
OVERPOWERED BEINGS
IvaN The UnStoppable
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After the year-long Battle Ranker Competition, Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet emerged as #TheMostPowerfulVillain. Now, our next ranking initiative is to determine #TheMostPowerfulHero.
On December 31st of this year, voting officially begins for The Mightiest Punch! In 2020, Earth-Two Superman won the ranking contest as his Multiversal punch on Anti-Monitor shook fans. This time around, we are doing things different.
In fact, we are asking the fans to rate the Power Level Wikis of 15 DC and 15 Marvel characters according to their possibleness. Indeed, we want to gauge human potential as well as the power of our beloved heroes!
Moreover, we are excited at this new initiative and are committed to our goal of rating the major feats of your favorite superheroes and villains since the Copper Age of Comics. Finally, we want to help fans in their battle discussions and have fun in their debates.
In the end, you decide who is #TheMostPowerfulHero.
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Last month, we ranked the formidabilities in a potential Darkseid vs Thanos battle. And we looked at the characters in continuity at their highest powers: Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet and Darkseid with the Anti-Life Equation.
Now, this month, we look at who between both A-list villains is the better villain.
To this end, we have come up with a villainy score that compares both characters in eight categories: Sales, Origin Story, Character Evolution, Cast, Quality Opponents, Villainy, Power, Popularity. Before we compare our villains let’s list some rules.
So, let’s compare Darkseid and Thanos in the villainy department.
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For sales, Darkseid lags behind Thanos. In the comic medium, it appears the God of Evil is selling top dollar. In 2009, Final Crisis ranked 14 on the Top Comics of the year with an estimated 127,000 units sold.
Later, in 2020, the Justice League Dark: Apokolips War animated film made $5,474,989 in Total Estimated Domestic Video Sales. In the movie department, the success of Zack Snyder’s Justice League is not sufficient to overcome the Disney juggernaut.
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Though Thanos does not have Darkseid’s level of presence in comics and animation, with fewer comic appearances than Darkseid overall.
At the same time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has made the villain a pop icon. Together, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame have brought in about $4.8 billion worldwide.
Likely, this is more than the revenue of all the movies in the DCEU combined.
In some respects, Darkseid’s origin story has been changed over DC continuity.
Post-Crisis, he was Prince Uxas who killed his brother Drax and claimed the Omega Effect. In the New 52, Darkseid was a peasant who ascended to the throne of Apokolips.
For the most part, the New God’s story deserved to be more known.
Really, Thanos’ origin story is better known. In true Marvel fashion, he is given a character flaw.
Namely, being a Deviant among the perfect Eternals of Titan. For the most part, this explains his descent into villainy. And his affection for the embodiment of Death.
Definitely, he is more fleshed out in his motivations.
In many respects, both characters have evolved over the years. Namely, it took Darkseid millennia before finally obtaining the ALE.
In the New 52, Darkseid was conquering the DC multiverse, killing versions of Superman in order to find the ALE and Grail.
After Infinite Frontier, DC Comics revealed True Form Darkseid.
In addition, Thanos has evolved speedily. Once a third rate villain, he arose to prominence with the conquest of the Cosmic Cube.
Then, he set his sights on the Infinity Gauntlet. Post-IG, the Mad Titan attempted a path of redemption.
However, Thanos Wins revealed a possible future where the villain has eliminated all the heroes in the Marvel Universe.
Really, this is where Darkseid truly separates himself.
Indeed, as a New God and ruler of Apokolips, Darkseid has a colorful cast of characters.
From Desaad, to Granny Goodness, the Female Furies, and his immediate family like his uncle Steppenwolf.
During Jack Kirby’s Fourth World, the cast exemplified the type of cosmic opera that the New Gods can be.
Tragically, Thanos has remained a solitary figure. As a space conqueror, he has assembled the Black Order and conquered civilizations.
In Infinity, he comes to Earth looking for his Inhuman son Thane.
Despite his power, the Mad Titan has often had poor advisors that sought to dethrone him.
For the most part, Darkseid has had God in Heaven or Abstracts in the Nil, namely the Monitors, as his quality opponents.
Though it occurred off-panel, Darkseid successfully waged war on Heaven and gained the Anti-Life Equation.
Unfortunately, Marvel: The End is non-canon. At the same time, with the IG Thanos has successfully conquered the Marvel Universe.
In this department, Darkseid figures as pure evil. First, with the Omega Effect he can erase and resurect life.
Second, with the ALE, he can erase free will. Finally, Darkseid constantly evolves into his True Form.
Let’s also add that Darkseid’s Desaad is an expert in torture and mind control.
In reality, Thanos is psychotic.
Indeed, his lust for power has plagued him with a hubris that ultimately convinces him to be unfit for ultimate power.
In the end, we are assured Than conquers the Marvel Universe. But, Thanos seeks to be a God whereas Darkseid is a God.
See our Formidability rating in the previous article.
See our Formidability rating in the previous article.
Generally, Darkseid is more popular in the comic medium. In the Post-Crisis continuity, he boasts 456 Appearances.
However, Google Search Results yield 4,340,000 results.
In order for Thanos to match his popularity, we must add the Disciple of Death’s 362 Appearances to his 139 Minor Appearances.
As the winner, Google Search Results yield 46,700,000 results.
Though Thanos is more popular and successful in sales, Darkseid is a classic villain who seeks to re-fashion the DC multiverse in his image. Tie.
And that’s our ranking! Don’t forget to leave comments if you liked the DC vs Marvel.
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In our new hotness, we have The Formidable Warriors List. Here, we cover the greatest battles of a particular character in a comic or series, and how it made it a best-seller. In our new hotness for January, is Adam Warlock in Warlock and The Infinity Watch (1991) #1.
First, let’s reveal a poll on Twitter. Then, let’s show how it was a success.
Then, Eternity presents his case detailing Warlock’s creation, character evolution, his sado-masochistic tendencies as well as his darkest secret. After he has finished his suit, the powerful stand-off of unimaginable might between two omnipotent beings follows!
Certainly, you will have to read the issue to see how it ends. However, the first issue does set the tone for the run and does reveal the creative team’s ambitions. Definitely, the stand-off between Adam Warlock and the Living Tribunal sold fans on the series.
On the footsteps of Infinity Gauntlet, anticipation for the Jim Starlin and Angel Medina run was high. Particularly, the creative team released 42 issues for the series that ran from December 1991 to July 1995.
Though mostly with B-list and C-list characters, the series was among the best sellers in 1992. According to Comichron, Warlock and the Infinity Watch (1991) #1, ranked 41 in sales in December 1991.
Though not one of the most popular comics, it was nonetheless successful in 1992, holding spots in the Top 300 for the year.
Let’s rank Warlock’s formidability with the Infinity Gauntlet.
For the most part, Adam Warlock shares the same physicals as Thanos with the IG. In fact, he possesses Infinite super-strength. At the same time, Eternity’s suit contends his weakness is his mental unstability.
In reality, Eternity is referring to Adam being an artificial being with no experience with human emotion. Despite his power, his emotions let him lose control in the Star Chamber.
However, Adam’s mysticism allows him to overcome Thanos’ power dependency. Thanks to his link to the Soul Gem, Warlock was able to take control of the IG at the end of Infinity Gauntlet.
For that reason, willpower or mind is properly his limitation. And in that sense, he is more formidable with the IG than Thanos. Certainly, his quality opponent in the first issue is Living Tribunal who is a God or Abstract.
Definitely, collect this cosmic doo-wop comic in single issues or paperback in comic format.
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SUPPORT MY PATREON SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE BATTLE RANKER COMPETITION AND…
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Jim Starlin
Jim Starlin
Christie Scheele, Heroic Age Studios
Jim Starlin, Heroic Age Studios
Marvel Comics
May, 2003
In Marvel Universe: The End (2003), Thanos gains the Heart of the Universe. Eventually, Thanos makes a sacrifice to save the Universe.
With the power source, Thanos effectively becomes omnipotent. Though the act is admirable, let’s list the reasons why the story is non-canon.
To begin, the first apparent reason is the changed history of pharaoh Akhenaten. Indeed, the basic elements of his story remain the same as Earth-616 continuity. Importantly, he was pharaoh in Egypt and was born in Thebes.
Then, he married Nefertiti. Outrageously, he stopped the polytheistic worship of Amun. Instead, he imposed the monotheistic religion of Aten. Due to his blasphemy, the gods of Egypt cursed him. After, his history diverged.
In 1334 B.C., while in the Valley of the Kings, he was taken by aliens known as the Celestial Order to be one of their chosen representatives. Initially unable to grasp his situation, Akhenaten was driven mad. Upon regaining his wits, Akhenaten was taught of the Heart of the Universe, a powerful cosmic artifact that would turn those who possessed it into a living god on par with the most powerful cosmic entities in the Marvel Universe. His mind danced with insanity for nearly 2000 years as he struggled to understand the scope of the astral revelations showed to him by the Order. He spent one century to master the Heart’s powers and two thousands years to earn the Order’s trust.
In the six-issue mini-series, Thanos seeks the Heart of the Universe in order to gain ultimate power. In fact, the Heart of the Universe grants its possessor true omnipotence and omniscience over the universe. After possessing the power source, Thanos defeated Akhenaten.
However, this powerful artifact does not exist in the mainstream Marvel Universe. In fact, it appears it can only act on a specific universe. Though, it allows Thanos to absorb all the cosmic entities even the Living Tribunal, the Marvel Multiversal Judge.
In question, the reality is Earth-4321. When Thanos gains true omnipotence, his senses are heightened to the astral level. Here, he sees all of Marvel Earth-4321’s history and realizes there is a fatal flaw.
Indeed, the continued resurrections of heroes after tragedies have fractured the astral fabric of the universe. For this reason, he laments the Almighty’s actions whom he has replaced.
In his awesome omniscience, Thanos realizes the One-Above-All has departed the Earth-4321 universe. And unable to repair the fatal flaw, he elects to act in true Thanos fashion: Destroy the universe.
When the heroes and the cosmic entities realize the Mad Titan’s move, they confront him. But, it is too late. True to form, Thanos absorbs the heroes, absorbs the cosmic entities, absorbs even Living Tribunal, and finally the Earth-4321 Universe.
In the mini-series, it appears Thanos has the last word. Though he sacrifices himself in the end in order to restore the universe.
Nevertheless, Marvel’s Executive Editor Tom Brevoort has stated that the mini-series is not part of mainstream continuity. Therefore, it is non-canon.
At the end of the universe, only Thanos is left. Or so we think. In fact, Adam Warlock and Franklin Richards survived in a parallel dimension. Soon, Adam opens Thanos’ eyes to his foolhardy actions. When he realizes what must be done, Mistress Death appears to both.
For the first time, she speaks and congratulates the Mad Titan. With a final farewell, she kisses her lover then disappears into the nothingness. In order to set the universe aright, Thanos realizes he is the fatal flaw that must finally be extinguished. As he restores the universe, Thanos vanishes leaving no memory of his existence.
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In Marvel Universe: The End (2003) #5, Thanos faces the Marvel Universe assembled. However, the assemblage of Marvel’s cosmic entities and heroes is no match for the Mad Titan.
In his omnipotence, Thanos absorbs the heroes, cosmic entities, including Infinity, Eternity, the Living Tribunal and the universe within himself. Nonetheless, Thanos finds himself in nothingness and grieves his actions.
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In the Marvel Universe, no being was more feared than Galactus. Recently, he met his timely end at the hands of Thor, in Devourer King. When King Thor became Galactus’ Herald, he was imbued with the Power Cosmic. Namely, Galactus possesses this reservoir of ambient, cosmic energy at an incalculable level. In fact, Galactus’ possession of the Power Cosmic makes him a cosmic entity on par with Eternity, the embodiment of the Marvel Universe. There are other reservoirs of power as well such as the Power Primordial which powers the Elders of the Universe.
Incredibly, Galactus possesses the Power Cosmic at a Universal Level with the potential to create or destroy the Marvel Universe. Definitely, such power is god-like and explains why the Devourer of Worlds eats planets. If the Star-God’s catalogue of super powers is endless, let’s examine his durability.
In other words, how tough is Galactus, when fed and when hungry?
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In The Galactus Trilogy, Earth-616 is threatened by Galactus for the first time. Somberly, Silver Surfer arrives to announce the end of the world. When Galactus comes to Earth, he clashes with the Fantastic Four. Meanwhile, Silver Surfer meets Alicia Masters. Fortunately, she convinces Norrin to turn against his master. Together, the FF and Silver Surfer are aided by Uatu the Watcher in their battle. When Human Torch retrieves the Ultimate Nullifier from Taa II at Watcher’s directions, the tide changes. In possession of the Ultimate Nullifier, Mister Fantastic threatens Galactus with annihilation unless he leaves.
Since the UN is an artifact on Galactus’ solar system-sized home, it gives an estimation of his power level. Importantly, the Nullifier can lay waste to a galaxy, and destroy a universe. As a result, Galactus relented his invasion. In terms of durability, this means Galactus is at least Galaxy-Level in Durability and Power Level. However, that is not enough to determine his fed and hungry states.
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In Thanos: Redemption (Thanos (2003-2004)), Galactus is manipulated by the cosmic entity named the Hunger. In an attempt to rid himself of his cosmic hunger, Galactus accidentally summons the Hunger into the Earth-616 reality.
Though Thanos finds out about Hunger’s machinations, he fails in stopping Galactus. After the Hunger enters this reality, Thanos brings in the big guns! Powerfully, the mad Titan teleports old Rigel-3 into Rigel-18’s orbit. On a collision course, both planets slam onto each other in a cosmic conflagration. In between, Galactus and Hunger are caught in the collision. Incredibly, Galactus survives.
Previously, Hunger had severely weakened Galactus who was in a hungry state. If we estimate Galactus’ durability feat, we can make a comparison. In fact, if we collide two planets the size of Earth at orbital velocity, the work done is at least Stellar-Level in Energy Projection. Indeed, a hungry Galactus is at least Stellar-Level in Durability.
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In The Last Galactus Story: Chapter Seven (1985), Galactus investigates the disappearance of stars in the universe. Interestingly, he traces it to the Milky Way galaxy. Then, a sated Galactus enters the core of the galaxy. Powerfully, Galactus survives the gravitational force at the core of the Milky Way galaxy without any trouble. Definitely, a feat requiring a Galaxy to Universal-Level durability.
In the issue, it is stated that Galactus survived the previous universe’s destruction. If Galactus can survive the forces of entropy, that puts his potential durability as Universal-Level.
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To begin, in Thanos Imperative (2010) #1, the forces of the Cancerverse launch an attack on the Earth-616 universe. Particularly, their objective is to locate Thanos, the Avatar of Death. As matter of fact, their objective is to rid the Earth-616 universe of the concept of Death. In Thanos Imperative (2010) #6, the Guardians of the Galaxy attempt to stop Mar-vell’s necropsy ritual.
In the Cancerverse, Thanos has willingly agreed to the ritual. Aided by the Revengers, Mar-Vell successfully summons Mistress Death. However, she kills all of the inhabitants of the Cancerverse. In reality, Thanos planned the scheme. And when Mistress Death refuses to claim his soul, he vows to destroy the universe.
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4: Original Sin, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Thanos are trapped in the Cancerverse. Moreover, the Guardians possess the Cosmic Cube which Thanos plans to use to free himself. During a battle, Star-Lord impressively kills Thanos with the Cosmic Cube. However, Thanos comes back to life and punches him throuh the abdomen. Eons ago, the Many Angled Ones used Mar-Vell’s cancer to rid the Earth-10011 of Death. In a necropsy ritual, the embodiment of Death was annihilated.
Then, it became the Cancerverse. As a result, in the Cancerverse, every life form is a cancer. As you known, unless irradiated, cancer cells multiply continuously, don’t undergo apoptosis and are effectively immortal. Moreover, Death does not exist there. For this reason, Mistress Death could not claim Thanos. In fact, even the Revengers killed by Death, came back to life. Here, Mistress Death cannot claim souls and her powers extend only to the Earth-616 universe.
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