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Best New Comic Book Battles: 04/19/13

This week we feature fights from DAREDEVIL, VENOM and SAVAGE WOLVERINE!

I always try to give at least two different publishers some love in this weekly feature, but this week, Marvel absolutely ripped apart the competition. Sure, there were some pretty solid action sequences in issues I read over in the worlds of DC and Valiant, but man-oh-man, Marvel brought their "A" game with crazy fights this week and took all three featured spots. Once you're done with the read, be sure to chime in with your own top three.

Venom vs. Toxin

Writer Cullen Bunn has been dangling a rematch between these two in front of our anxious-looking faces for months now. Well, the moment has finally come and watching the two symbiotes clash was nothing short of joyous and a frenetic festival of fun. Masterfully illustrated by Declan Shalvey,aka the best symbiote artist ever, the melee begins with Toxin immediately taking an edge. With just one move, Toxin uses his ginormous claws to tear into Flash's chest.

Never let Declan Shalvey leave this book, Marvel.
Never let Declan Shalvey leave this book, Marvel.

If you know anything about symbiotes, then you know Toxin has a huge physical advantage over his grandpa. It's not debatable at all, really. Toxin's simply stronger. Thankfully, this isn't one of those totally cliche cases where the hero manages to hold their own against the odds and defy all logic. No, sir, this is Toxin brutally and relentlessly manipulating the fight and all Venom can do is try to survive the onslaught.

If you know they don't do squat, why bother, Flash? Oh right, because it looks really, really cool.
If you know they don't do squat, why bother, Flash? Oh right, because it looks really, really cool.

Eventually, Flash gives into his anger and lets the symbiote take the wheel. But even then, it's a futile effort. There's some vicious material I've left out (because buy the comic, that's why) yet not even severing one of Toxin's limbs is nearly enough to stop him in his tracks. Instead, Brock remains steadfast and goes in for the killing blow.

Wow. Just... wow.
Wow. Just... wow.

If you want to know what happens next, I hugely recommend buying the issue. Yeah, I'm a tease, but this book is totally worth it, so you're welcome.

Daredevil vs. Ikari

Mark Waid has introduced Daredevil's latest villain in an issue that's basically one big ol' brawl -- so as you can imagine, I kind of loved it. Intended to be his equal and even sporting a radar sense of his own, the two come face-to-face in an empty warehouse. Upon realizing his foe had the location in mind to benefit his own radar, Daredevil took the fight to the streets -- hoping he'd fare better with more distractions hitting their radars. The agile duo end up on a wire, a moment which took me back to Daredevil's bout with Bullseye way back in DAREDEVIL #181.

Ikari's hug of devastation has no counter.
Ikari's hug of devastation has no counter.

Their conflict then crashes into various parts of the city, harshly colliding with anything and everything in the area. It becomes clear this is not a fight Murdock will take in a direct and fair encounter. The brawl, which captions claim have consisted of at least a hundred strikes, has taken too big of a toll on his body. It's then that Daredevil spots a tactical advantage: a sporting goods store.

I haven't seen someone swing and miss this much since *insert baseball reference here*
I haven't seen someone swing and miss this much since *insert baseball reference here*

Under the impression his enemy is relatively new to his radar and the overwhelmingness that comes with it, the Man Without Fear sets off the fire sprinklers, hoping it would give him the advantage he needs to conclude this slugfest. The water hinders his radar, so Murdock hopes this renders him virtually invisible to Ikari. Waid then hits us with a real shocker: Ikari's not blind. How one can see and have radar is beyond me, but I suppose we'll see how that makes sense in the coming issue. From there, Murdock receives a humiliating beatdown and he's down for the count.

I'll go ahead and call this one a draw.
I'll go ahead and call this one a draw.

Luckily for Hornhead, Ikari suffers from something many villains do -- an inflated ego. He won't kill Matt when he's down and out. No, that's too easy. Alternatively, he uses this moment to strike fear into the supposedly fearless man -- saying that he won't kill him this second, but that moment will come soon enough.

Wolverine vs. Tribesmen and the Great Apes of the Temple

This book is called SAVAGE WOLVERINE for a reason, folks. The short X-Man has been put through the meat grinder in this series, but now he has a moment to be the one dishing out all of the pain. These poor dudes never stood a chance and seeing the wounds his claws inflict is harsh stuff. Seriously, look at that one guy's side essentially explode.

This is a whole lot of unfair.
This is a whole lot of unfair.

The tribal people were easy pickings and Wolverine quikcly moves onto the boss level: absolutely massive gorillas. Logan has no real trouble dancing around a strike or two and laying his claws into his target, but the issue is there's a few of 'em and eventually, those huge arms and fists crash against Wolverine's adamantium-laced body. He's a durable little fellow, but he's by no means invincible.

He's the best there is at what he does, and what he does is upset PETA.
He's the best there is at what he does, and what he does is upset PETA.

We're talking about an X-Man that has gone toe-to-toe with the Hulk, though. A character who has made the Thing fall to his knees and scream in pain. These gorillas? They're certainly tough looking and have a size advantage, but the outcome of this fight was obvious right when it started. After some ample slicing, dicing and stabbing, Wolverine dispatches the beasts in a painfully violent manner.

Years from now, Gorilla Fury will take over Gorilla S.H.I.E.L.D.
Years from now, Gorilla Fury will take over Gorilla S.H.I.E.L.D.

I can't be the only one who wants this book to put him at odds with Kraven, right? Come on, now that he's got a healing factor and Logan's in the Savage Land it seems like an opportunity that shouldn't be missed.

Honorable Mentions

No Caption Provided

Gregg Katzman is a freelance writer for Comic Vine and IGN Entertainment. This is the part where he shamelessly plugs his Google+ and Twitter page in hopes of getting a new follower or two.

42 Comments

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saoakden

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Edited By saoakden

Awesome fights!

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ccraft

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Nice, I'm actually wait for Savage Wolverine's price to lower until I get it. Wolverine was kicking ass!

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gotwillpower

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Daredevil was good. Wasn't expecting the end.

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dondave

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Edited By dondave

Cool Fights

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Outside_85

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Wonder Woman vs Orion's junk :)

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VenomousDragon

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Edited By VenomousDragon

The venom vs Toxin fight was brutally awesome.

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longbowhunter

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I knew the second I finished Daredevil #25 that it would end up on this week's list. And rightfully so.

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laflux

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This article made me laugh more than most lol

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WWAJfan

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Venom vs Toxin PUre Epicness, gotta give it to Bunn and Shalvey they've brought us 2 of the most brutal fights in SYmbiote History, Carnage vs Venom (Venom 27) and this one : ) All and all it's a great time to be a Venom fan XD

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jwalser3

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Superman vs. Two-Face?

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G_Money_Christmas

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Daredevil was an awesome fight. A whole issue dedicated to action. I was going to be offended if it wasn't on the list.

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ULTRAstarkiller

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ScumDestroy

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What comic was the Superman/Two-Face fight? Wouldn't supes have an easy time ripping him in half vertically? For what is but a man..

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owie

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owie  Moderator

The DD fight was spectacular, and it looks like the Wolverine one was too. Him vs Kraven would be pretty solid.

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frozenedge2

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Edited By frozenedge2

Somewhere in the Marvel Ape Universe, all the ape heroes are screaming in outrage

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Queso6p4

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Edited By Queso6p4

@laflux said:

This article made me laugh more than most lol

Agreed such lines as "Wolverine quickly moves onto the boss level" are nice. I was surprised by that Daredevil fight.

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pspin

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Great list but how did Supergirl and Power Gril vs. Appex not even make the honorable mentions?!

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Referee

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@jwalser3 said:

Superman vs. Two-Face?

What comic was the Superman/Two-Face fight? Wouldn't supes have an easy time ripping him in half vertically? For what is but a man..

I'm with you guys, Could some body explain how Superman Vs Two Face make a great Battle?

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k4tzm4n

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k4tzm4n  Moderator

@pspin said:

Great list but how did Supergirl and Power Gril vs. Appex not even make the honorable mentions?!

Because it's a title I don't pull and no one recommended it in this thread.

@laflux said:

This article made me laugh more than most lol

@queso6p4 said:

@laflux said:

This article made me laugh more than most lol

Agreed such lines as "Wolverine quickly moves onto the boss level" are nice. I was surprised by that Daredevil fight.

Thanks!

@jwalser3 said:

Superman vs. Two-Face?

What comic was the Superman/Two-Face fight? Wouldn't supes have an easy time ripping him in half vertically? For what is but a man..

Injustice, and it's very, very, veeeeeeeery short.

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k4tzm4n

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k4tzm4n  Moderator

@referee said:
@jwalser3 said:

Superman vs. Two-Face?

@scumdestroy said:

What comic was the Superman/Two-Face fight? Wouldn't supes have an easy time ripping him in half vertically? For what is but a man..

I'm with you guys, Could some body explain how Superman Vs Two Face make a great Battle?

It's not "great," that's why it's only in the honorable sections list. Superman melts TF's coin mid-toss and then crushes his gun. It's short yet sweet.

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sho3s22

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Edited By sho3s22

Daredevil #25 FTW. I hope Mark Waid continues to write daredevil for a very long time. Can't remember enjoying this series this much since Frank Miller.

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Lvenger

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Daredevil vs Ikari was a real treat. A smashing fight with an uncertain outcome. Great choices this week Gregg!

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k4tzm4n

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k4tzm4n  Moderator
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god_spawn

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Edited By god_spawn  Moderator

Sweet. You used all 3 I recommended.

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k4tzm4n

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Edited By k4tzm4n  Moderator

Sweet. You used all 3 I recommended.

Told ya you'd be pleased!

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deactivated-59dbfb60c4f7c

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when does superman fight two-face?

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k4tzm4n

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k4tzm4n  Moderator

when does superman fight two-face?

@k4tzm4n said:

@pspin said:

Great list but how did Supergirl and Power Gril vs. Appex not even make the honorable mentions?!

Because it's a title I don't pull and no one recommended it in this thread.

@laflux said:

This article made me laugh more than most lol

@queso6p4 said:

@laflux said:

This article made me laugh more than most lol

Agreed such lines as "Wolverine quickly moves onto the boss level" are nice. I was surprised by that Daredevil fight.

Thanks!

@jwalser3 said:

Superman vs. Two-Face?

@scumdestroy said:

What comic was the Superman/Two-Face fight? Wouldn't supes have an easy time ripping him in half vertically? For what is but a man..

Injustice, and it's very, very, veeeeeeeery short.

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youmessinwithme

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deactivated-5c6600594117e

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Did Toxin and Venom kill each other permanently?

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k4tzm4n

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k4tzm4n  Moderator

Did Toxin and Venom kill each other permanently?

No, neither was killed.

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pspin

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Edited By pspin

@k4tzm4n said:

@pspin said:

Great list but how did Supergirl and Power Gril vs. Appex not even make the honorable mentions?!

Because it's a title I don't pull and no one recommended it in this thread.

Oh so that's how this works, I honestly thought you read all of them somehow. That thread makes much more sense.

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MadeinBangladesh

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Edited By MadeinBangladesh

Loved Venom and Daredevil fights!

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AWeekInGeekdom

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Edited By AWeekInGeekdom

The Symbiote fight was all kinds of nasty awesomeness. :P

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LordRequiem

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I love the symbiote fight and that Toxin is finally back. But the artwork is by no means amazing.

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k4tzm4n

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Edited By k4tzm4n  Moderator

@lordrequiem said:

I love the symbiote fight and that Toxin is finally back. But I think the artwork is by no means amazing.

Ah, much better.

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RedheadedAtrocitus

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Didn't know Logan was so fond of goring people in the eye! Awesome!

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JamesKM716

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Personally I loved the fight between Sinestro and Kyle in New Guardians 19

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Dingle_Fairy

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What issue is the Toxin & Venom fight in?

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k4tzm4n

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k4tzm4n  Moderator

What issue is the Toxin & Venom fight in?

Venom #34.

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camd

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@k4tzm4n: what issue does Superman fight Twoface? Thanks!

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k4tzm4n

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k4tzm4n  Moderator

@camd said:

@k4tzm4n: what issue does Superman fight Twoface? Thanks!

Injustice: Gods Among Us #14.