Marvel's top normal Superhero?

Started by MatchesMalone4 pages

Marvel's top normal Superhero?

Most people agree that Batman is DC's top normal guy. But, I was curious to everybody's opinion on Marvel's. Let me give you a few specifications before you answer. When I say top hero, I don't mean in sales or popularity. I mean the best guy to get the job done. When I say normal Superhero, I am being pretty strict. Any hero that has any type of powers or physical enhancements is disqualified. Any hero that consistently uses equipment that can not be realistically made or technology that does not exist is disqualified. For example, Iron Man. I really can't think of anybody that can compete with Punisher in this category. Let me know if I am forgetting somebody or if you know of a Marvel hero that may not be as famous, but still gets her done.

The Punisher, By far, or Eddie Brock without Venom helping.

Howard The Duck is normal, hes just from another dimension, hes from Duckworld... which is Earth in the other dimension... So technically hes normal, hes pretty wicked also.

Normal? Hmm............Daredevil

According to Matches stipulations Daredevil is disqualified. He's got " powers " that are beyond ordinary and obviously Venom does as well. I think he's looking for characters more along the lines of Black Widow and the Punisher. People who have NOTHING particularly enhanced. The same going for their weapons or equipment -- though Batman HARDLY qualifies since he has some gadgets that just wouldn't be conceivable, realistically. Maybe I'm wrong. Anyway. Elektra and Black Widow are definitely top tier UN-enhanced heroes. Everything they do is based in their inherent human skills and abilities.

captain america{hes had the serum but he's still human}, black panther,
shang chi, master, punisher, electra,

Eddie Brock without Venom helping...
Hes an upper class guy that can bench press almost 1000 pounds, hes really strong and has fought spiderman without the symbiote before.

How the heck is Captain America a normal hero? He was in the super soldier project!

Re: Marvel's top normal Superhero?

Originally posted by MatchesMalone
Any hero that consistently uses equipment that can not be realistically made or technology that does not exist is disqualified.

Wouldn't Batman fall into this category? And being the master of a dozen forms of martial arts is quite a stretch. 😱

Originally posted by leonheartmm
captain america{hes had the serum but he's still human}, black panther,
shang chi, master, punisher, electra,

Elektra has her kung fu variety ESP.

I see there is a little confusion. Nathaniel Grey, you got the picture. Let me give everybody "some" of the names that are disqualified.

Daredevil- Radar sense and other heightened senses.

Black Panther- Physical enhancements, Vibranium suit and claws, energy dagger, and heightened senses

Captain America- He's definitely out. Unbreakable adamantium/vibranium shield. With the serum, he is slightly stronger and faster than any person can train to be. Without the serum, his 98 pound body couldn't beat up my neighbor.

Howard the Duck- He is out. He's not close to any normal duck I have seen.

Non heroes are out- Can't be background characters.

Krissy, I think you missed my point. Batman knows more than a dozen forms of martial arts. That's definitely a stretch. The point is that it is still possible. With enough motivation, any one of us can master multiple fighting forms. Also, just like the quote you have says, he does "consistently" use equipment that can be realistically made. Batman has used technology that does not exist, especially when he is in JLA issues and crossovers where he is teamed with powerful allies, such as Superman, but that is not what he consistently uses. His usual arsenal consists of gas pellets, tear gas, night lenses, batarang, rope, gas mask, a bullet proof kevlar suit, and other gear like that. He doesn't use stuff like the "mother box" in his solo comics when he is facing Joker or Riddler.

You can take away any impossible equipment that Batman has used in his entire life and you will still have the same character. Take a look at the heroes I have disqualified and the reasons that I disqualified them. If you take away the powers or equipment that disqualified them, they would not be the same character. For example, Daredevil with regular senses or a Cap that is weaker than your sister.

When you are considering a hero, try to think of it like this. Can I make a movie about this character and have the audience believe that it is possible. You can do that with Batman and Punisher. You can't do that with Iron Man or Panther because of his vibranium suit. They'll see Panther run up walls and sap the momentum from bullets and know thats not possible. That doesn't mean Batman is relatable. He is very unrelatable because he is so good at everything and has a crap load of money to fund his gear. Daredevil is far more relatable because he has no money and has less advantages than Batman. But, he is not possible and Batman is. I hope that I have helped clear some things up. I probably didn't, because I am not good at expressing points.

Nathaniel Grey, You seem to have the idea down. In one hour I am leaving for a couple days. I would appreciate it if you could help out with any confusion people have. By the way, I have noticed that you have had quite the struggle in a Batman/Panther thread. Just want you to know that I think Panther should be able to defeat Batman. I don't even think it would be as close as you have expressed. He should take Batman pretty easily.

I'll peek in every so often to make sure people get the point. Sure. And Hawkeye, I believe, goes on the list. Nearly every aspect of the character is conceivable when applied to the real world. Save a few of his outrageous arrows. But I'm sure if someone wanted they could be duplicated.

Black Panther without the herbs and enhancements would still be very badass.

Baron Zemo--The jury's out on whether or not this guy is currently a hero or villian, but last time he appeared with the Thunderbolts he had very noble intentions, just somewhat wonky means to his end. He has access to advanced tech, and can create it, but he usually doesn't use it, being to proud to rely on technology when he's obviously a superior Aryan. And it's nothing more than what Batman has. Usually he carries a broad sword and guns. Also a Lueger or Walther, more sentimental than anything but he has had occasion to bust it out. Same with his dad.

Citizen V--Various Citizen V's have operated since WWII, all doing so without physical enhancements. Sometimes they have access to advanced tech that puts them out of this category though.

Swordsman--both I and II were very good fighters, especially with bladed weapons. Have to wait for more info on the new one (appearing in Thunderbolts! Check it out!)

Sans Redwing and flight harness, the Falcon is also a very good regular guy. A few issues of Priest's Cap and Falcon had him flightless as his harness had been destroyed (and Redwing's cool, but it's not like he adds that much) and he still kicked ass.

Most of the Union Jack's have operated, successfully, without powers at one point or another.

Just recently, seen in She-Hulk, The Challenger was somehow brought forth from WWII to present day. "Bill Waring is a meek and harmless law student who is a victim of bullies. He never does much about this, but when his father is killed for giving evidence to the D.A. about an alliance between the Mob and a prominent local politician, Bill swears vengeance. He travels around the world, learning the proper skills to avenge his father and kill criminals. (Capturing the bad guys is not a high priority for the Challenger, who is very much in the Killer Vigilante mode.) The Challenger learns jiu-jitsu in Japan. He learns chemistry in Tibet (Tibet???). He learns nerve control in India, so that he is immune to pain. He learns swordsmanship in Paris and marksmanship in Germany. He learns how to fly in England. He learns how to box. He learns every imaginable skill which might help him in the war against crime. And then he returns to America and avenges his father, after which he takes on various other criminals. " From http://www.geocities.com/ratmmjess/gaguide.html

Nighthawk--originally created as a Batman ripoff for the Squadron Supreme and Sinister. Very cool, our reality's Nighthawk later gained powers, broke from the Squadron Sinister and redeemed himself in the Defenders. The one in the Squadron Supreme's reality never gained powers but remained an influential hero.

As for a few villians, even though the thread doesn't ask for them, I find it's always good to give both sides of the coin.

Boomerang is just a normal guy, he used to have boot jets I think, but last time I saw him, he'd ditched those.

Batroc, the master of Savate. Goofy, for sure, but he has put up a few good fights.

Crossbones--no powers but usually gave Cap a run for his money.

Zaran--the weapon's master. Very good fighter, expert usage of pretty much any weapon.

Howard the Duck is out??!!

Well, he shouldnt be... cause he has no powers, hes a master at Quack Fu which makes him somewhat formiddable, he killed Dracula for crying out loud! They gave the gayness credit to blade in his dumb movies! Wheres howard the ducks new movie? Huh?! Huh??!

But really, Howard is normal he has no powers, hes just a different species of being.

What about Nick Fury! As far as i know he has no powers!

Oh, just remembered Tony stark! he just has a powerful suit as iron man

His advanced technology puts him out of this category.

Nick Fury has the Infinity Formula which retards his aging, he's in his 80's actually. So I don't think he fits.

Anyone with anything that is advanced or "super" or enhanced is out.

The Punisher

Moonkinght!?

Batman.