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Best Battles in New Comics: 9/12/14

Enjoy some excellent fight scenes from the latest issues of SUPERMAN UNCHAINED, DEATH OF WOLVERINE, and WORLD'S FINEST: FUTURES END.

The latest wave of new comic books offered a lot of entertaining action scenes, and that's of course very good news for this weekly segment. Just like with many of the other editions, it wasn't that easy narrowing down the options to just three, but we're pretty happy with the ones we've selected and hopefully you'll have fun with them, too. Alright, ready to see some epic punches? Dumb question, of course you are. So, grab a beverage, get cozy and prepare for some cool fight scenes!

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #8

The first highlight comes from the latest chapter of SUPERMAN UNCHAINED by writer Scott Snyder, artist Jim Lee, inker Scott Williams, and colorist Alex Sinclair. Yeah, quite a lineup, isn't it? This eighth chapter begins with Superman giving Wraith -- a powerful alien working with General Lane -- everything he's got, but it just isn't enough. The Kryptonian hits his target with some massive attacks, yet Wraith's still stronger, faster, and has better control of his abilities. Needless to say, this isn't one of those fights that'll wrap up in just a few pages. Once Wraith gets his hand on Kal-El's cape, things don't go so well for the iconic hero.

Wraith is REALLY mad that Superman unfriended him.
Wraith is REALLY mad that Superman unfriended him.

Keep in mind, this weekly article only highlights small samples of the fight, so that means we're unable to show you just how devastating that throw really is. Not much can really harm the Man of Steel, but this throw is absolutely felt. t's an insane display power. Sometimes people forget that Kal-El's brilliant and not just some boyscout who does the best he can with his powers. So, upon seeing that a simple slugfest isn't going so well, Clark begins to use his noggin and realizes one very important thing: Wraith needs oxygen. Oh yes, it's time for Superman to bring the dude to space and smash him straight through... well, see it for yourself below.

If you can't beat 'em, knock 'em through the moon.
If you can't beat 'em, knock 'em through the moon.

Again, that's just a preview of this cinematic turn of events. Seriously, narrowing down just three pictures for this article was tough because this entire issue is packed with magnificent displays of action and it's a total blast. Anyway, back to the fight. It was a good tactic on Kal's part, but Wraith's control of his powers shouldn't be underestimated and he's able to bring the fight back down to Earth. That's when Superman has another idea to even the odds: bring Wraith so close to the Earth's core that the magnetic force takes away Wraith's extra abilities. Now the battle is limited to just their strength, speed, skill, and tactics.

Epic Superman punch + Jim Lee's art = our eyes are very, very pleased.
Epic Superman punch + Jim Lee's art = our eyes are very, very pleased.

Now that it's a more balanced showdown, is Kal-El able to turn the tide, humiliate Wraith, and then sturt away like a total boss? Or do the duke it out until another plot device kicks in and changes the course of the battle? And if this is the penultimate chapter, just what the heck do Snyder and Lee have in store for us with the next one? The delay with this series is a bummer, but the creative team is making sure the chapters are worth waiting for.

DEATH OF WOLVERINE #2

Our next choice comes from writer Charles Soule, artist Steve McNiven, inker Jay Leisten, and colorist Justin Ponsor's latest chapter of DEATH OF WOLVERINE. Viper's placed a large bounty on Logan's head and the X-Man wants to know why. Even without his healing factor, Wolverine isn't one to shy away from danger, so he travels to Madripoor to confront Viper and get some answers. In true villain fashion, she sends some goons after the hero and, obviously, they're no match for James Howlett.

No claws and no healing factor? No problem.
No claws and no healing factor? No problem.

Aside from McNiven's terrific artwork, what makes this action scene particularly special is the way Soule writes Wolverine. Far too often people seem to forget that the X-Man is a ridiculously gifted hand-to-hand fighter. He's held his own against the likes of Iron Fist, Captain America, and countless others, so there's much more than drooling and wild flailing when it comes to Logan's abilities as a fighter. It's really great to see Soule has Wolvie focusing on technique and precision in this limited series and man, it's a joy to witness.

A nice reminder of why he's often called
A nice reminder of why he's often called "the best there is."

Those goons were just the warm-up. Up next: Victor Creed, a.k.a. Sabretooth! We all know Logan's more skilled than Creed and that sometimes allows him to make short work of the foe, but without his healing factor and claws, it's going to be one heck of an uphill struggle. Mr. Howlett has an extra weapon, but it proves to be pretty ineffective against a savage dude with an accelerated healing factor.

Does that second panel remind anyone else of Kevin Bacon's grenade scene in First Class?
Does that second panel remind anyone else of Kevin Bacon's grenade scene in First Class?

Does Logan play "Eye of the Tiger" in his head and knock Creed's lights out? Does Viper pull Creed back before he can deliver a killing blow? She does want the X-Man alive, after all. Or does something else happen -- something you wouldn't expect at all? You know the dill by now, readers. If you want to fully appreciate the issue, you'll just have to read it. Sure, you can have people online tell you what happens, but that doesn't give you all of the proper context and wouldn't you rather support something you like?

WORLD'S FINEST: FUTURES END #1

Our final highlight comes from writer Paul Levitz, artist Yildiray Cinar, and colorist Jason Wright's issue which reveals Power Girl's situation in DC's latest event, THE NEW 52: FUTURES END. Kara Zor-L's infiltrated Cadmus Island in hopes of rescuing Helena Wayne, a.ka. Huntress. The island is heavily guarded by several O.M.A.C.s -- obstacles she can easily elude -- but there's a more challenging guard in the area: Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke. The mercenary is heavily armed and strikes Kara with two different weapons, but, thanks to her physical might, the Kryptonian easily shrugs off both attacks off and removes Slade from the picture with a single toss. Begone, Deathstroke!

Even when he's been flung by a powerhouse, Deathstroke manages to keep his cool.
Even when he's been flung by a powerhouse, Deathstroke manages to keep his cool.

Unfortunately for Super Girl, Deathstroke wasn't the most dangerous opponent on the island. A little girl named Fifty Sue witnessed the brawl and says what Power Girl did "wasn't very nice." The child explains that Deathstroke is her friend and eventually says something very direct: she doesn't like Power Girl. How rude, right? As fascinating as the conversation may be, the Kryptonian points out that she needs to find her friend first and then she'll come back to rescue Fifty Sue. Well, it turns out Fifty Sue not only has an ego problem, but she's also absurdly powerful.

"No one's more important than Fifty Sue. Well, except for Batman. But he's the only exception!"

Seeing as this is no longer a stealth mission and her cover has been totally blown (thanks for that, Slade), Kara takes off and attempts to get some much-needed distance between herself and this immensely powerful kid. But even the sky isn't safe and O.M.A.C.s quickly catch up. Truth be told, they're just fodder to her, but being distracted gave the adorable yet destructive Fifty Sue a chance to catch up. Needless to say, it doesn't go too well for Power Girl immediately after the following highlight.

Humiliated by a child, but at least she can still wreck big, blue cyborgs.
Humiliated by a child, but at least she can still wreck big, blue cyborgs.

How is Power Girl able to make Fifty Sue stop blasting her around? Is she able to? And is she able to free Huntress or are they both destined to be stuck on that miserable island? If you want to see how it all plays out and get a full look at the quick showdown with Deathstroke (Cinar does a mighty fine job illustrating the villain), we recommend checking out the full issue. Seriously, it's packed with a ton of action, and seeing as you're reading this, you're probably a fellow action junkie.

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What are your top three fights from this latest round of new comics? Support what you love and tell the world below! Also, don't forget to make nominations every week in the official thread or tell usvia Twitter. See you next Friday and have a good weekend!