Wednesday, July 18, 2012

HULK VS SILVER SURFER

HULK VS SILVER SURFER

THE DEFINITIVE WRITE UP ON THE MOST POWERFUL BEING ON EARTH VS THE MOST COSMIC SKY-RIDER OF THE SPACEWAYS

John "THE MEGO STRETCH HULK" Cimino

The Outcast: a person who is rejected or excluded from a society; a wanderer.

A word that best describes two of the most popular and misunderstood characters in the Marvel Universe; the Incredible Hulk and the Silver Surfer. They don't trust or have been trusted by the general population of Earth (and by most heroes) despite fighting off the forces of evil time and time again. They have been greatly feared because both possess levels of power that go far beyond the comprehension of man. And with this power they walk their own path in life choosing to be loners and answering to no one. To know them, you have to understand that they have legitimate reasons for their disdain for most people.

The Silver Surfer cannot understand the careless nature of the human race. While they have been blessed with a planet of paradise, they continually take it for granted and destroy it along with themselves. He gets frustrated by their ignorance and bigotry and does his best to stay far away from their ways of life. The Hulk is angry with the humans. Angry that he is constantly hunted and hounded by them. Angry that their leaders want to either destroy him, steal his immense power or use him as a weapon to fight others. Yes, both outcasts find their sanctuary and solitude while being alone, and that is how they like it.

But both the Hulk and the Silver Surfer have found familiar ground as allies on the Defenders, fighting alongside fellow outcasts; Dr. Strange and Namor, the Sub-Mariner (among others). And being on this team "defending" the planet from the evils of the world despite being feared by them is a testament to who each individual really is deep down within. This is the true definition of what being a Defender is all about; giving it your all -- even your life, to help those in need while still being feared and unappreciated by them in the end.

Despite being outcasts on a planet that mistrusts and fears them, the Defenders band together and stop the forces of evil that try to destroy it.

And while the Hulk and the Surfer have been through many adventures together on The Defenders, they have never really been that close. Deep down the Surfer could never really be around or understand someone with the temperament of the Hulk for long periods of time (I'm not really sure who can). Surfer mostly felt sorry and pitied the brute more than anything else, especially for how he was treated by the human race. The Hulk was probably more tolerant to the Surfer because the Sky-Rider usually just kept to himself and stayed quite in the background. Most of the time, I'm sure the Hulk forgot about the Surfer altogether. To be honest, both stuck around as members of the Defenders because of Dr. Strange who was the heart and soul of the team and one of the few beings that they trusted and considered a friend. And an inevitable bond had formed between them from being teammates for so long and despite how different the Hulk and the Silver Surfer are, they could still count on each other in times of need.

But when you're dealing with the Hulk, it doesn't matter if you're friends, allies, teammates, or even family -- because if you stay around the Green Goliath for too long, chances are he's going to get angry. And an angry Hulk is an aggressive Hulk, and an aggressive Hulk is a Hulk that attacks! So regardless of how passive or non-violent the Silver Surfer is, it's in the Hulk's nature to fight -- anyone or anything -- even if you're the greatest Herald Galactus ever created.

Surprisingly, despite how long the Hulk and the Surfer have been teammates, they haven't really fought much in their history (the Hulk usually clashed with the Sub-Mariner because he was just as temperamental and egocentric as the Hulk was). And even with their reputations in the annals of the Marvel Universe, they've never really had any truly legendary slugfests. Sure, they had some good ones, but because they have such different styles combined with Surfer's passive personality and his Power Cosmic (which can manipulate every type of radiation, including gamma-radiation) it doesn't make for an interesting fight. "Hulk vs Silver Surfer" is one of those confrontations that is hard for writers to make work. What fun is a fight where Surfer can just suck out the Hulk's gamma rays and it's over? That's boring and doesn't really answer questions on who would win in a straight out fight between them. Fanboys need confrontation and they need answers!! They crave more fisticuffs, more action and more destruction!!! I know I do! But despite all that with the recognition of their names and both being the highest-end of the most powerful Marvel characters, the Hulk battling it out with the Silver Surfer will always be a fight readers want to see regardless and this write up is a dedication to that.

So enough with the background, let's get to the combatants...

TALE OF THE TAPE

Name: Hulk

Height: 5’9 ½” (Banner), 7’ (Hulk)

Weight: 128lbs (Banner), 1,040lbs (Hulk)

Real Name: Robert Bruce Banner

Origins: Gamma bomb explosion at Desert Base New Mexico

Home Base: Earth

Nicknames: Green Goliath, Green-Skinned Goliath, Jade Jaws, Annihilator, Captain Universe, Joe Fixit, Mr. Fixit, Mechano, Green Scar, Jade Giant, The Jolly Green Giant, Green King, Holku, Green One, Eye of Rage, Eye of Anger, Harkanon, Haarg, Once-Savage, Two Minds, Professor, War, Maestro, Two-Hands, Greenskin, Gray Goliath, Mighty Bob, Anti-Hulk, Friday, Green Golem, Golem, Man-Monster, World-Breaker, Sakaarson, Nul: Breaker of Worlds, Doc Green, The Most Powerful Being on Earth, The Strongest One There Is

Powers: Possesses the potential for near-limitless levels of vast superhuman strength ranging beyond the limits of virtually any other known humanoid being, depending directly on his emotional state, particularly his anger. He is extremely resistant to physical damage, psychic assaults, temperature extremes, and is completely immune to disease and poisons. He has an adapt gland that enables him to breathe underwater, survive unprotected in space, and when injured, possesses superhuman healing, enabling him to regenerate body tissue (including internal organs) within minutes to seconds. His aging is also slowed, or may have ceased altogether, due to these regenerative properties of his gamma ray irradiated cells. His powerful legs allow him to cover 3 miles in a single bound, but he has been known to leap into lower Earth orbit or even across continents when angry. Besides great strength, his durability, healing, endurance, and possibly speed, likewise also increase in relation to his anger levels. He can maintain this peak output for hours on end and still continue to grow even more powerful as his adrenaline levels continue to increase with no apparent limit. Unrelated to his physical abilities, he can see astral (spirit) forms normally invisible to the naked eye and can locate his place of birth; Desert Base New Mexico no matter where he is in the world via psychic bond. As Bruce Banner, he is considered one of the greatest minds on Earth. He is the foremost expert on Gamma Radiation and has developed expertise in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Physiology, and has a PhD in Nuclear Physics.

Favorite Expressions: “Hulk Smash!”, “Hulk is the Strongest One There is!”, "BAH!", “Nothing Can Stop Hulk!”, "The Madder Hulk gets, the Stronger Hulk gets!", “Don’t make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I’m angry.”

Incarnations: I listed the “Savage” Hulk’s classic stats up above because it is generally considered that this Hulk persona is the most popular and most powerful of all the incarnations. But his height, weight and powers varies to a degree depending on his current incarnation. Within each “Hulk vs Silver Surfer” comic description listed in the sections below, I included which incarnation of the Hulk was present for that fight.

*Please note that all incarnations listed are only "real" Hulk incarnations with Bruce Banner. No alternate future or pseudo-Hulk incarnations are included.

Name: Silver Surfer

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 225lbs

Real Name: Norrin Radd

Origins: Planet Zenn-La, Deneb System, Milky Way Galaxy

Home Base: Mobile throughout the universe

Nicknames: The Surfer, The Sky-Rider of the Spaceways, The Sentinel of the Spaceways, The Silver Sentinel, The Space-Rider, Silverado, Chrome Dome, The Silver Savage

Powers: The Power Cosmic; granting superhuman strength, endurance, durability, senses and the ability to absorb and manipulate the universe's ambient energy for a variety of effects. He can navigate through interstellar space, dimensional barriers, and can fly at near-limitless speeds on his board entering hyperspace when he exceeds the speed of light. He has even proven capable of time travel on several occasions, even able to make others time-travel with him. He sustains himself by converting matter into energy so he does not require food, water, air, or sleep (although he occasionally enters a sleep-like meditation in order to dream); and can survive within nearly any known natural environment, including deep space, hyperspace, and even within black holes and stars. He can analyze and manipulate matter and energy, and molecularity restructure or animate matter at will such as causing vegetation to grow much quicker, even transmuting elements or creating objects. He can also project energy in various forms for offensive and defensive use, including the erection of force shields, bolts of cosmic force powerful enough to destroy entire planets, and create black holes. He can utilize the Power Cosmic to augment his superhuman strength to indeterminate levels. He can heal living organisms, though he cannot raise the dead, and he has proven capable of revitalizing and evolving organic life on a planet-wide scale. He can also alter the size of himself or of other matter, cast illusions, create interdimensional portals and microverses, phase through solid matter and exercise some level of control over the Astral Plane. His senses enable him to detect objects and concentrations of energy light years away and to perceive matter and energy in subatomic detail, including life energies of living beings. He can even see through time, and with concentration he can achieve limited perception of past and future events in his general vicinity. He has demonstrated telepathic ability, including mind-reading on occasion and has proven to be able to influence human emotion and sensation.

Paraphernalia: Cosmic Surfboard; this board is composed with the same impervious, cosmic-powered silvery material as the Silver Surfer himself. It is mentally linked to the Surfer; it moves in response to his thoughts, even when he is not in physical contact with it. It is totally indestructible, but on those rare occasions where it has been damaged or destroyed, the Surfer has been able to repair or even re-create it. The Surfer can attack opponents remotely by directing the board against them, and it is capable of absorbing and imprisoning other beings temporarily.

Favorite Expressions: "Now, I ride the Eternal winds once more! And none shall ever be my master!", "Time is long and fate is fickle ... My destiny still lies before me! And where it beckons — there shall soar the Silver Surfer!", "If die I must — let it be as I have lived — soaring swift and silent — striving for the right — no matter what the cost!", "Let my board and me again become as one! For I must leave this place of madness!", "Yet, none is the master of one who wields the Power Cosmic!"

THE SLUGFESTS

The comics listed in this section are each time the "REAL" Hulk and the Silver Surfer have squared off, had words and fought each other in actual official Marvel continuity. I will also explain each encounter in detail. Unfortunately, all fights and situations are not always so clear cut and I've tried my very best to be fair, objective and unbiased about the outcome of each battle. A "MATCH UP" is considered a round within a fight or face off confrontation. Since situations can be erratic in the story, there can be multiple outcomes between opponents in a fight. I will continually list each "MATCH UP" with a result and tally it. A "MATCH UP" will only result in a "WIN" if the losing character is rendered unconscious, teleported away against their will or immobilized in such a fashion that they are only freed by the other combatant or an ally. There may even be cases when a character gets a victory due to interference of their teammates, partners, etc. This may not be a definitive "WIN" but it will still be tallied against the losing opponent and explained so. When a character gets an "EDGE" result, they had the advantage at the end of the fight but the opponent may still be conscious or fighting on, so it will not be tallied against him. A "DRAW" result means no one was victorious during that encounter. A "NONE" result means there was no way a logical result could be given in that confrontation or situation from the two characters facing off and this can occur for a number of reasons and will be explained in the text. And finally, an "UNKNOWN" result means the ending of the fight was never shown so a definitive result cannot be given. At the end, I tallied up the totals so you can come to your own conclusions and be the judge to see who holds the overall edge in this legendary battle.

TALES TO ASTONISH #92 and 93 (1967) / SILVER SURFER #1 (1968)

I should mention that Silver Surfer #1 is included here because it tells of a flashback to the Tales to Astonish "Hulk vs Silver Surfer" fight from a slightly different perspective. I believe the reason for the small change was that Stan Lee probably just forgot certain details from his previous work. In the grand scheme it doesn't really matter because basically the same outcome occurred.

With the entire world on the look out for either the "Gravage" Hulk or Bruce Banner, Banner himself has gone into hiding, and disguises himself when out in public. Having gotten an apartment in New York, Banner has collected together parts needed to build a device that would bombard him with Gamma Radiation, in the hopes that it will finally cure him of being the Hulk. However, after the experiment Banner once more turns into the Hulk. The Hulk bursts out of the apartment and tries to find a safe place to hide. Hopping through the city, the Hulk begins hoping to find a way off the planet. He spots what he thinks is a space ship and tries to stop it but the brute keeps getting forced back by speeding winds and then a powerful punch. When the Hulk bellows of revenge against these strange forces he is then confronted by the Silver Surfer for the first time (continues into the next issue). Now the Hulk demands that the Surfer take him away from Earth, to find a new home where he won't be hounded. Unaware that the Surfer is unable to leave the Earth, the Hulk attacks when the Surfer refuses to help the Green Goliath. After a brief fight, Surfer uses his board to knock the Hulk down. As the Hulk staggers back to his feet, the police step in and blind him with bright lights and flame throwers. RESULT: DRAW

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 1 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 0

While trying to leave, the Surfer sees what the police are doing to the "Gravage" Hulk and feels compassion for the brute. So he turns around and grabs the Hulk's wrist and flies him away to safety. While in the air the Hulk asks the Surfer to take him from the Earth, but once again, Surfer tells the Hulk he cannot bring him out into space. The Hulk thinks Surfer is lying so he attacks in a fury again. This time the Surfer's patience is at an end with the brute and really fights back, easily knocking the Hulk unconscious with the Power Cosmic. RESULT: WIN SILVER SURFER

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 2 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 1

Now using his Power Cosmic to probe the "Gravage" Hulk's mind, Surfer learns of Banner's curse. Attempting to use his powers to cure the Hulk, the Hulk awakens and believes that the Surfer is attacking him and slugs him! Realizing now that the brute will not stop, Surfer uses his Cosmic Force to push the Hulk back and flee. The Hulk, alone once more, realizes that his rage prevented him from leaving the Earth. RESULT: DRAW

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 3 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 1

SUB-MARINER #34 (1970)

When the "Savage" Hulk sees Namor and the Silver Surfer in the sky, he leaps up and attacks them. A small scrap ensues as Namor and the Surfer try to convince the brute that they want to befriend him. But the Hulk doesn't trust them and continually attacks. Soon this fight gets interrupted by the San Pablo Army. RESULT: DRAW

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 4 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 1

SUB-MARINER #35 (1970)

After a battle with the Avengers, the "Savage" Hulk, Namor and the Silver Surfer must settle their differences with them after they realize that the nuclear reactor they thought was going to explode won't. Naturally this frustrates the Hulk even further, who wants to smash the reactor so it won't cause any more problems. This will make Namor and the Surfer leap onto the brute and try to restrain him. But the raging Hulk will thrown them off and leap away already forgetting about the reactor. RESULT: NONE

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 5 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 1

THE DEFENDERS #8 (1973)

Dr. Strange has returned to his Sanctum Sanctorum to inform Clea and Wong that he has found a method that may free the Black Knight from his stone prison and so begins summoning the Defenders to aid, however the only Defenders he is able to rouse are the Silver Surfer and the "Savage" Hulk. While back under the sea, Red Ghost and Attuma have finished their mind control over the captured Defenders and are plotting to use them in their attack against Atlantis. On the surface, as the other Defenders mull over what to do about Val and other others, the Hulk mentions he might know where they went but just wants to leave. This will cause the Surfer to attack the Hulk by jumping on his back to stop the brute. As the Hulk begins to get angry and attack Surfer, Dr. Strange casts a spell to stop the brute and help him remember. Strange and Surfer learn that the other Defenders were captured by Attuma and taken under the sea, and the Hulk didn't go after them because he doesn't like water. Putting the Hulk to sleep, the Silver Surfer and Dr. Strange fly off to rescue their captured. RESULT: NONE

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 6 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 1

THE INCREDIBLE HULK #250 (1980)

The "Savage" Hulk shows up in a quiet farm and turns back into Bruce Banner. Suddenly, the scientist sees a bull running towards a little girl. Bruce saves the kid's life but receives the impact and lies unconscious. The little girl's mother brings Bruce into her home. Soon they become friends and start having feelings for each other. At this time the Silver Surfer has been trying to escape the Earth but cannot break free from Galactus' force-field that keeps him prisoner on the planet. Then he realizes that he needs unlimited power to break the field and the only being that possesses that kind of power on Earth is the Hulk. The Surfer shows up looking for Bruce and tells him that he wants the Hulk's power, Banner loses control from the stress of all this. Now the Hulk emerges and attacks! After a brutal attack that drops the Sky-Rider, he removes the gamma energy from the Hulk's body, turning him back into Bruce Banner. Banner now finally stands cured of the curse of the Hulk forever! RESULT: WIN SILVER SURFER

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 7 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 2

Deprived of gamma energy, the grateful scientist hears the alien's wish: increase his power with gamma rays so he can break Galactus' barrier around the Earth. The experiment eventually fails and Bruce manages to get bombarded with gamma rays again to becomes the "Savage" Hulk. So the Surfer takes the brute into space and they have a back and forth slugfest on the Surfer's surfboard. But the Surfer will surprise the Hulk with his levels of the Power Cosmic and absorbs all of the giant's gamma energy again turning him back into Bruce Banner. Now with the Hulk's strength within him, the Surfer is able to break the barrier and flies off to freedom within the stars! But at this time the unconscious form of Bruce Banner is falling back to the Earth below. Surfer sees this and flies back into the Earth and the barrier, catches Banner, bathes him with the gamma energy he absorbed to save his life and finds himself trapped on the planet once again. RESULT: WIN SILVER SURFER

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 8 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

THE DEFENDERS #101 (1981)

The Defenders have returned to Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum following their victory against the Six-Finger Hand and Satan's conspiracy to make Hell on Earth, however despite their victory, the moral of the group has been deeply shaken following the conflict. When the "Savage" Hulk angrily asks Silver Surfer and the rest of The Defenders what's wrong, Hellcat lashes out at him, and the Hulk ultimately gets fed up and leaves the group not wanting to be around a group of miserable people. The Sub-Mariner also takes this as a cue to leave as well opting to return to Atlantis to deal with his royal affairs and flies off. Once more feeling useless now that he is crippled again, Nighthawk once more quits the Defenders and leaves with his caretaker Luann. Devil-Slayer decides to stay with the group, having nothing to turn to since his wife Cory decided to stay in Israel. The Silver Surfer speaks up and tells the group that they shouldn't be so melancholy, however Dr. Strange feels this way after losing Son of Satan to his father and his arrogance and pride almost causing the Six-Fingered Hand their victory. RESULT: NONE

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 9 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

DAMAGE CONTROL #3 (1989)

A battle between the "Savage" Hulk (honestly, I'm not sure which Hulk incarnation this is because it is never stated) and the Silver Surfer is played out in a commercial for Damage Control. It is never mentioned in the story if this is an actual fight that really happened or just a made up fight for the commercial itself. Either way it has to be listed and I'll leave it up to the reader to decide. RESULT: UNKNOWN (the ending of this fight is never shown so a definitive result cannot be given.)

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 10 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

DR. STRANGE: SORCERER SUPREME ANNUAL #2 (1992)

While the Defenders are battling the Wild One, the "Professor" Hulk will make an unexpected move by taking the Silver Surfer and throwing him at the enemy. When Surfer looks at the Hulk all confused and asks him why he did that the Hulk reply's that he didn't want to ruin his spandex. Although this maneuver could have led into a fight between them, they continue to battle the Wild One. RESULT: NONE

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 11 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

SILVER SURFER #96 (1994)

When the Silver Surfer and the Fantastic Four run into the "Professor" Hulk, it takes all the team has to hold the Thing back from fighting with him. After they calm Thing down (avoiding what could be a "Hulk vs Silver Surfer" scuffle), they learn that the Hulk has come here for the same reasons they did. So they all continue together towards a disturbance. They eventually find the source of the disturbance, which has seemingly drawn them to it and disappeared. In the center of a lake of fire, the Surfer finds out that Nova has returned to life. RESULT: NONE

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 12 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

SILVER SURFER #125 (1997)

The Silver Surfer returns to Earth and finds the "Bannerless" Hulk on a rampage. The Surfer tries to talk some sense in him and resume their friendship, but the Hulk won't listen. After a back and forth fight the Hulk smashes the ground on top of Surfer and tries to escape. RESULT: EDGE HULK (Although the Hulk manages to bury the Surfer to give him the "edge" in this scrap, Surfer quickly recovers and resumes his search for the brute.)

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 13 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

The Surfer catches up with the "Bannerless" Hulk and continues to try to speak with him. The Hulk tells him Banner is dead (from Onslaught) and attacks the Surfer, wanting to be left alone. The Surfer uses his Cosmic Power to remove the radiation from his blood and revert him to Banner as he had done in the past. It fails and the Surfer realizes that Banner must be gone and the Hulk is telling the truth. He soon realizes the Hulk is rampaging because he is scared. He will soon die without Banner. The Hulk leaves and the Surfer decides to leave him in peace. RESULT: DRAW

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 14 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

THE INCREDIBLE HULK #464 (1998)

Bruce and General Ross are taken to Freehold, which is now run by the Troyjans. This Intergalactic group reveals that they previously resurrected General Ross; and now their leader, Armageddon attempts to use the "Heroes Return" Hulk's energies to resurrect his son, Trauma who he believes the Hulk killed. Meanwhile, we see the Silver Surfer blasting his way into Freehold. Surfer comes to the rescue and as he blasts in – he tells the Hulk to leave – but Hulk declines (while this exchange of words could have lead to a fight between the two, it doesn't). The Hulk says that he will do it, he will give his life for Armageddon’s life. Hulk climbs into the machine and once it begins the Troyjans say the readings are off the scale. Armageddon asks why Hulk is laughing – and suddenly the whole machine explodes. Trauma’s body burns up and Armageddon is happy that at least the Hulk was taken in the explosion. Then the Hulk walks out of the rubble saying that it tickled. Armageddon knows that the Hulk knew what would happen. The Troyjans are ready to attack – but Armageddon stops them. In a strange turn of events, he applauds the Hulk’s confidence and says that the Hulk beat him. Then, as he is leaving with his army, he tells the Hulk that he WILL kill him someday – and asks who loves him enough to bring him back when he dies. RESULT: NONE

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 15 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

THE DEFENDERS #1 (2001)

In the woods near Point Promontory, the Silver Surfer, Namor, Dr. Strange and the "Savage" Hulk suddenly appear from thin air. Namor accuses Strange of this doing and insists he is returned to his home, but the magician is quick to deny any involvement. It takes mere seconds before the accusations of stupidity fly and then the Hulk and Namor are at it with their fists. While Strange tries to break up the fight explaining that they must find the one who summoned them, the Hulk slams the ground sending Dr. Strange and Namor flying. The Surfer simply cannot understand the mindless rage which drives Earth's mortals. He sends a cosmic bolt between the two which drives them apart. This only causes the two savages to turn their rage on him. Suddenly, the din is disrupted by a woman's voice. Hellcat arrives in time to inform the group that it was she who summoned them because the world was in danger. RESULT: NONE (It should be noted that this issue shows the Hulk's superior durability over Surfer and Namor as well.)

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 16 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

THE ORDER #4 (2002)

The members of the Order (Namor, Dr. Strange and the Silver Surfer) decide they have to change the "Gray" Hulk incarnation to one that is not so perverse. Surfer and Strange will hold the brute in an energy field as they try to summon up a new personality. Soon the "Savage" Hulk emerges and breaks free from the field! Namor and the Surfer will attack and hold the brute, but once the Surfer let's go, the Hulk continues to pound on Namor and begins to choke the Sea King out! Quickly, Dr. Strange steps in to help out Namor by summoning the "Professor" Hulk and this stops the fight. RESULT: DRAW (While this is a short fight, once Surfer let the Hulk free, the brute continued to attack Namor and began choking him. Dr. Strange then stepped in and summoned a better Hulk personality which put a stop to the fight.)

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 17 HULK: 0 - SILVER SURFER: 3

THE INCREDIBLE HULK #95 (2006)

In the holding cells of the Great Arena, the Lieutenant looks in on the Silver Surfer (who is being hailed as “The Silver Savage”). The Lieutenant asks the Surfer who he is and where he is from but Surfer doesn't answer. She turns to the jailer and tells him to make him talk. Surfer’s obedience disk jolts him and then he tells them his origin and how it got onto their world. Soon the people in the streets hear a triple drum call as the people migrate toward the coliseum and the workers prepare the battle field. The announcer introduces the "Gravage" Hulk (who is known as "The Green Scar") and his team, The Warbound. The people rumble with applause. The announcer says that they are going to face their final challenge...the Silver Savage! Hulk takes one look at him and asks if he's the Silver Surfer, Surfer says that he is. Surfer’s obedience disk starts to glow as he launches his mace across the Hulk’s face. Hulk grabs Surfer and says that he thought he was different, but that he is just like the rest of the heroes back on Earth. Surfer tells Hulk to forgive him and then blasts him with a burst of power. Now the rest of the Hulk's team attacks Surfer and are all easily disposed of. The Hulk then tells Hiroim to attack high. As Surfer blocks him with the surfboard/shield the Hulk hits Surfer hard with a spear into Surfer’s disk breaking it. Now Surfer realizes that he is no longer being controlled and starts to thank Hulk, but the Hulk is raging and pounds Surfer into the ground. The people erupt in cheer. Hulk hits Surfer again and again. The people’s cheering stops in awkward silence as they hear a loud crunch coming from the blows. Hulk growls loudly and the people look on with wide eyes and open mouths. Korg grabs Hulk’s arm and tells him no. Hulk growls, but Korg tells him that they won. Hulk looks down and sees the Surfer in a heap. Korg shouts that they have survived their three rounds and should be given their freedom. RESULT: WIN HULK (This fight is a little tricky to judge as both the Hulk and Silver Surfer were not fighting at full-strength due to the portal that brought them to this world. Plus the Hulk had help from his Warbound team. But in the end, it was just the Hulk who ended the fight by pounding Surfer into submission so there is no question that he took the victory. I should also point out that the Hulk is clearly shown to be the physically superior in this fight. Each of his blows grew increasingly more powerful than the next as he raged and almost killed Surfer, luckily Korg stopped the Hulk's attacks.)

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 18 HULK: 1 - SILVER SURFER: 3

Variant Cover

HULK #10 (2008)

Elders of the Universe, the Grandmaster and the Collector want to play a game involving some of Earth's greatest heroes. The "Savage" Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer and Dr. Strange are plucked from time in their moment of greatest sorrow. They are each just about to lose, or have already lost, their greatest love. And since they would do anything to save their loved ones, they make the perfect pawns in the Elders schemes. After the Hulk loses Jarella, he meets up with the Surfer who is with Shalla-Bal and telling her that he cannot be with her anymore as he is now a Herald of Galactus. Surfer does not even know who the Hulk is at this point in time so he attacks the Green Goliath firing a cosmic bolt. The Hulk takes the attack and then convinces the Surfer of what is happening and the fight stops. RESULT: NONE (Although there was no actual fight, the Hulk has to be given props here because he was able to shrug off Surfer's Cosmic bolt with ease due to his high adrenaline levels at the time.)

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 19 HULK: 1 - SILVER SURFER: 3

SILVER SURFER #5 (2014)

When Bruce Banner turns into the "Doc Green" Hulk, he attempts to help Dawn Greenwood. The Silver Surfer will then grab the brute and throw him aside saying he will be the one to help her. When the Hulk rises for a fight, Dr. Strange steps in and stops him. RESULT: NONE

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 20 HULK: 1 - SILVER SURFER: 3

After Shuma-Gorath is defeated, the "Doc Green" Hulk and Dr. Strange meet up with the Silver Surfer and Dawn. The Hulk is ready to renew his beef with the Surfer but Strange will banish him away (as well as himself), the Surfer says "Next time." RESULT: NONE

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 21 HULK: 1 - SILVER SURFER: 3

(This issue has five variant covers)

DEFENDERS: THE BEST DEFENSE #1 (2018)

When Namor is flung into space by Nebulon, the Silver Surfer must make a choice whether to save the Sea King who'll die in space or continue to fight Nebulon to stop him from destroying more planets that is empowering the cosmic train. Just then the "Immortal" Hulk shows up and grabs the Surfer by the neck and hurls him into space at Namor to save him. The Hulk will then takes the Surfers board and attack Nebulon with it. RESULT: NONE

FINAL TALLY: MATCH UPS: 22 HULK: 1 - SILVER SURFER: 3

OTHER ENCOUNTERS

Hulk and Silver Surfer have fought a few times in non-cannon stories or as alternate incarnations of themselves. Truth be told, despite some interesting stories, these issues don't count. I see them as writers interpretations of “Hulk vs Silver Surfer” battles without continuity restraints so they always have fun twists of “What could have been.” Listed here are not all but the best of the best of the Hulk and Silver Surfer battles that occurred outside of actual Marvel continuity or cannot be listed as actual "official" fights between the two combatants.

NOT BRAND ECHH! #13 (1969)

The Simple Surfer rockets through the sky lost in thought knocking over heroes in the process. The Bulk is among the heroes that get bumped out of the way.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK #200 (1976)

The "Savage" Hulk (with a special helmet on that gives Bruce Banner's brain control of the Hulk) battles illusions of his greatest foes inside the infected mind of Glenn Talbot. There, an illusion of the Silver Surfer is among the many foes that attack and get defeated by the raging Hulk (who has long destroyed the helmet) which eventually frees Talbot from the control.

FANTASTIC FOUR ROAST #1 (1982)

When the "Savage" Hulk speaks about the Fantastic Four and tells some terrible jokes about them (that don't get any laughs), he threatens the Silver Surfer and all the other heroes to laugh...and they do.

SILVER SURFER #58 (1991)

The Silver Surfer will do battle with ghosts of his teammates, The Defenders. The ghost of the "Savage" Hulk attacks Surfer and lands some punches, but the Power Cosmic soon takes him out.

WHAT IF #80 (1995)

"IF" tale of the "Professor" Hulk becoming the Maestro! The cover shows the Hulk over the bodies of dead heroes, the Silver Surfer is among them.

Variant Cover

MARVEL ZOMBIES #3 (2006)

Iron Man leads the charge of flying zombies against the Silver Surfer. The Surfer fends off the zombies with his energy blasts, cutting Stark in half at the waist and striking Moondragon down in the throng below. Stark manages to get hold of the Surfer's board and grapples him along with Nova and Vulture. The Surfer's skin is quite impenetrable, however, and Stark just breaks his teeth trying to take a bite. The Surfer manages to shake the trio, and quickly dispatches Nova and Captain Marvel. Thor is more successful, and knocks the Surfer from his board when he shatters his makeshift hammer on the Surfer's face.

The Colonel leads the rush on the ground, telling everyone to keep the silver stranger off balance. This strategy doesn't amount to much, and the Surfer quickly dispatches the Vulture, Moon Knight Namor, and Falcon. Wolverine slashes at him, but the force of the blow just rips the adamantium bones from the rotten flesh of his arm. Wolverine ends up right by Stark's torso. Stark ask Logan to toss him into the fray so he can use what's left of his power for one more repulsor blast. Wolverine complies, and tosses Tony into the melee as the Surfer takes out Speedball and Gambit.

Hank Pym watches safely from the shadows of an alley, very thankful that he took his time getting back from the lab. He decides to wait until this whole ordeal is over. Elsewhere on the sidelines, Spider-Man resolves to finally just pull off his dangling, broken leg. Banner feels the hunger setting in, and transforms back into the "Zombie" Hulk. Rushing in, Hulk takes the Surfer from the other zombies restraining him, and is rewarded with two cosmic blasts to the face. Surfer tries to make his escape on his board, with zombies close behind. An even more enraged Hulk leaps at the Surfer and bites his head off.

THE SUPERHERO SQUAD SHOW #2 (2010)

Back up Valentine's Day story with the Silver Surfer and Falcon teasing the Hulk that he has Screaming Mimi girlfriend. The Hulk will smack the silver Surfer away saying that Mimi was as annoying as a mosquito.

SECRET WARS: BATTLEWORLD #4 (2015)

The Maestro has the Silver Surfer's board and he's not giving it up without a fight. While the Maestro attacks Surfer, he is considered nothing more than a nuisance and easily brushed aside. The Sky-Rider will take the board, mend it with his Power Cosmic and then fly off leaving the Maestro standing there dumbfounded.

Variant Cover

Variant Cover

THANOS #17 (2018)

In an alternate future story line, the present Thanos and his future-self battle it out with a Mjolnir wielding Silver Surfer. The two Mad Titans unleash a future version of the Hulk to attack Surfer. They fight for a bit but eventually Surfer gets serious and just holds the Hulk by the neck and talks the brute down, making him change back into Bruce Banner.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

THE MIGHTY WORLD OF MARVEL #140 (1975) and #237 (1977)

Weekly reprints of Hulk stories from the UK. These issues showcase covers of the Hulk locked in combat with the Silver Surfer and other heroes.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK AND SILVER SURFER PEN SET

(U.S. PEN COMPANY 1978)

While not "Hulk vs Silver Surfer" per say, but a very interesting and quirky two-pen pack consisting of the Hulk and Silver Surfer. This pen pairing might be due to the fact that both characters were appearing in the Defenders comics at the time.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK SMASH-UP ACTION GAME (IDEAL TOYS 1979)

I had to list this "Hulk vs Silver Surfer" honorable mention because when I was a kid, I loved this game and I always found it interesting that panels of the Hulk slugging it out with the Surfer from the pages of Tales to Astonish #93 were used on the game board.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK CARTOON DRAWING SET (CARTOONARAMA 1979)

This drawing set came with six images of the Hulk to paint. One image features the Hulk locked in combat with the Silver Surfer.

GREEN SCAR VS SILVER SAVAGE STATUE (2008)

IMMORTAL HULK #42 VARIANT COVER (2021)

ANIMATED

In this section I list every time that the Hulk and the Silver Surfer engage in combat with each other. No cartoons or animated features with friendly team ups or situations are included.

HULK AND THE AGENTS OF S.M.A.S.H. (SEASON: 2 EPISODE: 4 "FEAR ITSELF" 2014)

As the Hulk and his Agent's of S.M.A.S.H. are floating through space, they come across the Silver Surfer who begins attacking their ship. The Hulk's will jump on rocket boards and confront him. Soon the Hulk begins to get angry and pounds on the Surfer but stops once the Hulk regains control of himself. Eventually the team of Hulk's and the Surfer face Null the Void who are making them all confront their biggest fears. After another brief fight between the Hulk and Surfer, everyone overcomes their fears and defeat Null.

THE END??

To know the Marvel Universe you have to know about the "BIG 3." These 3 characters are at the top of the food-chain when it comes to levels of power for the greatest Marvel Heroes. These 3 characters strike the most fear and gain the most respect from opposing opposition. These 3 characters are without a doubt The Marvel hierarchy of ultimate power. They are The Incredible Hulk, The Mighty Thor and The Silver Surfer. Yup, these guys are the standard, and every other hero that wants to be deemed "super" is measured up against them to see how high up the ladder they are and regarded among peers. Here is how the "BIG 3" rank in certain categories between each other.

Strength and Durability: Hulk Skill and Mindset: Thor Overall Versatility: Silver Surfer

You can make an argument on who ranks second and third in each category between them, but there is no doubt that the character listed as number 1 is the rightful owner of that power-level. And if you read my other write ups; "Hulk vs Thor" or "Thor vs Silver Surfer," you will notice that each of the "BIG 3" is so insanely powerful that they balance themselves out when it comes to fighting each other. While Hulk has the edge over Thor in their battles, Thor has the edge over the Silver Surfer, which leads me to this write up where the Surfer has the edge over the Hulk.

In 22 official match ups, the Silver Surfer takes the edge 3 to 1 over the Hulk and this comes as no surprise to me. While the Hulk is billed as "The Most Powerful Being on Earth," he is just that -- from Earth. The Silver Surfer is another type of "being" altogether as he is not from Earth. He's from the distant planet of Zenn-La and empowered with the near-limitless Power Cosmic. This energy gives the Surfer so much of an arsenal, that he's more trouble than even the Ever-Incredible Hulk can handle. Yup, and that is something you don't hear everyday. While they both have unearthly levels of physical attributes, the Hulk is clearly the physically stronger and more durable of the two, but he's just too limited against someone with the Surfer's versatility and power output. Because not only does the Surfer posses great strength (that he can cosmically boost to immeasurable levels to try and match the Hulk's anger-induced levels), he can fly at light speeds and move and react at that speed. He can be in and out of the Hulk's range in the blink of an eye, it just doesn't matter where the fight goes, Surfer can do damage and he can do it in so many ways. And I've yet to mention what the full extent of what the Power Cosmic does (read my TALE OF THE TAPE description above for a full listing)! You throw this power into the mix and the Hulk is in for a frustrating night (and that's a good thing because his anger will only make him stronger and more durable). But what can the Hulk do if the Surfer simply turns him back into Bruce Banner? Hell, the Surfer could cure the Hulk if he really wanted too. There are just way too many options for what the Surfer can do in this fight no matter how strong the Hulk gets and that will never change.

Okay, we know how the Surfer can win this match up, but can the Hulk defeat the Sentinel of the Spaceways? Of course he can, he's the Incredible Hulk! The Green Goliath is a downright brutal, relentless and untamed engine of destruction! He is a force of nature who will not stop! The Hulk will continue to attack and smash until one of them is nothing but meat sauce. And this tireless brawling technique while growing more powerful with every passing second is a perfect foil against someone with the mindset of the Silver Surfer (or any opponent). Surfer is a poet, astronomer and pacifist at heart and his own attitude and personality towards a fight becomes a hindrance while in combat, especially when fighting someone as battle-lusting and as savage as the Hulk. Because if Surfer is going to be passive against ol' Jade Jaws, the Herald of Galactus is going to get smashed -- plain and simple (see their fight from The Incredible Hulk #95). Surfer needs to be focused and stop holding back and utilize his Power Cosmic to its utmost on the Hulk before he gets too powerful (see their second fight from Tales to Astonish #93 and both fights from The Incredible Hulk #250).

So it comes as no surprise, with Surfer's huge advantage in versatility and how his powers effect the Hulk's physiology, the Sky-Rider of the Spaceways will win this one the majority of the time. Just expect him to cry about it afterwards (I'm kidding Silver Surfer fanboys... well, the more I think about it, the more it seems likely). But in the end, I guess it doesn't really matter who you think should win this match up. When one of the "BIG 3" square off against each other or go up against the villains that threaten the Marvel Universe, you will get the best of the best in comic book action and that's what every fanboy wants to see anyways.

Agree? Disagree? Let's hear it fanboys!!

Check out other "DEFINITIVE WRITE UPS" here:

Jack Kirby vs Alex Toth
http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2013/06/jack-kirby-vs-alex-toth.html

Superman vs Captain Marvel

http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2011/05/superman-vs-captain-marvel.html

Superman vs He-Man
http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2016/01/superman-vs-he-man.html

Captain America vs Wolverine
http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2013/02/captain-america-vs-wolverine.html

Thor vs Ulik

http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2011/07/thor-vs-ulik.html

Thor vs Silver Surfer
http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2012/05/thor-vs-silver-surfer.html

Hulk vs Thor

http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2011/09/hulk-vs-thor.html

Hulk vs Superman
http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2013/04/hulk-vs-superman.html

Hulk vs Juggernaut

http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2011/12/hulk-vs-juggernaut.html

Hulk vs Hercules

http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2012/01/hulk-vs-hercules.html

Hulk vs Sub-Mariner

http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2012/02/hulk-vs-sub-mariner.html

Hulk vs Thing
http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2012/04/hulk-vs-thing.html

John Cimino

John Cimino is a Silver and Bronze Age comic, cartoon and memorabilia expert that runs a business called "Saturday Morning Collectibles." He buys, sells, appraises and gives seminars on everything pop culture, so if you got something special, let him know about it. He contributes articles to ALTER EGO, RETROFAN, BACK ISSUE and THE JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR from TwoMorrows Publishing, runs the Roy Thomas Appreciation Board on Facebook and has appeared on the AMC reality show Comic Book Men. He also represents some of comicdoms biggest stars and brings them to a Comic Con near you. John likes to think he's the real Captain Marvel, people just don't have the heart to tell him he's just an obsessed fanboy that loves to play superheroes with his daughter Bryn. Contact him at johnstretch@live.com or follow him on Instagram at megostretchhulk.

Monday, June 18, 2012

THE TOP 10 GREATEST SUPERHERO CAPES OF ALL TIME

THE TOP 10 GREATEST SUPERHERO
CAPES OF ALL TIME!

A COUNTDOWN OF THE 10 MOST CREATIVE, MOST DRAMATIC AND MOST INFLUENTIAL CAPES EVER

John "THE MEGO STRETCH HULK" Cimino

What makes a Superhero cape "Supa Dupa"?

A superhero is a type of stock character, dedicated to protecting the public, the innocent and the less fortunate. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes, ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas, have dominated comic books and crossed over into other forms of media. Overall, superheroes are written to be larger than life, while saving the day during the direst of circumstances. And they do it while being all dressed up in a dramatic costume that enhances their mythos into the readers subconsciousness. With one of the most impressively pieces of their garb being the character's cape.

While a vast majority of these superheroes does not wear capes, the garment is still closely associated with them, likely because two of the most widely recognized superheroes ever created, Batman and Superman, wear capes. In fact, police officers in Batman’s home of Gotham City have used the word "cape" as a shorthand for all superheroes and costumed crime-fighters due to their influence.

Throughout the history of superheroes, no two capes have been more identifiable than the ones worn by Superman and Batman. Whether it be on toys, costumes or other types of comic memorabilia, these two capes are as iconic as the heroes themselves.

So why capes? Why does seeing or wearing them make such an impression on most people (especially small children)? And why do they create such wonderment in the reader's mind? If you ask me, I believe it is because of these three reasons;

1.) It gives off the thoughts of freedom and power. Being free is a state of mind that empowers your life and gives you a chance to believe that anything is possible. No matter how bad today was, tomorrow is another day and things can still change for the better. When a cape is drapes over your shoulders and flows down your back, you can't help but get a sense of empowerment and confidence. And when this mixes with the freedom state of mind that it gives off, you feel you can take on the world! There is no doubt in my mind, that most children subconsciously get this feeling without even knowing it when they put a cape on. It's something we call wanderlust and it's truly beautiful to see, especially on the face of a child.

Nothing is better than the magic of childhood.

Just look at the impact a cape and costume makes on this kid? Supa Dupa action all the way baby!!

The stuff dreams are made of.

2.) The sense of being able to fly. What kid (and most adults) does not want to fly through the skies like Superman or Captain Marvel? The thought of flight goes back to the freedom state of mind described in number 1. If you could fly through the air on your own free will, life would be much more fulfilling and fun. And if you ask any child, fanboy or adult (whether they are a comic reader or not) what superpower they would want, chances are they will say the ability to fly.

Flying through the air like Captain Marvel would be a lifelong dream for just about anyone with an imagination.

3.) It just simply looks cool as hell. Think of The Dynamic Duo, Batman and Robin swinging through the streets of Gotham City with their capes trailing behind them. What says superhero action and adventure better than that?

Is anything cooler than this?

Listed in this write up is a top 10 ranking of the greatest, most awe-inspiring superhero capes that ever graced a comic book page. All cape rankings are based on a number of different categories; how unique it is, how iconic it is, how influential it is, how dramatic it is, how creative it is, how timeless it is, how popular it is, how well does it represent the character wearing it and how useful it is for the hero. I tried my best to be fair and unbiased about how I rated them and I'm very happy with the results, I hope you will be as well. So without further ado, I give you the best of the best of the "Supa Dupa" capes in the comics world!

THE TOP 10 GREATEST CAPES EVER!

10. HYPERION

While most people won't have a clue who Hyperion is, this "Superman/Captain Marvel" copycat of the Marvel Universe does have a nice reputation as being the most powerful hero on his world. Actually, there are seven versions of him flying around to date since his first appearance in 1969...sheesh. But that's not why this guy is here, it's because of his awesome cape. With a combination of the two iconic capes from Superman and Captain Marvel and mixed with a little bit of Dynamic Man (a character from the 40's who had a one-shoulder-cape), creator Roy Thomas (who is a HUGE Captain Marvel fanboy) and John Buscema came up with a really creative concept. Let's just squish The Big Red S and The Big Red Cheese together, give him some glasses, make him a ginger/redhead and let's see what happens! The result is the superhero known as Hyperion! And why he worked so well was because he was never intended on being a serious character. He was suppose to be an obvious carbon copy of those two icons appearing in DC Comics. And regardless, the results worked and a fresh innovative cape idea came shining through. Hey, even the biggest "copycat" can look pretty cool if you're taking ideas from the best of the best.

9. THE VISION

Today, when comic fanboys say the name "The Vision", most people think of the android character created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema that made his first appearance in 1968 and became a long-standing member of The Avengers. But that Vision was actually a copy and revamped version of this Timely Comics character created in 1940 by legends, Jack Kirby and Joe Simon. Yes, my friends, this Vision or "Aarkus from the Dimension of Smoke World," had the awesome design of this iconic cape first, which the current Vision get's so much praise about. Truth be told, it was originally based on Bella Lugosi's design that he wore in Dracula (1931) and that Universal Monster's cape design is as iconic as they come. But since this is an article about Superheroes, Dracula can't make the list (sorry horror fans). So this is the closest thing I can put on the list to pay homage that dramatic and legendary cape design. Too bad it never really helped out Aarkus in the long run who fell off into obscurity. Somehow he eventually came back and became modernized into the new age of the Marvel Universe, but he never really caught on or matched the popularity of the current Vision (who still remains an on and off again member of the Avengers to this day). So here's to you buddy, and your fantastic cape.

8. THOR

Look up the word majestic in the dictionary and you will see that it perfectly explains the look of Thor's long flowing red cape. Created and reinterpreted by the masters, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Larry Lieber in 1962 from the famous Norse myths of the past, The Mighty Thor has been one of Marvel Comics most enduring characters. Thor's unique look had really taken form when John Buscema took over the drawing chores in the 70's after Kirby and truly modernized the Thunder God into how we view him today. Sure, Thor's hairstyles, outfits and capes have changed during the years, but the protruding shoulders that flowed into the long ankle-length cape dynamic that Buscema perfected usually stayed the same. It was nothing short of a spectacular look that screamed...GOD! Even when you look at Thor in the movies today, you can see all the elements that the designers of his outfit used to pay homage to what makes Thor's cape and design look so iconic. This one is for the glory of ASGARD!!

7. SPAWN

While I am not a fan of just about anything that came out of the horrid 1990s decade for comics, I have to give credit where credit is due. Spawn was a character created by artist Todd McFarlane in 1992 and while this character has fallen into obscurity today, back in the 90's he was arguably the most popular superhero in comics that wasn't named Spider-man or Batman. And speaking of those two characters, if you look closely at Spawn's design you can clearly see the similarities he has of both of them. Yup, Spawn was made up of everything that was considered cool in the 90's... big chains, big poses, big claws and a big, dramatic, flowing cape! It made such an impression on kids that they just gravitated to it and thought, "Awwwww man, this guy looks cool as hell." Spawn was everything kids wanted to see and his cape-imagery was pure Batman/Dr. Strange-cape on steroids (it's literally alive). And despite my personal feelings for this character, the cape and look went into the subconsciousness of kids and teens around the world and made Todd McFarlane a millionaire. Hell, even Batman himself was having his cape being drawn to mimic what Todd was doing at this time so how influential was that? Today, if you ask why is Spawn's cape on this list, just go ask any comic collector from the 90's about Spawn and the first thing they will tell you is how cool his cape and look was.

6. ROBIN

Originally conceived by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson in 1940 as a vehicle to attract young readership. Robin garnered overwhelmingly positive critical reception from readers, doubling sales of all the Batman related comic books. And despite what a lot of Batman purists think, the Boy Wonder brought so many new concepts and elements to the medium that it's hard to discredit his value in comic book history. Simply put, Robin stands tall next to all the true royal legends of the comic-mythos that includes; Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Spider-man... he is that iconic and so is his look. Robin was the lighter side in the darkness of Batman. Where The Dark Knight Detective was all shadows and brooding, Robin was all bright colors and youthful exuberance - it was a perfect blend. Along with being the first true sidekick, Robin is also credited with being the first character to sport a short, waist-high cape with a collar. It was very different, as well as very dramatic that it complemented his entire outfit and attitude into one flawless cohesion. So whatever your feelings for the Boy Wonder, there is no doubt in my mind that he ranks up there as one of the most influential characters ever created...KA-POW!!!

5. DR. STRANGE

What makes Dr. Strange's cape so iconic is that not only does it have such a unique look, it also represents the characters power and personality so well. Just by looking at it screams; magic, mysticism and occult. Rarely something like this can be matched on a pure artistic level. Created in 1963 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the Master of the Mystic Arts has always looked cooler and more dynamic than any other magician or sorcerer to ever grace a comic book page. And that is largely in part due to his cape. With a mystical collar that showcases the powerful Eye of Agamotto and occultist writings/designs/hieroglyphics on the trimmings, rarely has any cape been as detailed and yet so simple to understand. Steve Ditko went wild with the concept of this creation, that it has to be considered a genius body of work. Throw in Dr. Strange's costume, weird-hand gestures, mustache and eccentric personality and you have one of the truly unique characters in the Marvel Universe.

4. DR. DOOM

Sure, the title says "Superhero" capes, but truth be told, only one Super-Villain cape is able to crack into this top 10 list. And that malevolent mastermind of malice is none other than the Monarch of Latveria, Dr. Doom!! Created in 1962 by the masters Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (once again), Marvel's number #1 bad guy has an iconic look and hood/cape design that is so flawlessly perfect, only a select few characters can boast to have a better overall look. The "Latvarian" dark green color meshes perfectly with the cold steel-plated armor to show off this guy's fearsome aura that sends chills down the spines of even the bravest of heroes. With leather brown belt, gun sheath and yellow (gold) buckles that hold his cape into place, this outfit gives off such a perfect blend of awe and fear that only enhances Von Doom's tyrannical rule of the land. There is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Doom not only wears the greatest cape ever made for a Super-Villain, but also sports the greatest look of a Super-Villain...period!!! Now all kneel before the power of DOOM!!!

3. SUPERMAN

Cracking into the top 3 capes ever separates the men from the boys. It starts right here to where all the other capes on this list and in the entire comics world get their inspirations and designs from. Coming in at number #3 is the first and arguably most famous cape ever worn by a super-heroic figure - the Man of Steel, Superman! He was created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and he literally took the world by storm! With the success of his adventures, Superman helped to create the superhero genre and establish its primacy within the American comic book. Yes, Superman is the biggest of the big and his cape is very hard to rank because it remains the standard of all capes. It represents everything that makes a cape great; influential, iconic, inspirational, and it tells who the character is - a "Super" being that is much more than any human. With its stylized pure-yellow "S" shield in the middle of the back, it complements the colored "S" shield on his chest so well. It has also been updated throughout the years, but despite some minimal changes, it has usually stayed fairly consistent with what makes it so timeless. Now, after all that praise, one may ask how I didn't rank this as the greatest cape ever. That is because after you get through all the influence and iconic power that this cape exudes, it remains quite dull and less exciting or unique when compared to the other two that rank ahead of it. Either way, this is the cape of the "Supa Dupa" medium, so it's gotta be respected... Up, Up and AWAY!!!

2. BATMAN

When you take the look, agenda and idea of Superman as a character and completely go dark, vengeful and obsessive with it, you get the Batman. Now take that same formula and use it on Superman's cape and you get Batman's scary, dark and twisting sheath. Visually, there is no comparing of the two. For The Caped Crusader possesses what could well be considered the most dramatic and iconic cape ever created. Yes, Bob Kane and Bill Finger brought The Dark Knight Detective to life in 1939 and took the inspiration of what Superman created and went to a whole new dark place. Superman fought crime for a liberal, social agenda, but the Batman fought crime plain and simple. While being just a human, Batman needed his cape to help him inspire fear into the criminals as well as making his arsenal of gadgets more effective. Superman had his cape to ... well, look heroic. And while Batman was as "heroic" as Superman was in every sense of the word, he wasn't as all-powerful, so he needed an edge. How many times has the wreath-like silhouette of the Batman brought many of a criminal to his knees? That image is almost as timeless as the bat-symbol on his chest. Yes, Batman's cape and cowl are as legendary as any image in the history of comics. And you can't think of Batman without thinking of his cape and knowing it is also so useful to the character himself. Only one other cape in my mind can be said to be greater than this...

1. CAPTAIN MARVEL

While not as iconic or legendary as either the Superman or Batman capes, Captain Marvel can still make the claim of having the greatest cape of them all! Yup, The Big Red Cheese has the most original, most dynamic, flashiest and most unique cape ever created. It has such a distinct look that it's almost impossible for creators to steal from without making it so obvious. How many times has Batman or Superman had their capes copied and put onto other characters? Captain Marvel never had that problem. Plus, his cape was never static. Every panel on the comic page (even with his toys) showed it in different positions. Whether it was hanging on his left side, right side, straight down his back, blowing in the wind, or just draping over his arms, this cape had a life of its own and the kids loved it. No other cape during the Golden Age of Comics other than Batman's cape can be said to be as dynamic, mobile or innovative.

And if you readers still have a hard time believing that this cape is the greatest ever, know that it played such a major role in making Captain Marvel the number #1 comic character. Back in the 1940s comics were selling greater than they ever did as a whole in the history of the medium, and at this time Captain Marvel's comics were the best-selling comic books by far. Yes, sir, he was that popular and that colorful that both Superman and Batman had to take a back seat to him. And throughout the years, most capes (including the ones worn by Superman and Batman) were upgraded and tweaked to fit into a new generation or contemporary art style. Never once did Captain Marvel's cape or costume ever change to fit the times. Even when DC Comics got the rights to the character from Fawcett Publications and revived him in 1972, his cape, costume and overall look stayed exactly the same and he had not been seen in a comic for over 20 years prior! Even the greatest and most legendary Rock 'n' Roll singer/entertainer of all time, Elvis Presely had his stage outfits pay homage to CM's cape and costume during the '70s! Ask yourself how iconic and inspirational Elvis' image is to the whole world?? It simply doesn't get any bigger than that! With that many accolades, Captain Marvel's cape is what I call a perfect and timeless creation.

Sure, today with the new 52 going on (or whatever update comes along), CM's costume and cape have been upgraded, but so wasn't every character in the DC Universe, so does that really count? Captain Marvel was said to be a knockoff of Superman when he was created back in 1940 by C.C. Beck and Bill Parker, but his adventures, look and success made him so much more and the longevity of the idea of his cape is a testament to that. To this day, DC Comics still tries to keep him in the shadow of Superman with constant bad revisions of his origin and attitude. Only a select few have carried the flame of what truly makes the character great (Roy Thomas, Alex Ross, Paul Dini, Jerry Ordway and Mark Waid). Captain Marvel will always be an enduring reminder of a simpler time when comics were based on the "fantastic" and the "whimsical" and the look of his cape is an homage to that... SHAZAM!!!!!!!

Even this panel from Captain Marvel's first appearance in Whiz Comics #2, you can see that The Big Red Cheese has something totally different that captivated kids instantly.

Captain Marvel's cape was never static, even on his merchandise throughout the years.

Doubt Captain Marvel's cape as being the greatest ever? Just look at its inspiration on the King of Rock 'n' Roll!

Was there ever any doubt what cape was #1?

THE END??

Well, there you have it, these are the top 10 greatest and most influential capes ever in my opinion. And whether you agree with these rankings or not, you have to admit that any one of them can make a top 10 list that most of you readers might come up with. But I'm egocentric and I live within the confines of my own reality, so the list that is up is the definitive list!! So, if you come up with a list of your own, send them to me in the comments section because I'm all about what other fanboy opinions are (the good and bad). Also, I would like to give an "honorable mentions" shout out to a few superheroes (and villains) capes that didn't crack my top 10 but still need praise for their awesomeness; Storm, Magneto, Black Panther, Moon Knight, Batgirl, Specter, Quasar, Cloak, Azrael, The Golden Age Green Lantern, Captain Marvel Jr. and Power Girl. Now let's hear from you fanboys!!!