Can anyone compare Hulk to Superman and Silver Surfer to Green Lantern

Discussion in 'Marvel Comics' started by Hordakfan, May 28, 2013.

  1. Hordakfan Civilian

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    They all fought in that DC vs. Marvel crossover.

    now compare Hulk to Superman, compare Banner to Clark Kent, compare their powers, their weaknesses, their friends Rick to Jimmy, Betty to Lois, Leader to Lex Luthor, Doomsday to Abomination and all that.

    Now compare Silver to Green, their powers and all that.
     
  2. The Question Objectivism doesn't work.

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    The Hulk and Superman are both strong.

    Silver Surfer and Green Lantern are both in space.


    Done.
     
  3. IFryKids Civilian

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    addendum: Silver Surfer and Green Lantern are both named after colors.
     
  4. shiva666 art designer

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    I would compare Hulk and Green lantern instead. Both concepts have been extended by unimaginative color addition: rainbow lanterns, red hulks & blue abomination.
     
  5. herakles Sidekick

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    i'd compare Hulk to Solomon Grundy.
     
  6. KevanG Pragmatic Villain

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    Superman and Hulk get their powers from radiation, Gamma and Solar. Surfer and GL get their powers from fictional sources. What else is there?
     
  7. KevanG Pragmatic Villain

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    I got another. They're all originally white guys.
     
  8. pr0xyt0xin Shaper Savant

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    Surfer far outclasses Lantern.

    Supes and Hulk might be in similar strength classes, but Superman can fly.

    Why are we comparing these guys again?
     
  9. Dark Raven It's not about what you deserve...

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    I've got one: Ryan Reynolds seems like a surfer dude.
     
  10. The Question Objectivism doesn't work.

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    EDIT: Forget it, I was being rude and I apologize. Nobody deserves to be made fun of online for asking simple, harmless questions about something they love. We all can forget that sometimes. Again, I apologize.
     
    #10 The Question, Jun 1, 2013
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2013
  11. The Question Objectivism doesn't work.

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    And, actually, I think that there's something very interesting when you compare The Hulk and Superman.

    Both characters are based on a very simple premise: The fantasy of a weak, helpless, socially ineffective person having a strong, capable, badass inner self that they can unleash upon the world and prove everyone wrong.

    In Superman's case, it plays to the fantasy. Clark Kent is a working class schlub with a nine-to-five job who every now and then turns into the coolest guy on the planet who everyone loves and who nobody can push around. All in all, it's a validation of that fantasy.

    The Hulk, on the other hand, is the dark reflection of that. Bruce Banner, like so many weak willed, put upon weirdos, longs deep down to be strong, to be able to stand up, and to turn the tables on everyone who ever pushed him around. When he got his powers, he got his wish exactly. And it was the most horrible thing that ever happened to him or the people around him. The Hulk explores the notion that those power fantasies are deeply destructive. They come from a place of anger and when we indulge them we can hurt ourselves and others.

    What's more interesting, both characters, as they've developed, have explored the notion that the solution is to find a balance between the fantasy and the reality. For The Hulk, it's obvious. When he's out of control, he's dangerous. He hurts people, sometimes innocent people. Wether not he's the hero or the villain of the story depends entirely on who he's mad at at any given moment. But when he's in control, then he's at his best. He has the intelligence and compassion of Bruce Banner, as well as the strength, courage, and endless willpower of The Hulk. When he accepts the driving motivations of his power fantasy, his anger, without losing himself in it, then he can use that to change himself into a better man.

    That's all pretty obvious for The Hulk, but it's also very true for Superman. We've seen, time and time again, that while Superman is Clark Kent's fantasy, Clark Kent is also Superman's fantasy. He needs to ground himself with Clark Kent's daily normal life or he will lose his humanity. Superman is wonderful. He's strong and courageous and always says and does the right thing and everyone loves him. But he's set apart from people. He stands above ordinary humans, unable to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, unable to connect to people because he is inherently other. There is something very cold and very lonely about Superman when Superman is all that there is. That's why Clark is necessary. Clark can go to a bar. Clark can go to a movie with friends. Clark can act foolishly. Clark can work a nine to five job doing something he loves. Clark can be a person and live with people in the world. The fantasy of Superman allows Clark Kent to rise above mediocrity and be extraordinary. But he still needs to embrace the grounded reality of Clark, because getting lost in a fantasy of being better than everyone means that you're separate from everyone. And that's not good for anyone.

    Thematically, the characters parallel in a very interesting way. A way that brings up some very interesting notions about what people want and how they navigate their day-to-day lives.
     
    #11 The Question, Jun 1, 2013
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2013
  12. Docker2.0 Watchin' you!

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    Whoa! That was deep Question.
     
  13. MMMMM...Pancakes Cena Wins LOL

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    Superman and Hulk both have a female superhero relative. Both cousins.
     
  14. Hordakfan Civilian

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    Ooh that's another good comparision
     
  15. Spider-Aziz Dummy Dragon Holo

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    :pal: & :applaud to both responses
     
  16. pr0xyt0xin Shaper Savant

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    Superman and Hulk are both Legos now... :D

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Spider-Aziz Dummy Dragon Holo

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    True
    And Supe's has two
     
  18. Will Nolte Civilian

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    Green Lantern and Nova would be a better comparison, seeing as how they are the similar concept.
     
  19. TheCorpulent1 SHAZAM!

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    Similar concept with their respective corps, maybe. But Green Lantern's direct parallel at Marvel is Quasar.
     

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