documented well over 600 battles and counting! If you like rankings and reading about superhero smackdown you can help make it all happen by joining the Patreon. Patrons can access schedule updates and voting polls, as well as levels to request a specific fight.

Subscribe to Secret Wars on Infinite Earths on Twitter and Facebook to get daily links to fights inspired by the topics of the day! Be sure to hit like and share on your favourite battles. Don't worry, they're strictly Kulak free!

Winner: Green Lantern
#90 (+66) Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
#140 (-6) Guy Gardner

JUSTICE LEAGUE versus CAPTAIN MARVEL

Seduction of the Innocent (DC)
Where: Underworld Unleashed #3 When: Late December 1995 Why: Mark Waid How: Howard Porter

The Story So Far...
What is the price of the heart's desire? The devil Neron has waged a campaign of temptation and corruption in an effort to amass immortal souls. With his growing power he seeks the ultimate prize: the corruption of a pure soul!

Having empowered an army of villains who accepted his offer, it seems Neron has achieved his goal when Superman disappears, and evil sweeps the Earth. Thus, a team of heroes volunteers to descend into the depths of Hell itself!

Guided by Blue Devil, the heroes face increasing challenges as they descend through each layer. Only their mightiest make it to the underworld throne of Neron himself, but in doing so, they face the greatest challenge of all: the darkness that dwells deep within them!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Captain Marvel 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Captain Marvel 5 (Professor)
Speed: Flash 7 (Light Speed)
Stamina: Captain Marvel 6 (Generator)
Agility: Martian Manhunter 7 (Unlimited)
Fighting: Wonder Woman 6 (Warrior)
Energy: Green Lantern 7 (Cosmic Power)
Total: Martian Manhunter 36 (Cosmic)

The Justice League are: Wonder Woman, Warrior, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter.

We know that Captain Marvel's no stranger to fending off the challenge of a wayward hero, or two. The classic meta-rivalry with Superman has played out in battles from Action Comics Annual #4, Kingdom Come #4, Superman #216, and Superman/Batman #4. They've always been fairly equally matched.

That last one was a tag team tussle that also featured Hawkman and Batman, but even that's just a taste of what the big red cheese is up against today! We're talking Captain Marvel alone against five of the Justice League's heaviest hitters -- all driven to extremes by the corrupting influence of Neron, and the naturally corrupting environment of the lower depths of Hell!

Fortunately, Captain Marvel's innate good proved uniquely resilient during the group's trek through the many layers of Hell. He's passed the darkest trials with flying colors, despite having his left arm in a sling. The stamina of Atlas will be stretched to its limit, but he has a natural edge against the evil of this realm.

Wonder Woman poses a physical challenge approximate to Superman, but the strength of Hercules & power of Zeus have always proved up to the challenge. Marvel has nothing to fear from the lasso of truth, but it might be useful against the corrupted heroes. Wonder Woman won't give up the lasso without a fight, but we saw Storm defeat her with a lightning strike in Marvel versus DC #3.

As long as the wizard's magic lightning can reach him in Hell, Marvel has the option to dodge it, frying nearby targets with the "lightning ambush". Against this group it might only work once, but once is all he'll need.

That trick probably won't work on The Flash. His phenomenal momentum will require Captain Marvel to push the speed of Mercury to its limit if he's going to keep up. If he can anticipate the speedster's attacks, he should be able to shut him down easily without needing to sacrifice the lasso, should he have it.

Warrior and Green Lantern have the biggest firepower of the five corrupted heroes. As Warrior: Guy Gardner could possibly go hand-to-hand with Captain Marvel, but his Vuldarian powers mean he can just manifest energy weapons from his body. Couple that with Kyle Rayner's Green Lantern ring -- and Cap's probably going to take at least a few hits. Hopefully the courage of Achilles will help him face it down with the savvy to turn their fire against one another.

That just leaves Martian Manhunter, whose presence at the lower levels probably means Hellfire hasn't slowed him down too much. As we saw in Green Lantern #44, the combat potential for a corrupted Martian Manhunter is chilling! However, that weakness to fire means Cap may be able to stall him relatively easily by directing Warrior's plasma blasts, or resorting to the lightning ambush.

Temporarily neutralizing Martian Manhunter prevents him avoiding the lasso of truth. If Marvel can use that, he might be able to lift the haze of darkness and set Martian Manhunter the task of telepathically helping the others.

Identity Crisis #3 remains one of the great examples of how a lone fighter can use clarity and tactics to turn the numbers advantage of the Justice League against them. Captain Marvel has the necessary skills to make it happen, but he's fighting hurt against overwhelming odds. Let's see what happened...

The Tape: Justice League Ranking: Wonder Woman (#15)

What Went Down...
In the depths of Hell itself, at the foot of Neron's throne, the Justice League's souls lie bare. The darkness draws their very worst selves to the surface, leaving only Captain Marvel unaltered -- besieged by his corrupted allies!

The group rushes the stunned hero before he can act. Warrior pours on the power, blasting at Captain Marvel's mighty mid-section, while Wonder Woman throws an uncompromising left across his exposed jaw!

The Captain desperately tries to put some distance between himself and his friends, narrowly flying above the path of a rampaging Flash! He appeals to the heroes' better nature and the greater good they're there to serve -- but it's for naught. Neron laughs, feasting on Captain Marvel's despair as he tempts a fight.

The demon Blaze watches the fight unfold, shackled at the side of Neron's throne. Her presence there is meant to weaken Captain Marvel, but she quietly launches an act of defiance, restoring his full powers!

Without warning: Captain Marvel feels his broken arm mend -- a miracle in the pit of Hell! He doesn't stop to question the unexplained stroke of luck. With Wonder Woman on the ropes, he curls her lasso of truth around a stalagmite and pulls it taut -- clotheslining The Flash and Martian Manhunter in mid-flight!

Suddenly a spiked mace clobbers Captain Marvel from behind -- a weapon manifested by Warrior!

The frustrated hero doesn't want to fight his friends, but their aggressive attacks are leaving him little choice. Warrior fires a double barrel blast from twin arm cannons, but Captain Marvel manages to duck it, leaving the friendly fire to take out Green Lantern!

Neron plays with the besieged Captain Marvel's mind, needling him to fight back -- to kill! Marvel throws his arms out at the surrounding Leaguers and takes down the Martian Manhunter with his hands around his throat!

Earth's mightiest mortal pins the Martian to the floor while Neron eggs him on to get mad - to end it - to kill! For a moment, it seems as if Captain Marvel may actually succumb to rage. Yet, even in the depths of Hell there is still hope!

Blue Devil explodes from the ground seeking vengeance against Neron! The distraction inspires the demon's guest, James Jesse - The Trickster, to take action! He sees an opportunity to end Neron's tyrannical rise and rushes to Captain Marvel's side. There, he relays something overheard, that Satanus knew of a single word that could bedevil the devil that is Neron.

With Martian Manhunter still in his clutches - Captain Marvel stops to think, and then he smiles. With The Trickster urging him for an answer, the big red cheese whispers the wizard's name and summons his lightning!

The mystic bolt rips through the infernal domain with an all mighty BOOM!

When the dust and electricity settles - the veil has been lifted from the Justice League! Wonder Woman just barely remembers Captain Marvel fighting to save them, as if it were a distant nightmare. With Billy Batson hiding in the dark, the Justice League regroup and ready to take on Neron!

The Hammer...
Under scrutiny this isn't necessarily a straight forward result! Captain Marvel didn't really want to fight his friends, and spent most of the battle in evasive maneuvers. He ultimately did use muscle to put them on the ropes, ending it relatively peacefully by calling down Shazam's lightning. A tactical victory!

It might've gone a much darker way if The Trickster hadn't provided a moment of clarity for Captain Marvel. Blaze also supplied the assist via a power boost that healed Cap's busted arm, and helped turn the tables. Head to the bottom of this entry for a complete update to the Fight Club Rankings.

In last week's feature I mentioned I've been getting a little tired of hero-on-hero violence. Kind of amusing that we'd rush straight into Captain Marvel vs The Justice League. I actually meant the problem more so from the perspective of current publishing trends, but I admit it seems like a bit of an about face

Underworld Unleashed #3 partakes in its fair share of clichés, including the temporary possession of heroes for a good guy melee. It also just so happens to support another of last week's points, though. Namely, the depiction of Captain Marvel as a staunchly good-natured individual in a world of modern moral greys.

It's important to remember the nineties were a pretty grungy time in comics. Look no further than the fact that DC were publishing a major line-wide event that sent its greatest heroes into the pit of Hell as proof-positive of that!

Underworld Unleashed was a crossover created in the years following the Death of Superman, breaking of Batman, and fall of Hal Jordan. It provided a stylistic response to the explosion of a new wave of anti-heroes coming from Image Comics and Spawn, while also continuing the trajectory begun by its hero-killing headlines. In a world that had already seen Superman pummeled to death, it only made sense a banner event would focus on the empowerment of villains.

This wasn't quite the type of role reversal we're seeing regularly in current issues from DC and Marvel. Issues like Steel #21 showed how villains were being powered-up by Neron, but most of the tie-ins kept to the standard dynamic of hero defeating villain. It was all about Metallo getting a modern update -- not Lex Luthor becoming a celebrated member of the Justice League.

Golden & Silver Age morality was pretty well out of fashion, but against all odds, DC had a pocket of pure retro nostalgia in The Power of Shazam!

After a few aborted attempts, it was Jerry Ordway who set about re-defining the post-Crisis realities of Captain Marvel and the Shazam Family, spawning a series in 1995 out of the success of a Power of Shazam one-shot, from the year prior.

Ordway and artist Pete Krause took Captain Marvel forward with a modern sensibility, but it was all infused with a defiant sense of retro charm. By the end of the first year, the series established the Marvel Family, Tawky Tawny, and a Fawcett City encased in a literal magic bubble that gilded it with a 1940s sheen.

For all the foibles of the nineties, it was a decade that allowed for occasionally drastic deviations of individuality. So while the other DC heroes were delving into various shades of darkness, Captain Marvel's squinty eyed view of the world was able to take center stage in the main Underworld Unleashed mini-series.

Captain Marvel's aw shucks, 1950s innocence was positioned as the exception it really was, making it the ultimate prize for a devil like Neron, as well as the perfect weapon against him. When the other heroes succumb to corruption, Captain Marvel remains a reminder of heroes who were (and are) pure of heart.

It's a wonderful, almost subversive idea piloted by writer Mark Waid, who I have to imagine was a major supporter for this type of Captain Marvel, if not the actual source for it. He flipped the script with Cap's portrayal in Kingdom Come, but that functioned both as a deliberate in-story betrayal of the character's ideals, and a larger warning against the pitfalls of violent anti-heroes.

A fake out that the "pure soul" Neron seeks is actually Superman's is a little less successful when you recall a similar dynamic already played out a couple of years prior, during The Darkness Within story. I wouldn't fault them for being consistent with the two heroes' point of difference, though.

Ultimately, in the modern age, perhaps a corporate-owned icon as big as Superman can't afford to live up to the reputation of being comics' ultimate boy scout. However, Underworld Unleashed and The Darkness Within both show us how satisfying it is when Captain Marvel does, as narrative and characterization.

Furthermore, when a guy like Zack Snyder, clearly scarred by the darkness prevalent in our times, insists its a fantasy to believe superheroes can exist without lying, embezzling, or killing, the example of Captain Marvel becomes all the more important. This is a fantasy, and after 80 years of reinforcing a stand against cruelty and injustice, I can't think of anything more "grown up" than accepting that. To presume there is no alternative to corruption - even in a fantasy - may be the very reason so much of this world has succumbed to it.

For all the talk of Shazam! bringing levity to the DC Extended Universe (now in theatres), I can't help but be disappointed that it lacks the unique, singular vision of Ordway & Krause's Power of Shazam, and the incorruptible innocence that sets Billy Batson & Captain Marvel apart from the rest.

Underworld Unleashed seems to be currently out of print, but you can navigate to Amazon via the purchase link provided to seek out current alternatives. If you do find something you like, you'll help support Secret Wars on Infinite Earths!

Seek and discover more interesting corners of the comic book multiverse by diving into the Secret Archive! There you'll find every featured fight indexed by publisher, series, and issue number! You can also subscribe on Twitter and Facebook to get daily links inspired by the topics of the day. Be sure to like, share, or retweet your faves!

Winner: Captain Marvel
#45 (+30) Captain Marvel
#555 (new) Trickster
#556 (new) Lady Blaze
#16 (-1) Wonder Woman
#28 (-2) Martian Manhunter
#30 (--) Flash (Wally West)
#75 (-6) Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner)
#128 (-7) Warrior (Guy Gardner)

GUY GARDNER versus ERADICATOR

An Eye For An Eye (DC)
Where: Action Comics #688 When: Early July 1993
Why: Roger Stern How: Jackson Guice & Denis Rodier

The Story So Far...
Guy Gardner fought by Superman's side just before he made the supreme sacrifice to stop the rampaging horror of Doomsday! So it comes a surprise when Guy returns from space to find four men claiming to be the original!

Seeking to honor the memory of Superman in his own demented way; Guy heads for Metropolis to confront one of the four heroes he's convinced must be a phony! When the visor-wearing Superman spots trouble, he defers to investigate a fire lit by Guy Gardner!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Eradicator 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Eradicator 5 (Professor)
Speed: Eradicator 6 (Mach-Speeds)
Stamina: Eradicator 5 (Marathoner)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Guy Gardner 4 (Training)
Energy: Guy Gardner 7 (Cosmic Power)
Total: Eradicator 33 (Super)

It's got all the hallmarks of a Green Lantern/Superman main event - but if you read the marquee you know it has the potential to be a whole lot messier!

Guy Gardner is well known for his days slinging a power ring as charter member of the Green Lantern Corps (and Justice League), but it wasn't always so! Proximity originally kept him from accepting Abin Sur's ring when the alien fatally crash-landed on Earth. Hal Jordan became the Green Lantern of Sector 2814 instead, but Gardner was eventually called up from the reserves.

In more recent years his attitude has attracted a Red Lantern ring -- but back in 1993, Guy was forced to wear an accessory of an entirely different hue!

He lost his Green Lantern ring to a fight with Hal Jordan, who'd returned to Earth after a stay in space. A brief stint as a powerless vigilante saw the likes of Black Hand kicking Guy's butt [Guy Gardner Reborn #1], so he tricked Lobo into taking him to deep space to seek new powers. Their adventure took them the tomb of Sinestro, where the then-deceased villain was buried with his yellow ring of Qwardian origin! Guy took it for himself - and the rest is history!

These days we know yellow rings as the fear-fuelled weapons of an entire Sinestro Corps - but back in those days, Gardner was able to wield the Qwardian ring without issue. It functioned much the same as his Green Lantern ring, allowing for yellow energy projections, and hard-light constructs.

We saw Guy using the yellow ring during Superman and the Justice League's unsuccessful stand against Doomsday in Superman #74.

A subsequent final showdown between Superman and Doomsday would seemingly result in their mutual demise. From the heroic void would rise four new heroes claiming to be the original Superman: A hybrid cloned Superboy, a Cyborg Superman, a literal man of Steel, and today's visored son of Krypton...

Eradicator was in truth a sentient device sent into space by ancient aliens facing extinction. It was reprogrammed by Kem-L of Krypton to instead protect his planet's culture at all costs.

Centuries after Krypton's destruction, its surviving keeper, The Cleric, bestowed the Eradicator upon Superman during a chance encounter on Warworld. The construct imposed various Kryptonian influences upon Superman's life during his post-Crisis reinvention, including the new creation of the Fortress of Solitude.

When Superman had seemingly died, The Eradicator used residual energies to create an organic facsimile of Krypton's last surviving son, retaining Superman's memories from a psychic interface shared with The Cleric. This allowed the new Superman to genuinely believe he was the original article!

The genetic imitation is a convincing one, mimicking the abilities associated with Kryptonian physiology when exposed to a yellow sun. Eradicator differs slightly in his origins as a creature of solar energy, allowing him to perceive and wield energy in different ways, such as powerful blasts from his hands and eyes!

We've seen Guy Gardner handle energy projections from the Blue Beetle scarab [in Blue Beetle #1], and rip away at the yellow fear energy of Parallax [in Green Lantern #24]. Given Eradicator also has innate super-strength and durability -- those past examples may prove cold comfort!

Eradicator also favors far more harsh methods than the traditional Superman, which means Gardner won't even be able to out-do him on the bad ass meter! We've done the introductions, let's just find out how the fight went!

The Tape: Eradicator Ranking: Guy Gardner (#121)

What Went Down...
Spotting a raging inferno from his aerial vantage point, the would-be Superman descends to see if he can help. On touching down at the waterfront, he finds the licking yellow flame disappearing without a trace! Guy Gardner steps from the nearby shadows to introduce himself -- and his yellow power ring!

A massive energy fist catches Eradicator by surprise -- exploding from the dock as Gardner announces himself a "one-man Superman revenge squad!"

The blow sends Eradicator hurtling into the water! Gardner's boastful challenges are soon replaced with presumptions of a one-hit victory when Eradicator fails to emerge from the water. Gardner dives in to the harbor encased in a yellow energy field to scan for his presumed drowning foe -- but comes up empty.

The ring-protected hero deduces his impact must've driven the substitute Superman into the sediment beneath the sea -- but he's only half right! The toppled Superman returns fire with a sucker punch from beneath the muck!

The awesome power of the blow sends Gardner hurtling from the sea to the sky! His air-filled energy field protects him from the devastating impact, and allows him to level out in the sky above -- but the trouble is far from over!

Eradicator rockets out of the water and straight for Gardner with a two-fisted strike! The deadly new Superman has little time for Gardner's childish presence!

The brawling heroes fight inland, where they smash through an overpass before crashing down to Earth. The Eradicator is first to emerge from the rubble as Gardner contemplates his short fuse.

Intent on regaining the offensive, Guy forms a golden suit of armor and lance, but barely has time to wield them before the stand-in Superman launches him airborne with another super-punch!

The incredible punch sends Gardner flying uncontrollably across the Metropolis skyline! He sheds his armor, smashing through jutting chimneys and water towers on a strategic trajectory towards trouble!

A simple energy field protects Gardner from harm as he crash lands into an old abandoned gas station! The scene was carefully selected by the analytical Eradicator, having spied signs of a biker gang before falling into Guy's trap!

The impact destroys the gang's bikes and gives Eradicator a chance to quiz Guy on his reasons for attacking. The gang attacks before a response is given, but Eradicator's brutal and violent methods soon appeal to Gardner's sensibilities.

The ring-slinger's suspicions that this Superman is phony are replaced with admiration and excitement for the Superman he'd rather have around. Gardner presumes a near-death experience has opened the last son of Krypton to more extreme methods than the past. Something Eradicator isn't so sure is good.

The Hammer...
There's an argument to be made that Eradicator had the upper-hand as clear aggressor, but he opts for the talking option to bring the fight to a non-combative conclusion. Gardner agrees to leave Metropolis. All done.

Action Comics #688 leaves us with an inconclusive result between Guy Gardner and Eradicator, but also establishes a sense of further understanding the two characters through their similarities - and differences...

Both ultimately address the same problem from a different angle. Namely: the perception that Superman and his boy scout moral code are outmoded in modern times. The heroes of Reign of the Supermen offer a distinctly nineties twist on the core concept, but it's an issue that still dogs Superman today.

Eradicator's "Last Son of Krypton" walks a line between indulging extreme violence, but also looking like a massive nerd with safety goggles, and off-brand Star Trek unitard. The design was a bit of a misfire, but his hardline crime-fighting successfully explored a Superman who isn't always holding back.

When Gardner abandons suspicion in favor of endorsement, Eradicator develops reservations for the underlying aggression of his actions. He sees his violence reflected back through Gardner's obnoxious and irrational use of power, and questions what it means to misuse the S shield for aggression.

There was a monkey's paw aspect throughout the Death of Superman, and Reign of the Supermen storylines. Eradicator functions very much as a 'be careful what you wish for' scenario. A lesser facsimile of the genuine article.

Guy Gardner essentially existed as a timely counterpoint to the whole archetype of Superman. He was a trash-talking loudmouth in the mode of 80s and 90s action heroes. A 'shoot first, ask questions later' hero occupying a precarious space between outright parody, and testosterone-fuelled power fantasy.

It's easy to appreciate the sweetness of such a perennial butthead taking umbrage with what he believes to be an impostor. There's no attempt to reframe the tense differences between Gardner and Superman, but he isn't a completely one-dimensional character. He didn't particularly like Superman, but he respected his sacrifice, and honored his legacy. Redeeming qualities.

I've always been pretty happy with a Superman who's a stand up kinda guy, which was probably why the whole thing was wearing thin by this point. It's never been a secret Steel was the byproduct I enjoyed most, but in digging through the ruins, I'm gaining more appreciation for the whole. In particular, the way existing elements like Eradicator and Hank Henshaw were made use of.

It's amazing to reflect on how brief the whole thing was. Superman is fighting toward his death in Action Comics #684, cover dated December 1992. He's back among the living by Action Comics #691 (September 1993), having left only two issues starring Supergirl, and four Eradicator.

With the Reign of the Supermen heading to DC animation, and DC Comics announcing new comics set in the aftermath of Death of Superman, it looks like there's going to be a lot more opportunity to reflect on this time in history.

As always: you can join me on this nostalgic trip by using the Amazon link provided to check out the collected Reign of the Supermen! All shopping via the link helps support Secret Wars on Infinite Earths at no extra cost!

Find more featured fights past, present, and future by diving into the Secret Index! Every battle is catalogued in order of publisher, series, and issue number.

For a more daring route, check out links littered throughout this post, or character tags below to discover more from your favourite characters and creators! You can also follow on Twitter and Facebook for daily fights inspired by the topics of the day!

Winner: Draw
#119 (+2) Guy Gardner
#415 (new) Eradicator