With a power set as extensive as Superman’s, you’d think he’d be able to hand most of the world’s emergencies on his own, but even the Man of Steel needs a helping hand now and then. No stranger to team-ups, Superman is a frequent collaborator with Batman and Wonder Woman and is a core member of the original super-team, the Justice League.
Although he’s had 80-plus years to develop a synergy with his DC Universe brethren, how would he fare with the Marvel Universe heroes? Here are 5 Marvel Heroes Superman Would Team Up With (& 5 He Would Hate).
10 TEAM-UP: Spider-Man
By all accounts, Peter Parker is a man of good conscience. His whole existence as Spider-Man is predicated on the belief that his special powers necessitate him using them to defend the innocent, a lesson he learned the hard way following the death of his Uncle Ben.
Peter’s sense of responsibility is huge, and something that Superman would respect, admire, and sympathize with. A team-up between these two characters would not only be epic but function on a personal level, as the two share heroic motivations and some personal tragedies. After all, their team-ups worked well in the past, so a modern one would definitely add more to the relationship.
9 HATE: Deadpool
If there's one thing Wade Wilson is good at, it's spewing an annoying stream-of-consciousness rant at foes and friends during a battle. Much like he does with most other characters in his own universe, Deadpool's big mouth would definitely get under even the Man of Steel's impervious skin, possibly leading him to lose concentration and perhaps, the battle at hand. Wade also has a tendency to not take too many things seriously, which is the anthesis of Superman's character, who takes his job and what he does extremely seriously. Aside from that, Deadpool is a mercenary with no qualms about killing, which Superman would definitely not go along with, effectively nixing this team-up possibility.
8 TEAM-UP: The Thing
Someone who Superman would have no problems getting along with would be Ben Grimm, aka The Thing of the Fantastic Four. With power levels and fighting experience that easily put him on the same level as the Hulk and Thor, The Thing would definitely be a help to the Man of Steel in a fight, but that’s not the main reason they’d get along. Despite his rocky exterior and occasional hot-headedness, Ben Grimm is a sensitive, compassionate, and caring individual who values all things decent and good - much like Superman himself. The Thing and Superman’s mutual characteristics and respect would guarantee a great team-up.
7 HATE: The Punisher
The Punisher is a take-no-prisoners vigilante who prefers not to dispense justice, but punishment. Moreover, his brutalizing method of doling out pain is ultimately permanent, as Frank Castle would rather send criminals to the morgue than prison after he’s done with them. The Punisher’s method of dealing with criminals is definitely one that Superman would not approve of, as he believes in due process, mercy, and the possibility of redemption.
Barring the unlikely circumstances that would necessitate these two diametrically opposed heroes teaming-up, Superman would just as soon turn Frank Castle into the authorities than allow him to continue his killing spree.
6 TEAM-UP: Thor
A fantastic team-up that fans would love to see would be between the Man of Steel and the Mighty Thor. Equally as strong as Superman, Thor receives his powers from magic rather than science, which means that if he and Supes got into a scuffle, Thor could definitely hurt and possibly quite beat him. However, as both heroes are paragons of upright behavior and follow a strict code of honor on the battlefield, a scuffle would ultimately lead to one of the most powerful team-ups ever seen in comics, verily sure to decimate whatever evils cross their path!
5 HATE: Wolverine
He is the best he is at what he does, but because what he does isn’t nice, it’s doubtful Superman would team up with Wolverine. Logan is by all accounts a brutal and feral fighter who, when the bloodlust hits, goes into a berserker rage that leaves little within his radius alive. Unwilling to kill anyone, Superman is all about the measured response and saving lives, so there is no way he’d want to throw in his cape with the likes of this Crazed Canuck.
It’d be interesting to see if Wolvie’s heated-up adamantium claws could break Kryptonian skin, but it would be even more cool to see some kryptonite-covered claws!
4 TEAM-UP: Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel is one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe, and a team-up between her and Superman would definitely be cause enough for some cosmic villains to rethink their plans. Blunt, decisive and tough-as-nails, Captain Marvel is an excellent tactician and tempers her actions with a deep compassion for all life.
These are qualities that Superman respects and admires in one of his closest allies, Wonder Woman, and he’s had plenty of practice fighting alongside and at the command of the Princess of Themyscira. A team-up with Captain Marvel would be like wearing an old hat for the Man of Steel, and it would be awesome to see him and Carol Danvers take down an armada of Skrull space ships or put Darkseid in his place.
3 HATE: Iron Man
No stranger to teaming up with billionaire playboys with bad attitudes and hi-tech suits, an Iron Man/Superman team-up would seem something the Man of Steel could handle. However, whereas Supes’ disagreements with Bruce Wayne are largely a part of differing ideologies, Mr. Kent has come to respect Batman’s viewpoints as based on Wayne’s impeccable sense of logic and reasoning. Although Tony Stark is a logical man as well, a large part of his decision-making processes is based on his ego, which Superman just wouldn’t abide. Definite friction would abound between the humble farm boy and the brash industrialist, putting this team-up on bad ground from the start.
2 TEAM-UP: Captain America
If there’s one Marvel hero Superman would get along famously with, it’s Captain America. Both proud Americans and symbols of Americana, Steve Rogers and Clark Kent share the values of compassion, justice, and fighting for what’s right- no matter the odds. Moreover, both have no qualms about going up against their government if it is behaving immorally or contrary to what they believe is right- Superman did so when Lex Luthor was President of the United States, and Cap fought against pro-registration forces in Civil War. Lastly, their fighting styles complement each other- Cap is the sound military tactician who can direct the ultimate weapon, Superman, to victory.
1 HATE: The Incredible Hulk
Any comic fan will tell you that the Incredible Hulk varies shape and color throughout his history, but the one people are most familiar with is the good old green-skinned version who pops up when Bruce Banner gets hot under the collar. He and Superman have actually met before (in 1981’s Superman and Spider-Man) and traded blows, however, a team-up would not be feasible. Quite simply, Superman would see the Hulk’s unfocused rage as more of a hindrance than a help, as the Hulk has been known to cause extensive property damage and attack allies due to his simple mind and rage-induced stupor. The Man of Steel could not afford to babysit a maligned Hulk if a bigger task was at hand, and for this reason, would avoid a team-up altogether.