Marvel Superhero Battle Royale!

[Wally's Comics]

IRAN MAN

http://www.freakingnews.com/Iran-Man-Movie-Pics-51813.asp

 

seems familiar...

 

 

 

 

 

[Junkdrawer]

now that you mention it

[Thor Odinson-1970]

I like Hulk the best - but Thor is a close second and has cleaned his clock in the past...

 

You should have put which versions of the the characters ie. specific artists/writers as they are the ones who make or break a character.

 

Now if you were to say Walt Simonson's version of Thor vs. say Jack Kirby/Stan Lee Hulk - Thor wins hands down.

 

"Planet Hulk" Hulk vs. "Odin Force" Thor - now that would be some kind of batte.

 

Too bad "What If" isn't being made anymore, this would be a good read.

 

Have you read What If (vol.1) #45 (...the Hulk Went Berserk)? Now that was one extremely brief fight. Toward the end, the Hulk managed to knock Mjolnir away from Thor who then had no choice but to end the fight (and kill Hulk in the process) within ONE MINUTE or risk changing into Don Blake.

 

It was with the Lee/Kirby Thor where we first learn about "warrior's madness", a condition where Thor (or any Asgardian) goes berserk and doesn't hold back like he normally would when fighting a foe. When he succumbs to "warrior's madness", his strength increases TEN TIMES. But this is an extremely rare occurrence since Thor is mindful that under this condition, he becomes dangerous to both friend and foe alike. But imagine that, especially when considering at his normal level of strength, Thor is already one of the strongest beings in the Marvel Universe!

 

I believe Thor was at his most powerful during the "Ragnarok" story arc from issues THOR (vol.2) #'s 80 to 85. Here, after having gone through the "trials" to gain knowledge and wisdom, Thor possessed both the Odin Force AND the extremely potent Rune Magic. After he accomplished his mission to put an end to the Ragnarok cycle (where everyone in the Asgardian Nine Worlds perished), Thor went into a period of hibernation in some void in space (and out of the Marvel Universe for the next three years). Sadly, it was within this period where I believe the Hulk was at his peak, "World War Hulk" where he and his allies captured and/or defeated just about every hero (against whom he sought revenge) on Earth. How convenient that Marvel decided not to have Thor around at that time. Now that would have been a battle royale. I guess the twain shall never meet.

 

Oh yeah. For the record, I voted for Thor. But I like Hulk as well.

 

 

Very nice post - I shall go and find a copy of that book.

 

I had forgotten (as have the writers of modern Marvel apparently) about the "Warrior's Madness". Do you recall the issue #'s and titles for that story arc?

 

I agree with your assesment of the highest points of power for both Hulk and Thor.

 

Coincidently, I believe those two storylines have been the most popular in terms of exposure and fanboy's. The certainly were to me.

 

Thanks.

 

I believe that the first story mentioning Warrior's Madness was in THOR (vol.1) #'s 165 & 166 featuring the first full appearances of Him (later Adam Warlock). At the end of #165, Him kidnaps Sif, and Thor starts to lose his cool. It's in #166 where Thor fights Him. At the end, Him retreats by swiftly forming a cocoon around himself fleeing into space. Thor is then over the Warrior's Madness and realizes that succumbing to it is actually a punishable offense as decreed by Odin. As penance, Odin sends Thor on a voyage mission to search out Galactus (#'s 167 - 169, that last issue reveals the full origin of Galactus)! They don't fight here, only talk (The fight already took place in #161). Never a dull moment for the god of thunder, eh?

 

Fast forward to 1993-94. There was a lengthy story arc called "Blood and Thunder" that was a cross-over between different titles. I only remember the THOR issues #'s 469 - 471. In this story, a mad Thor goes on a rampage and also has possession of a power gem. Even the combined forces of the Infinity Watch, Warlock, Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Drax the Destroyer, Beta Ray Bill, etc. could not stop him. They enlist help from Thanos who could only briefly restrain Thor, who is then taken to Odin who manages to cure him.

 

 

[Hepcat]

Unless Iron Man and Thor fans rally here, twould seem that the Hulk has emerged the victor and is therefore fourth in the Marvel popularity stakes on this board.