Friday, January 1, 2016

SUPERMAN VS HE-MAN



SUPERMAN VS HE-MAN

THE DEFINITIVE WRITE UP ON THE BATTLE TO PROVE WHO'S REALLY THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE UNIVERSE!

By
John "THE MEGO STRETCH HULK" Cimino
  and
James Eatock

 
Just who is the true Master of the Universe?

Back when I was a kid and obsessed with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe like every red-blooded boy during the mid-80s, I can fondly remember seeing a copy of DC Comics Presents #47 at a friends house in his cupboard. As I thumbed through the issue, I became totally mystified at the fact that Superman actually met He-Man in a comic book -- and could you believe -- they even fought each other! Needless to say, my young mind was totally blown away as I never would forget that legendary encounter. Fast forward a little more than 30 years later and DC Comics releases the 6-issue limited series DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe in 2013 -- and just like that -- I was transported back to my youth with my mind totally blown again when I saw it on the comic racks. That's when I knew it was time for me to honor this match up, this awe-inspiring comic book confrontation that had left such an impression on me. It was time for The Definitive Write Up on "Superman vs He-Man"!!
Superman teaming up with He-Man in the comics totally blew me away as a kid.

When doing the research for this intriguing write up, I decided to take it a step further. While I'm an expert at comic book history (no doubt), I'm a little flat when it comes to the history of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. So, to give my readers the high-levels of exhaustive and accurate research they expect from my blog, I recruited my fellow Facebook friend and resident Masters of the Universe cartoon expert; the bearded disco-inferno men have come to call -- James "Busta-Toons" Eatock! This is the perfect guy to fill in those gaps and take the readers through the pathways of Eternia without any of us getting lost. So I'm gonna thank you right now Mr. Eatock for taking time out of your hectic schedule and helping me out (not to mention putting up with my constant nagging) and giving this write up some instant credibility to the He-Man community. 

Okay, enough with the Orko-like babble, let's get to the good stuff...

Superman; real name Kal-El was rocketed away from the doomed planet Krypton as an infant by his father Jor-El. Arriving on Earth, the child was taken in by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who raised him as their own child. As Kal grew older, he discovered that due to this solar system's yellow sun, he had gained almost unlimited powers, of flight, speed, strength, endurance and enhanced senses. The name "Superman" was given to him by the reporter Lois Lane, with whom he would come to love and work with at the Daily Planet in his civilian identity as Clark Kent.

Superman carries the utmost respect of any superhero the world has ever known and has become the standard all the others are measured by. He lives by the traditional moral values instilled in him by his foster parents. He is often pictured with a sense of unbounded idealism mixed with restraint provided by his sense of fairness and compassion for others. He is a man with an incredible depth of feeling, often struggling with the differences between the right answer and the practical one. Devoted to promoting "truth, justice, and the American way", Superman has proved time and time again that he is a true hero, capable of whatever bravery or self-sacrifice is necessary to right a wrong or save a life. He is above our common human character flaws; he doesn't feel greed, prejudice, resentment or bias.

While he is one of the most popular and powerful superheroes ever created, Superman is without any doubt the most important. Being the archetype superhero character model for all the others, his relevance and entire comic book-mythos are without equal. "This looks like a job -- for Superman!"

Superman is the greatest hero the planet Earth has ever known.

He-Man; real name Prince Adam is known as the most powerful man in the universe. He uses his great strength to protect Castle Grayskull from all those that seek out its power, and foil the various deadly schemes and machinations of the Evil Lord of Destruction, Skeletor. He continuously displays both the dignity and honor that his duty demands. Whilst his physical strength is without equal, he also possesses great wisdom and a deep rooted sense of morality. In the field of battle, he often seeks resolution and compromise before resorting to violence. He once stated that he only fought when he had to, and that each time he fought, he hoped it would be the last. He-Man is a testament to the strength and endurance, both mentally and physically, that a true hero possesses.

He hails from the planet Eternia which is said to be at the center of the universe. It is a unique planet that balances sorcery and magic with some of the most advanced science and technology in the galaxy. Lush forests, unforgiving jungles, expansive deserts, and deadly regions of ice are just a few of the wondrous locations that exist within the light and dark hemispheres of the planet, with Castle Grayskull standing as the most magical and secret-laden of them all. "By the power of Grayskull!"

He-Man is the greatest hero the planet Eternia has ever known.

What makes Superman and He-Man so comparable and special is not just the fact that they possess untold levels of power that could shatter whole mountains at will, but that they are both truly worthy possessors of that power. They are proud, noble spirits that will protect those who are in need no matter what the cost. Almost invincible god-like figures that truly understand how precious and fragile life is and it's this understanding that earns them such great admiration by their peers and great disdain from their enemies.
 
No matter the odds, Superman will stand up to any challenge that threatens mankind and defeat it.

It's this intrigue that has also made "Superman vs He-Man" such a fascinating match up. Fans couldn't help but ask, Who was truly the most powerful man in the Universe? What would happen if Superman and He-Man ever faced off against each other? Could Superman's super-powers overcome the magic of Castle Grayskull? And DC Comics teaming up with Mattel, Inc. gave them what they wanted with the release of DC Comics Presents #47 (1982) where the two heroes met in a clash for the ages. But the most interesting aspect of the fight was not the action and power displays, but that there was a friendship formed almost instantly between them due to their moral codes and general outlook on life.

He-Man continually turns back the threat of Skeletor and his evil minions to protect the secrets of Castle Grayskull.

So when these two face off and slug it out, it's a little depressing for me. Superman and He-Man are two good guys that should always be on the same side fighting for what is right. Although they would be manipulated into combat with each other by the evil Skeletor, somehow they knew deep down they shared a common bond. How could they not? They were the ultimate superhero of their universe! So when all the formalities and plot-twists were over and Superman and He-Man finally joined forces and cut loose on the dastardly villains, I cheered them on! Hey, isn't this why we love them and the magic of comic books?

Superman and He-Man make a tremendous force for good, they should always be teaming up rather than fighting it out.

Okay, enough with the background. Now that you know who these two super-studs are (like you didn't beforehand) and what this encounter means to me, let's see how they match up in a head-to-head comparison...



TALE OF THE TAPE



Name: Superman 
   
Height: 6’ 3” 
   
Weight: 225lbs

Real Name: Kal-El, adopted as Clark Joseph Kent

Origins: Comes from the planet Krypton. Gained powers from Earth’s lighter gravity and yellow sun.

Home Base: Metropolis

Nicknames: Man of Steel, Man of Tomorrow, Man of Might, Action Ace, the Kryptonian, Big Red S, Big Blue, The Greatest Hero of Any Age, Champion of Truth, Justice and the American Way

Powers: Superman possesses extraordinary superhuman powers. His body acts as a living solar battery that absorbs yellow-sun rays, with these rays he is granted; super-strength, super-invulnerability and super-endurance; making him one of the physically strongest and most durable characters in the DC Universe. He also possesses super-speeds; allowing him to move, react, run, and fly at speeds of nearly a hundred miles per hour to speeds far greater than the speed of light. Super-breath; ability to inhale and exhale huge volumes of air with great force, capable of extinguishing large fires and moving heavy objects such as cars. This also allows Superman to hold his breath for hours in airless environments. The release (exhalation) of highly compressed air through his pursed lips causes it to drop radically in temperature. This is usually referred to as "Freeze Breath", and can cool objects to sub-zero temperatures and freeze air moisture solid. Super-senses (including hearing, smelling, tasting, touching); his sight is the most well-rounded of his senses as he has greater accuracy to detail than humanly possible. This sense also includes the ability to see EM frequencies invisible to humans, such as radio transmissions, infrared light, the bio-electric aura which surrounds all living things, even in pitch-black darkness. Offshoots of this power include Telescopic Vision; which allows him to "zoom in" on far away objects, sometimes hundreds of miles away. Microscopic Vision; which allows him to zoom in on objects that would normally be too small to see, like those on a cellular or molecular level. X-Ray Vision; the ability to see through solid objects, usually with the exception of lead. Heat Vision; ability to emit solar energy from his eyes. Usually resembles bright red or orange laser-like beams, which may be invisible at low temperatures but extremely bright at high ones. The effective range of his beams are hundreds of feet. In addition varying the beam width, height, and intensity, Superman has demonstrated a high degree of skill and accuracy in manipulating his beam. He is able to use this power with surgical precision and at microscopic levels. Since the power can be used invisibly, Superman often takes advantage of that to perform tasks subtly without needing to get into costume. In some cases, these beams can also be used to produce great concussive force rather than heat and have been known to rupture steel plates and pulverize rock. He also possesses regeneration (when absorbing yellow sun rays into his body) and longevity as well as having a super-mind and memory.

Weaknesses: Kryptonite; Superman is most vulnerable to green Kryptonite, mineral debris from Krypton transformed into radioactive material by the forces that destroyed the planet. Exposure to green Kryptonite radiation nullifies Superman's powers and immobilizes him with pain and nausea; prolonged exposure will eventually kill him. The only substance on Earth that can protect him from Kryptonite is lead, which blocks the radiation. Lead is also the only known substance that Superman cannot see through with his X-Ray Vision. He is also vulnerable to most forms of magic, red-sun rays (which weaken him considerably), and just about anything from Krypton

Favorite Expressions: “ Great Krypton!”, ” Great Scott!”, ” Up, Up and Away!”, “This looks like a job for Superman!”




Name: He-Man
   
Height: 6' 2"
   
Weight: 286lbs

Real Name: Prince Adam of the House of Randor

Origins: Born to King Randor and Queen Marlena of Eternia, and later imbued with the power of Castle Grayskull.

Home Base: Eternia

Nicknames: The Most Powerful Man in the Universe, Champion of Eternia, Protector of Castle Grayskull

Powers: The power of Castle Grayskull that flows within He-Man has bestowed him with immense superhuman strength. In times of intense physical stress He-Man's adrenaline level escalates, causing a corresponding escalation in strength. This is not accompanied by an additional gain in mass, but does appear to promote increased levels of energy efficiency, which has enabled him to lift Castle Grayskull itself, and even move one of Eternia's two moons out of its orbit. His great strength also increased his physical durability from which he is able to sustain tremendous punishment and recover at an incredible rate. All of He-Man’s bodily functions are at the peak of human efficiency. Notably, his body eliminates the excessive build-up of fatigue-producing poisons in his muscles. As a result He-Man also has superhuman agility, speed, endurance, and reaction time superior to any other humanoid being on Eternia. He is also a superbly skilled warrior, highly proficient in both hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship. He possesses high levels of intelligence (especially in the field of science) and wisdom. He-Man also has the ability to telepathically reach out to the Sorceress and certain other members of the Heroic Warriors. 

Weapons: He-Man sometimes uses an axe and shield but his main weapon is the legendary Sword of Power (also referred to as the Power Sword). This magical sword's sole purpose is to act as a conduit to channel the power of Grayskull, the source of which is said to exist within the abyss that surrounds Castle Grayskull, transforming Prince Adam into He-Man. Occasionally, He-Man uses the sword to fire blasts at his enemies, deflect rays fired at him, and slice through objects. The Sword of Power is also shown to be indestructible; able to resist melting point temperatures and the most powerful spells of magic. Due to He-Man's attitude towards violence, he rarely ever uses the sword in battle unless it's absolutely necessary. He-Man's harness was fashioned by the Sorceress of Grayskull from Coridite (a rare powerful crystal containing tremendous energy), and added to He-Man's already incredible power.

Weaknesses: Although He-Man is physically highly durable, he is still susceptible to stun beams and sleep gas.

Favorite Expressions: "By the Power of Grayskull!", "I have the power!", "In today's story..."



THE SLUGFESTS





The comics listed in this section are each time Superman and He-man have squared off, had arguments and fought each other. 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 each 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.



DC COMICS PRESENTS #47 (1982)

 

"From Eternia--With Death!"

 

In the Royal City of Eternia, Prince Adam continues to take his training with Man-At-Arms too lightly. His unorthodox approach to the challenges given, exasperate Man-At-Arms, who walks out in a snit. Prince Adam's good-natured jocularity wins him no admiration from Teela, his royal bodyguard, either. In Metropolis, Clark Kent purposely takes a fall to maintain his charade of being oafishly clumsy. An act Kent keeps up to protect his secret identity. Prince Adam, along with his talking tiger, Cringer, take respite within a tavern. Soon enough, Prince Adam's irreverence lands him in a brawl. Teela is quick to step in and end the conflict before it can truly come to blows. Spying a falcon silhouetted against the moon, Prince Adam and Cringer ditch Teela, racing for the Cavern of Power. There, Prince Adam and Cringer are mystically transformed, by the Sorceress, into He-Man and Battle Cat, protectors of Eternia. The Sorceress has summoned He-Man and Battle Cat to once again deal with the looming threat of Skeletor. Standing outside of Castle Grayskull with Beastman, Skeletor once more seeks entry. Raising his power sword above his head, Skeletor strikes the door of Castle Grayskull with all his might. The force of the impact opens a dimensional rift to Earth.

Investigating the rift, Superman is drawn though to the planet Eternia by an energy tendril. Believing Superman to be Castle Grayskull's protector, Skeletor and Beastman attack. The three men struggle against one another, until a powerful mystic bolt from Skeletor's sword, sends Superman hurtling off towards the horizon. Discovered by He-Man and Battle Cat, they quickly become allies and team up with to oppose Skeletor. Joined in route to Castle Grayskull by Man-At-Arms, the heroes assault the Lord of Destruction. Using his sorcerers might, Skeletor enchants Superman, commanding him to battle against He-Man. As the two heroes lock into combat and match each other blow for blow, it is Superman that eventually bests He-Man and drops the Champion of Eternia with a mighty punch. Skeletor then commands Superman to batter his way into Castle Grayskull. Though compelled to obey Skeletor's commands, Superman still wields enough independent will to use his heat vision to liquefy the ground beneath Skeletor's feet. Trapped within the cooling rock, Skeletor's concentration turns to freeing himself from Superman's ersatz prison. Freed from Skeletor's mental domination, Superman grabs Skeletor, carrying him up into the sky. The arch-fiend then uses another spell to teleport away. Superman briefly regroups with He-Man, Battle Cat, and Man-At-Arms, before flying back through the dimensional rift to return home.
RESULT: WIN: SUPERMAN

TALLY: MATCH UPS: 1  SUPERMAN: 1 - HE-MAN: 0

Since this issue was the very first appearance of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe characters in a comic book (although they appeared in comic form in the mini comics that came with the figures), I spoke with DC Comics Presents #47 writer Paul Kupperberg to see if he had any requirements from Mattle, Inc. before he used them in his story. This is what he had to say:

"Nope, no requirements. Mattle, Inc. came to DC with boxes of prototypes of the toys, before they hit the market, with the names and basic relationships between characters worked out. Beyond that, they didn't have much in the back story and told me to make up whatever I wanted for the rest, none of which they changed, as far as I can remember."




DC UNIVERSE VS. MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #2 (2013)

"Justice Denied" 
 
Madame Xanadu's shop is under attack by evil magical projections, and John Constantine attempts in vain to prevent the monstrous rats from tearing him and his companions to pieces. Unfortunately, the magic that they were created from is not of this world - it is from Eternia. Evil-Lyn recognizes it, and helps by combining the magic of this world with the magic of  hers, and together, she and John dispel the projections. While Evil-Lyn and He-Man are merely myths for John, he is a myth on their world as well. Even so, the threat of Skeletor, who has found his way to this Earth, is all too real.

He-Man, who has recently been reunited with his mother, Marlena, is curious as to what she is doing in this strange new world. She explains that she was born here. She had been an astronaut. Her ship crossed the dimensional veil, crash-landing on Eternia, where she met King Randor and fell in love. If Skeletor hadn't rewritten her memories and stranded her on her home-planet, she'd still be with Randor today. He-Man admits that his own memory was similarly wiped thanks to Skeletor's use of some kind of "Skull of Power". However, he had not come to Earth to find her. He and Teela joined forces with Evil-Lyn to retrieve Skeletor and use his power to defeat Hordak. Marlena warns that Skeletor will not be too happy to see Evil-Lyn, though. After all, he has taken up with a new woman: Black Alice. Not to mention that the pair are working together to drain the earth of its mystical life-force.

Elsewhere, on the Justice League Satellite, the Justice League is surprised to have their base intruded upon by Skeletor himself. Unfortunately for Superman, Skeletor is aware of the Kryptonian's weaknesses, and uses magic to attack. With the rest of the League's attention, Skeletor explains that he needs minions, and he feels they will do just fine.

Meanwhile, on Eternia, the remaining Masters of the Universe trace the origin of residual mystical readings to Evil-Lyn. This begs the question: did Prince Adam and Teela go with Evil-Lyn of their own volition, or were they tricked? With the aid of a Horde Dimensional Transponder, Man-At-Arms traces Evil-Lyn's energy signature to find out where the prince and his daughter were led.

John Constantine leads He-Man and company to the Batcave, hoping that Batman would be there to help them, but the caped crusader is absent. Suddenly, an incoming teleport brings Batman and one of Skeletor's evil monsters back to the cave, still locked in battle. Using his Power Sword, He-Man comes to Batman's rescue, though he is not so grateful for it. John admits that it was his plan to come see him in the Batcave, because lives are at stake, but they have little time to talk, as Superman appears, under the influence of Skeletor's magic. Though Batman attempts to get Kryptonite to protect himself, he and the others are all beaten out of the Batcave, and forced to contend with the rest of the Justice League, who have also been tainted by magic.

The League focuses on capturing the magicians among their prey, but Skeletor has informed them that He-Man is their real threat, so Superman turns his attention to him. Fortunately, He-Man is strong enough to hold his own against Superman. Realizing the extent of Superman's powers He-man has to take extreme measures and thrusts his Power Sword straight into Superman's chest (to everyone's horror). The magic that controlled the Justice League quickly fades, as Superman collapses, and their horror increases when they realize that the Man of Steel is dead. Luckily for everyone, it is later revealed (in issue #4) that the Superman He-Man killed was a magical facsimile created by Skeletor.  




 


RESULT: NONE 
(While it is true that He-Man got the "win" in this encounter, it cannot be considered a "definitive" victory because it wasn't the real Superman he defeated. But props should still be given to He-Man due to this Superman facsimile being just as powerful as the genuine article.)
MATCH UPS: 2  SUPERMAN: 1 - HE-MAN: 0 




INJUSTICE VS. MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #3 (2018)

"City of Darkness" 
 
Damian Wayne (as Batman) and his team of the Injusticeverse recruits He-Man and his companions to help them fight against Superman's dictatorship of Earth. As they make an assault on Superman's watchtower, He-Man is able to break through due to his magic. After they defeat the Suicide Squad,  they find Bruce Wayne held captive inside the tower. As Orko tries to free him, they are attack by Wonder Woman and Skeletor. But just before He-Man gets into the mix, he is bathed in heat vision by Superman who flies in and attacks him. Fight continues in the following issue...








INJUSTICE VS. MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #4 (2018)

"The Ultimate Battleground" 
 
He-man recovers from Superman's ambush heat vision attack due to the magical Kryptec battle armor, which heals him. They battle back and forth in a HUGE slugfest with He-man understanding that there is no humanity left within Superman so he has to kill him in order to save the planet. Almost succeeding, Superman uses Brainiac's machine to take control of He-man's armor and cause him tremendous pain. But the magic of Grayskull overcomes the control and then He-man hits Superman with a tremendous punch that hurts him badly. With Superman down and struggling to get up, He-man unexpectedly turns back into Prince Adam. Superman takes this moment of hesitation by swooping in and grabbing Adam by the neck. Now Batman, Teela and Orko plead with the Man of Steel to let the prince go. Fight continues in the following issue...











INJUSTICE VS. MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #5 (2018)

"The Vengeance of Skeletor" 
 
While Superman is holding Prince Adam by the neck and is squeezing the life out of him, the Sorceress will telepathically contact Adam about the threat of Darkseid on Eternia. He relays the message to Superman about the Lord of Apocalypse and that he has not only stolen the spirit of Castle Grayskull, but has the Anti-Life Equation as well. Zantanna will then tell Superman it was Darkseid and Skeletor's plan to have him fight He-Man so they could attack Eternia. In a rage, Superman tosses Adam aside and attacks her but stops once he sees the error of his ways and the danger at hand.




RESULT: EDGE: SUPERMAN
(I couldn't give Superman the "win" in this encounter because even though he had Prince Adam at his complete mercy when the power of Grayskull faded, it was Zantanna's words that ultimately ended the fight.)

MATCH UPS: 3  SUPERMAN: 1 - HE-MAN: 0 




INJUSTICE VS. MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #6 (2019)

"The King of Castle Grayskull" 
 
Superman possesses Darkseid's Soul Syphon, the Spirit of Castle Grayskull and the Anti-Life Equation. In essence, he has now become an all powerful god. He wants Prince Adam to guide him through the nexus so he can fix his past mistakes and hopefully save Clark Kent's soul before he became what he is today. Adam agrees as Superman sees billions of different realities and outcomes but they always end with something he couldn't control. Now understanding how to use the Orb of Power, Superman will use the Spirit of Grayskull along with the Anti-Life Equation to save everyone in every reality whether they want it or not. But one thing is certain, Prince Adam must die. As Superman grabs Adam by the neck, Adam is mentally transported to the Rock of Eternity where the wizard SHAZAM bestows him with his power. Saying the magic word, Adam is transformed into SHAZAM and breaks free from Superman's grip. Now enhanced by the Orb of Power and with the magic of SHAZAM, Adam destroys Superman once and for all.




  
 RESULT: WIN: HE-MAN

FINAL TALLY: MATCH UPS: 4  SUPERMAN: 1 - HE-MAN: 1



"SUPERMAN VS HE-MAN" FIGURE SET (2009)

A deluxe figure set released that showcased the Super-Heavyweight slugfest that is "Superman vs He-Man." It was the first released (and most wanted) set in a line that showcased classic DC characters pitted against Masters of the Universe characters that were exclusive to Toys R' Us. This figure set can range anywhere between 80.00 and 200.00 dollars on the secondary market or eBay auctions.

Front card

Back card


THE END??

In 4 official match ups, Superman and He-Man are tied 1 to1. But after reading these battles in the comics (especially DC Comics Presents #47) some "absolutes" have been made very clear when you compare them head-to-head. It's plain to see that as powerful as these combatants are Superman is the physically stronger, more durable and faster of the two. Add in all his other vast array of powers and it's pretty obvious that Superman will win this match up the majority of the time. One might think that he should win this fight every time if it's straight up -- but I think those who come to that conclusion take He-Man's powers too lightly.

While He-Man is a very close second in physical strength, he has 2 major advantages over the Man of Steel that he brings to the table; his fighting ability and the Sword of Power. He-Man has been trained to be the greatest warrior on Eternia, his hand-to-hand and weapon skills are a match for even the greatest warriors in any comic universe. Combine those skills with his physical attributes and He-Man is a tremendous force. Superman on the other hand was spawned from the farms of Kansas and while he has developed great hand-to-hand combat skills that incorporate his greater strength and speed in his own right, it still doesn't match up to the battle-tested skills of He-Man. The other advantage is an even greater one; the Sword of Power! It is composed of pure magic from Castle Grayskull and is totally indestructible. And what's one of Superman's major weaknesses other than Kryptonite? Magic. Reading DC Universe vs. The Masters of the Universe #2 and Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe #4, it's clear as day what damage this weapon can do to Superman. It not only has the potential to humble him, it can actually "KILL" him as well and that's something Superman has to be very prepared for. Once He-Man realizes the harm that the Sword of Power can bring to Supes, all bets are off.


How physically strong is He-Man? Just ask Supergirl.

He-Man is an unparalleled warrior highly trained in the arts of combat. He will have to use his greater skills in hand-to-hand combat and warfare to gain an advantage over the Man of Steel.

But He-Man's greatest chance against Superman is his Sword of Power. Since it's totally indestructible and composed of pure magic from Castle Grayskull, it can cause Superman great harm and even...death.

It's inevitable that fanboys will make their arguments on who they think should win this match up. But truth is, no matter what advantages each combatant has over the other, Superman is still the superior overall. He has way too many options for victory and if he manages to get the Sword of Power away from He-Man, there is not much he can do against the onslaught the Man of Steel has waiting for him. Supes just has to be careful getting to it because like I said before, He-Man has the superior fighting skill-set and he will use it wisely when he is faced against such a powerful foe.

There is no doubt that Superman is superior overall and will win this slugfest against He-Man the majority of the time with his strength, durability, speed and vast array of super-powers.

So in the end, I don't think anyone really doubted that Superman wasn't "The Most Powerful Man in the Universe" despite what He-Man brought to the table against him. But truth be told, both of these champions are at the top of the food chain when it comes to the Super-Heavyweights of fiction. There are not many obstacles they cannot overcome with just their will and fortitude alone. And most importantly, they inspire all those around them. Superman and He-Man are better off fighting together vanquishing the evil forces that plaque their worlds because they make such an unstoppable force for the righteous and they share the same perspective on preserving the sanctity of innocent life. For that, they will always be the standard of what real heroes should be...




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
Thor vs Ulik
Hulk vs Thor
Hulk vs Hercules
Hulk vs Sub-Mariner

Hulk vs Thing


  Authors:


   John "The Mego Stretch Hulk" 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.



 James Eatock
James Eatock (www.jameseatock.com) has worked officially on the He-Man brand since late 2001 when he was hired to provide the writers of the 2002 cartoon relaunch with a series guide to the original show. Since then he has written a published Encyclopedia comic about He-Man (in the style of the old Marvel Universe Handbooks), produced and performed commentaries on many He-Man DVDs, and has contributed both credited and uncredited to many articles about the most powerful man in the universe. He has also worked officially on the Ghostbusters brand and wrote a story for IDW. Since 2007 he has self-published cereal:geek magazine (www.cerealgeek.com), a glossy 100 page publication dedicated to the cartoons of the 1980s, and during that time published the Unofficial Cartoon Guide to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Currently he creates and produces content for Dreamworks' He-Man YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/heman), as well as working on Dark Horse's Masters of the Universe books; He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures (2016) and the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Character Guide and World Compendium (2017). 


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