Best New Comic Book Battles: 03/29/13

Who can honestly say they don't love a good fight between comic book characters? I assume you can't, otherwise you wouldn't be here now, right? This week I narrowed down my favorite fights and, while DC and Marvel once again earned a spot, this is the first time a comic from Image appears in this segment! Batman and his allies taking on Damian's massive clone was an obvious choice, Kaine had a brutal fight that I simply had to include, and Luther Strode dropped my jaw with some insane action. Don't forget to sound off below with your top 3 battles in new comics this week!

Batman / Nightwing / Red Robin vs. The Heretic (BATMAN INCORPORATED #9)

Picking up immediately after Damian's death, The Dark Knight confronts his son's killer. As expected, Batman goes all out against the Heretic, even shattering the sword that took his son's life with his bare foot. Prepare for Batman in beast mode with Chris Burnham totally killing it on pencils.

Batman gives it his all, but we're talking about a character that shrugged off an arrow through the chest. Despite his more vicious tactics, the Caped Crusader's effort is futile. Luckily for him, though, Nightwing and Red Robin are slowly recovering in the same area. It's an uphill struggle yet Batman still manages to get some damaging hits in before going down.

Nightwing recovers before Tim and is able to save Wayne from having his back broken (again). The acrobat gives us a great display, fully utilizing his agility as he dances around the powerhouse. He gets his licks in but it's not too long before the brute takes him down with a single strike.

In the end, it takes Tim using a freaking tank to make the powerhouse flee. It makes me really wonder what this dude's limitations are. So, who else thinks this huge villain turns out to be the future Damian we've seen before?

Scarlet Spider vs. Los Lobos (SCARLET SPIDER #15)

I've been incredibly mixed on Khoi Pham's work in SCARLET SPIDER, but the man absolutely delivered and then some for this savage brawl. Kaine has given into the Other and has finally become a true monster. Those two Werewolves have been really fearsome (even if a street gang temporarily held their own...), but this new version of Kaine? Yeah, I'd need to change my underwear if I ever saw this thing in an alley.

In spite of the physical upgrade and spooky makeover, these two werewolves clearly aren't afraid. The trio engage in a vicious symphony of slashes, stabs and even bites. Before you know it, one of the Los Lobos loses and eye and that's only the beginning of their worries...

As you can see above, Kaine's new form has a few new and quite nifty upgrades -- one being pointy legs. Instead of using them for say, crawling... Kaine decides to straight up impale one of his enemies straight through the chest. My reaction was pretty much the same as Aracely's when I read that moment.

So let me get this straight... Kaine rips out an eye, stabs one in the chest, and then rips off a friggin' arm? Like I told ya, this fight is shockingly savage.

Luther Strode vs. Jack the Ripper (THE LEGEND OF LUTHER STRODE #4)

The stunning cover lured me in and, seeing as I like Justin Jordan's other work, I thought I'd give this a chance. My immediate reaction upon completing the issue: WHY HAS NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS BOOK? Seriously, Jordan's Image comic feels like it wasmade just for this weekly segment.

Seriously, I can't get over how astonishing this book looks. Colorist Felipe Sobreiro and artist Tradd Moore deserve the most delicious cookie ever for their work on this title. It's a fast, fun and animated feel -- it practically seems like screengrabs taken from the most violently awesome cartoon I've ever witnessed.

This is yet another classic display of power versus skill. As you can see, Luther's strength and durability doesn't mean much when his enemy lands dozens of hits before he can barely connect. However, the tide soon turns as Luther gets a good grip on Jack the Ripper. Prepare for the best slam you'll see all week -- and yes, that's taking into account when the Heretic smashed Batman.

Believe it or not, this is just the beginning of this issue's craziness. The fight isn't even close to over and I've left out some of the goriest moments. Seriously, I'm so glad I decided to randomly check this book out and I highly recommend you do the same if you're looking for some ridiculously fun and over the top action.

Honorable Mentions

• Gambit and Joelle vs. Baron Strucker's creatures (GAMBIT #10)
• Spider-Man vs. Ultrons (SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #6AU)
• Guardians of the Galaxy and Iron Man vs. Badoon (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1)
• Batman's secret identity vs. His own Judgement (BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #18)
• Rick the Stick vs. "Tyler" (FIVE WEAPONS #2)
• Uncanny X-Force vs. Bishop (UNCANNY X-FORCE #3)

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

i prefered the ms marvel vs wolverine vs the end "battle" in A+X.

Great choices. I also loved the Bishop vs X-Force fight. Good use of that train and the lack of light.

Luthor Strode for the win.

Was "Five Weapons" really that good?

I'm gonna have to catch up this series for sure.

Went back in time and read the Maestro vs the Hulk battle in Future Imperfect, one of the best battles I've witnessed in comics hands down.

Finally, Luther Strode gets some love.

The fight with the Heretic was awesome!

Luther Strode's fight with Jack the Ripper is best.This issue is phenomenal as always.

@k4tzm4n The reason why you have never heard of Luther Strode is because Comic Vine barely gives any love to independents. If it isn't Walking Dead, Saga, a "big" issue, or an independent that is done by a big name like Hickman or Snyder you probably won't see much about it on this site.

Batman Inc was an awesome battle. I wasn't reading it, but I am now to see how he deals with Damiens death.

Injustice was a great battle also, even though it is a precursor.

GotG was pretty sweet. Scarlet Spider was okay

Bruce's fights with Branca and Heretic make me curious about how Morrison would approach Batman vs Bane.

Batman's secret identity vs. His own Judgement (BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #18)

Ha!

That's still on my to read list. I heard the bit with Gambit and Thing is quite fun.

Thanks!

Like I say above, I'm in love. I've gotta check out the previous run next.

I adore it. It's a very refreshing, fun and lighthearted experience. I'd say give the first issue a shot.

Like I say in the article: WHY HAS NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT IT?! I'm shocked no one has ever brought the name up in this segment before!

For sure.

Yeah, WW vs. Arthur was a tad too brief for me. But next week will hopefully be rather epic with the Kraken.

:D

Interesting. I imagine not well for Bruce. You?

I loved the first volume of Luther Strode, waiting for the trade on this one. Chris Burnham's art is so kinetic. The fight scenes in Inc. are the best. I cant believe there are people who actually dont like his art.

I was coming in here expecting not to see the Luther Strode fight... Good on you.

*pats self on back

Morrison is pretty much writing Bane through the Heretic the characters are so damn similar heck even Damian shares strong similarities with Bane,Branca/Batbane was a different beast though.I have a feeling that there might be a Bane connection to the Heretic,maybe he has some of Bane's DNA as well?

Overall really liked the last issue of INC,really curious to see Kathy Kane and the Sivana diamond finally come in to play.

Oh and speaking of Bane he's showing up in the next issue of Talon(Gatefold cover) and possibly next week in Detective comics(Tynion teased it).

Good choices. Although, the GOTG "fight" was more so a prelude to a fight. I would have also included Sprint & Turbo Charger vs. The Trickster from the Flash #18.

Yeah, it sounds like there's a backup story that'll tie to his issue of TALON.

Thanks. I agree GotG wasn't that good, which is why I tossed it in the honorable mentions. As for Flash, sorry dude, I haven't been following the book the past few issues and no one suggested it during the week :(

Kaine Vs The Werewolves was brutal as hell. I see you didn't post the scan where he ripped out Carlos's eye! Luther Strode looks interesting. I'll check that out!

finally luther strode makes it that comic too epic for words

I like to see an ongoing series of Luther Strode in future.Jordon's plot and Tradd Moore's art..enough said and I actually like Burnham's art too.It works well with Morrison's story.

@strider92 said:

sYeah, I'm trying to limit each spotlight to only 3 scans. I figured the stab / arm rip were mandatory and I loved that vicious set of panels.

At this point I almost feel offended no one recommended it sooner because, like you say, it's too epic for words.

@k4tzm4n: Fair enough. Is Luther Strode an on-going? I need another independent on my list besides Harbinger :p

It's a six issue limited-series, but you should totally pick it up.

@k4tzm4n: Well its on the pull-list now! I picked up a few issues of Crossed (being an apocalypse/zombie fan).........I was not prepared for what I saw lol....so i've dropped that and need something else hopefully Luther will fill that void for a while!

As promised he added the Luther Strode fight... good job.

Most excellent.

For people who have decided to read Luther Strode I have a suggestion.Please read the 1st mini series "The Strange Talent of Luther Strode".The present story is direct sequel to the 1st story.It is a great one IMO.

The Batman Inc. one was epic!!!

Ordered the TPB earlier this morning.

Yea, 'Crossed' sucks

I didn't think a comic could scar me as much as that did lol. I could have forgiven it if it actually had an awesome stroy-line but it doesn't!

That was a pretty awesome fight, especially that slam.

Great job! Nice captions, per usual.

Thanks for the kind words!

I had a question is the classic beyonder the most powerfull being ever created.

The Nightwing vs Heretic was truly awesome it showed Dick's fighting and acrobatic skills. Plus Batman breaking a sword with his bare foot? Truly Awesome , Morrison and Burnham did a great job in this issue.

I love that Kaine can turn into a spider-esque monster and then revert back that's a brilliant addition to his "arsenal" if it's something that stays with him. And it further distances the similarities between him and Spider-Man.

Wholeheartedly agreed, agree.

@k4tzm4n: I mean it just showed excellent teamwork within the bat family. But what I don't get is, how did Dick Grayson get knocked out so easily ?

You're welcome. :-) I'd also recommend Storm Dogs as it's an amazingly done series thus far.

Yeah, I made the mistake of grabbing an issue randomly because of the cover and flipping through it...definitely not to my taste, but I gave it a shot. Strangely enough, I lost the few comics I'd bought that day when hanging out with a friend.

That Heretic fight with Batman was pretty wicked...