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Best Battles in New Comics: 2/20/15

It's time to enjoy some awesome action scenes! This week, we're featuring fights from JUSTICE LEAGUE, ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA, and MORTAL KOMBAT X.

Hey, thanks for taking some time to check out our latest edition of Best Battles in New Comics. Just in case the title of the segment doesn't make it obvious enough, this is the place you want to be each and every Friday if you enjoy all of the brawling that goes down in every wave of new comics. This week, we have some hero on hero action in DC, Sam Wilson dealing with huge obstacles, and violent mayhem from the not-so-friendly world of Mortal Kombat. So, grab a drink, sit back, and let's talk about these three awesome action scenes. Oh, and if your top choice isn't getting a highlight spot, you're obviously welcome to give it some love in the comments.

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JUSTICE LEAGUE #39

Our first highlight comes from Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, and Brad Anderson's latest issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE and it is packed with hugely entertaining action. Seriously, it would be blasphemy not to include it. Basically, the Amazo virus has taken control of many of the heroes and it's up to Wonder Woman, Superman, and Lex Luthor (and maaaybe a cameo or two) to save the day. Wonder Woman taking on a bunch of powerful heroes? And it's illustrated by Fabok? As Rocket once said, "Oh, yeah."

Wonder Woman's shield strike > Cap's shield strike
Wonder Woman's shield strike > Cap's shield strike

Sure, we've all seen a gazillion hero on hero fights, but the creative team makes sure this one is full of fun. Fabok and Anderson make the encounters look terrific and they really give Diana some much-deserved respect. Yes, the opponents aren't at 100%, but it's still badass watching her unleash. What makes it especially awesome is we know she's holding back as well, yet she's still able to knock them all around. Luthor, on the other hand, isn't so lucky.

Is it wrong I'm rooting for Amazo Flash?
Is it wrong I'm rooting for Amazo Flash?

As Superman and Lex Luthor attempt to cure everyone from the virus -- we won't spoil those plot details -- Diana's left with the really hard work: holding back all of the infected heroes. Johns and Fabok use this opportunity to showcase the Amazon's strength, speed and skill. The end result is a sequence that's sure to have Wonder Woman fans wanting to cheer. Aquaman fans, though? Well, take comfort in knowing the infected aren't in total control of their actions or using their full potential.

Now imagine Wonder Woman wielding Cap's shield. Astonishing, yeah?
Now imagine Wonder Woman wielding Cap's shield. Astonishing, yeah?

We won't spoil how the arc wraps up, but we'll give you a bit of a hint: Johns finds a way to incorporate two characters he loves a whole lot. That's all we'll say about the plot! Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to also say that it's an excellent issue and we strongly recommend reading it.

ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA #4

Our next highlight is from Rick Remender, Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Marte Gracia's new issue of ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA. If you've seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier, then you know HYDRA isn't a fan of, well... a large amount of the human race. Baron Zemo has come up with an elaborate plan to eliminate the "undesirables" and it's up to the new Cap (and Misty Knight!) to stop the upcoming genocide. There's several threats spread across the globe and Cap attempts to locate one in India. Unfortunately for him, the durable Armadillo is tasked with protecting that spot.

Amazingly durable shield doesn't work? Go for punches!
Amazingly durable shield doesn't work? Go for punches!

It's already an uphill struggle for Sam, but then Cobra flanks Wilson. Yeah, it's not looking too good for the titular hero at this point. However, what follows would make Steve Rogers especially proud of Sam. Does he drop some epic hand-to-hand skills and tactics to take them both down? No, he reasons with one of them and gets them to join his side. Not shabby, Sam.

"Here lies Armadillo. Yeah, he was THAT stupid."

That was just the warm up. Sam quickly dispatches a couple others (Crossbones gets a shield toss to the nose) and then it's time for the main event: Baron Zemo. In case you're not current, we're going to dance around spoilers with this part. All we'll say is Sam has a very good reason for feeling a whole lot of anger when he sees Baron. If you read the following captions, it'll explain why. But, if you don't want spoilers that are a couple issues old, just look at the oh-so-pretty panels and don't read them!

Baron Zemo may be a diabolical villain, but his true passion is directing.
Baron Zemo may be a diabolical villain, but his true passion is directing.

Remender has been going all-out with the cliffhangers in this series and he has us legitimately guessing how he'll follow this one. I mean, we know a certain someone will stick around, but what the immediate future has in store for them is definitely uncertain. This series is action-packed, looks great, focuses on character, and almost always delivers a message, too. So yeah, we obviously think it's worthy of your focus.

MORTAL KOMBAT X #7

Our final highlight comes from Shawn Kittelsen, Igor Vitorino, Oclair Albert, and Victoria Gandini's latest digital chapter of MORTAL KOMBAT X. In this week's story, Kotal K'etez, the father of Kotal Kahn, is sent to find Prince Goro and bring him back home. Except they're unaware of the fact Goro is no longer on their side and he's chosen to stand by Reiko and Mileena. As if that wasn't bad enough, Reiko's a brilliant tactician and has the whole encounter planned out. K'etez may be powerful, but if he has Rain fill the sky with clouds, it limits his opponent's physical might. The Osh-Tekk are more powerful when the sun's rays are hitting their skin and Reio wants to make sure his enemy will have no such advantage. Despite not being at his full potential, K'etez still opens with a killer blow. And yes, he's wielding Shao Kahn's Wrath Hammer!

Anyone else tempted to make it look like Thor or Shazam is wrecking Goro?
Anyone else tempted to make it look like Thor or Shazam is wrecking Goro?

Kahn's dad may have landed a vicious blow -- one which produces a glorious X-ray panel -- but it'll take more than a few cracked teeth and a damaged jaw to put Goro down. I mean, we're talking about a warrior who was undefeated for 500 years. So, the big fellow has no problem firing a projectile at his opponent and then literally leaping back into the battle.

The only thing more dangerous than Goro's four arms is his two stinky feet.
The only thing more dangerous than Goro's four arms is his two stinky feet.

We didn't show you the first X-ray panel frOM this chapter, but because we're so nice, we'll go ahead and highlight the second and oh-so-brutal one. Once Goro has the Osh-Tekk on the ropes, he shows no mercy and savagely smashes the guy's head into some jagged rocks. Obviously, this warrants the X-ray treatment. K'etez may have drawn first blood, but that by no means guarantees victory.

Mortal Kombat X(-Ray)
Mortal Kombat X(-Ray)

If you've been following news about the upcoming game, odds are you have a pretty good idea about how this fight will conclude. Still, there's a difference between being able to predict who will be left standing and witnessing how it ends. Let's just say this digital comic is living up to what you'd expect from the franchise and things take a pretty gruesome and stunning turn.

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What are your top three fights from this latest round of new comics? Support what you love and tell the world below. Also, don't forget to make nominations every week in the official thread or tell us via Twitter. Check back next Friday for a new edition of this segment. Have a good weekend!