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Best Battles in New Comics: 09/20/13

This week, we take a look at awesome fights from SAVAGE WOLVERINE, INFINITY: AGAINST THE TIDE, and TEEN TITANS: DEATHSTROKE!

I have good news and I have fantastic news. The good news is it's finally Friday. So, find some confetti and throw it in the air like a total boss (apologies if you're reading this next Monday). The fantastic news is there were some super awesome fights in this week's new comics and we chose three that rock quite a bit.

Yes, the fight in INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US #36 was easily the best fight this week and will likely be the best of the year, but given the fact it's one of the biggest and most magnificent surprises the series has yet to hit us with, we're choosing not to include it. It's definitely something you want to experience for yourself.

Did your favorite melee not get a mention? Well, it's possible we didn't read that issue, so be sure to make suggestions in the official Best Battles Discussion Thread from now on. We review that before writing this weekly feature and do our best to get our hands on the issues suggested!

Taken from Image's BURN THE ORPHANAGE #1. Strongly recommend if you grew up with side-scrolling beat 'em ups.
Taken from Image's BURN THE ORPHANAGE #1. Strongly recommend if you grew up with side-scrolling beat 'em ups.

Wolverine vs. Shikaru. Kingpin vs. Vanessa (SAVAGE WOLVERINE #8)

All this time Elektra and Wolverine thought The Hand was trying to resurrect Bullseye and he would be the one to kill the organization's leader, Kingpin. It turns out that was all a ruse and the real individual being brought back to the world of the living was the crime lord's former wife, Vanessa Fisk. Fisk may be callous, but he has no desire to fight his ex-lover... even if she does look frightening and is viciously attacking him with blades.

Marvel, if you're going to use Kingpin, please make sure Joe Mad is illustrating.
Marvel, if you're going to use Kingpin, please make sure Joe Mad is illustrating.

Watching Kingpin casually block and endure such brutal attacks is a much required reminder of just how badass the man truly is. Not to mention it's an extraordinary amount of will power, too. The dude takes not one, not two, but THREE savage hits with that blade before fighting back. And when he does, he throws an absolutely ferocious punch of his own.

Kingpin channels his inner Wolverine.
Kingpin channels his inner Wolverine.

Meanwhile, Wolverine is tied up and Elektra is struggling against the formidable Shikaru -- a character who wrecked Logan after a good fight in the last issue. As Elektra fights for her life, the Arbiters judge Wolverine and this process forces him to go completely berserk. Logan breaks free and lunges at Shikaru, claws out and ready to slash. The X-Man let's loose, unleashing a combo of ruthless attacks with his adamantium claws and makes short work of the lumbering foe.

"Kingpin thinks he can out-scream ME in my own series? DIEEEEARRGHHH!"

While writer Zeb Wells provides a more than entertaining and fierce story, Joe Madureira's made this read extra awesome with some majorly intense and explosive artwork.

If you want to know what happens between Kingpin/Vanessa and Wolverine/Shikaru: GO BUY THE ISSUE! Honestly, it stinks this team was only on board for 3 issues, but it's an excellent ride nonetheless.

Silver Surfer vs. Aleph forces (INFINITY: AGAINST THE TIDE #2)

Norrin Radd, the Silver Surfer, against a seemingly unlimited amount of enemy forces? Yeah, that sounds like it could be fun and thankfully, it is! The Skrull planet Hy'lt Minor is being attacked by a massive amount of Alephs. These flying robots of death and destruction work for the Builders (read Jonathan Hickman's INFINITY for more details. A lot of details). Naturally, they think this planet is unfit for evolution and have begun their bombardment. Silver Surfer, however, won't just stand by as helpless Skrulls are slaughtered. Unleash that power, Norrin!

Hold on... tell me again why Silver Surfer isn't in Marvel vs. Capcom, because that would rule.
Hold on... tell me again why Silver Surfer isn't in Marvel vs. Capcom, because that would rule.

The cosmic powerhouse continues to unleash and all of the chaos and destruction looks most superb thanks to Rock-He Kim's breathtaking artwork. The attention to detail is simply outstanding. Everything from the characters -- be it organic or artificial -- to the environment to the sky is ridiculously impressive. Anyway, back to more of Norrin wiping out some Alephs.

COSMIC SONIC BOOOOM! Okay, no more talk about fighting games. Promise.
COSMIC SONIC BOOOOM! Okay, no more talk about fighting games. Promise.

Despite his efforts, there's more and more of these robots soaring across the sky and tearing the planet apart. While this apocalyptic scenario is unfolding, Radd sees that even when the end is near, some Skrulls are focused on harming one another. This makes him contemplate if his efforts here are even worth it at all. As he ponders, there's a wonderful splash page of the overwhelming forces swarming the planet.

Eerie yet beautiful, isn't it?
Eerie yet beautiful, isn't it?

Is Radd able to fend off the fleet of robots and save the planet? Does he turn his back and let the will of the universe unfold? Friends, you'll have to read the digital chapter to find out. It's only two chapters but totally satisfying thanks to some absurdly good visuals.

Deathstroke vs. Deathblow, Mercenaries (TEEN TITANS #23.2 DEATHSTROKE)

Rule #162: Never stand between Deathstroke and his job. You won't win. Despite having history with Slade, Deathblow has somehow forgotten rule #162. Luckily for him, Slade respects their history and chooses to go pretty easy on him, dropping him with a staff to the head. From there, he swiftly takes down the remainder of Michael's gang before casually stepping into an elevator.

Protip: don't say
Protip: don't say "you're going down" against someone who's better than you. You'll just look silly.

Slade's a smart fellow, so when he steps into the elevator he also counts down the seconds until he knows Deathblow will return. The two wind up hanging on the elevator cables and once again, Slade has no real issue proving he's superior to Michael. One kick and slash later and Michael goes plummeting down the elevator shaft.

Rule #162, man. Stop forgetting it!
Rule #162, man. Stop forgetting it!

Slade makes it to the rooftop and we finally see what the job is that they've been fighting over: assassinate an official while he's giving a speech. Slade sets up his sniper rifle and takes his shot. If you know anything about DC's mercenary, then you know he's not going to screw up such an easy hit. Immediately after taking the shot, Deathblow's gang returns and clearly hasn't learned their lesson. So, Slade has no trouble teaching it to them yet again.

I feel bad for the dude who got triple plink'd.
I feel bad for the dude who got triple plink'd.

Just like many other Villains Month issues, this one reveals an all-new origin story for Slade. If you consider yourself a fan of the character, you'll definitely want to give it a read to see how things have changed for him.

Honorable Mentions

Taken from X-FACTOR #200. Also, hopefully you were entertained. And if not... apologies, but no refunds.
Taken from X-FACTOR #200. Also, hopefully you were entertained. And if not... apologies, but no refunds.

What are your top 3 fights from this week? Again, if you're going to discuss INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, please, please, PLEASE remember to use spoiler tabs. Also, don't forget to make nominations every week in the official thread or tell Gregg via Twitter.