I was just sent this link at the office by a friend of mine.
It’s basically Wizzard’s “Top 10 Toughests Conventional Superhero” list.
Link is here:
http://www.silver-surfer.us/Top10list/Top10List.htm
All in all I agree with the list.
I’d remove the Hulk, Firestorm and Spawn and replace them (in no particular order) with the Martian Manhunter, the Sentry and the Green Lantern (or Quasarr).
Thought I might fuel a little argument on a quiet Friday.
I’m not quite buying Wondy beating Wally. Sure she beat Zoom *while blind * by lassoing him. Does the lasso gurantee obediance? If not, Wally could just spin like a top reeling her in, knock her off balance, then hogtie her. Not sure if the “powerless when bound” thing is still in effect, but even if it isn’t Wondy’s toast at that point as Wally kicks her face in at super speed.
There should be a Green Lantern on the list. I’d stick one between Firestorm (I doubt nuclear alchemy works on constructs and the nuke blasts are nothing your typical GL can’t handle) and Prof X (GL ring works on willpower. Prof X in your head = broken willpower), knocking Hulk off the list.
I would pay to see Wondy v. Thor (aka my gods can kick your gods’ asses).
Not sure about the lasso. I think it’s basically unbreakable and weakens the captive once they are bound by it.
I don’t see Thor v. Wonder Woman being that close. He’s an actual god whereas she’s a servant of gods. In the Marvel Universe, the Asgardians are considered more powerful than the Greek pantheon. Plus, Thor has a walking plot device with his planet busting hammer.
I agree that a Green Lantern should be there and that the Hulk should be bumped. The Surfer as number 1 just makes sense. He’s basically Jesus Christ on a surfboard.
I’d say ditch Hulk, Flash and even Spawn. Not sure who to replace them with… GL seems a good choice for one.
When did WW become so powerful? Maybe I’m still stuck in the Linda Carter WW, but flight? Superspeed? Almost as strong as Supes? Been some changes, or I’ve been out of the loop too long.
Favorite line in that article:
I also think that the author(s) doesn’t give enough credit to Telepathy or Magical Aptitude. They seem to suggest that Prof X and Doc Strange are only dangerous when they’re in “battle mode” and that they utilize no defensive techniques until they “detect” a threat… and theorize that anyone with superspeed would be able to beat them easily because they’d be unprepared. Sorry, but the Flash wouldn’t lay a hand on the good Dr.
Nah. It’s all Superman. If not him, Wonder Woman (nearly as strong, and a better fighter).
The problem with rankings like this, is that some characters would just destroy others, but that doesn’t mean that they are “more tough”.
For example, Dr. Strange or Professor X would own Superman, as Clark’s notoriously weak against magic or mental attacks.
But Wonder Woman or Captain Marvel (another omission, as is Martian Manhunter), while ususally portrayed as lesser powerhouses, are better against magic and mind control, does that make them tougher? Superman could probably take either of them down.
They also make the classic mistake of assuming everyone knows each others weaknesses, that the attacker takes every possible tactical advantage, and the defender doesn’t. That hardly ever happens. In comics or in real life.
And this must be an old list. Supes has defeated Thor.
Hulk should be replaced by Martian Manhunter.
Firestorm should be replaced with Sersi. She controls all molecules, not just inanimate (including the ability to just turn opponents to stone).
Spawn should be replaced with either a GL or Quasar.
Wonder Woman should be replaced with Captain Marvel. Does anyone really think she would beat him?
Well, they both have strength given them by the gods, so…Marvel would get distracted by looking at WW’s chest. Sorry, but he would. And Solomon liked women too, so he’d be no help :D.
I would have called Hercules in, since he’s a heavy hitter with actual combat experience, but I’m not sure how having his strength in another universe matches up with the real guy.
Also, if you just want “tough” as in determination and pure vicious fighting…bring in Hawkman. He’s a nasty fellow (or he has become so recently, and me likey!).
Where to begin…
For starters, the list seems to assume that every person is going to use their powers to the utmost constantly, but only up to the next person on the list. Oh sure, Professor X telepathy would wipe the floor with this guy because as soon as he thinks of it, the prof would counter except for this guy cause he’s really fast or something. Doc Strange would pop into a pocket dimension for Prof. X but wouldn’t think of it for anyone else? He couldn’t just toss the people above him into other dimensions?
Second, Spawn can take the hulk because he’s lost limbs before without damage but Wonder Woman would beat him because of her warrior skills? How much sense does that make? Is she just going to nerve pinch him to re-death? Spawn has fought warrior angels. He’s heavily combat trained in his own right. You can’t give him one victory because he can take a pounding and then make him lose one because he can’t take a pounding. The author also forgets that Spawn can be knocked out or otherwise incapacitated. The hulk would beat him down to a stain with a punch.
Third, these heroes would just run up and beat the crap out of a dude in a wheelchair? Not bloody likely except for the Hulk and Spawn. The professor would be all over them simply because nearly everyone else would hesitate to whomp a cripple.
Fourth, Dr. Strange can’t beat Wonder Woman because she’s quasi-magical and the work of the gods? The dude takes on other worldly ubergods every single day. Wonder Woman would qualify as a pre-breakfast warm up. He’s taken on beings more powerful and more magical than her.
Overall, the list is wildly inconsistent. X hero would use his powers to the utmost except against Y and Z. 
X would think of this except against Y and Z. It just doesn’t work.
On the marvel end, there are loads of toughies left off of the list. Drax the destroyer has the power infinity gem, making him at least as powerful as the Surfer. Gladiator of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard is as strong as Wonder Woman if not as strong as Superman. Phoenix has the telepathy of Professor X and telekinetic powers strong enough to alter things at the molecular level. She could give the Surfer a run for his money.
Was this list written five minutes before a story deadline, cause it kinda looks like it was.
Actually I was going to say that only it would be more like Wondy tricks the Cheese into de-SHAZAMing (haven’t quite figured out how yet), lassoes him, then asks if he wants to hear about the shower situation on Paradise Island, especially now that Supergirl is there. Billy chokes on his own drool.
Pulls out his copy of She-Hulk #8. Yep. And neither Drax nor Surf-Jesus (I’m totally using that now) could stand up to Champion with the Power Primordal in a gem.
Well just because Superman beat Thor in a crossover doesn’t mean that everyone agrees with that. A lot of people (even non-Thor fans) think the fight was a joke.
The Surfer has beaten both Drax and the Champion before. He really is Christ on a surfboard.
Captain Marvel and the Manhunter should be on there but so should the Flash as he can do some nifty stuff.
High-end Dr. Strange is arguably the most powerful character in comics (he can merge with Eternity :eek: and just level the universe) but on day-to-day fights I think the Surfer is the right top choice.