Howdy and welcome to the latest 'Best Battles!' Every week, I read through my pile of new comics and set aside the ones that have the most memorable and awesome action sequences. From there, I narrow it down to my 3 favorites and it's never an easy decision. This week, I've selected melees from JUSTICE LEAGUE, DEADPOOL and X-O MANOWAR. Grab a snack or a drink and enjoy the scans of the slugfests below!
Spoilers below!
Justice League vs. Atlanteans vs. The Trench
Aquaman's first big event comes to and end with some absolutely glorious artwork. Seriously, check out this ridiculously amazing splash page by Ivan Reis. It may only be the JL "reserves" going toe-to-toe with Ocean Master's army, but it's still a jaw-dropping segment and boasting a powerful cinematic feel.
We get tidbits here and there of the backup team in action but the focus quickly shifts to the main event: Aquaman vs. his brother, Orm. We're treated to yet another fantastic panel as the two clash and the war carries on around them. Bostonians have front row seats to an awesome battle, but we're lucky enough to get an even closer look.
The siblings duke it out across the Massachusetts city and Arthur even throws a freaking bus on the villain. However, Orm lays down the law by going all Emperor Palpatine on him. If the attack can drop Superman and Wonder Woman, it seems wise to use it yet again, after all.
But the Atlantean King's (force) lightning isn't enough to keep the Justice Leaguer down. With one clean strike, Aquaman takes down the invader. If you're keeping count, Johns has officially granted Aquaman "super badass" status. He sent Superman flying with a haymaker, launched Wonder Woman with one blow, and now, delivered the following epic strike to Ocean Master.
It's sad to see Johns leave GREEN LANTERN, but at least we know he'll keep delivering the goods in JUSTICE LEAGUE and AQUAMAN. Well played with 'Throne of Atlantis,' Johns!
Viners, it's about time we replaced "like a boss" with "like an Aquaman," don't ya think?
X-O Manowar madness
You remember on Halloween how most homes had generic candy but one place gave you options that dropped your jaw (and then filled it with cavities)? That house is Valiant, and the delicious candy they're giving you is X-O MANOWAR. Aric comes face-to-face with Commander Trill -- more like Commander Troll, because the dude's totally a troll -- and the result is blatantly one-sided. You see, Trill made the huge mistake of killing Aric's best friend, Gafti, right in front of him. Prepare yourself for a vicious beating, alien.
Because being thrown into a bus isn't humiliating enough, Aric then decides to turn the villain's face into guacamole. Believe it or not, this isn't the worst display of anger we've seen from Aric. This fight was over before it began.
Despite the relentless and emotional pounding, Aric walks away from the defeated alien to aid his severely injured friend. Knowing his armor can heal wounds, Aric gives him the armor. Instead of a "thank you," Gafti uses this newfound power against Aric. You can't really blame the dude, either. He was captured because of Aric and then forced to endure years of suffering and torture on top of it. The guy needs to vent and he certainly has a chance to do so here.
Aric's warrior mindset often makes us underestimate his intellect, but Robert Venditti crafted an emotionally brilliant scene here as Aric accepts his fate and opens up more than ever before. I won't spoil what he says, but it's enough to make Gafti change his mind and instead bring the fight to the invasion fleet of aliens hovering above Earth.
There's some gorgeous coloring as Gafti uses the insanely powerful armor to ragdoll The Vine's spaceships into each other. An explosion or two later and the Visigoth unleashes a massive and blinding attack, completely destroying the entire fleet.
Why aren't you reading X-O MANOWAR yet? 'Planet Death' is up next!
Deadpool vs. Reagan vs. Space Monkeys
Deadpool continues to battle undead US Presidents, but issue #5 puts a new twist on the concept. Not only are they in space, but there's also space Monkeys! (Don't try to make sense of it. Seriously, don't.) Prepare yourself for a slew of Planet of the Apes references.
The Merc with a Mouth finally makes his way to 40th US President and literally guts him. Tony Moore's artwork is so good and he delivers a sickening (but in a totally good way) splash page. It's so gross yet I can't look away.
Deadpool then decides to take a page from the X-Men's playbook. Fastball Special, meet Monkeyball Special! Sadly, the aggressive space chimp doesn't last very long. RIP, little friend.
With his magical sword out of reach, Deadpool doesn't really have a way to take down the former President... or does he? Eat your heart out, Ripley!
Fun fact: Joss Whedon wrote Alien: Resurrection. Hard to believe, right?
Honorable Mentions
- Thor vs. The God Butcher
- Arsenal vs. Fangfeng
- Supergirl vs. Wonder Woman
- Vibe vs. Parademon
- Judge Dredd vs. Judge Tarjay
- Daredevil vs. Goons
- Joes vs. Cobra
Gregg Katzman is a freelance writer for Comic Vine and IGN Entertainment. This is the part where he shamelessly plugs his Twitter page in hopes of getting a new follower or two.
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