HERO OF THE WEEK: BLACK MANTA (DC)
Real Name: David Hyde
First Appearance: Aquaman #35 (September, 1967)
Fight Club Ranking: #865

Featured Fights:
- vs AQUAMAN: Adventure Comics #446 (Jul-Aug 1976)

It was tempting to talk about Sony's Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse this week, which is dazzling audiences with its multiverse of colour and animation, but for all the good it brings, I'm not immediately excited about the fresh fractures it widens with multiple cinematic Spider-Men.

For better or worse, I'm more enticed by the first-run cinematic world-building of Aquaman, which is the other major superhero release hitting theatres in December. We certainly couldn't let 2018 pass without acknowledging the glory of Black Manta! Just look at the bad ass poster shared via @AquamanShrine last month [below]!

A villain once out of favor for his over-the-top design, Black Manta now struts into cinematic live-action with a serviceable recreation complete with that oh-so bonkers, oh-so wonderful bug-eyed helmet! He seems destined to be a favourite for anyone giving the movie a chance and I can see why! Yahya Abdul-Mateen II does the honors - bringing life to Black Manta as a technologically savvy nemesis out to collect on a vendetta against Aquaman! Just look at him!!

The film has already been racking up record-breaking box office overseas, confirming record takings in China for a US release. After the blowback felt by other DCEU movies, I've got to think early release in those markets was a deliberate, deft move to temper early negativity. It's a bit of a cynical move, but unlike other films from this slate, it seems to be in service of giving a fun movie a fair go.

To would-be moviegoers sneering at yet another CG-encrusted superhero blockbuster, I would suggest the mistake was seeing many of the other ones. Monotony has been an issue in superhero movies in general, but offerings like Batman v Superman and Justice League were obvious enough to betray their failings pre-release. Aquaman hasn't been easy to read ahead of time, but certainly pitches enough to make it the one worth rolling the dice on.

I'm looking forward to seeing a visually vibrant superhero film. It's too infrequent. A less-than-harrowing adventure into strange worlds sounds like a great change of pace. Actors like Willem Dafoe and Dolph Lundgren stir intrigue and enthusiasm. Villains like Black Manta and Ocean Master stoke curiosity, with all kinds of crazy extras stuffed into trailers to suggest something fun!

Aquaman officially makes domestic United States shores later this week, flooding theatres December 21st. Make sure you don't leave before the post-credits scene! If you haven't had enough hydration you can find more Aquaman by deep diving links in Hero of the Week, the Secret Archive and more!

<< Hero of the Week 12/24: Phoenix     [Home]     Hero of the Week 12/10: Firestorm >>

HULK versus CHAMPION OF THE UNIVERSE

And They Shall Call Him... Champion! (Marvel)
Where: Marvel Two-In-One Annual #7 When: October 1982 Why: Tom DeFalco How: Ron Wilson

The Story So Far...
The Thing has battled some of the most powerful beings in this universe and beyond, earning a fighting reputation that spans galaxies! Enter: Proja - Promoter Supreme!

Charged with signing worthy opponents to face The Champion of the Universe - Proja sees big box office potential in a match between Thing and his client! Madison Square Garden is the only arena that could stage this once in a lifetime title bout, but you can't have a main event without an undercard!

The Mighty Thor was disqualified when he brought his enchanted hammer into the boxing ring. His exit paves the way for a potential show stealer as Champion welcomes a challenger who may be the strongest one there is: The Incredible Hulk!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Champion 7 (Omnipotent)
Intelligence: Champion 2 (Average)
Speed: Hulk 4 (Olympian)
Stamina: Champion 7 (Unstoppable)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Champion 7 (Living Weapon)
Energy: Draw 1 (None)
Total: Champion of the Universe 29 (Metahuman)

If you subscribe to the theory that Hulk is typically stronger than his cousin: there's a compelling case for Champion of the Universe being in real trouble in today's bout! After all, we've seen She-Hulk beat him cold in She-Hulk #8!

Of course, She-Hulk's win only came after an earlier, ugly beating. Her second effort was facilitated by experience gained from the prior contest, three months of additional intensive physical training, The Champion under estimating her, and an argument to strip him of the Power Gem he was guarding, at that time.

Indeed, Champion of the Universe may be a merciless combatant, but as we saw in an earlier no contest against Thor: he plays by a strict set of ring rules!

Those rules helped She-Hulk turn her fortunes around, but they may not bode well for her rampaging cousin! This is a time when Bruce Banner wields some control over a more articulate Hulk, but the more he gives into his rage, the more he loses control. That rage is the source of his upper limits of strength, but it also means he's unlikely to be concerned with threats of disqualification!

Hulk is one of the preeminent powerhouses of the Marvel Universe and could very well have the strength to challenge The Champion! We've seen him lay vicious beatings on Juggernaut [Marvel Adventures #14], Silver Surfer [Incredible Hulk #95], The Sentry [World War Hulk #5], Thor [Avengers #5], The Avengers [Avengers #4], and The Thunderbolts [Incredible Hulk #449]!

We've also seen Hulk vex cosmic powers the likes of: Thing & The FF [Fantastic Four #12], Superman [Marvel versus DC #3], Green Lantern [Unlimited Access #1], Hercules [Tales to Astonish #79], and Thanos [Infinity Gauntlet #4]. Yet it must also be noted that each of these examples has ultimately concluded in a stalemate, or even the Hulk's defeat.

Given this is purely a contest of pugilistic power and brute physical strength - Hulk is in with a shot! Though an Elder of the Universe, we've seen proof Tryco Slatterus (as The Champ is otherwise known) can be defeated. Hulk is clearly among Earth's top tier of super-human fighters, but lacks finesse. His fists are fuelled with pure fury and everything depends on focusing them on the task of proving he really is the strongest one there is! Let's see how he did...

The Tape: Champion of the Universe Ranking: Hulk (#6)

What Went Down...
No sooner than Thor has been teleported from the Madison Square Garden spotlight does The Hulk suddenly appear! He warns The Champion that anger only makes him stronger -- and he's plenty mad with the alien's actions!In a demonstration of his awesome brawn the Hulk bangs his gloved fists together - reducing the boxing gear to strips of meaningless leather!

In truth, the hours of training and waiting have been a constant struggle for the man within the beast - Dr. Bruce Banner! As his resolve has weakened, his rage has stewed to the boil - blurring into madness as he finally takes the ring and begins a berserker charge toward his adversary!

It would surely be a main event worthy of the biggest marquees across the known galaxy -- but The Champion of the Universe is no mere barroom brawler! He deems this mindless Hulk unworthy of the contest he offers.

With but a raising of his gloved hand, Champion once again expels an opponent from the ring. The match is over before it started. Another No Contest!

The Hammer...
Oh, what might've been! If this were any other series, perhaps Hulk v Champion would've been one the biggest fights in Marvel Comics history! Alas, the green goliath was not the star of Marvel Two-In-One - and fated for an early exit.

Unlike the previous Thor fight; there were no actual blows exchanged during this battle, but a statement of intent was clearly made by the Hulk, and Champion initiated his method of avoidance. All of that is to say: this fight will go on the record as an inconclusive no contest (equal to a draw).

That means, to this point, The Champion has eliminated: Sub-Mariner by disinterested forfeit, Doc Samson by training injury, and Thor & Hulk by variations on disqualification and no contest. That sounds like an inauspicious start to the tournament, but it's all in favour of building to the main event!

When we next return to Madison Square Garden and Marvel Two-In-One Annual #7 - we'll get our first taste of pure pugilistic power when Sasquatch steps into the ring for a bona fide battle! We've also got Colossus, Wonder Man, and Thing waiting in the wings to take the challenge of the Champion of the Universe!

Sasquatch may not be your usual headliner from the Marvel Universe, but in the eighties, he and Alpha Flight were a cult force to be reckoned with! Canada's fuzzy, transforming answer to the Hulk has also been mixing it up lately in Marvel's current genre-bending super-hero/horror series: Immortal Hulk. Rest assured, it'll be a lot of fun to come back to his battle with The Champion!

It feels like next year is going to get a little cosmic, so providing all goes well, we might start getting some valuable data on the Elder known as Tryco Slatterus. To this point, his impact on the rankings hasn't been particularly impressive. He's exactly the kind of character Secret Wars on Infinite Earths was made to investigate - and that means big things lie ahead!

Technically Season 2019 begins here! Be sure to check out The Champion's recent entry into Hero of the Week, and vote for your favourite battles in the 2018 Feature Fight Recap! You can also keep your eyes on the Secret Archive for future updates and explore links throughout this post to discover an exciting multiverse of classic combat and superhero smackdown!

Show some love and make more discoveries by follow Secret Wars on Infinite Earths on Twitter and Facebook! That's where you'll find daily links to fights inspired by the topics of the day. A like, share, and retweet is a great way to help spread the battlecry! Happy holidays, true believers!

Winner: No Contest (Draw)
#6 (--) Hulk [+1 draw]
#319 (+2) Champion of the Universe [+1 draw]

HERO OF THE WEEK: FIRESTORM (DC)
Real Name: Ronnie Raymond
First Appearance: Firestorm #1 (March, 1978)
Fight Club Ranking: #886

Featured Fights:
- vs BRIMSTONE: Legends #1 (Nov 1986)
- vs BRIMSTONE: Legends #2 (Dec 1986)

What a weekend! Narrowing it down to just one Hero of the Week has not been an easy task!

We had announcement trailers for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 3 and Mortal Kombat 11 at The Game Awards on Friday! The first official trailers for Marvel Studios' Avengers: Endgame, and Spider-Man: Far From Home, (the latter, albeit, only witnessed by those attending a Brazilian Comic-Con)! There was also last night's broadcast of the first part of the hotly anticipated CW Three-Part Elseworlds crossover featuring previously discussed HOTW The Flash!

With all of these incredible multimedia heavyweights throwing haymakers from the hip -- what ultimately piqued my interest? It turned out it was something from comics! More specifically: Firestorm - The Nuclear Man, who had a major moment in this week's Doomsday Clock! Read on if you don't mind spoilers!

The highlight came in last week's Doomsday Clock #8, where Firestorm became embroiled in the "Supermen Theory", which supposes hostile military conspiracy is responsible for the high density population of super-powered individuals in the United States.

Newsarama documented the key events - most notably Firestorm's pursuit of Pozhar - which resulted in the accidental transmutation of everyone in Moscow's Red Square into glass. This unusual event, along with Superman's attempt to pacify Russia, has apparently brought them to the brink of war.

The political thriller has obvious overtones reminiscent of Watchmen, functioning quite openly as a controversial pseudo-sequel and crossover, but the eighties reference also seems to extend to the pre-New 52 DC Universe, where Firestorm and Pozhar were significant players, emerging together out of the American/Russian tensions that played a major role in late-eighties, post-Crisis DC Comics.

The more DC Comics can evoke the spirit of better days, the more interested I'm certainly going to be. We've been looking back at the period more often on Secret Wars on Infinite Earths, including two noteworthy episodes in this year's featured fights, from Suicide Squad #6 and Suicide Squad #43.

There's still a twinkle of hope that the entire exercise of Doomsday Clock, and its largely unnecessary exploitation of the Watchmen brand, might at last be walking back the damage done with Flashpoint and The New 52. At the very least, it's bringing the Golden Age heroes and the Justice Society of America back into the picture, which is welcome.

Whatever the end goal is: I got a real kick out of Firestorm being back in the spotlight, mixing it up with old enemies (and friends), and having a heroic moment as he reached into the matrix of his powers to restore human beings who were turned into glass.

Yes, I also enjoyed the People's Hero of Russia callously shattering those same people as they and military tanks rushed to attack a Superman desperate to protect the very lives they were ending. Somehow that just didn't seem in the spirit of Hero of the Week. Maybe if Stalnoivolk shows up, eh?

If you like late-eighties DC Comics, be sure to check out the 2018 Feature Fight Recap and vote for those Suicide Squad battles I mentioned. The Top 20 fights of Season 2018 will be crowned this month. All you have to do is click those links as many times as you like to register a hit for the respective battle! Vote for as many fights as you like - as often as you like!

<< Hero of the Week 12/17: Black Manta      [Home]     Hero of the Week 12/03: Daredevil >>

ANNUAL PUNCH-UP: 2018 FEATURE FIGHT RECAP

Technically the Secret Wars on Infinite Earths season begins and ends in December! That means it's time to reflect upon a big year of featured fights from the last twelve months! We had an eclectic mix of heroes & villains who were taking movies, comics, and video games by storm in 2018. There were major milestones revisited - and tributes paid to some of the industry legends who sadly left us.

This year you can vote for the best battles featured in 2018! All you have to do is revisit your favourite fights by hitting the recap links below! The battles with the most hits will be part of our Annual Top 20 Cover to Cover coming in the next two weeks! Some real gems went under the radar, so be sure to use social media links to help spread the word! You can vote for as many battles as you like, as many times as you like! So go forth and discover!

#1 Captain Marvel versus Thing (Captain Marvel #26)
#2 Deadshot versus Enchantress (Suicide Squad #6)
#3 Hawkman & Captain Comet versus Sinestro (Secret Society of Super-Villains #5)
#4 Black Panther versus Thing (Fantastic Four #52)
#5 Black Panther versus Ulysses Klaw (Fantastic Four #53)
#6 Wolverine versus Black Panther (Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions #3)
#7 Bronze Tiger & Vixen versus Stalnoivolk (Suicide Squad #43)
#8 Jessica Jones versus Scorpion (Alias #23)
#9 Captain Marvel versus Superman (Action Comics Annual #4)
#10 Superman versus Orion (Action Comics #586)
#11 Fantastic Four versus Gladiator (Fantastic Four #249)
#12 Nova & Drax versus Annihilation Wave (Annihilation #1)
#13 Iron Man, Thor, Firelord & Sub-Mariner versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#14 Hulk & Drax versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#15 Vision, Sub-Mariner & She-Hulk versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#16 Thor, Doctor Doom & Firelord versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#17 Wolverine versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#18 Scarlet Witch, Cyclops, Iron Man & Vision versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#19 Cloak versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#20 Firelord & Drax versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#21 Terraxia versus Iron Man (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#22 Spider-man & Thor versus Thanos & Terraxia (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#23 Nova versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#24 Quasar versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#25 Captain America versus Thanos (Infinity Gauntlet #4)
#26 Deadpool versus Cable (New Mutants #98)
#27 Lady Deathstrike versus Domino (Domino #2)
#28 Spider-man versus Electro (Marvel Knights: Spider-man #3)
#29 Kingsize versus Wasp (Marvel Super-Heroes #3)
#30 Spider-man versus Vulture (Amazing Spider-man #7)
#31 Doctor Nemesis versus Giant-Man (Marvel Comics Presents #114)
#32 Ghost versus Iron Man (Iron Man #239)
#33 Guy Gardner versus Eradicator (Action Comics #688)
#34 Aquaman versus Ocean Master (Adventure Comics #444)
#35 Venom & Morbius versus Demogoblin (Venom: The Enemy Within #3)
#36 Juggernaut versus Deadpool & Siryn (Deadpool: Sins of the Past #3)
#37 Spider-man versus Mister Negative (Amazing Spider-man #621)
#38 Steel Serpent versus Iron Fist & Spider-man (Marvel Team-Up #63)
#39 Typhoid Mary versus Daredevil (Daredevil #255)
#40 Supergirl versus Martian Manhunter (Adventure Comics #450)
#41 Venom versus Spider-man (Amazing Spider-man #347)
#42 Venom versus Ghost Rider (Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #6)
#43 Solomon Grundy versus Bizarro (Solomon Grundy #2)
#44 Aquaman, Tula & Dolphin versus Mera & Tempest (Blackest Night #2)
#45 Deathstroke versus Robin (Uncanny X-Men and New Teen Titans #1)
#46 Hulk versus Fantastic Four (Fantastic Four #12)
#47 Aquaman versus Black Manta (Adventure Comics #446)
#48 The Flash versus Rag Doll (Justice League of America #196)

You can find more superhero smackdown and classic contests by checking the Secret Archive for a full index! Stay tuned to the main page for more updates as Secret Wars on Infinite Earths continues!

HERO OF THE WEEK: DAREDEVIL (Marvel)
Real Name: Matt Murdock
First Appearance: Daredevil #1 (April, 1964)
Fight Club Ranking: #13

Featured Fights:
- vs BULLSEYE: Daredevil #132 (Apr 1976)
- vs HULK: Daredevil #163 (Mar 1980)
- vs TYPHOID MARY: Daredevil #255 (Jun 1988)
- vs PUNISHER: Daredevil #257 (Aug 1988)
- vs TURK: Marvel Comics Presents #19 ((May 1989)
- vs SCOPE: Marvel Comics Presents #49 (May 1990)
- vs SLADE: Daredevil: Man Without Fear #2 (Nov 1993)
- vs DEADPOOL: Contest of Champions II #4 (Nov 1999)
- vs BULLSEYE: Daredevil #49 (Sep 2003)
- vs PUNISHER: Daredevil #65 (Nov 2004)
- vs WOLVERINE: Wolverine #24 (Mar 2005)
- vs SINISTER TWELVE: Marvel Knights: Spider-man #11 (Apr 2005)
- vs JESTER: Daredevil #75 (Sep 2005)
- vs BULLSEYE: Daredevil #79 (Jan 2006)
- vs IRON FIST: Daredevil #87 (Sep 2006)
- vs TOMBSTONE: Daredevil #90 (Dec 2006)
- vs TOMBSTONE & MATADOR: Daredevil #91 (Jan 2007)

After three seasons on Netflix: Daredevil has officially been cancelled! The news came via Deadline, who reports Marvel may still have plans for Charlie Cox and the live-action series, which joins Iron Fist and Luke Cage on the chopping block. Jessica Jones and The Punisher are expected to follow suit, once already-produced third and second seasons debut for the respective shows.

High cost of production and plunging ratings have been the most cited cause for the break, but diverging interests have been developing between Marvel and Netflix for quite some time. Long awaited confirmation of a Disney streaming service signaled the end, but a struggle appeared to be brewing when Netflix made surprise moves in 2017 to purchase Mark Millar, and all his foreseeable Millarworld comic book creations. This included a venture into the publishing world.

Some assume Daredevil could play out unresolved plotlines on the Disney+ platform, but there's no shortage of options ahead. A continuation would be one way to encourage an existing Netflix viewer-base to explore the new alternative, but Netflix have made it known the various existing Defenders shows will continue to be available, suggesting the library could be tied-up for a little while. Disney are also already banking on three high-profile mini-series spinning out of their film division.

Falcon & Winter Soldier, Scarlet Witch & Vision, and Loki are all set to utilize characters from the Avengers film pantheon, delivering the Marvel Universe to an extended television format in ways ABC's Agents of SHIELD -- and the Netflix dramas themselves -- never did. Their isolation and adult tone gave the Netflix shows some broad appeal, but a dearth of characters and reference also led to some of the greatest criticisms. Their value moving forward may be in parts, rather than shows.

The expansive implications of Avengers: Infinity War highlighted a desire to see Daredevil and his TV kin within the larger Marvel context. Indeed, if there were any way to continue on with Daredevil, the most desirable would probably be a team-up with Spider-man!

Sony have been talking up a crime-filled future of Spider-related films, building up prospects for the Black Cat, Tombstone, Silver Sable, and more. It would be awesome to see Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin assume his place at the top of that organized crime world!

To date Marvel haven't typically gone very hard with their properties, but the potential to be more interesting is being foisted upon them. The original film Avengers are increasingly flirting with an exit, and the winds of change present the potential to restock the movie tent-pole with characters whose history has already been told. Daredevil and the Netflix characters could usher in an era of New Avengers, or even bolster supporting casts, such as Iron Fist in a sequel to Doctor Strange.

If history has told us anything, it's that the most exciting prospects probably won't pan out. The future is never the less uncertain. Marvel is preparing to welcome X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer back into their fold via the FOX acquisition. With Daredevil and the Netflix characters now at loose ends, the future feels very uncertain. Which is good enough to make DD the Hero of the Week!

<< Hero of the Week 12/10: Firestorm    [Home]    Hero of the Week 11/26: Aquaman >>

FLASH versus RAG DOLL

Countdown To Crisis! (DC)
Where: Justice League of America #196 When: November 1981 Why: Gerry Conway How: George Perez & Romeo Tanghal

The Story So Far...
In an effort to destroy his nemesis Superman, Ultra-Humanite forms a Secret Society of Super-Villains across two worlds. His goal: to orchestrate the capture of ten key heroes who will upset the balance of worlds - resulting in the orchestrated destruction of his own!

Earth-1 is home to a Justice League of America led by the youthful Superman, while Earth-2 boasts seasoned veterans of the Justice Society and a matured Superman. Despite a meeting between the heroes of two worlds, they are blissfully unaware of the forces plotting against them!

The Society's efforts have already led to the capture of Earth-1's Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Batman and Earth-2's Hawkman and Hourman! Now the wicked Rag Doll, and recently unretired Monocle, set their sights on Earth-2's Flash with the world only 40% away from cosmic annihilation!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Flash 3 (Athlete)
Intelligence: Flash 4 (Tactician)
Speed: Flash 7 (Light Speed)
Stamina: Rag Doll 6 (Generator)
Agility: Rag Doll 6 (Rubber)
Fighting: Draw 3 (Street Wise)
Energy: Rag Doll 2 (Projectiles)
Total: Flash 26 (Metahuman)

As the golden age Flash: Jay Garrick was the fastest man on Earth-2! Exposure to strange vapors unlocked the speedster's unique powers, later linked with the same esoteric Speed Force that fuels Barry Allen and Wally West!

How do you beat a guy who can move faster than you can see? A lot of villains have tried, but few methods have been as unusual as Rag Doll's!

If you've ever had a friend who was double-jointed, you've seen first-hand how a person can bend fingers and limbs the wrong way. In the case of Rag Doll: Peter Merkel was born triple-jointed -- allowing him to twist and contort his every joint into bizarre and impossible configurations!

Most notably: Rag Doll can compact his body into impossibly tight spaces. With such phenomenal natural pliability has also come a super-human quality to absorb impacts! The flow of his flexible limbs isn't super-fast, but he's been shown to react quick enough to twist between the flight path of gunfire!

Rag Doll's known to carry guns himself, and even though The Flash is faster than any speeding bullet, he can occasionally be caught by surprise! We saw Sandman use powers and terrain to chin-check Flash in 2004's JSA #64.

Rag Doll can exploit any nook or cranny in a given environment, allowing him to hide in plain sight and launch attacks on unsuspecting victims. He may look like a goofy child's toy, but it turns out Rag Doll is actually quite deadly!

The Tape: Flash Ranking: Flash (#143)

What Went Down...

A red & blue streak blazes a trail along a Keystone City dock at dusk. The Flash racing to meet an anonymous police tipster with information about Rag Doll!

Hidden between wooden crates, and obscured by hat and coat, the informant points Flash in the direction of a ship: The Lazy Sue. The speedster leaves with thanks in the blink of an eye -- never noticing the villainous Monocle!

It only takes a few more beats for Flash to have scoured the entire vessel and come up empty -- or so he thinks!..

It soon dawns on The Flash that his old enemy Rag Doll can hide in smaller spaces than any ordinary man! The realization comes with seconds to spare as the folded Rag Doll leaves his hiding place in a ventilation cowl and opens fire!

Flash reacts with super-human speed, blurring out of the line of fire and towards the protruding tube! He returns fire with a knife-edged chop thrown at speeds high enough to cut right through the rusting metal structure!

Rag Doll manages to escape injury and makes a leap for the cargo hold! The hero estimates the plunge at a leg breaking forty feet, but soon remembers the "rubber-jointed freak" won't suffer a scratch from the fall!

To avoid injury himself, Flash swings his hands fast enough to create two focused jets of downforce that glide him safely to the level below.

Before the speedster can begin his search of the hold - he spies a waiting bundle of dynamite amongst the cargo. It explodes -- launching the unprepared hero into the air with a devastating blast!

The Flash crashes back down to the hold with his helmet clanging beside him! The explosion leaves the hero unconscious as Rag Doll stands unscathed over his nemesis, gloating about his powers of resilience in victory!

The Hammer...

It was a plan that worked to perfection: Monocle lures The Flash to the trap - Rag Doll blows it up! Eloquent in its simplicity, and devastatingly effective at scratching one of the major heroes off The Secret Society of Super-Villain's hit list of two worlds!

This was part of the annual crossover between Earth-1's Justice League of America and the Justice Society of Earth-2. Ultra-Humanite is the mastermind, plotting to surgically remove key heroes in the hopes of creating a cosmic imbalance that will destroy his world. If you know anything about the Ultra-Humanite: you know he won't mind relocating!

There are a lot of fun villains in this one that've been slightly forgotten, or just overlooked. A recent spotlight in Hero of the Week got me thinking more about the original comic book Rag Doll, who hasn't featured on Secret Wars on Infinite Earths yet. I figured I'd pull this issue off my desk and take a closer look.

It's a nice quick showcase of what makes Rag Doll work as a functioning high-concept super-villain. He's hiding in the shadows right under the hero's nose, then he strikes with total impunity - unafraid of the shock of an explosion!

It's a good transposing of the old children's dolls that always seem to survive a plane crash or similar human crisis. I'm in favour of updating the design of the character to enhance the creepiness, but there is a charm to such a ridiculous visual. If blowing up Flash wasn't bad enough for you, he robbed a bank with guns blazing in the prior issue. A nice subversion of an innocent image.

Now that we've seen the original Pete Merkel in action, we'll have to find time to get Junior on the books. The 2005 Simone/Eaglesham creation reinvented the concept by cranking up the creepy weirdness, and doubling-down on the body horror of surgically acquired triple-joints. A nice updated, made all the more appreciated by keeping the original in tact. In fact, papa Doll hates his son!

Not such a great showcase for Jay Garrick, who's played a little too absent minded for my taste. All part of moving the three-issue story along with enough gravitas to threaten A-list assemblies from two worlds.

The tradition of the JLA/JSA meet-up essentially starts with 1963's Justice League of America #21. It became a regular staple of the seventies and early eighties, before it kinda became redundant once Crisis on Infinite Earths consolidated all properties in one continuum.

Justice League of America #196 is titled the "Countdown to Crisis". Before there was a Crisis on Infinite Earths, there were crises on multiple Earths.

I've always been of two minds about the idea. It's obviously a lot of fun to have two generations of heroes meet. Nice that the tradition ensures it's going to happen sooner than later. I just kinda prefer that they're all living on the same world. It loses a little bit of the sense of importance, but it also never gets silly as the years go by. It's also nice to have a DCU populated with all these great characters! When Jay Garrick was a recurring part of The Flash's world, that was great! When he was having his own adventures in JSA - even better!

If you want to cross between time and space, you can do it by picking yourself up a collected edition via Amazon! Today's story can be found in its three-issue entirety in Crisis on Multiple Earths Volume 6. If you shop with the link provided, you help support our Secret Earth that hosts The Comic Book Fight Club!

You can find more featured fights and superhero smackdown by diving into the Secret Archive! There you'll find the many Earths of DC, Marvel, and beyond! Be sure to follow links throughout this post to discover more wonders relevant to your favourite topics!

You can also follow Secret Wars on Infinite Earths via Twitter and Facebook for daily links to fights inspired by the topics of the day! Liking and sharing battles is a great way to support the site, so be a pal!

Winner: Rag Doll (w/ Monocle)
#317 (new) Rag Doll
#322 (-179) Flash (Jay Garrick)
#545 (new) Monocle [+1 assist]

HERO OF THE WEEK: AQUAMAN (DC)
Real Name: Arthur Curry
First Appearance: More Fun Comics #73 (November, 1941)
Fight Club Ranking: #20

Featured Fights:
- vs OCEAN MASTER: Adventure Comics #444 (Mar-Apr 1976)
- vs BLACK MANTA: Adventure Comics #446 (Jul-Aug 1976)
- vs MERCURY MONSTER: Secret Origins #32 (Nov 1988)
- vs WOOD KING: Secret Origins #32 (Nov 1988)
- vs SUB-MARINER: Marvel versus DC #2 (Apr 1996)
- vs ULTRAMARINE CORPS: JLA: Classified #3 (Mar 2005)
- vs DESPERO: JLA #118 (Nov 2005)
- vs MERA & TEMPEST: Blackest Night #2 (Oct 2009)

We've been paddling in the Aquaman pool on-and-off for a couple of months now, exploring uncharted waters in anticipation of next week's theatrical release. WB has unleashed the final trailer, officially signaling our Hero of the Week's imminent arrival - December 5th! Check it out below:

It's been tough to get a precise read on the film, but I'm very much enjoying the visual spectacle and promise of a unique flavor! It's been a while since Hollywood embraced its tradition of the deep sea epic. The vibrant colours of an underwater environment have instantly imbued Aquaman with an unique aesthetic that comic book movies have too often lacked!

The underwater kingdoms and creatures look pretty good for what is, presumably, a mostly CG creation. There's every hope Atlantis and its neighbouring civilizations can succeed where similar films have failed. This is already looking more exciting than Green Lantern's dimly lit Oa, and slightly more stimulating than the dry fantasy realms of 2012's underrated John Carter. I'm a fan of the cool palette, complimented with sea creature neons. It all looks very well realized and palatable.

Efforts to bring Jason Mamoa's Aquaman more in line with a classic comic book design have been much appreciated, as well. The gold and green looks fantastic! Even Amber Heard looks pretty great in Mera's simple fish scale suit, with vivid red hair! The only fear for Yahya Abdul-Mateen's helmeted Black Manta is that there might not be enough of him in the final cut! He looks incredible!

Even if there's some lingering uncertainty - it's been a welcome change of pace to have genuine curiosity about a DC film after the ominous misery of most of their other offerings. Indeed, the stink of Justice League could've been a real detriment, but by doubling down on what makes Aquaman unique, the movie has positioned itself to be the most enticing of the bunch!

It also helps that this will be a rare example of WB & DC beating their competition to the punch. Aquaman will claim the waters before Disney & Marvel are able to make use of the much discussed Sub-Mariner license. Given the unflattering comparisons of Justice League to Avengers -- and DC's entire model for building a shared cinematic universe -- that's no small relief!

Secret Wars on Infinite Earths has traditionally been a Sub-Mariner stronghold, but even we've succumbed to Aquamania! Friday's feature fight win not only pushed Aquaman into the Top 20, but also marks the first time in the history of the site we've ranked Aquaman above Namor!

The majority of Warner Bros' slated productions involve more offerings from their proven properties [Harley Quinn, Joker, Wonder Woman], but I remain of the long held belief that drilling into faithful cinematic versions of less travelled characters could be the best way to combat Marvel Entertainment's milquetoast dominance. It certainly seems to have worked for Sony's Venom, and is well on the way to delivering the same for Aquaman. Let's just hope the movie's actually good!

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AQUAMAN versus BLACK MANTA

The Manta-Ray Means Murder! (DC)
Where: Adventure Comics #446 When: July-August 1976 Why: Paul Levitz & Martin Pasko How: Jim Aparo

The Story So Far...
Aquaman has been overthrown as King of Atlantis and run out of the city under threat of death from new ruler: Karshon! With his wife Mera and son by his side, the ousted monarch is desperate to contact Aqualad to warn him of the dangers of returning - but even Robin cannot locate the aquatic Teen Titan's whereabouts!

On the Mississippi Delta; Aqualad & Aquagirl are mixing heroics and pleasure by visiting the paddle steamer Club Mark Twain to investigate diamond smugglers. The bust uncovers a grander plot with Black Manta pulling the strings and using surprise to get the drop on his nemeses' ward and his daring date!

Aquaman uses his marine telepathy to desperately canvas the waters for his missing ward. It's a race against time as the arch-villain concocts a deathtrap of malicious mantas and mind-numbed electric eels ready to kill Aqualad!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Draw 4 (Enhanced)
Intelligence: Draw 4 (Tactician)
Speed: Aquaman 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Aquaman 5 (Marathoner)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Aquaman 4 (Trained)
Energy: Black Manta 5 (Lasers)
Total: Draw 24 (Champion)

We've seen what happens when Aquaman goes head-to-head with Ocean Master, but now it's time to test him against another of his deep diving, aquatic arch-nemeses: Black Manta!

Our stats measure them approximately equal in the overall stakes, but Black Manta derives his sub-aquatic skills from an artificial source. His power suit keeps him as nimble in the sea as an Atlantean, outfitted with life preservation technology, reinforced helmet, strength enhancement, and heavy artillery!

Manta's arsenal most famously includes deadly "manta-ray" lasers fired from the eyes on his helmet, but he also carries a variety of tricks, such as swords, spear guns, harpoons, pistols, and torpedoes. His propulsion system has also been known to work in and out of the water, making his own body a deadly missile thanks to his suit's high-pressure durability!

There's no doubting Black Manta is one of Aquaman's deadliest enemies, but the King of Atlantis is no stranger to tough competition!

His ability to communicate with marine life has always offered a unique arsenal, such as the school of fish who helped him beat the Mercury Monster in Secret Origins #32, or the killer whale who controversially squashed Marvel's marine master Namor in Marvel versus DC #2! He was less successful marshaling sharks in battle with Despero, whose telepathy won out in JLA #118.

We also know Aquaman has the muscle and knowhow to beat strong and well armed foes! He turned the Olympian's own medieval weapons against him, delivering a kayo uppercut in JLA: Classified #3! The aforementioned battle with Ocean Master was a knock down, drag out slugfest in Adventure Comics #444!

These are two perfectly matched warriors who know each other very well. On any given day one could defeat the other. As the hero, Aquaman is traditionally the victor, but you can never count out Black Manta's cunning! Manta has Aqualad hostage, and is facing an Aquaman dethroned by Karshon -- which could prove the psychological advantage! Let's see if it worked...

The Tape: Draw Ranking: Aquaman (#32)

What Went Down...
Black Manta is so preoccupied gloating over the aquarium deathtrap now holding Aqualad - he fails to notice an orange & green dynamo decimating the guards on deck! When he finally hears trouble: Aquaman is already upon him!

The sudden, devastating impact of Aquaman's left hand slams so hard through Black Manta's helmet he topples to the ground!

No matter! Like the Manta's namesake, he proves just as deadly while flat on the ground! The villain throws a stiff kick into Aquaman's waiting mid-section before unleashing the awesome energies of his manta-ray eye beams!

The powerful muscles in Aquaman's legs react in the blink of an eye - launching him just above the deadly blast and out of harm's way! The daring dodge allows the deep sea dominator to launch a swift counter-measure!

Remembering his old foe's weaponry well: Aquaman charges with the speed of a dolphin to deliver a precision strike to the back of Black Manta's suit!

Even as Aquaman successfully deactivates the deadly Manta-Ray device, Black Manta continues to gloat over the imminent death of Aqualad! Little does he realise his murder plot has failed -- twice!

An earlier attempt to send Aqualad's girlfriend to a watery grave backfired as she too is an Atlantean! Freed from her restraints when Aquaman arrived to the floating night club - young Tula has already paid it forward by shattering the glass that kept Aqualad prisoner with mindless mantas & electric eels!

Aqualad makes his presence known by diving in to grab Black Manta's legs! The assist plants the villain to the spot, rendering him immobile as Aquaman delivers an unforgiving straight shot to the ribs - and follows with an uppercut!

Manta staggers desperately across the deck, but on his home turf - he isn't as helpless as he seems. Just as Aquaman boasts he has his nemesis where he wants him: the villain hits a button -- and disappears down a hidden hatch!

The bottom of Club Mark Twain opens up, releasing the hidden Manta-Ship into the waters below! It seems Black Manta has made his daring escape, but in the water Aquaman has his own contingency!

A telepathic command springs a giant squid out of hiding amidst a camouflaging cloud of ink! Massive tentacles wrap around the fleeing Manta-Ship, engaging a tug-of-war between marine-life and machine! The metal of the Manta-Ship is left a twisted mess, but its powerful hyper-drive breaks free.

The Hammer...
Black Manta may have successfully escaped, but his running is a symptom that comes from defeat! Aquaman wins the day, with a notable assist from Aqualad and Aquagirl!

I'd actually forgotten that Tula played a part in rescuing Aqualad, so that's a fun little follow-up to her recent induction via Blackest Night #2. As morbid as it sounds, I'm still hoping to take a closer look at her untimely demise in the pages of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Nice that we got to experience a small taste of her relationship with Aqualad in today's feature.

I've been particularly excited about getting to today's featured fight! Not because it specifically holds special significance in history, but because I've really been enjoying this period of Aquaman in Adventure Comics, and because I've been wanting to get Black Manta on the books for a very long time!

Black Manta is just one of those classic comic book characters who couldn't have come from any other medium! The bold visual of that iconic helmet, perched atop a simple black bodysuit, is really all you need to know! He's a cool looking villain uniquely equipped to carry out a vicious vendetta against Aquaman!

It makes me a little sad to think of the years Black Manta, and similarly fantastic characters, were out of vogue. For a little while in the nineties they tried him out as an actual human-manta hybrid, but that only did more damage. All you need is that insane helmet and you've got a must-see character!

Thank goodness cooler heads have prevailed in recent years. Black Manta isn't just back in action, he's about to become a multimedia sensation thanks to next month's Aquaman movie. Warner Brothers, with director James Wan, seem to be making every effort to unleash a visual spectacle upon the screen, with Black Manta all-but fully realized in live action! It's very exciting!

Speaking of exciting visuals - how about that Jim Aparo? Isolated panels may not do the artist's work true justice. I hope you can at least appreciate a sense of what the full layouts offer. Aquaman is a madman of action, throwing himself into fights and scenes with reckless abandon! So many angles! So much impact!

The whole story has a very enjoyable mix of pulpy sensibilities and modern super-heroics. I'm not sure anything can match the blistering whirlwind of furious fists and sci-fi adventure from Adventure Comics #444, but this issue goes it's own way, sweeping wildly through monstrous octopods, inter-personal dramas, and Aqualad & Tula mixed up in an undercover casino dive!

If you want to experience this issue in its entirety - you may have to do some digging, but if you do it via the Amazon link provided, you'll help support Secret Wars on Infinite Earths! The 70s Adventure Comics era was well represented in Aquaman: Death of a Prince trade collections presently out of print.

You can find more from Aquaman and his family by clicking the search tags below, or links found throughout this post. You can also discover classic combat and surprising smackdown by browsing the Secret Archive! To get daily links to fights inspired by the topics of the day follow on Twitter and Facebook. A like, share, or retweet is another great way to support the site!

Winner: Aquaman
#20 (+12) Aquaman
#863 (new) Black Manta
#153 (+41) Tula (Aquagirl) [+1 assist]
#562 (+300) Tempest (Aqualad) [+1 assist]

RANK & FILE: TOP 10 TEEN TITANS

Fight Club Rankings are the spine of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths! Based on cumulative win/loss results: relevant rankings are updated at the bottom of every new featured fight -- but only for the characters involved! Rank & File is a chance to compare and contrast more of the 900+ characters that are ranked, by highlighting the ten best heroes & villains of different categories!

Titans is the first live-action series to debut on the new DC Universe streaming service! The team are students of some of the biggest icons in the DCU, but which members have made the biggest impact? This edition of Rank & File is all about the Top 10 Teen Titans! Remember: This list is based on cold hard win/loss records. Hit the comments section at the bottom to share your Top 10!

#1 Nightwing (DC)
Real Name: [Dick Grayson]
First Appearance: [Detective Comics #38 (April, 1940)]
Recent Opponents: [Deathstroke, Circus of Strange, Mister Toad]
Fight Spotlight: [Batman & Nightwing versus Amazo]

These ranks are ultimately determined by a sample of win/loss results, but it's hard to imagine anyone but Dick Grayson as the #1 Titan! He isn't just the natural leader of the group - he's arguably the very reason the Teen Titans even exist!

There were plenty of kid sidekicks in the Golden and Silver Ages of comics, but the original Robin was the one who inspired the rest! He broke through to mainstream pop culture consciousness as the quintessential sidekick, starring not only in comic books, but also live-action television, movies, and cartoons! The Boy Wonder couldn't have done it all on his own, but was an obvious #1 draft when the inspired idea to spin-off sidekicks came in 1964!

#2 Flash (DC)
Real Name: [Wally West]
First Appearance: [The Flash #110 (December, 1959)]
Recent Opponents: [Lady Flash, Superman, Penguin, Girder & D. Down]
Featured Fight: [Flash versus Quicksilver]

After Barry Allen's apparent sacrifice during Crisis on Infinite Earths #8: Wally West chose to honor his uncle's memory by assuming the mantle of The Flash! Before that, he had harnessed his incredible speed as the yellow-clad sidekick Kid Flash!

Kid Flash was a founding member of the Teen Titans, but just like the erstwhile Nightwing, became better known in the modern age as an adult hero. Fans reading throughout the nineties and double-ohs came to embrace him as "their Flash", serving with the grown-up Titans and Justice League. With Barry Allen's unexpected return in Final Crisis and Flash: Rebirth, the third generation Flash became displaced, eventually excised from continuity all together (and replaced) in the line-wide New 52 reboot. Fans got a brief reprieve with his return under the DC "Rebirth" banner, but his apparent murder soon followed in the current event series: Heroes in Crisis.

#3 Robin (DC)
Real Name: [Tim Drake]
First Appearance: [Batman #436 (August, 1989)]
Recent Opponents: [Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Kidnappers, Jason Todd]
Featured Fight: [Jubilee versus Robin]

The third Robin followed in the footsteps of his predecessors, becoming a major player with Young Justice, and the Teen Titans of the nineties. He brought light back into the world of The Dark Knight Detective, soaking up Batman's teachings with a natural predilection that lent his skills to a successful solo career, as well.

Tim Drake eventually became leader of the Teen Titans, but his exact status was muddied by the New 52 reboot, which initially installed him as an in-fiction founding member of the Teen Titans, who always went by the moniker Red Robin. He was then killed off in 2016, only to become part of the convoluted reshuffling of the DCU, held prisoner by Jor-El (as Mister Oz), and returned to Gotham City in the company of his future-self.

#4 Red Hood (DC)
Real Name: [Jason Todd]
First Appearance: [Batman #537 (March, 1983)]
Recent Opponents: [Nightwing, Tim Drake, Speedy, Green Arrow]
Featured Fight: [Red Hood & Batman versus The Society]

Short-lived Robin, short-lived Titan! Jason Todd was supposed to be a new Boy Wonder for the 1980s, but he somehow managed to be too much of a brat for the decade that gave us the beloved Brat Pack!

A divided audience took the opportunity to vote for Jason Todd's death in the phone-in deadpool for A Death In The Family. The result doomed him to a famous crowbar beatdown at the hands of The Joker, right as he was about to connect with his true mother! That grim end led to a grim resurrection nearly two decades later. Now he's best known as the violent vigilante Red Hood, whose violent lack of discipline has struck a far stronger chord with a new generation of disaffected youth (and whining turds). He's an adult in the comics, but it looks like he'll be the antagonistic shadow to Dick Grayson when he shows up as the second Robin of the live-action Titans show.

#5 Captain Marvel Jr (DC)
Real Name: [Freddy Freeman]
First Appearance: [Whiz Comics #25 (December, 1941)]
Recent Opponent: [Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Mary Marvel]
Featured Fight: [Captain Marvel Jr versus Iron Goblins]

Originally published by Fawcett Comics until their acquisition by DC Comics in the 1970s; Captain Marvel Jr didn't sign-up for the Teen Titans until the late nineties! He joined the team in '98 after falling out with Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family, gaining the short-lived moniker "CM3" whilst fighting some of his most classic enemies with the Teen Titans!

I've always liked the idea of the Teen Titans providing an apprenticeship to the biggest kid-heroes of the day, so I get a kick out of Captain Marvel Jr signing up for the Titans. He remained affiliated with the group into the 2000s, but I also like that his tenure was ultimately short, and not quite lasting enough to be part of the iconic fabric of the group. He's an excellent all-star ally for the Titans to be able to call up out of the reserves, but his real place is with the Marvel Family.

#6 Green Lantern (DC)
Real Name: [Kyle Rayner]
First Appearance: [Green Lantern #48 (January, 1994)]
Recent Opponent: [Killer Frost & Effigy, Sinestro, Sinestro, Green Lantern]
Featured Fight: [Green Lantern versus Silver Surfer]

Kyle Rayner was thrown into the deep end when he was appointed the sole surviving Green Lantern of the nineties! A controversial replacement for a corrupted Hal Jordan; Rayner's story was one of hard knocks and learning on the job. He's better remembered for his tenure with the revamped "big seven" JLA, but served a brief membership with the Titans in 1995, helping establish a relationship with Donna Troy, who was herself connected to space-policing as Darkstar.

Much like Captain Marvel Jr; Kyle Rayner is far from your typical Teen Titan, but as a notable young hero at the time, he was a natural call-up! The Titans have always had strong ties with the major adult heroes and this was a rare opportunity for a Green Lantern to serve with the group. It was good that he wasn't permanently saddled with 'kid hero' status. Just enough to get some more seasoning before being called up to the major leagues.

#7 Atom (DC)
Real Name: [Ray Palmer]
First Appearance: [Showcase #34 (October, 1961)]
Recent Opponents: [Killer Moth, Superman, Deathstroke]
Featured Fight: [Atom & Atom versus Killer Moth]

Not a hoax! Not a dream! Not an imaginary story! Although, it might not be such a bad thing if it was...

Atom found himself reliving his youth when a battle with Extant reverted the senior Justice Leaguer back to his teens via unstable chrono-energy! When the Teen Titans re-launched in 1996, teen Ray Palmer naturally assumed leadership over a ragtag group of all-new misfits. This was the team that eventually welcomed Captain Marvel Jr into their ranks, who, it's fair to say, wasn't even close to being their strangest new admission. Maybe if I read more of their adventures I'd feel differently, but this period seems best left forgotten, much like Iron Man's teen run, published around the same time.

#8 Arsenal (DC)
Real Name: [Roy Harper]
First Appearance: [More Fun Comics #73 (November, 1941)]
Recent Opponents: [Sinestro Corps, Injustice League]
Featured Fight: [Justice League versus Injustice League]

As Green Arrow's sidekick Speedy: Roy Harper was a natural recruit for the original Teen Titans of the sixties! Joining in 1968's Teen Titans #19, he was the second kid-hero to join the original trio, after Wonder Girl! So perfectly suited to the group was Speedy, he became a founding member in modern retcons to the team's origin. That same fluid history would sadly condemn him as he succumbed to the excising of third generation heroes with the New 52.

Like other founding Titans; Roy Harper enjoyed a period as a maturing hero in the nineties, establishing himself in the identities of Arsenal and Green Arrow, after Oliver Queen's death. When Green Arrow returned from the grave, Harper eventually became known as Red Arrow. Misery seemed to strike the character more frequently after that. He lost an arm to Prometheus in the controversial Cry For Justice mini-series. The "Rebirth" banner brought him back into continuity last year, only to see him murdered beside Wally West in the recent Heroes in Crisis series.

#9 Robin (DC)
Real Name: [Damian Wayne]
First Appearance: [Batman #655 (September, 2006)]
Recent Opponents: [Circus of Strange, Mister Toad]
Featured Fight: [Batman & Robin versus Mister Toad]

When Batman fathered a child to Talia al Ghul in 1987's Batman: Son of the Demon, it was dismissed as part of a non-canonical one-shot. That all changed in 2006 when writer Grant Morrison brought the story firmly into present continuity with Son of the Bat - a story that re-introduces the lost infant as Bruce Wayne's genetically enhanced offspring.

Raised by the League of Assassins, Damian arrived as a spoilt and lethal boy wonder planted to disrupt Batman's efforts. His genuine desire to fight by his father's side and prove himself a rightful heir soon saw him firmly encamped as a permanent fixture of the Batman Family. When Bruce Wayne seemingly died at the hands of Darkseid, Damian continued to serve as Robin to a stand-in dark knight - Dick Grayson. This mentorship under the original Boy Wonder led Damian to finally be admitted into the Teen Titans for a very brief stint at the end of 2010.

#10 Supergirl (DC)
Real Name: [Kara Zor-El]
First Appearance: [Action Comics #252 (May, 1959)]
Recent Opponents: [Martian Manhunter, Reactron, Mary Marvel]
Featured Fight: [Supergirl versus Reactron]

Arriving on Earth as the teenaged cousin of Superman in 1959: Kara Zor-El seems ready-made to be an original member of the Teen Titans. Editorial conflicts of the time meant membership eluded the Girl of Steel until the funeral gathering for Bart Allen in 2007!

The exact age and status of Supergirl has fluctuated over the years, maintaining reasonable doubt about her suitability and contention for the Teen heroes. She was erased from existence in the mid-eighties by the Crisis on Infinite Earths, briefly replaced by a very different Supergirl, who actually beat her to membership in 1995. Her association with the Titans has been minimal, at best, which is a great reason to check out some of the more famous Titans who missed the cut!

Bringing Up The Rear:
Deathstroke, Superboy, Tula, Wonder Girl, Raven, Starfire, Miss Martian, Cyborg, Donna Troy & Impulse

Remember: The Rank & File Top 10 is determined by win/loss rankings at the time of publication. It's certainly arguable that iconic Titans like Superboy, Wonder Girl, Raven, Starfire, Cyborg, and Donna Troy belong on any top list. Share your Top 10 Teen Titans in the comments below!

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