10 Comic Heroes Who Humiliated Their Rival

Adding insult to injury... and then a few more injuries, for good measure.

Thanos Deadpool
Marvel Comics

For most comic book heroes, fighting is all part of the job. Whether it's Spider-Man cracking wise at his enemies' expense, or the Punisher laying into any superhero who might dare cross his path, it's all part of the bread and butter of being a superhero.

But at what point do the gymnastics, wisecracks and martial arts take a darker turn? When do our heroes take it a bit too far, intentionally or otherwise? It's still bullying in the workplace, even if your workplace happens to be the Justice League Satellite.

Which isn't to say that it isn't always deserved - sometimes an enemy escalates things to another level; sometimes they overestimate their own powers, or provoke their opponent into a brutal rage. And sometimes, Batman just casually tosses the Punisher aside like a piece of trash (it happened - look it up) out of pure disregard.

Here are ten comic book battles gone very wrong, in which a famous hero or villain caught their rival on the wrong day, and ended up with egg all over their face... or, in the case of some, far worse.

10. Batman Vs Guy Gardner

Thanos Deadpool
DC Comics

For a founding, pivotal member of the Justice League, Batman doesn't have the greatest reputation for playing well with others.

This particular feud, however, was not entirely the Dark Knight's fault. Bringing the team together in J.M. DeMatteis's Justice League #1, Batman had a rival from day one. And he'd stop at nothing to prove his worth... by taking down the Batman.

Guy Gardner - Green Lantern, to us non-powered beings - had his eye on the Justice League's top spot. Hounding and provoking Batman, Gardner eventually got the fight he wanted - only to be knocked unconscious with one punch from the Batman.

This was to the delight of the League, who had each had their fill of Gardner since joining. Lesson learned: you don't mess with the Batman. The demeaning 'bonk' sound effect somehow only intensifies Guy's humiliation.

Contributor
Contributor

A film critic and professional writer of over ten years, Joel Harley has a deep and abiding love of all things horror, Batman and Nicolas Cage. He can be found writing online and in print, all over the Internet and in especially good bookstores.