diana as ultimate fighter/warrior: how to make it interesting

[Stanlos]

oh, but you KNOW he'd fight dirty!

When I read that I think of one tale of Superman and Batman's first meeting. It may have been during the Byrne reboosh. Superman intends to stop the vigilante Batman but Batman warns Supes that he has a bomb attached to an innocent somewhere in the city and the trigger is keyed to Superman's aura . Superman touches Batman and *boom* an innocent dies.

[americanwonder]

Hi Hobomystical - good to see you again!

Like you, I would like to see more writer's writing a smarter, resourceful Diana.

[AlfredIslas]

Sometimes, I feel like they should remove Diana's flying abilities and replace it with the ability to jump really high or something. And if she needs to fly, they can bring back the plane. Don't kill me for saying this

[Red Mask]

some people like the thought of diana being the ultimate fighter/warrior in the dcu, others don't. i, for one, think that it's great. but the truth is that, if this is so, it can really limit how she can be handled in the dcu – and, of course, the idea is to keep her from being boring, too. so, i've come up with some ways to really solidify diana as the ultimate fighter/warrior in the dcu while keeping it interesting.

1. she has no rivals.

That would explain why she doesn't have memorable villains in her title.

2. she wins all of her physical battles.

Problematic because there's supposed to be some challenge for the hero.

3. she fights fair.

I hope that's how any great hero today should fight. She's no Lance Armstrong.

a) don't engage her in physical combat. instead, use more devious, intellectual ways to fight her. sure, diana might have as much of athena's wisdom as she does athena's fighting prowess (all), but she doesn't have the experience of using it, and it doesn't make her psychic. the less information she has, the more time she'll need figuring out what's up. bottom line, though: if you don't want to get your butted kicked, don't engage her in physical combat of any sort. this also plays into her being a peacemaker: those who try to fight her know they'll lose, so actually avoiding fights is a much better option.

b) fight dirty. diana will always fight fair, so playing dirty will greatly reduce her chances of winning, say to about 50/50. and let's face it, diana's rogues will probably not play fair, and neither will any of the other gods, including athena and ares. (fighting dirty also includes finding ways of physically weakening her before/during actual physical combat begins, including wearing her out.) this will make things more challenging for her in combat because she is honor-bound to fight fair in all her physical combat situations. this will also create situations where both brains and brawn will need to be employed to get a victory. it prevents her from being a mere brute.

if these things are put into place regarding diana as the ultimate fighter/warrior in the dcu, then i think it would make things much more challenging for her while giving her an interesting weakness (always fighting fair). i like this category for her and i think she should own it.

what do the rest of you think?

Villains are traditionally more cerebral than the heroes, but it's also a stereotype that women are supposed to be more clever in defeating their opponents. But we never really get to appreciate the exact fighting skills that Diana is supposed to use anyway. Wouldn't she be the best archer with her gifts? Wouldn't she fly and swim better too? There are too many variables here. Why do superheroes always use punches and kicks when grappling and arm locks can restrain many opponents?

[brettc1]

Hobo for President in 2016!

Hell yes - and Stalos for Head of the FBI, for being able to uncover this thread after over three years!

[brettc1]

One on one, and all things being equal, Diana should be able to take anyone in her power range or lower.

Gail Simone illustrated this very well in two seperate issues - one where Black Canary watched her fight, and the other where she goes up against Power Girl.

The only reason (Zodd) and (Black Adam) have a chance against her is their greater physical invulverablity and overall strength. I am picking my words with care here - these two only have a possiblity of beating her because they can take enought damage to last long enough to maybe get a punch in. Kryptonians also have their other powers like heat vision and arctic breath.

[Stanlos]

Hell yes - and Stalos for Head of the FBI, for being able to uncover this thread after over three years!

LOL LOL LOL
Thanks, brettc1!

One on one, and all things being equal, Diana should be able to take anyone in her power range or lower.

Gail Simone illustrated this very well in two seperate issues - one where Black Canary watched her fight, and the other where she goes up against Power Girl.

The only reason Superman and Captain Marvel have a chance against her is their greater physical invulverablity and overall strength. I am picking my words with care here - these two only have a possiblity of beating her because they can take enought damage to last long enough to maybe get a punch in. Kryptonians also have their other powers like heat vision and arctic breath.

Uh oh! You did NOT just go into versus mode!

[americanwonder]

LOL LOL LOL
Thanks, brettc1!

Uh oh! You did NOT just go into versus mode!

Well, since you are the new head of the FBI, I think you should arrest Brett for trying to start a riot!

[brettc1]

Well, since you are the new head of the FBI, I think you should arrest Brett for trying to start a riot!

Sorry I will change that to Zodd and Black Adam.

[Stanlos]

Sorry I will change that to Zodd and Black Adam.

Guards, sieze him!!!!

[wagthedog]

One on one, and all things being equal, Diana should be able to take anyone in her power range or lower.

Gail Simone illustrated this very well in two seperate issues - one where Black Canary watched her fight, and the other where she goes up against Power Girl.

The only reason (Zodd) and (Black Adam) have a chance against her is their greater physical invulverablity and overall strength. I am picking my words with care here - these two only have a possiblity of beating her because they can take enought damage to last long enough to maybe get a punch in. Kryptonians also have their other powers like heat vision and arctic breath.

You forgot superventriloquism, superintellect, the ability to see aura's on people, superrecharge when they get close to the sun

[brettc1]

You forgot superventriloquism, superintellect, the ability to see aura's on people, superrecharge when they get close to the sun

Hard to use superventiliquism with a cut throat.

[hobomystical]

i wrote a response and the website gave me drama and i refuse to retype what i wrote.

i'll just state that i agree with brettc (post #126). :) and i want to emphasize "greater physical invulnerability and overall strength". it has to be both, not one or the other. both, in combination. they have to be able take more damage and give more damage to hope for a win (as far as pure physical battles are concerned).

[The Man From Room X]

I found this on a very recent post from CBR's Comics should be Good blog. Link at the top.

It's written as extremely cutesy but actually its very badass. Wonder Woman and Steve are having an ice cream soda while red shirts are ready to shoot them. She deflects all their bullets without even looking up at them