Just how powerful is the Martian Manhunter?

[Tonguez]

I know that Superman is generally played up as the most pwerful super alien we have defending the earth but when you do a head to head analysis on the respective powers of Supes and Jonn Jonnz (who besides superstregnth and flight also gets shapechaning, mass control, and telepathy - oh and this morning I saw him ripped in half and still reform) who is the more powerful?

If they were to go head to head which one would win?

 

[Pyrex]

That one's easy.

Whomever the writer of that episode/issue wants to win wins.

(Yeah, not really a useful answer, but *shrug*)

 

[Cthulhudrew]

He's also got some eyebeams, superspeed, and the ability to turn invisible. I'm pretty sure that, ranking-wise, he's considered one of the most powerful heroes of the DCU.

That being said, given his vulnerability to fire, Superman could take him pretty easily with his heat vision. Heat vision aside, it might be a pretty good fight, but ultimately Superman is more powerful.

Then again, like Pyrex said, it really depends on who is writing the story, what they want the outcome to be, how it plays out, what their goal is in writing the two fighting, etc.

 

[wingsandsword]

I still hear Marvel (X Men specifically) fans complaining about how Spider Man singlehandedly defeated all the X-Men in Secret Wars in moments (except Professor X, who stopped Spider Man telepathically).

Even if they ever answer "could suchandsuch win against mr soandso", the fans will never be happy. But call it a hunch, I think they'd under most circumstances depict Superman winning against any other hero in the DCU except Batman (who would outthink him, and I know in at least one continuity Superman gave Krytonite to Batman as a fail-safe for the world should he ever go rogue.)

 

[Dirigible]

oh and this morning I saw him ripped in half and still reform) who is the more powerful?

Me too.

I read a JLA tradepaperback in which Superman said that Jonn was 'one of the five beings on Earth I'd be afraid to face'.

Actually, he may have said 'in the universe', or 'apprehensive' rather than afraid, but that was the gist of it.

 

[Klaus]

The Martian Manhunter is at least as powerful than Superman. His strength is on par with Superman, Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. He has nearly all of Superman's powers, plus he's a telepath on par with Professor X, can turn invisible, can go intangible or increase his density, and is one of the most veratile shapeshifters out there.

 

[Squire James]

I still hear Marvel (X Men specifically) fans complaining about how Spider Man singlehandedly defeated all the X-Men in Secret Wars in moments (except Professor X, who stopped Spider Man telepathically).

Even if they ever answer "could suchandsuch win against mr soandso", the fans will never be happy. But call it a hunch, I think they'd under most circumstances depict Superman winning against any other hero in the DCU except Batman (who would outthink him, and I know in at least one continuity Superman gave Krytonite to Batman as a fail-safe for the world should he ever go rogue.)

To be fair, Spidey just successfully fled most of the X-men, which is a bit different than defeating them in stand-up combat. He's a hero with very well-balanced powers... he can outrun the stronger X-men and outfight the ones that are close to his speed. It's pretty odd that he managed to surprise the Professor, though it's also possible Xavier let it happen to teach his team a lesson in humility.

My best guess is that Superman and Martian Manhunter could seriously injure each other in a stand-up fight. Most comics would leave the outcome in doubt, like Supes vs. Flash in a speed contest (thought the JLU Flash obviously out-speeds everyone). I once noted that JL villains had to pass "The Superman Test" to be taken seriously... if the villain can't deal with Superman the episode's over in 5 minutes! The MM makes a good "mop-up" guy if the plot-makers find themselves in a corner because of the variety of his powers.

 

[Squire James]

It's just occurred to me that Supes is "rock" and the MM is "scissors". Green Arrow firing Kryptonite-tipped arrows would be "paper".

 

[Klaus]

Let's put it this way:

In the graphic novel JLA: Earth 2, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, Martian Mahunter takes out the entire Crime Sindicate of Amerika, which are villainous versions of Superman (Ultraman), Wonder Woman (Superwoman), Batman (Owlman), Green Lantern (Power Ring) and Flash (Johnny Quick). Aquaman helped a bit, IIRC, with either Power Ring or Johnny Quick.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Let's put it this way:

In the graphic novel JLA: Earth 2, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, Martian Mahunter takes out the entire Crime Sindicate of Amerika, which are villainous versions of Superman (Ultraman), Wonder Woman (Superwoman), Batman (Owlman), Green Lantern (Power Ring) and Flash (Johnny Quick). Aquaman helped a bit, IIRC, with either Power Ring or Johnny Quick.

Heh, i just read that very recently.