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Marvel and DC Comics: Imitation or the Highest Form of Flattery

Marvel and DC are without a doubt the top dogs in the comic game and have been for sometime. Both were quick to dismantle any competitors following the golden age of comics. While Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige has stated in regards to a modern DC Marvel rivalry, “There’s not really a rivalry…”the resulting similarities of some of the two’s biggest icons says otherwise

Character rip offs are nothing comic fans haven’t already dissected and quantified countless times, reflecting on some of the more similar Marvel and DC characters let’s strive to determine who did it better. Leave all deliberation regarding who beats who in a fight to the diligent comic battle vines.

Solomon Grundy is Technically the Original

Created by Alfred Bester, Grundy first appeared in All-American Comics #61 (October 1944). You could argue that at the time of his creation he was a far cry from the monster he is now but sometimes character evolution is unhurried.  

Cyrus Gold or better known as Solomon Grundy is the DC’s lumbering gray un dead “hulk” or vice versa, just keep reading. After refusing a blackmail from the pimp of a prostitute he had become romantically involved with, Cyrus was met with an unexpected shovel to the back of the head. Without remorse his body was tossed into the infamous Slaughter Swamp and left to stew in some primordial juices for the next five decades. Through yet unexplained means he emerged a zombie horror that would come to be known as Solomon Grundy. Depending on who is doing the writing Grundy is a nearly unstoppable un dead force that has contested power houses like Superman. Unlike the not so cheery associated nursery rhyme Grundy seems to have no plans on being buried Sunday or on any day of the week for that matter. Grundy can take an insane amount of damage, he has had Superman fly through the middle of his chest and been pretty much unaffected. Not just a punching bag by any means Grundy’s peak incarnations have shown him beating the likes of Wonder Woman in Injustice: Gods Among Us and even the Man of Steel himself in Superman 15 (1976).

Unique in his own right Grundy started off as a villain for the hero known as the Green Lantern Alan Scott but has since squared off with every member of the Justice League and countless others. At least at this point it would seem DC is content with using Grundy as a villainous brick that doesn’t quite go down. Be that as it may he has landed himself in over a dozen separate comic series, animated cartoons and even parts in some notable video games. You might be thinking Grundy takes the cake but when it comes down to selling comics but he is after all a villain and villains usually finish last in terms of popularity. Winning popular contests or not, nothing in the DC universe has put this lumbering monstrosity to rest yet.

Solomon Grundy, Born on a Monday, Christened on a Tuesday, Wedded on a Wednesday, Took ill on a Thursday, Grew Worse on a Friday Died on a Saturday, Buried on Sunday, that was the end of Solomon Grundy…

Hulk Came Second but Don’t Count Him Out

Created by the legend himself Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of The Incredible Hulk (May 1962)showing up to the big angry monster game a little he’s just in time to become one of the biggest reluctant heroes at Marvel Comics.

Hulk is everyone’s lovable green ball of infinite childhood induced rage, one of Stan Lee’s greats, joining the ranks of immortal characters thanks to Al Ewings awesome series Immortal Hulk. Hulks duality is what makes him stand out, think Dr Jekyll and Mr Hide; the Hulk is after all a manifestation from the scientist Bruce Banner. Banner meets his lifelong angry contemporary when exposed to an experimental gamma bomb saving the life of fellow scientist Rick Jones. Now whenever Banner is put under physical or emotional stress he is able to transform into the hulk with near limitless strength depending on his level of anger, super speed, durability and regeneration to name a few. Taking it with just a pinch of salt this is of course the classic take on the Hulk and just like Grundy it can vary from writer to writer. Now when it comes to tough, tough ain’t enough for the Hulk. Surviving some of the most awesome attacks in the Marvel universes:he reluctantly tanks some of the hardest blows the Skyfather Zeus had to offer, in one alternate timeline The Incredible Hulk: The End (Vol 11) Hulk lives in a post apocalyptic world where his flesh is devoured everyday by mutant cockroaches.

Apparently everyone  really likes to see the Hulk just going mental and just leveling things. There have been a few versions of the hulk that were not all about smashing like Joe Fix It but what sells is an angry Hulk. Permeating through nearly every nook and cranny of western culture you can hardly go to the store or turn on a TV without seeing some reference to the Hulk be it movies, toys, clothing, food, video games or comics the hulk is almost as synonymous with America as Captain America himself. If your thinking this sounds a lot like how popular Grundy is among the fans, sadly that thought might be stretching it at best. While Solomon Grundy has become a staple villain in the DC universe the hulk has since grown out of the comic and media scene and has become somewhat of an icon. Be honest you’ve put on a pair of Hulk hands and tried to smash a wall, but you haven’t done that with Grundy hands. Do they even make those?

“There ain’t many around who can describe what it feels like to get hit by the Hulk… Simple fact bein’ there ain’t many around who can survive to tell the tale. There ain’t no pain at first. It’s like he hits ya so damn hard ya actually leave yer own body. It’s when ya come back that ya feel the pain. An’ ya realize yer goin’ toe-to-toe with a walkin’ earthquake.” – Wolverine

The Outcome

If you stuck around from start to finish to see the results you’re amazing, if you just scrolled to the bottom to see the outcome you are my people and I don’t blame you. Crunching the numbers Grundy came first and the award for originality has to go to DC (Grundy), both characters are eerily similar but have some glaring difference making each unique. Switching gears and comparing the monster level of power they both possess this was a little bit harder to determine, both had astounding feats but the Hulk simply had more and has proven his strength is all but set. Hulk takes the round for Marvel toting a nearly limitless level of physical strength. Lastly who was more popular this is indeed a popularity contest, Hulk wins this one for marvel as well hands down. Both characters sell comics and have had significant character development but apples and oranges. Hulk has had several stand alone movies, animated series etc. proving he doesn’t need a team to garner loyal fans.

Final Results

Winner is the Hulk for his dominating level of power and a fan base that continues to grow, cementing a status as one of the most popular Marvel heroes of all time. Did you see it going differently, are you a DC hard fan that knows for a fact Grundy takes the cake and the Hulk is generic knock off let us know. If your a die hard DC fan or a hard core Marvel reader or if you just enjoyed the piece, post your comments below and shoot a suggestion of what characters are a mirror image of each other.

Marvel Objects You Might Choose Over the Infinity Stones

Earth (all of them) seem to be among the busiest places in Marvel comics, especially when there is a universal ending weapon or item lying around. Throughout the MCU you will find a multitude of powerful items that could tip universal scales: the Eternal Flame, Hadron Enforcer, Casket of Ancient Winters etc.  Avengers Infinity Wars allowed audiences a glimpse at “some” of the most powerful items in the universe; the Infinity Stones. Thanos was capable of changing the universe as he saw fit by combining the power of the Infinity Stones into the Infinity Gauntlet. Individually they allow the wielder power augmentations over reality. Placing the stones (not the Infinity Gauntlet) in an item power ranking, they fall lower on the universal threat scale than you’d think. Thankfully comic writers have created and will continue to create grandeur plot devices of unimaginable power to one up the last one.

Tactigon

Following the theme “if it’s powerful it appears on earth”; the Tactigon first appeared in Avengers: The Initiative #1, as an alien weapon that fell to San Francisco and bonded with the suicidal teen Violet Lightner. This pairing transformed Violet into the powerful hero Armory. The Tactigon was soon passed to Michael Van Patrick’s clone KIA after Armory accidentally killed MVP in a training exercise. Marvel databases classify the alien weapon as an omega level threat ranked among the Kree Nega Bands and Thor’s Mjolnir. War Machine himself stated that the Tactigon was a dangerous omega level weapon, that’s coming from War Machine the guy who uses weapons for a living. What makes the Tactigon so deadly is that after it bonds with a host it begins to learn and exploit an enemies weakness, taking the form of the perfect weapon to defeat your opponent. Along with transforming some other Tactigon’s powers are potent energy projection abilities.

Gem of Cyttorak

Powerful items often yield terrible results, when it’s the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak it yields an unstoppable Juggernaut. First appearing in Uncanny X-men #12. The Crimson Gem is easily recognized as the source of the Juggernaut villains power. Exemplars are the mortals who come into contact with mystical artifacts like the Crimson Gem and bestowed unimaginable power. As the Juggernaut you are essentially immortal, possessing; limitless kinetic energy, immeasurable strength, physical invulnerability, a nearly impenetrable shield and super speed. Exemplars capable of tapping into the full power of the Crimson Gem become the Trion Juggernaut; capable of matter manipulation, creating portals, causing dimensional tares and growing in size. The Gem itself is a mystical artifact that serves as an extension of Cyttorak, an entity so powerful villains like Dormammu draw on his power. Not to mention the gem itself can be used for creating mystical constructs, teleportation and generating energy blasts. Often the Juggernaut is defeated by his own methods, if the gem fell into the hands of someone with a little more ambition, everyone could be in trouble.

Twilight Sword

If you blinked in Thor Ragnarok you might have missed the Twilight Sword. First in the weakened grip of a de-powered Surtur, and later being driven into the magical realm Asgard; it receives little attention in the movie. Surtur lugs around what is known as the Sword of Twilight or Sword of Doom. A serious piece of mystical hardware that at one point even houses the infinity stones. Surtur first destroyed the galaxy of the Korbinites (Beta Ray Bill’s home) creating the “burning galaxy” to harness the massive amount of energy needed to forge the Twilight sword. The sword is a conduit for magical energies, increasing the users powers and simultaneously acting as a magical barrier against physical and magical attacks. While in the hands of a champion, the sword has the ability to cut through nearly anything. Not limited to physical objects like metal or rock but also energy/magical barriers and dimensions. Surtur is not the only one to wield the Twilight Sword for terrible purposes. Morgan Le Fay was able to use the sword and her elven magic to completely change reality into a middle ages equivalent with her as the leader. God of tricks Loki even combines his knowledge of science and magic to harness unlimited energy from the sword. The Twilight Sword was created to be coated in the Eternal Flame and used by Surtur to bring about Asgard’s Ragnarok this is a small portion of the many abilities making the wielder a universal powerhouse.

Odin Sword

Another item based on a pointy ends that can end you, the Odin Sword is a magical weapon kept under lock and key by the Skyfather Odin. Created from a Golden Nibelung ring it was rumored to be so powerful if unsheathed, “the end of the universe is at hand”. Making its appearance in Journey Into Mystery #117 and later retconned in the “Celestial Saga”. Capable of harnessing cosmic energies primarily drawing on the Odin Force, and cutting through nearly anything including celestial armor. Just to add a background, that powerful magic the Odin Sword uses flows through the Tree of Life and utilizes is one of the most powerful forms of magic in the Marvel universe. Using the power of the Odin Force, Odin is able to access magic as an unlimited source of power, to augment his strength, manipulate matter, alter time and bring the dead back to life. All of this power is being channeled through the sword. Among the strongest weapons available to the Asguardians the might of this weapon allowed Odin to hold his own against a group of Celestials before finally being overcome. 

The Evil Eye of Avalon

Forged by Avalon’s alchemist from the mystical realm of otherworld, The Evil Eye of Avalon is classified as a dangerous and powerful magical item. Created by Marvel titans Stan Lee and Jack Kirby making its appearance in Fantastic Four #54, originally intended as a weapon against the Formor. Not limited to purely destruction, the Eye can manipulate and disintegrate matter at a molecular level, project blasts of concussive force, emit disintegrating rays, create or destroy force fields, and possess powers over both dimensional and time travel. Equipped with a safety button that when turned on would recharge the device, if left in the on position the Eye would eventually cause a devastating explosion. Used for an occasional villainous purpose, the EEOA  was seized by Dormammmu  who intended to use it to merge the earth into his dark dimension. The Eye of Avalon was even considered powerful enough by the Grandmaster to be one of the 12 artifacts wagered in the JLA/Avengers crossover event.

Cosmic Control Rod

Typically used by Annihilus in a terribly underwhelming fashion the coveted Cosmic Control Rod is a force to be reckoned with first appearing in Fantastic Four Annual #6.  Annihilus made use of a knowledge transference helmet to acquire the knowledge to create the Cosmic Control Rod rumored to contain the essence of a Tyannan starship’s stardrive. This means the device is on a scale of incalculable power. Capable of manipulating cosmic energies, matter, and interdimensional warps the wielders’ aging is also slowed to a near stagnation. Not even the items most overwhelming feature, any personal abilities the user has are augmented far beyond current levels. Annihilus has a history of using the Cosmic Control Rods mastery of cosmic energy for improving his own abilities; flight, teleportation, superhuman strength and self resurrection.  Already a universal boomstick the Rod grants whoever holds it leadership of the Negative Zone and absolute dominion over the universe ending Annihilation wave. What came to be known as Annihilation Day the Annihilation Wave used advanced technology, significant firepower and overwhelming numbers to take overtake million planets on the first day. Mastery over an entire universe and sovereignty over all its inhabitants alone makes the wielder of the Cosmic Control Rod a threat to an entire universe.

Necro Sword

Have you noticed Marvel has a thing about imbuing swords with over the top power? Me either. The Necro Sword (All Black) was the first symbiote ever created by the god Knull. Knull pulled the weapon from his shadow and forged it using the power of a fallen celestial to reap a terrible vengeance against all life. All Black has had a number of owners and has even bonded with beings such as Galactus and Odin. Like other symbiotes it will influence/corrupt the host, following its creators plan to wipe out all life in the universe (emphasis on Celestials). If god slaying is on the agenda the Necro Sword is the way to go since it is responsible for killing millions of gods across the multiverse. With sword in hand the owner possesses superhuman strength to a high degree so high that Gor the God Butcher was able to battle old Thor, current Thor and young Thor all at once and still gained the upper hand. Along with planet shattering strength the wielders are given enhanced speed, durability and reflexes that are at least on a God of Thunder level. Due to the dark nature of its creation and master, the Necro Sword also possess a command over dark energy, able to change its physical form to nearly anything it pleases. Similar to the Twilight Sword this weapon will enhance the natural abilities of the user, when Odin bonded with all black it enhanced his rune lighting so much that when striking Galactus it appeared with a fiendish a blackish purple hue. While the main purpose is the killing of Celestials, gods, and other cosmic entities what makes the sword truly terrifying is that it can bypass the victims immortality and slay them like mortals. Like all symbiotes, All Black is susceptible to fire but has survived being thrown into a star with virtually no damage, making its one weakness a nearly invulnerable one.

Ultimate Nullifier

Described as the universe’s ultimate weapon the Ultimate Nullifier (say that 5 times fast) resides in the possession of the cosmic entity Galactus, is the only known item to inspire outright fear when used against him by Mr. Fantastic. Equipped with the ability to completely destroy a target of the wielders choosing by violating the law of conservation of mass, it first appeared in Fantastic Four #50. Whoever holds the Nullifier has a large impact on the effectiveness, dependent upon the concentration, knowledge, and mindset of the wielder. In the hand of a highly intelligent being like Galactus, the Nullifiers holds multiversal powers over creation and destruction. Even in the hand of a supreme human intellect like Reech Richards, this item holds enough power to force Galactus himself to retreat from destroying the earth. At one point the Nullifier was even pitted against an Infinity Gauntlet powered by five infinity stones. Qasar hoped to use it to stop Magus in the Infinity War, but failed to activate the Ultimate Nullifier. Spider Man actually theroizes in Marvel Adventures that, “ he believes that it instead alters the laws of probability, changing the universe so that “everything has an equal likelihood of affecting everything else”. This is later proved accurate.

Heart of the Universe

Officially existing outside of the main Earth 616, Marvel universe continuity is the Heart of the Universe last appearing in Marvel: The End, a six issue comic series. So powerful that when held by Thanos, he said the Infinity Gauntlet pales in comparison, describing the gauntlet as external control over the universe and the Heart as the actual fabric and understanding of all existences and power. The Heart was created by the One Above All to correct a fundamental imbalance of good and evil in all of existence and to also reigns as a supreme power above all cosmic and extract entities. Using the heart, Thanos easily dispatched the threat Akhenaten, and when the Living Tribunal gathered together the Marvel heroes and cosmic abstracts (Eternity, Infinity, Death and the Celestials) in a vain attempt to take back the heart Thanos simply absorbed all of the Marvel Multiverse. In the End, the Heart was officially stated to be “gone” when Thanos used its power to restore everything he had destroyed but if the past tells us anything, nothing in comics stays dead or gone for long. Similar to the powers of the Infinity Gauntlet the Heart of the Universes gives an ultimate power and understanding of all things that no other object, item, force or artifact can compete with.

Looking to expand on your deadly Marvel item and weapon list , here are some honorable mentions that are still a force to behold; the Darkhold, Nega Bands, Casket of Ancient Winters, Excalibur, Mandarins Ten Rings, Destroyer Armour and the Staff of One. Did you see this list going differently, leave a comment with what you think should or shouldn’t have made the post. Don’t forget to follow to get updates about the latest gaming, comic, movie and nerdy news.

With The Nova Core Gone, What Happens to the Nova Force

Even when taking a large step back it can be tough to encompass the full scope of just how many possibilities lay waiting in the MCU. If it’s not Thano’s killing our decade long developed heroes/heroines, Adam Warlock marinating in a pod or Kurt Russell sporting a magnanimous screen beard it is some world ending event that means our utter annihilation. Completely understandable to forget about some of the begging to be asked finer questions.

Questions like what happened to the Nova force, not the Nova Corps but specifically the energy source used by the Xandarians entire society, which leads to an even bigger question what does the MCU have planned next? We know from what Thor tells us in Avengers Infinity Wars that when retrieving the power stone Thanos decimated Xandar, homeworld of the Nova Force. Does this mean we will see one of the most active galactic level forces omitted, hopefully not. If you find yourself asking what is the difference between the Nova Force , Nova Corps, will I see John C Reilly in a jumpsuit again and why should I care. Well before pondering that it helps to have a little background from the comics to get an idea of what could be coming next.

Nova Force being emitted from Nova Prime

What’s referred to as the Nova Force is a nearly limitless energy source harnessed by the Xandarian people. The Nova Force has a range of abilities, (primarily manipulating gravity fields): for a visual reference the large interlocked shield that appears when the Xandarians join their ships in the Guardians of the Galaxy, that is a physical manifestation of the Nova Force. The source of this energy is a machine known as a Xandarian Worldmind, one of the most advanced sentient supercomputers in the known universe. After the Marvel Annihilation event, all of the Nova Force was transferred to the last Nova Corps Centurion, Richard Rider. As inheritor of the Nova Force Rider becomes the Nova Prime, giving him a host of powers like superhuman strength; speed, stamina, durability, flight and the power to emit gravimetric pulses and beams. One of the lesser mentioned powers of Nova Prime is the ability to make use of the vast Shiar stargates network. Due to the infinite pool of energy, the Nova Force is capable of bending space and time itself when centered into a single conduit. With such a high versatility it is easy to see why the Nova Force could be a top contender for future MCU phases. With directors Taika Waititi and Simon Kinberg displaying cosmic level power sources like the Phoenix Force and Odin Force throughout their films, filmmakers have really just scratched the cinematic surface of what the Nova Force can do.

Nova Corps with the World Mind computer at the top right

Channeling this awesome power is Xandar’s space militia also known as the Nova Corps, a galactic police force that first appeared in Fantastic Four #205 (April 1979). Initially charging themselves with protecting the Andromeda Galaxy and later earth, the Nova Corps seeks to uphold the ideals of justice and order. A brief quote from Nova Prime after being trapped in the cancerverse puts into perspective the resolve of the Nova Core,

I would do it all again because of one simple reason: what would have happened if I didn’t. Peace and order aren’t the natural state of things. They had to be invented and they have to be constantly defended. That’s why the Nova Corps was created. That’s the legacy that you carry on. “

Movie watchers had a brief glimpse in the MCU of the egalitarian galactic peace keeping society the Nova Core strives for. The operations of the Nova Core are reminiscent to a militant policing force that has a history of involvement in space conflicts such as the War of Kings event and the 1,000 year war with the Kree Empire. Within the Nova Corps are various ascending ranks imbued with access to portions of the Nova Force, rank determining the portion of control over the Nova Force granted. This gives us an idea of just how powerful Nova Prime could be in the MCU. As this universe has expanded the sheer proportions of the MCU creates such massive distances between locations, it’s more than a hop skip and jump from Xandar to Earth. This type of scaled environment makes it essential to have heroes and villains able to utilize powers for traveling vast distances fairly quickly. ††

A cinematic Nova Corps depiction on the right with comic apperance on the left

Even though Thanos was able to destroy all the Nova Core members in Avengers Infinity Wars, if the 2006 Annihilation comic crossover is any indicator of what’s to come: the Nova Core has been decimated before and made a comeback. As long as the Worldmind has survived Xandar’s destruction the Nova Force lives on. If we are strictly speaking films, all bets are off and it is very possible a director may create their own unique story similar to what Taika Waititi did in Thor Ragnarok. Marvel phase 4 has been laid out following the story lines of established Avengers like Black Widow and Doctor Strange. Marvels recent announcement at the San Diego 2019 Comic Con confirmed some amazing MCU additions: Fantastic Four, X-Men, an Eternals movie and to many fans surprise a new Blade movie. You can see the full phase 4 announcement here . This leads a lot of room for speculation as to what we could see over the next few years leading to phase 5.

If we are speaking in terms of pure story potential I would think the Guardians would have some of the most, an entire galaxy in disarray after Thanos’s snap. The concept behind the snap is that such a massive ripple of cosmic energy across the universe could have created realities like the cancerverse and negative zone. Traditionally most MCU films have been based on an earth setting but with the potential of an Annihilation event the entire galaxy could be a battleground for Annihilus’s forces. Speculating it would appear that phase 4 is beefing up a the hero and heroine cast, maybe for something terrible coming in phase 5? Fans can be ecstatic at the possibility of an event leading to a Guardians of the Galaxy Nova Prime meet. Plenty of comic history between Annihilus and the Nova Core sets a high expectation for fans in upcoming Marvel films. While the possibility of an Annihilus Nova Prime show down is a little backwards since the Nova Corps had an Alamo stand against the Annihilation wave and fell, I will take what I can get if it means a Nova Prime movie. Such heavy hitters are established in the MCU; Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel, Thor etc. it is inevitable that we will see a consistent up scaling in heroe power levels.

It would seem that the silent absence of the Nova Force so far could be leading to a big show later down the road. In trying to change the universe Thanos may have created one of the most powerful heroes we have seen yet, John C. Riley er I mean Nova Prime.