Superheroes generally fall into one of two categories: those are weapons, i.e. Superman and those who carry weapons, i.e. Green Arrow. What is stronger? The easiest way is just to give you, dear reader, an answer, but that’s not what you come to the Collider for. You are here because you really want to analyze the issue before coming to a conclusion, and you should. In fact, answering this question is much more difficult than it seems at first glance. Without further ado, let’s jump in.
Pros of being a superhero whose body is a weapon
The obvious advantage of a superhero being a weapon is that he always has everything he needs. When Lois LaneMargot Kidder) the helicopter began to fall on the streets of Metropolis in the 1978s SupermanSuperman (Christopher Reeve) already had the ability to fly and superhuman strength to save her. At worst, he took a few nanoseconds to put on the suit. Likewise, in season 2 Flashking shark (David Hayter) obeys Barry (Grant Gustin) the creation of an electrified underwater cyclone, leading to the imprisonment of the villain. Again, our hero already has speed power: no recharging, no Scooby snacks, just good old super speed.
The added benefit of having powers already in place is knowing how to use them internally. Heroes like Wonder Woman or Groot have grown up with their abilities, while others who have gained abilities at a later age learn quickly. Take Peter ParkerTobey Maguire) V Spiderman. He figured out how to climb walls pretty quickly, but when he ran into Flash Thompson (Joe Manganiello), Parker learns of his Spider-Sense abilities and uses them effectively without using them before to dodge the Flash’s punches.
Cons of being a hero with superpowers
According to the great prophets I, “every rose has a thorn” and that’s the truth about superheroes who are weapons. These superheroes have all their eggs in one basket, and if anything goes wrong, they’re done for. If we go back to Maguire’s Spider-Man, in Spiderman 2 Parker loses the ability to fire webs mid-swing. He has nothing else to use, no support, so he falls to the ground. And God forbid, if the sworn enemy will unravel the Achilles’ heel of the hero.
There are many examples to choose from here. Doctor Sivana (Mark Strong) interfered with Billy Batson (Asher Angel) from saying “Shazam!” keeping your head underwater Shazam! Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejia) loses his powers after Shuri keeps him away from water (Letitia Wright) V Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Kryptonite rendered Superman powerless in literally every iteration of the hero in the film, starting with the kryptonite necklace in Superman to a beating at the hands of Batman (Ben Affleck), using a variety of kryptonite weapons, in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. On an emotional level, being a superhero is hard. You can’t hang up your ray guns or whatever you have in your closet and be normal. There is no escape or respite from being a weapon, and even if you do, a la Superman in Superman 2you will need it back.
Pros of being a gun-wielding superhero
Being a superhero who carries weapons has one big advantage over another: anyone can be a superhero. If you are rich enough (Iron Man), talented enough (Green Arrow), or driven enough (Peacemaker), the world is in your hands. No need for a genetic mutation, no birthright powers, no radioactive spider. You just need yourself, the weapon, and the skill to use it (without getting killed, but that goes without saying).
Let’s take Batman for example. He is arguably the most beloved superhero in comics, and he doesn’t have a single superpower. What he does have is above average strength and intelligence, the foresight to determine what is needed in a given situation, and a wide range of tools and weapons, and most importantly, the means to do so. Because he has so many options available, he’s not limited to what he can do naturally, as long as he’s packed everything he needs (we’ll get to that shortly). These heroes are more intimate and eventually they can hang up their costumes and weapons. Take Clint BartonJeremy Renner) who can become a superhero as Hawkeye and then return home to his family for Christmas as a father and husband, as shown in Hawkeye.
Cons of being a superhero with guns
Let’s get back to Batman. His foresight is usually enough to make sure he has everything he could possibly need, but even Batman runs the risk of running out of tricks. IN Batman v SupermanBatman subjugated SupermanHenry Cavill), but only after using every tool and weapon he had. If Superman had even a shred of power left, Batman would be in big, big trouble. IN Rise of the dark knightBatman (Christian Bale) ran out of tricks, and paid for it with a literally crushing blow from Bane (Tom Hardy).
So if Batman can be understaffed, it goes without saying that another hero could miss out on his weapon, or worse, forget to turn on a vital part of his weapon. Can’t happen? Oh stupid reader. Look no further than Avengers, where Hawkeye runs out of arrows during his fight with the Chitauri. He pulled out a few of his wounded to use them again, but for the most part, he can no longer use his archery skills against the enemy. It’s one thing to run out of your arsenal, but the big problem with weapon-carrying superheroes is the possibility of being separated from said weapon. Imagine Green Lantern doesn’t have a Ring of Power, or Green Arrow doesn’t have access to his bow and arrows, or Punisher doesn’t have the key to his vast arsenal of weapons.
What is the best superhero?
There are superheroes who undermine the positives on both sides with their existence. Suicide Squadit is not surprising that among their “heroes” Gunther Braun, aka Javelin (Flula Borg), a copy user, and Cory Pitzner, aka Removable Baby (Nathan Fillion), a hero capable of detaching limbs and using them as weapons. However, time has a way of eradicating the weak, so no matter which side they take, they represent the best of the breed. But can one be stronger than the other?
Very, very, very little advantage is given to those heroes who are weapons, and here’s why. Each side has heroes with different skill sets and a hero with a strong trait can easily defeat a hero with weaker weapons and vice versa, but those with weapons deal with the ultimate. Their quivers were out of arrows, their powered suits were out of order, and so on. Those with weapons rarely have to worry about it. Their powers run out when they do, and this gives them victory.
Source: Collider
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