From primary school playgrounds to corporate office breakrooms, comic book fans have argued for eons as to whether Marvel or DC Comics has the strongest heroes. Thanks to the prominence of superhero films, these debates have only grown more intense. Fans can’t turn on the TV or hop on the internet without seeing Marvel vs. DC threads all over the place.
It’s easy enough to compare a few of Marvel and DC’s strongest characters through their feats to choose a definitive winner. Of course, not every matchup will be fair or evenly matched, but that’s when heroes like Spider-Man and Batman truly shine.
Updated on December 19th, 2022 by Scoot Allan: As the cinematic universes from Marvel and DC continue to grow and evolve, fans are still debating over which universe has the strongest heroes. Thankfully, there are a few ways to explore the DC vs. Marvel debate by seeing which heroes could actually take each other out in a pitched battle.
Gamora Vs. Martian Manhunter
Edge: Martian Manhunter
Both Gamora and Martian Manhunter have a lot of things in common. Not only do they come from an all-but-extinct race, but they both also have a place in their heart for humanity. They both found a place alongside powerful teams as protectors of their galaxy.
While Martian Manhunter may work for the police force and Gamora has been known to evade it, both have significant abilities that assist them in battle. Martian Manhunter’s telepathic gifts and ability to shape-shift certainly give him the edge, though Gamora isn’t known as the most dangerous woman in the galaxy for nothing.
Black Widow Vs. Black Canary
Edge: Black Canary
Black Canary and Black Widow have extremely different backgrounds. Black Canary is a highly-trained fighter who carried on the family’s heroic legacy. Black Widow was brought up in the Red Room and trained to be a dangerous assassin from an early age. Both of them are incredibly skilled fighters who continually prove their worth in epic battles.
Both Black Widow and Black Canary have also proven to be solid team players. Black Widow spent years alongside the Avengers while Black Canary was a founding member of the original JLA. Black Widow’s electro-shock stingers are a powerful weapon, but they can’t compete against Black Canary’s devastating sonic Canary Cry.
Ant-Man Vs. The Atom
Edge: Ant-Man
Both Ant-Man and The Atom utilize shrinking technology to become heroic members of the Avengers and the Justice League, respectively. Both have also been known to increase in size as well, and they have even journeyed into subatomic realms.
Ray Palmer and Hank Pym were the original heroes in their roles, though both had successors that carried on after them. Ant-Man took his designs a step further which allowed him to communicate with ants, while Atom has become a master of going subatomic. Ant-Man likely wins given his extra abilities, even though Palmer still has an incredibly inventive mind.
Spider-Man Vs. Dr. Manhattan
Edge: Dr. Manhattan
Both Spider-Man and Dr. Manhattan are scientists in their civilian identities. It was due to this love of science that they both also experienced significant mutations in their DNA. While Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider to become one of Marvel’s greatest heroes, Dr. Jonathan Osterman was accidentally transformed into one of DC’s most powerful god-like beings
While it’s easy to see that Dr. Manhattan is more powerful, it’s also important to note how resilient Peter Parker can be when needed. Despite the insurmountable odds, Spider-Man somehow always manages to triumph as the underdog. However, there aren’t many characters who could take down Dr. Manhattan, and he wins this battle without breaking a sweat.
Captain America Vs. Green Lantern
Edge: Green Lantern
Hal Jordan and Steve Rogers share a somewhat similar origin, as both characters fought for their country in various forms of combat. However, neither could imagine the symbol of hope they would become in the future. Steve Rogers was selected to receive the super-soldier serum to become Captain America. Hal Jordan was chosen to wield a power ring as Green Lantern.
They were both chosen for their strength of character, as Steve was selected because he was a good man while Jordan was able to overcome great fear. Captain America may have superior morals and leadership abilities, but Green Lantern can create anything with his mind. Even Cap’s shield can’t quite defend against the most powerful members of the Green Lantern Corps.
The Hulk Vs. Atrocitus
Edge: The Hulk
Two rage-fueled warriors have made a name for themselves over the years in each respective universe. Bruce Banner turns into the Hulk when he gets angry, and his strength can increase beyond limits the madder he gets. Atrocitus is the leader of the Red Lanterns, which is fueled by the rage that consumed them.
Atrocitus would try to burn the Hulk and restrain him with red energy constructs, but it would be to no avail. The Hulk’s strength would just keep increasing as he got angrier until he could break free. Atrocitus wouldn’t have the means to put the Hulk down for good, whereas the Hulk would only need to break Atrocitus’ concentration long enough to rip his ring right off his hand.
Jean Grey Vs. Raven
Edge: Jean Grey
There aren’t too many psychic heroes who could stand up to the omega-level mutant abilities of Marvel’s Jean Grey. Her powers were even increased further when she bonded with the cosmic entity known as the Phoenix Force. One of DC’s strongest psychics is the mystical Raven, whose demonic heritage as the daughter of Trigon further amps her own abilities.
Regardless of Trigon’s aid, Raven still loses to Jean Grey every time. When empowered by Trigon, Raven becomes a threat to Earth. But when Jean’s hosting the Phoenix Force, she becomes a threat to the entire universe. Rachel Summers once used the Phoenix Force to mass-exorcise an army of demons, which is something Jean Grey could further use to weaken Raven.
Quicksilver Vs. The Flash
Edge: The Flash
Wally West is the fastest man alive, though Barry Allen was one of the first to use the name The Flash. Pietro Maximoff is the fastest man in his universe as well, which served him well as a member of the Avengers. Quicksilver has disarmed bombs in nanoseconds and outraced some of the fastest beings in the universe.
Unfortunately for Pietro, all of that pales in comparison to Allen’s enhanced speed. The Flash has a connection to the Speed Force, which allows him to draw on nearly limitless energy to become one of the fastest characters in the multiverse. Quicksilver has a top speed, and it ranks well under the Flash’s max even without a potential Speed Force boost.
Thor Vs. Wonder Woman
Edge: Thor
Despite their roots in the pulp science-fiction genre, comic books have become increasingly mystical over the years. This has led to the inclusion of mythological characters like Odin, Zeus, and Ra in both the Marvel and DC Universes. Both Thor and Wonder Woman were the children of two Sky-Father deities.
Similar to their depictions on the big screen, both Thor and Diana are impossibly strong. They have each taken on powerful characters like the Hulk and Superman over the years. However, while Wonder Woman has access to some magic and her own mystical weapons, Thor’s command of the storm and his enchanted hammer Mjolnir give him the edge in the battle of myths.
Hawkeye Vs. Green Arrow
Edge: Hawkeye
The characters of Hawkeye and Green Arrow are incredibly similar, though their origins differ in various ways. Both heroes have earned their place as talented archers and marksmen with their universe’s respective superteams. They have both used all kinds of trick arrows over the years as well, and it’s their arsenal that could potentially decide the victor in battle.
Green Arrow’s trick weapons include net arrows, scatter arrows, and his signature boxing glove arrow. These are all fan-favorite weapons, but the edge still has to go to Hawkeye. His arrows have been further enhanced with advanced technology and strengthened with adamantium and vibranium. Hawkeye also genuinely never misses, which could challenge DC’s emerald archer.
Hank Pym Vs. Rami The Guardian
Edge: Rami The Guardian
Both Hank Pym and Rami the Guardian are considered loose cannons, which made them scary scientists. Hank Pym is alleged to be Earth’s Scientist Supreme, and his creations include Pym Particles, the Ant-Man suit, and Ultron, among others.
In contrast, Rami is a Malthusian who harnessed and weaponized space magic to create the Green Lantern Rings and the Phantom Ring. He was later possessed by Volthoom, while Pym was merged with Ultron. Both scientists were corrupted and destroyed by their inventions, though Rami’s creation of the power rings impacted the universe more than anything Pym created.
Black Panther vs. Aquaman
Edge: Aquaman
T’Challa is the King of Wakanda who joined the Avengers as the Black Panther. He created advanced suits and weaponry using powerful vibranium and his strength is enhanced by a mystical heart-shaped herb. Arthur Curry is the King of Atlantis and the wielder of Poseidon’s Trident who joined the Justice League as Aquaman.
In a one-on-one fight, Black Panther can’t match Aquaman’s strength. The King of Atlantis has lifted city streets with his raw strength and matched powerful characters like Superman and Martian Manhunter. Aquaman’s also insanely fast, as he once even caught The Flash off guard. Black Panther has strength, skill, tech, and smarts, but he would still eventually fall to Aquaman’s might.
Iron Man vs Batman
Edge: Iron Man
Wealthy playboy Bruce Wayne trained his body to peak physicality before he embarked on his mission of vigilantism as Batman. Rich industrialist Tony Stark created his Iron Man armor to save his life and help others as a member of the Avengers. Both heroes have created advanced technology to help in their fight against crime, though Stark is definitely the better inventor.
Tony Stark’s most powerful Iron Man armors outclass just about all of Batman’s inventions. Bruce Wayne has created his own suits of armor, but Iron Man has miniaturized enough weaponry inside his armor to take out Batman’s entire Batcave. While the fight would be over quickly if it was just Stark vs. Wayne or Batman had enough prep time, Iron Man’s armor gives him the edge.
Doctor Strange Vs. Zatanna
Edge: Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is a sorcerer who uses hand gestures and memorized spells to cast magic as Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme. Zatanna is a gifted magi who carried on her father’s legacy as a hero who specializes in backward-spoken magic. She is one of DC’s most powerful magic users and has access to nearly limitless power, though she doesn’t have as much experience.
As Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange earned the title of his realm’s mystical protector. He is a Master of the Mystic Arts who fights demonic entities and evil gods daily. Zatanna’s innate magical ability is stronger than Doctor Strange’s own power, though he is more trained and has access to more powerful artifacts and weapons that give him the edge.
Captain Marvel Vs. Superman
Edge: Superman
A matchup between Captain Marvel and Superman would be incredibly intense and potentially damaging to each universe. Kal-El is a Kryptonian who gained incredible powers on Earth as Superman. Carol Danvers is a Kree/Human hybrid with incredible powers who defends the universe as Captain Marvel.
Captain Marvel and Superman don’t know the meaning of the word “surrender.” One of the perks of being Captain Marvel is her incredible strength and ability to absorb and rechannel energy. However, Superman’s wealth of powers and incredible strength still give him the edge in battle.
