# Showdown! Justice League of America vs. the X-Men **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 23, 2004, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242 "2004-11-23T06:03:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/181 "2004-11-27T20:30:51Z")
Ooh! New info that helps the X-folks. I’d forgotten about the lineup of ‘New X-Men’ - the new ‘New Mutants’-esque junior team. One of them is Prodigy, who can duplicate skills and knowledges of people in the vicinity. If we assume a full-power Mimic (any number of powers at full strength) - and let’s face it, it’ll be a short battle if we don’t - then coupled with Prodigy he could be very dangerous indeed. Then I would still take the JLA under the following scenarios : Dr. Fate present - Dr. Fate wouldn’t be subject to either of the borrowing powers - Mimic can’t duplicate mystic energy, and all the “skills” of the Fate-host come from the Helm of Nabu. Particularly interesting might be a scenario in which Fate senses the Juggernaught’s mystical power source, and “borrows” it. (Hey, if Rogue can steal power from Juggy, Dr. Fate can manage it.) Doctor Fate SMASH! Major Disaster - I know what you’re thinking. Mimic would have his power, and through Prodigy, would know how to use it. The problem is - the X-Team is a big old disaster waiting to happen. (“Oh no! Dark Phoenix and Onslaught both remanifested! Aiyee! And a Legacy Virus outbreak? Oh no! And Cable’s lost control of his techno-organic virus again! D’oh! And Half of Mimic’s Madrox-inspired dupes have a supervillain mindset from his early days? Man, what’re the odds?”) Angst doesn’t pay. 😉 Hal Jordan/Spectre - Yeah. Duh. Kyle Rayner/Ion - Again, duh. If Ion’s there, there’s no contest. It also occurs to me that other JLAers have had a brush with nigh-omnipotence. Firestorm was once the Fire Elemental for Earth. Ditto Red Tornado as an Air Elemental. Wonder Woman was a Goddess, briefly. Super sun-charged Superman from the Our World at War crossover. Hourman (the android) in possession of the Worlogog. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/182 "2004-11-27T20:42:12Z")
I think you are discounting Prof. X’s ability to either neutralize the JLA or turn the likes of Superman against them (thus negating Wally’s speed right away). J’onn just isn’t on the same level as either Phoenix or Prof. X. I agree that magic will the big, dare I say it, X factor but speed may not be as important as you think. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/183 "2004-11-27T22:32:33Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Okay, this is silly. “Magnetic Force”? Going to trap a supply of _Ferrous_ Oxygen, are we? Magneto has shown in the past that his force fields are pretty much airtight and impregnable. If he throws one up, all the air will be trapped inside. Has nothing to do with magnetism. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ecks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bcef8e/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ecks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ecks)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/184 "2004-11-27T23:27:48Z")
I’m gonna have to discount professor X. Yes, he probably could take out most of the JLA- he’s always been mega-powerful. But, he could eliminate almost any threat the X-men face, too. But he never does. Like Superman, he never seems to use his power intelligently, or do as much as he’s shown to be capable of. Plus, the Flash and Superman both think at super speed. Professor X does not; he could no more read their minds than he could understand a record played at 100 times speed. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/185 "2004-11-27T23:39:02Z")
If Xavier is discounted, the DC characters that don’t use their powers to their full extent should be discounted as well. And that’s a lot of them considering some of their power levels. This a very slippery slope that’s best not bothered with, especially if you’re a DC fan as it would hurt the JLA more than the X-Men. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/186 "2004-11-28T00:27:42Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > If she had the presence of mind to get the bubble up quick enough, she might be able to do it. I don’t think she would. The disorientation as the X-Forces are tossed in a pile, and then the oxygen suddenly starts to go away. I think Cable’s battlehardened enough to anticipate and save himself from such an attack - but not Jean. Remember, no one in the Marvel Universe has abilities approaching Wally or Superman’s speed. And Phoenix’s uber abilities are Telekinesis - she’s still a Telepath, but not, as far as I can tell, a more potent one than Xavier. Actually, I wasn’t even using tk. As far as my knowledge extends, Phoenix has no problem with a vacuum. No tk needed. Past versions could fly through space no problem and there is no reason to assume now would be any different. As far as psi powers, they far exceed Xaviers. He was able to catch phoenix by surprise once. No knock on his powers. Even a surprised phoenix is powerful. As with batman though, if she were prepared… 😛 Then you figure she watches her friends go down (worst case scenario you understand, I’ll never concede defeat 😃 ), instant dark phoenix. The trio of **D** istinguished **C** haracters gets the tk molecular shred. Either that or she destroys the planet. Last woman standing is ostensibly an X-Person. As far as battle hardened, when’s the last time you read an X-comic? She’s not Cable hard, but she’s far from a slouch. In fact, next to none of the X-Men are “noobs.” Preparation and battle reaction wise, JLA and X-men are same state. Also, Rachael Summers phoenix has flown into Earth orbit without a suit/shield. > [@](#): > > Okay, this is silly. “Magnetic Force”? Going to trap a supply of _Ferrous_ Oxygen, are we? 😛 Kitty still needs to breathe while phased. Cannonball’s Blast Field doesn’t trap oxygen as far as I’m aware. Kurt I dealt with before. To the earlier points against him, I submit that if he began successfully teleporting anyone out of the field, Wally could just steal his speed. Havok’s blast would kill X-Men. Xavier would just be beginning to sense the presence of other minds when he blacked out - and J’onn would be only having to shield two other persons, so that’s not going to be an easy task for Chuck. Again, you misunderstand. Not a magnetic force to trap oxygen, though I may remember Magneto going into space before. Anyway, a magnetic field extended from the outer perimiter of the X-Pile as you put it. Pushing force disrupts the speedsters. Poof goes the vacuum. Also, Kurt has no speed for wally to steal. He teleports using some sort of dark dimension according to recent info. No speed force there. Havok wouldn’t need a killing blast and has enough control over his powers to not kill. Plus Cyclops, Juggernaut, phoenix, Celia and Bishop would all survive even at a lethal level, and Bishop would get a nice power boost. Also, as stated due to the skrull dna, Rogue can teleport too. With her natural durability and Wolverines healing factor, the strain from a massive multiple tp would be no problem. As for Kitty, she can phase multiple people through the planet. The rotation of the planet would move them far and fast (she’s done this trick before). With sync or mimic or Rogue assisting, the entire team could be half a world away before even the flash blinked 😉 Cannonball, as with the fridge magnets, extends his field out from a point. It can knock Gladiator on his bum. Superman would be stunned enough for it to work. Also, Psylocke had shadow teleporting abilites too. She could either open a portal big enough to 'port the group or one on the outside to 'port the three. > [@](#): > > Unfortunately, the limits of Celia’s abilities are not known to me. It’s possible her force-field would keep her from a KO, forcing her to be saved to be dealt with by J’onn, psionically. Bear in mind that I have little idea also. I do have most of the comics from her run though. I’m pretty sure her powers would have no problem with the vacuum and I know she can shield multiple targets. Another couple of thoughts. Storm has used her powers to fight sudden decompression at great heights. Her wind powers could be enough to buy time. Colossus, Emma Frost, and Iceman aren’t even human when they shift forms (organic steel, diamond, ice) Likely wouldn’t need air. > [@](#): > > The beauty part about the three-man team is that Mimic’s powers just don’t matter in this case. Superman can only survive in a vacuum by holding his breath. In other words, preparation. I _Believe_ J’onn is the same way. The only person on the X-Team who can survive without air is the Juggernaught, and I don’t think Calvin can duplicate Juggy’s mystic powers. Also, adding to Mimic’s disorientation - Wally and J’onn’s powers have control issues. Wally’s powers were killing him at one point; his cousin Bart’s powers were aging him uncontrollably until Wally gave him a “shock” to the system. J’onn’s powers would be particularly confounding - his years of experience and mental discipline make it look easy, but total control of the molecules in one’s body takes some practice. If Mimic has time to grab Wally’s and J’onn’s powers, he’s likely to vibrate apart into a pile of living, sentient goo. Doesn’t matter. There are enough ways for the X-Men to survive. Mimic isn’t necessary. The three man plan wouldn’t work. > [@](#): > > I’m not selling books, I’m making a point. 😉 I’m not conceding points either 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/187 "2004-11-28T00:40:08Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > If Xavier is discounted, the DC characters that don’t use their powers to their full extent should be discounted as well. And that’s a lot of them considering some of their power levels. > > This a very slippery slope that’s best not bothered with, especially if you’re a DC fan as it would hurt the JLA more than the X-Men. This is a good point. In comic books, _nobody ever uses their powers at the full level instantly_. Since comic books rules are binding in this case, what with everyone being a comic book character and whatnot. Lethal force is only available to those that already have a tendency for it. Phoenix only wipes the board if she gets cheesed enough to go dark. Superman can’t win the battle by himself until the story has gone through at least 8-10 issues. Wolverine has to say “bub” on every page. You know, the usual rules 😃 Right now I’m thinking the magic tilts the scales for the DC team, but give me time. Couple more points I thought of **Candid** , Illyana Rasputin (Magik aged of course) can open a portal to the demon world for every one to escape from. More vacuum escaping. Lastly, the crimson gem of Cytorrak (no way I spelled that right) is buried under a land slide or it was absorbed by Juggs. I’m not sure which. Point is, Doc Fate can’t grab it and absorb his powers. And what if he did. He’d have to wear two helmets, and that’s just nutty. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/188 "2004-11-28T19:40:43Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > I think you are discounting Prof. X’s ability to either neutralize the JLA or turn the likes of Superman against them (thus negating Wally’s speed right away). J’onn just isn’t on the same level as either Phoenix or Prof. X. I agree that magic will the big, dare I say it, X factor but speed may not be as important as you think. J’onn seems to be every bit the Telepath that Xavier is. If you have concrete evidence to the contrary, please present it. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/189 "2004-11-28T19:53:37Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > Actually, I wasn’t even using tk. As far as my knowledge extends, Phoenix has no problem with a vacuum. No tk needed. Past versions could fly through space no problem and there is no reason to assume now would be any different. As far as psi powers, they far exceed Xaviers. He was able to catch phoenix by surprise once. No knock on his powers. Even a surprised phoenix is powerful. As with batman though, if she were prepared… 😛 Then you figure she watches her friends go down (worst case scenario you understand, I’ll never concede defeat 😃 ), instant dark phoenix. The trio of **D** istinguished **C** haracters gets the tk molecular shred. Either that or she destroys the planet. Last woman standing is ostensibly an X-Person. > > As far as battle hardened, when’s the last time you read an X-comic? She’s not Cable hard, but she’s far from a slouch. In fact, next to none of the X-Men are “noobs.” Preparation and battle reaction wise, JLA and X-men are same state. > > Also, Rachael Summers phoenix has flown into Earth orbit without a suit/shield. Clearly in each of these scenarios the person in question is using telekinesis to take air with them. Neither Jean Grey nor Rachel has the mutant ability to survive without breathing. Really. Dark Phoenix is not really an X-Man, and she’s not going to be discriminate about who she kills. Besides, the JLAers are going to take people down non-lethally - no reason for her to get pushed over the edge. Lastly, even if Phoenix AND Onslaught were there, both somehow dedicated to the X-Cause, Ion still trumps them both. He snaps his fingers and banishes the Phoenix entity and strips the powers from everyone on the opposing team. He is capable of that. > [@](#): > > Again, you misunderstand. Not a magnetic force to trap oxygen, though I may remember Magneto going into space before. Anyway, a magnetic field extended from the outer perimiter of the X-Pile as you put it. Pushing force disrupts the speedsters. Poof goes the vacuum. So, he’s going to magically see through this pile of people on top of him, and know just where to start this push, and it’s going to be a strong enough push to move Superman? Either Wally or Clark can manage the vacuum trick on their own. > [@](#): > > Also, Kurt has no speed for wally to steal. He teleports using some sort of dark dimension according to recent info. No speed force there. Havok wouldn’t need a killing blast and has enough control over his powers to not kill. Plus Cyclops, Juggernaut, phoenix, Celia and Bishop would all survive even at a lethal level, and Bishop would get a nice power boost. Also, as stated due to the skrull dna, Rogue can teleport too. With her natural durability and Wolverines healing factor, the strain from a massive multiple tp would be no problem. As for Kitty, she can phase multiple people through the planet. The rotation of the planet would move them far and fast (she’s done this trick before). With sync or mimic or Rogue assisting, the entire team could be half a world away before even the flash blinked 😉 I assure you, Kurt has speed for Wally to steal. Everyone has speed for Wally to Steal. It’s not that he can only steal from other speedsters. He can leech kinetic energy out of inanimate objects. A person subjected to the speed-stealing would have biological and thought processes slow down. And your Havok scenario neglects the fact that Havok doesn’t see anyone to attack. They see a wind. Is he going to injure and maim half of his own team in this blast on the off-chance that someone on the other side _may_ be close enough to feel it? They shoulda left him in a coma. > [@](#): > > Cannonball, as with the fridge magnets, extends his field out from a point. It can knock Gladiator on his bum. Superman would be stunned enough for it to work. He has no target that he can see, so no reason to do this. The Gladiator incident required a lot of thought and preparation on his part, and precise timing as well. > [@](#): > > Also, Psylocke had shadow teleporting abilites too. She could either open a portal big enough to 'port the group or one on the outside to 'port the three. I think she’s out cold before she gets the chance. > [@](#): > > Another couple of thoughts. Storm has used her powers to fight sudden decompression at great heights. Her wind powers could be enough to buy time. Colossus, Emma Frost, and Iceman aren’t even human when they shift forms (organic steel, diamond, ice) Likely wouldn’t need air. Storm wouldn’t have sufficient time to recover from the disorientation of movement and call up the winds. Colossus is iffy - I’ve seen no indication that he doesn’t need to breathe in metal form, that I recall, but sure, it’s possible. Ditto Emma and Iceman - maybe they don’t need to breathe. Add the three of them to the survivor list and you buy about another 2 seconds before the JL victory. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/190 "2004-11-28T19:57:23Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > Couple more points I thought of **Candid** , Illyana Rasputin (Magik aged of course) can open a portal to the demon world for every one to escape from. More vacuum escaping. I’ve considered her. And Lila Cheney. And Nightcrawler. And Shadowcat. And Psylocke. I don’t think any one of them is quick enough under these circumstances. You disagree, but you’re not being very convincing about it. > [@](#): > > Lastly, the crimson gem of Cytorrak (no way I spelled that right) is buried under a land slide or it was absorbed by Juggs. I’m not sure which. Point is, Doc Fate can’t grab it and absorb his powers. > > And what if he did. He’d have to wear two helmets, and that’s just nutty. 😃 Rogue didn’t need to grab the Gem of Cyttorak. She just grabbed Juggy. The power is in him. It can be taken from him, without the Gem being involved. Dr. Fate is a master mystic with a helmet on his head that has the knowledge of a millions-of-years old Lord of Order. He knows how to leech mystic energy. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/191 "2004-11-29T05:25:21Z")
_bump_ Maybe we should start an actual battle? The X-Men and JLA are gathered in their vaccuum / space bubble… Who strikes first? ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/192 "2004-11-29T05:47:04Z")
Wait, what about Franklin Richards? Wasn’t he with New Mutants or some such group for a time? If so, fight has now definitely switched to the X-men’s side. Further, has J’onn really be portrayed as that great of a telepath? Prof. X is considered the telepaths’ telepath and as poweful as J’onn is I don’t think he prevented and invasion by an entire alien culture (the badoon) nor prevented a war between two of the most poweful races in the universe (Shi’ar and the Kree). ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/193 "2004-11-29T05:51:08Z")
How much prep time do they have again? Superman rarely starts off with a speed attack so it’s really only Wally that the x-men have to worry about. Let’s say Phoenix and J’onn cancel each other out (giving too much to J’onn here but I might be wrong) then Prof. X can take control of Superman’s mind. With that he can eliminate Fate and Zartanna instantly with a speed attack and with enough left over to create a shield for himself (in case wally gets clever). If Wally doesn’t hit Magneto right away then Magneto puts him to sleep by playing with his blood…or just out and out kills him. Rouge can then absorb Supes or Wally’s power at leisure. Nightcrawler can start causing problems for the Green Lantern (just to distract him, he has not chance otherwise) to allow the heavy hitters of the X-men to focus on him. Once Dr. Fate and Zartanna are down then I think it’s all X-men. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/194 "2004-11-29T05:56:37Z")
> [@](#): > > The X-Men and JLA are gathered in their vaccuum / space bubble… > > Who strikes first? The JLA. The battle goes thusly: Wally West steals as much speed as he can from all of the X-Men. The android Hourman slows the X-Men down to one ten-billionth of our time (he did it to Flash in an issue of JSA). The X-Men are rendered completely immobile, and they don’t even know what’s happening to them. Even if the uber-powerful ones are somehow able to break free (Onslaught and Phoenix, let’s say), they’re quickily taken care of by Ion, who then gets a lecture from Superman on how he should let the rest of the team help out, too. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/195 "2004-11-29T06:19:04Z")
With the vacuum trick, I think you’re all forgetting that it takes a few minutes for a vacuum to kill (or even knock out) somebody, even without superpowers. Even if you don’t have a chance to get a last good breath and start with empty lungs, you’re still talking thirty seconds or so. Which is more than enough time for a telepath thinking at normal speeds to coordinate a group effort at a counterattack, and to carry it through. I still think that this is going to be a battle of telepaths and possibly magicians, with everyone else (on both teams) completely irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![Shirt\_Ninja\_13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@Shirt\_Ninja\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirt_Ninja_13)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/196 "2004-11-29T08:42:17Z")
> [@RitzyRae](#): > > …Nightcrawler rules! word. _bamf_ ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/197 "2004-11-29T14:08:01Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > Wait, what about Franklin Richards? Wasn’t he with New Mutants or some such group for a time? If so, fight has now definitely switched to the X-men’s side. Further, has J’onn really be portrayed as that great of a telepath? Prof. X is considered the telepaths’ telepath and as poweful as J’onn is I don’t think he prevented and invasion by an entire alien culture (the badoon) nor prevented a war between two of the most poweful races in the universe (Shi’ar and the Kree). Heh. If the X-folks had Franklin Richards, you’d actually have a prayer against Ion. Unfortunately, Frankie was with the Power Pack, not the New Mutants. And yeah, J’onn pulls impressive planetary-scale telepathic stunts every so-often. He was able to decimate, alone, thousands of White Martians - all competent telepaths and Superman-class physical combatants. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/198 "2004-11-29T14:13:20Z")
The posters in this thread break so many rules of superhero fights, it’s ridiculous. First, superhero fights almost always break down into the most even one-on-one battles. I tried to do that a couple of pages back. Second, efforts are made to evenly match the teams, especially in terms of numbers. Without that, the JLA wins simply because of sheer numerical advantage. They’ll overwhelm the X-groups with a 2-to-1 or greater margin. That’s what comic book fights look like. Not Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix vacuuming the whole group, or Wally West/Flash stealing everyone’s speed, or Professor X stopping everyone in their tracks while Wolverine slaughters. That’s fanboy nonsense, not comic writing. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/199 "2004-11-29T14:17:15Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > The posters in this thread break so many rules of superhero fights, it’s ridiculous. > > First, superhero fights almost always break down into the most even one-on-one battles. I tried to do that a couple of pages back. > > Second, efforts are made to evenly match the teams, especially in terms of numbers. Without that, the JLA wins simply because of sheer numerical advantage. They’ll overwhelm the X-groups with a 2-to-1 or greater margin. > > That’s what comic book fights look like. Not Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix vacuuming the whole group, or Wally West/Flash stealing everyone’s speed, or Professor X stopping everyone in their tracks while Wolverine slaughters. That’s fanboy nonsense, not comic writing. Hey, we’re trying to be realistic! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242/200 "2004-11-29T14:18:24Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > _bump_ > > Maybe we should start an actual battle? > > The X-Men and JLA are gathered in their vaccuum / space bubble… > > Who strikes first? I’ve been kicking around some scenarios in my head based upon the “classic wager between to omnipotent beings over who’s super-wang is bigger so they teleport the group of their choice with members of choice into vague uninhabited earthlike planet.” scenario. Both sides know they are facing a super group and have some information regarding powers and power levels but no specifics. Just enough to engage in strategery. The only hitch is, my knowledge of DC is minimal and if I ponied up the buckage to get the DC encyclopedia from the bookstore to settle a dope thread, my fiancee would kick my posterior. Any helpful sites on the JLA rosters, powers, characters, etc. would help. I’ll go to the one that is listed, but Candid seemed less than thrilled about it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/showdown-justice-league-of-america-vs-the-x-men/276242.md?page=11)