Expert: Justin Case - 7/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: I know you're biased, but who is more powerful?

A) X-Men
B) DC Universe

Which universe do you like more?

A) DC
B) Star Trek


Penguin and Joker vs. Data

Green Lantern vs. Captain America

Data vs. Green Lantern

ANSWER: Hi John -

I am biased!  Sorry, I try not to be, but sometimes a certain character just resonates with me!

Okay, the first question depends on which version of the X-Men you are talking about.  Ordinarily I would say the characters of the DC universe, since Superman is pretty much the top of the 'power pyramid'.  However if you include the 1980's version of the X-Men when Phoenix was a member (Who was a member of John Byrne's team of X-Men in the 80's) then I would say the X-Men.

In X-Men #137 the character known as The Watcher indicated that The Phoenix was "second only to the creator" in terms of power.   So, even though Superman is one powerful individual, I don't think he could compete with that!

I honestly can't say that I like Star Trek or DC better, both seem to fulfill different creative needs for me, and I can't imagine my life without either of those universes and the wonderful characters who inhabit them!

Wow, that Penguin and Joker vs. Data question is tough.  My guess is that, in the end, Data would emerge victorious in any conflict between the three.  Despite his psychopathic personality and brilliant tactical knowledge Joker is still a human being, whereas Data can compute at fantastic rates and has knowledge of alien strategies and ways of thinking that Joker and Penguin do not.

Data and Green Lantern would be a great struggle and a lot would depend on who got the drop on the other one first.  Since Data is faster he could attack Lantern before the superhero had a chance to use his ring.  If Green Lantern got the chance however, he could design a device to crush Data using the energy of his ring, freeze the android in place, or encase him in an energy bubble that would prove hard for even Data's strength to break through.

Hope that helps

Deran


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What about Green Lantern vs. Captain America?

Answer
Hi John -

All other things being equal, GL could easily defeat Captain America.  Unless Cap somehow managed to surprise GL, the Power Ring the DC hero posseses is extremely powerful and GL could easily incapacitate or contain the Super Soldier.

Hope that helps

Deran