I wouldn't say she felt she couldn't beat Lobo (of their three fights, one was toe-to-toe, when she was turned into a Czarian. The other two times, he had the clear jump on her and prevented her from using the rod, and the second she casually BFRed him, never have they fought it out with her normal body), just that she had a way of dealing with him easily.
When talking with Wonder Woman, she expressed the opinion of, while she loves a good fight, winning is what matters. Barda's not an "if an enemy is at a disadvantage, give them a fair chance," type. She was trained with Apokoptian ethics and while she's turned to good, if the enemy can't handle what she throws that's their problem, be it boom tube or megarod or what have you.
The only problem with that is that Maxima didn't just mess with Orion, she has already flat out KO'd him with TP on panel. So she could do it to Barda, unless the MB is stopping it.
Maxima is too strong for Barda IMO. She was the only one, save Superman, strong enough to damage Doomsday in Adventures of Superman. She's just as much of a warrior as Barda is, too. This was established in Extreme Justice and Steel, although she is a bit prissy off the battle field.
With the starting distance being what it is, Maxima can just tk blast/insta-shield at round start for easy wins.
I've never been impress by either Maxima or Barda. All the stories I've read with either of them have been average. They don't stand out as top tier powerhouses. In regards to the thread, I place Maxima above Barda. As others have mentiones Maxima was doing decent against Doomsday. Barda on the other hand got her ass handed by the female furies when Diana and her confronted them. So with that being said, I give Maxima the mayority.
On another note, what trades do you guys recommend from either of them?
I've read Our Worlds at War, Death of Superman for Maxima and Superman/Batman (Supergirl) as welll as some JLA issues for Barda.
Barda lost against the furies on purpose to lure out Granny Goodness. Once she arrived Diana said to quit playing and then Barda impaled two Furies with her headpiece. I think she's at a significant disadvantage here, but let's not misrepresent the characters.
I don't remember reading anything about Barda faking the fight, I'm going to have to reread the trade and get back at you. But, from what I remember Barda was getting her ass handed to her. Up until Diana lassoed Granny Goodness, and threaten to killed her was when Barda was free from the Furies grasp. But, as it stands I give Barda the majority because I don't consider her a top tier. She's a low herald at best. Add her motherbox, and trinkets then its another story. But, nevertheless I'm still saying Maxima for the win.
Opinions changed somewhat. Eradicator may have been amping Superman when he walked through Maxima's final assault.
I still maintain New Gods tp resistance/immunity established in various comics should Trump Maxima taking Orion and Lightray out, though.
Anyways, several posts up, someone claims a single blast from the Mega Rod won't KO Maxima. Maybe.
But for the reoord, it did one shot KO Superman. In the infanous "porno" comic.
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