Expert: Justin Case - 7/14/2008

Question
You stated that the Borg could deal with the Flash if they prepared something beforehand.

I wonder if that would be necessary. The Borg have sophisticated technology, and even if Flash is able to travel at nearly the speed of light (or at the speed of light), the Borg could still track him and attach a tractor beam to him.

Perhaps you thought that even though they could track him, by the time they responded, he'd be so far ahead of where they previously thought. It'd be like a human trying to swat a fly that's going 100 mph.

Do Superman, Hulk, etc., and the other superheroes have to sleep, eat, drink, etc.? I'm assuming the human superheroes like Flash need to, but I was wondering about the enhanced heroes.


Data vs. Captain America (physical contest)

Spiderman vs. Batman (straight physical contest; no weapons or webs)

Spiderman vs. Batman (anything goes)

Answer
Hi John -

The real problem I had with the Barry Allen version of The Flash is that in numerous sources it was stated that he could move faster than the speed of thought.  If he could truly do that, he could attack and incapacitate an opponent, before the messages their brain sends to their muscles are received.  

Forcefields could present a problem for him however, and, if the Borg had some type of automated response that could activate quick enough, they might be able to get the superhero.

Superman's capabilities have been changed and altered so much over the last sixty years that it’s hard to say.  The most recent version however indicates that he does not need to eat necessarily, since his body is basically a solar power converter. In the early years of his marriage to Lois Lane she used to constantly complain that he didn't sleep next to her at night, as he really didn't require much sleep, however he has learned to do so, partially in an effort to 'make himself more human' and because doing so allows his body to store the solar energy he collects during the day without losing it.

Since Supes gets everything he needs from our yellow sun, he doesn't necessarily need to eat, but since he was raised human he has learned to do so and to value the social interaction that takes place amongst most humans over the meal table.

The Hulk needs to eat and sleep just like a normal human.  He's another one whose origins and powers have been changed and altered throughout the years, but the most current theory is that his abilities are triggered by an overstimulation of his adrenal glands, that secrete a super gamma enhanced chemical in his body that triggers his changes into the Hulk.  

If you subscribe to that theory, then Bruce Banner needs to eat, sleep and do all the things normal humans do in order for his transformations to work effectively.  If he were captured (and didn't change) and starved, his body would not be able to produce enough adrenalin to trigger his transformation.

Hmm the Data/Cap. question is a tough one but I'd have to go with Data.  Despite Cap's impressive physique and superior fighting skills, Data has the combat knowledge and tactics of several different species in his brain and could fight for a longer period of time.  Even Cap would eventually tire, but Data would not.  Those facts, combined with his superior strength would give him the upper hand over Cap in my opinion.

If Spider-Man and Batman were isolated somewhere where Batman could not make use of his environment, then Spider-Man would most likely beat him.  If however, Batman were able to use the things in his environment to his advantage, I would say he would have a better than even chance against Spider-Man.

Though Spider-Man's strength, reflexes, stamina and healing abilities are superior in every way to the Dark Knight's, Batman is famous for 'cheating' during conflicts and using whatever he can to his advantage.  

Batman has a much greater tactical knowledge and familiarity with many more fields than Spider-Man, not to mention tons more experience. So, in a straight up fight Batman would lose, but in a more 'real world' type situation I'd say that the Dark Knight would have something of an advantage.

Hope that helps

Deran

Hi John -

Over the weekend I read the Superman storyline "For Tomorrow" that contained some tantilizing 'pseudo-answers' to this question.

In the story Superman is seeing Father Daniel Leone, a Catholic priest, in an attempt to come to terms with the guilt he feels over his inability to prevent an event known as The Vanishing.  One million people throughout the world simply vanished and no one knows why, among them was Lois Lane, Superman's wife.

During his dialogues with Father Leone Superman says "I was in bed last night and thinking...." to which the priest says "You sleep?"

Supes looks annoyed and continues by saying "I was IN bed...." indicating to me that he doesn't necessarily need to sleep, but does so mostly out of habit and because he was raised by humans as a human.

Later on Father Leone is at a fruit stand and buys some peaches.  In a fit of rage over a lost parishoner the priest throws one of the peaches, and Superman catches it before it can splatter.  The superhero proceeds to eat the peach and Leone says "You eat?"  Again Supes looks annoyed as he proceeds to devour the peach and comment on how good it tastes.

So, while he doesn't necessarily require food to survive, he has learned to enjoy the tastes of the food on his adopted homeworld.

Thanks!

Deran