As long as nerds have been around we’ve enjoyed squaring off our idols against one another. Who would win in a fight? Superman vs Captain Marvel, Robocop vs the Terminator, Captain Kirk or Captain Picard. It’s probably why whenever there’s a crossover the first thing comic book heroes do is slug it out to settle their differences. A few weeks ago a friend posed a variation on this question which took root in the nerd centers of my brain. What would be more embarrassing To be saved by Aquaman, or beaten up by the Killer Moth? Pound for pound, each character is in a separate weight class, but they are the butt-monkeys of DC comics cast of characters.
Case for Aquaman:
Aquaman does have a significant amount of power on his side. He is strong, has a degree of limited invulnerability, a healing factor, and enhanced senses. Most people think the extent of his superhuman abilities are the ability to breath water, and the telepathic communication with fish. His popular image is that of a useless hero. What can a guy who breaths water and speak to fish do away from the ocean. If Aquaman saves you, you’d be a laughing stock in the gossip column of the Daily Planet. Even if Aquaman did fend off a legitimate threat, all anyone would believe is that you were saved by the fish whisperer.
Case for Killer Moth:
Killer Moth was a classic era villain who set himself up as an anti-Batman, a powerless human who got by with gadgets. He even gives villains a “Moth-signal” to call him when they needed him. Later incarnations turned him into a villain that no-one took seriously. Whenever the character has appeared in other media, he’s been interpreted as a joke. If you were beaten up by a joke character you’d have to be pretty pathetic to begin with. Plus you’d be beat up. The big advantage would be that Killer Moth is a virtual unknown. (Chech at 1:03 for Killer Moth)
So what would be more embarassing?
