New comic book day has come and gone and now I'm left reflecting on the biggest action moments this week had to offer. While DC and other publishers had some decent battles, Marvel completely stole the spotlight this Wednesday. From a shockingly harsh Daredevil comic to a hilarious battle in AvX VS, the House of Ideas snagged every spot in this week's Best Battles feature.
Keep in mind, I don't have the luxury of reading every single new release each Wednesday. So, if there's a battle that deserves some love and didn't make the cut, please feel free to share the scans and reasons!
Beware! Thar be spoilers below!
Daredevil vs Kingpin (DAREDEVIL END OF DAYS #1)
Writer Brian Michael Bendis should now be called "Brutal Bendis" after this issue. The bout with Bullseye was painful to observe and the conclusion was certainly a jaw dropper, but it was Murdock's violent encounter with Kingpin that stood out the most.
The Man Without Fear and the Kingpin of crime have had more than their fair share of unpleasant encounters. Kingpin's raw durability and brute strength have allowed him to overcome Murdock's agility and skill before, but more times than not, Daredevil's talent and grace will grant him the win. While he proves victorious once again in this battle, it's certainly not graceful or nearly as fluid as his other displays. Here, he's downright savage.
The hero of Hell's Kitchen doesn't display his talented technique or dance around the big man's strikes here. Instead, he matches him blow for blow and Klaus Janson's pencils make each strike incredibly powerful. Spanning about 6 ruthless pages, the two go back and forth as onlookers photograph the bloodbath. Daredevil delivers rough combos, and when Kingpin lands a strike the force is certainly felt.
The ending was especially tough to read. I've never truly felt sympathy for Kingpin before, but the following two panels are rather effective. The big fellow lays against a car, horrifically bruised, bloodied and defeated. So does Daredevil proudly stand over him, deliver a heroic speech and then walk away as Kingpin is placed in handcuffs? No, sir. He raises the blood stained baton and what happens next is vicious. Let's just say when all is said and done, all Daredevil can say is "I've tried everything else."
.
Scarlet Spider vs Carnage (MINIMUM CARNAGE: ALPHA #1)
Carnage is back (again), but what makes this time specifically exciting is the inclusion of the new Venom and Houston's hero, Scarlet Spider. In a battle thread between the two, it's clear Carnage would eventually take the win. Despite Kaine's strength and brutality, at the end of the day Carnage is still stronger and far more durable. That pesky symbiote means he's going to laugh off those strikes and eventually land some of his own. What we get to witness is the beginning of their short-lived battle, and as expected, Kaine's speed and willingness to unleash grant him an immediate advantage -- especially as he goes all Above the Law on Carnage's neck. Yeesh.
Though the symbiote's ability to protect its host should never be underestimated and making Cletus' head do an owl imitation has no lasting impact at all. Carnage stays in character as he once again proves he's a sucker for pointy objects, using his flailing tendrils to impale Kaine. Although, Carnage isn't the only man brining sharp objects to the table. Kaine's mutation means his wrists have stingers and he uses them to easily slice apart the symbiote's tendrils. Unfortunately, the fight is cut short before it can go any further. However, that's easily overlooked since it then teases Scarlet Spider vs Venom. Fry's "shut up and take my money!" picture definitely applies to SCARLET SPIDER #10.
.
Deadpool & Wolverine vs Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (UNCANNY X-FORCE #32)
The time has finally come to rescue Evan aka Genesis aka Kid Apocalypse from the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants' brainwashing. Despite losing his healing factor, Deadpool puts his life on the line as he attempts to free the child. Wade is often regarded as a purely comedic character, but writer Rick Remender does a stellar job breathing life into Wade as he struggles in what is clearly a battle he won't win.
Blob, Daken and part of the Omega Clan is a fight Wade isn't going to win, especially without his healing factor. In spite of this, Wade gives it his all (even after the ill effects of the Omega Clan) and dances around one of Daken's strikes then fills him with lead. Would this really happen in a fight between the two? Probably not. Daken is more skilled than Wade and his vanishing act is something the Merc with a Mouth can't counter. At any rate, the block, dodge and gun display was highly entertaining and yes, I say that as a blatant Deadpool fanboy.
As expected, Deadpool's chances take a quick decline and he's swiftly eliminated from the battle. Wolverine's fight has just begun, though. Sabretooth and the runt have an extensive history of battles, but here Remender puts a key focus on the fact Wolverine is a more skilled fighter. Sabretooth's use of his superior strength and speed is futile and Wolverine makes short work of him... twice. Yet another embarrassing display for us Victor Creed fans. Skinless Man's luck isn't any better either.
.
HONORABLE MENTION: Jarvis vs Toad (AvX VS #6)
In one corner, we have Jarvis, an elderly and polite butler with boxing experience. In the other corner, we have Toad, a mutant with superhuman reflexes, agility and strength. Place your bets! Alright, everyone put their money on Toad, right? Good, I did too. Let's see how it plays out.
Well, that was hilariously unexpected. Toad, despite his potential, rarely receives any respect. He once gave Wolverine a bit of trouble, but despite this, one punch from the cosmic level Jarvis sends the agile mutant soaring through a window. Even his exclamation is quite embarrassing ("waaaah!"). Regardless of how the fight should have gone, this brief encounter was able to give me a good laugh.
Gregg Katzman is a freelance writer for Comic Vine & IGN Entertainment.
35 Comments