Rumble Pants IV: Sweet Sixteen
What is Rumble Pants? Well, the Panteon has decided to play at god once more. We take a few select comic characters and pit them against one another for our amusement, but we figured why keep the fun all to ourselves? So we decided on a format that would require your participation and will hopefully provide amusement for you at the same time. The format is a single elimination tournament with weekly rounds decided by you, the reader. Just keep reading to help decide the ultimate fate of some of your favorite comic characters!
The overall champ from the last bracket was Daredevil, with a stunningly big margin of 122 votes! And now it’s time for an all new bracket.
For simplicity’s sake we’re starting at the Sweet Sixteen stage. Just vote in each of the Villain Division match-ups and each of the Hero Division match-ups to keep your favorites in the tournament. A mix of faces old and new, familiar and less-so, for this round. In the villains corner, the mad adversaries and femme fatales of Batman and Spider-Man face off, as do the top assassins of the DC and Marvel universes and there’s a fire and ice battle to round things out. For the heroes, it’s two spies vs. two vigilantes and a pair of martial arts throwdowns.
Remember, this isn’t just about who would be most likely win in each fight; it’s about who you want to win each fight and advance to the next round. Click the bracket thumbnail above to the side to see how the tournament has progressed so far. These polls will close just after midnight on Sunday, August 19th.
Villain Division
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Hero Division
Cool match ups yet again, I also voted early enough this time, 4th person, that every thing is still up in the air.
Went for Green Goblin, because he was the first villain I hated, for killing Gwen when I was a wee lad.
Black Widow because she the character I know and like better, though JLI Huntress was cool.
Shiva because Electra after Miller just never felt right to me.
Catwoman because I had to go for the original.
Captain Cold because he so much cooler that Pyro.
Iron Fist cause Powerman/Iron Fist was a childhood favorite.
Shang Chi cause I also loved his book as a kid.
Spider Woman cause she’s hotter. Yeah so I’m shallow.
12 Aug 2007 at 11:11 pm
QuoteNow’s the time! Captain Cold to take it all!
13 Aug 2007 at 5:54 am
QuoteI like the match ups a lot. While the first round seems like it’s already in the bag, second round looks to be interesting.
13 Aug 2007 at 7:55 am
QuoteI think Round Two will be far more interesting with a few closer bouts. This round was a lock for the majority of the winners. I predict Iron Fist vs. Joker with IF winning, barely.
13 Aug 2007 at 8:56 am
QuoteChampionship round: Captain Cold v. Iron Fist
The winner? Us.
13 Aug 2007 at 9:29 am
QuoteDamn! Once again, Manhunter is falling behind in the popular vote. C’moooooon Manhunter!
13 Aug 2007 at 12:18 pm
QuoteJoker over Green Goblin because they’re both sadistic madmen, but the Joker does it with more style.
Shiva over Elektra because I’m really, really tired of Elektra
Catwoman over Black Cat because she’s the original, not to mention the leather outfit and whip
Captain Cold over Pyro because Cold is teh rox0rs
Huntress over Black Widow because I’m a BoP geek
Black Canary over Iron Fist… see above
Richard Dragon over Shang Chi because Richard Dragon’s modern, “I bring enlightenment to DC’s new heroes” bit is one my favorite character re imaginings.
Manhunter over Spider-Woman because she’s actually an interesting new character.
13 Aug 2007 at 1:10 pm
QuoteWow, I just voted all DC didn’t I? (start snark) Weird since I have such a strong anti-DC bias. (end snark)
13 Aug 2007 at 1:12 pm
Quote13 Aug 2007 at 2:08 pm
QuoteJoker, Elektra, Catwoman, Captain Cold, Huntress, Iron Fist, Shang Chi and Spider-Woman.
I think Joker and Iron Fist will clash in the final round.
13 Aug 2007 at 2:12 pm
QuoteWow, I’m kind of surprised by the beatdowns in this first round again. I thought the Joker/Green Goblin match-up would be a lot closer, and I thought Canary might trounce Iron Fist. I’m pleased to see that, though Manhunter is currently down, she’s not out, and the Manhunter/Spider-Woman bout is probably the closest one in this round.
My picks? Goblin over Joker, Manhunter over Spider-Woman, but otherwise I voted with the majority. I was conflicted about the Iron Fist/Canary vote, though.
As for the final round prediction? Iron Fist/Joker is interesting, but I can also see Catwoman or Elektra making it to match up with Black Widow.
13 Aug 2007 at 7:41 pm
QuoteI can’t vote Joker or Green Goblin- all I see are overused, franchise-killing ubervillains the hero would have had complete and utter legitimate justifications for murdering in cold blood long ago and yet writers still think it’s clever to go back to the well of “I COULD kill you… but I won’t.” Both need to be put back in the box FOR A VERY, VERY LONG TIME.
That said, Dini and Ellis are doing a good job with both characters. I still want them gone.
Black Widow over everyone, I say. She was one of my first comic crushes.
13 Aug 2007 at 8:01 pm
QuoteCome on people, let’s give Manhunter some love. No, not that kind of love you pervs! I am honestly suprised by this one just because Manhunter is just so tough! Maybe she doesn’t meet the “HOT” quotient that is so important. Or maybe it’s because no one reads her book, which is probably a bigger crime.
14 Aug 2007 at 11:02 am
QuoteHmmm … didn’t you guys recently do a podcast in which you named Joker “best villian ever”? So, why wouldn’t he plow through this field?
Any chance all of the champions are going to go head to head at some point? Joker v. Harley?
(I just noticed all of my sentences ended with questions. These are the kinds of things you think about when you majored in English or Journalism. I recommend avoiding both majors, unless you enjoy being obsessive compulsive.)
14 Aug 2007 at 11:12 am
QuoteGoblin beats Joker becuse Joker needs killing
Shiva over electtra Sorry never been a fan (she’s The toughest woman becuse she went to finishing school aND USES a fork)
CatwOMAN OVER Black Cat
COLD VS pyro PYRO Cant see cold beating someone who could melt his gun
Iron fist BC I voted IRON fist but if bc had her scream she’d win
Black Wido beats Hunteress
shi-chi is Fu-manchu’s son! that beats evreything!
SPIDER-woman beats ManhunteR. I dislike both but Spider-woman is from San franisco and Manhunter LA
14 Aug 2007 at 2:08 pm
QuoteActually I think it was Dr. Doom who was voted super uber villain of choice. And yes he would plow through the field with a yolk of destruction.
Also wouldn’t anyone from LA beat up anyone from San Fransisco??? Thug Life Forever!!! Go Manhunter!!!
14 Aug 2007 at 3:18 pm
QuoteYou know I gave the Manhunter book a try back the first time there was a buzz about saving the series, so I picked up the first trade and a few issues figuring I might be missing out on a good thing and if so, do my part to save a good book. But the book was just not too my liking. I found the main character abrasive and unlikable and the story of yet another murdering “hero” just reeked of more of that darkening of mainstream comics that I don’t particularly care for.
I’m a bit surprised to see the character getting so much love here, even if from a vocal “minority”, albeit a relatively slight one.
Besides ever since first reading about the “Serpent Squad” in Englehart era Captain America books, I’ve liked snake themed villains and though Copperhead was DC he certainly fit the bill.
14 Aug 2007 at 4:00 pm
QuoteChris is right… it was Doom who was named best villain. And he did indeed claim the top prize in round two, against the Hulk.
I’ve been keeping tabs for just such a thing, although it’ll be a ways down the road. Sooner (although still not for a couple rounds) we’ll be looking at a “losers” round where several of those knocked out in the first round of competition get another go-round against other early drop-outs. I only need a couple more matches to make that one a go.
But very soon, either the next round or maybe the one after that, is the indy battles that folks have been talking about… so if anyone has suggestions for who should throw down (even if you don’t have a match for them, just a character in mind), let us know here in the comments.
14 Aug 2007 at 6:01 pm
QuoteHonestly, this was much my reaction early on. I even stopped reading the book after about two or three issues, the first time around. But as I started reading more, I fell in love with the book, and went back to read all the issues and started buying the trades.
It definitely has its foundation in Identity Crisis, and features a lot of that dark, murderous, “real life” stuff that I generally hate in superhero universes, but I’ve come to like Kate Spencer as a flawed protagonist, especially since, starting with the second arc and going forward, a lot of the point has been about her starting to realize that she needs to be a better person, not just as a superhero but as a mom, a lawyer and just a human being.
14 Aug 2007 at 6:03 pm
QuoteHmm may need to give it another look then, I heard a while back that it had been saved from cancellation a second time, but it just might internet rumor.
14 Aug 2007 at 7:12 pm
QuoteHmm may need to give it another look then, I heard a while back that it had been saved from cancellation a second time, but it just might internet rumor.
Pumpkin I would highly recommend Manhunter. I agree with you and Randy that at first glance it does appear to just be another “dark” comic from the DC universe (hey at least its not tied into countdown, yet.) The thing I really enjoy about Manhunter is that it takes place in the DC universe, but is seemingly self contained. Perhaps it would have been better served to make it a Vertigo title. Also the second story arc is much more complex and draws you into a mystery as well as Kate Spencer’s life as a superhero and mother.
14 Aug 2007 at 8:33 pm
QuoteWhat would be funny if you had a Rumble Pants where you were supposed to imagine the character writing high school poetry.
I’m not so good at English
And I’m not so good at Maff.
But I know I am not worthless,
Cuz I always make ‘em laff.
-Joker, 10th grade
14 Aug 2007 at 8:58 pm
QuoteSaxon from Mouseguard!
14 Aug 2007 at 10:45 pm
QuoteANYONE? heck no I think Ronnie Lot could kick the crap out of Jim Morrison
15 Aug 2007 at 1:32 pm
QuoteI actually picked Manhunter just because BENDIS! made me hate Spider-Woman.
As for the indy round, I vote for:
Courtney Crumrin
Desolation Jones
The Goon
Adam Archer from Gødland
Abby from Boneyard
Invincible
Kabuki
Scott Pilgrim
Grendel
Kevin Matchstick from Mage
Amy Racecar from Stray Bullets
15 Aug 2007 at 8:06 pm
QuoteWow, that was extremely random. Actually Ronnie Lott was born in Albuquerque and went to college at USC, which is in L.A. Interestingly Jim Morrison went to school at UCLA, so there is a rivalry there. Thank you wikipedia!!!
Now for Indy characters for Rumble Pants:
Heath Houston aka Fear Agent
Basil Cronius from Godland
Hellboy
Battle Beast, Atom Eve, Mauler Twins, Monster Girl all from Invincible
Usagi Yojimbo
Melaka Fray
15 Aug 2007 at 9:02 pm
Quoteok ok but you gotta give me the Marvel Godzilla could beat She-hulk(G)
15 Aug 2007 at 10:44 pm
QuoteOh I am just messing with ya. Evidently I have had to much free time lately. I give you kudos for making a Ronnie Lott reference in the first place.
16 Aug 2007 at 11:09 am
QuoteIndy Heroes
• the Bones (Fone, Smiley, & Phoney) vs. the Mouse Guard (Lieam, Saxon, & Kenzie)
• the Tick vs. THB
• Too Much Coffee Man vs. Madman
• Tara Chace vs. Amy Racecar
Indy Anti-Heroes
• Grendel vs. Kabuki
• Marv vs. the Goon
• Enid (Ghost World) vs. Man-Eating Cow
• Robert Crumb vs. Harvey Pekar
17 Aug 2007 at 4:36 am
QuoteYes, pleeeeaaasseee do the Indie comics fight. These are too fun. I particularly like the Harvey vs. Crumb. I would hope Flaming Carrot would make the list, though being the kind of character he is, he would simply be fighting himself. That being said, if it hasn’t been suggested, you could do a Rumble Pants: Creators edition where comic writers and artists fight. In particular, the Bendis-Miller fight would be of interest.
Or Golden vs. Byrne. Hmmm…
17 Aug 2007 at 11:06 am
Quotedon’t give too much credit it was one of three SF football people I COULD think of! Joe Montanta (his back probly hurts pretty bad
OJ guilty or not his brain is a mess.
ronnie still looks to be in shape
Besides in Current countiny Jim Morrison’s dead. So pretty easy to beat (grin)
17 Aug 2007 at 3:21 pm
Quotehey you can use anybody you want from http://www.howcomics.com
18 Aug 2007 at 11:03 pm
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