10 Greatest Hero vs. Hero Fights in Marvel History

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Marvel is famous for having its superheroes fight each other – it’s a common and popular storyline, often used when heroes first meet. Marvel noticed fans enjoyed debating who would win these battles, and has delivered plenty of them over the years. While some might argue these conflicts have become overused in recent events, a well-executed hero-versus-hero fight can be incredibly entertaining.

For decades, Marvel Comics has delivered incredibly exciting fights between its heroes – battles that fans still discuss today. These rivalries make the conflicts even more compelling, and we’ve picked ten of the absolute best to showcase the greatest superhero clashes ever written.

10. Punisher vs Daredevil from Punisher (Vol. 5) #3

Daredevil has worked with many heroes, but he constantly clashes with the Punisher. They’re always fighting, largely because Daredevil refuses to kill, while the Punisher sees him as too soft. Although Daredevil usually wins his battles – he’s incredibly powerful – the Punisher has surprisingly defeated him on several occasions. One particularly memorable fight happened in *The Punisher* (Vol. 5) #3, published in 2000. During a conflict with the Gnucci crime family, the Punisher and Daredevil came to blows. The Punisher gained the upper hand, knocking Daredevil unconscious, chaining him up, and then presented a cruel choice: Daredevil had to shoot the Punisher to stop him from killing a mobster. Daredevil went through with it, pulling the trigger, only to discover the gun wasn’t loaded. This intense encounter perfectly highlights the deep-seated animosity between these two characters.

9. Thor vs. Iron Man from Thor (Vol. 3) #3

Following the *Civil War* storyline and leading into the Heroic Age, there were many memorable battles between heroes. A lot of these fights involved Iron Man, who many fans saw as the antagonist of *Civil War*. One particularly satisfying clash happened in *Thor* (Vol. 3) #3. After returning from the events of “Thor Disassembled,” Thor discovered what Iron Man had done during *Civil War*. When Iron Man tried to reason with him, Thor reacted angrily, leading to a fantastic fight. Although Iron Man’s armor was incredibly strong, Thor easily defeated him, making it clear he only spared his life. For fans who didn’t like Iron Man’s actions, it was a very rewarding moment, and it remains a great scene even today.

8. Spider-Man vs. Colossus and Magik from Avengers Vs. X-Men #9

While not everyone loves the *Avengers Vs. X-Men* storyline, it delivered some fantastic battles between heroes. One of the best was Spider-Man against Phoenix-powered Colossus and Magik. The Avengers were raiding the Phoenix Five’s prison in Limbo to free captured teammates when Colossus and Magik arrived. Spider-Man bravely stayed behind to fight, and though he took a severe beating, he managed to outsmart them. He used psychological tactics to turn Colossus and Magik against each other, causing them to lose their Phoenix powers and weakening the Phoenix Five. This fight showcased Spider-Man’s heroic spirit and remains a fan favorite (and it’s just one of several great Spider-Man battles you’ll find on this list).

7. Storm Vs. Cyclops in Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #201

In an issue of *Uncanny X-Men*, Storm and Cyclops faced off to determine who would lead the team. Storm challenged Cyclops for the leadership position, initiating a duel, despite being powerless at the time. The fight highlighted Storm’s skill and experience, honed from her time on the streets of Cairo, allowing her to outmaneuver Cyclops. Many fans often underestimate Storm, focusing on her powers, but this fight proved how dangerous she is even without them. Ultimately, Storm won the battle and went on to guide the X-Men through some of their most challenging periods.

6. Wolverine vs. Cyclops from X-Men: Schism #4-5

Wolverine and Cyclops have a long history of tension, but it rarely turned into a physical fight—until the events of *X-Men: Schism* issues #4 and #5. The conflict erupted when Wolverine discovered Cyclops had instructed the young mutant Oya (later known as Temper) to eliminate some enemies. This sparked a heated argument that quickly escalated into a full-blown fight. Beautifully illustrated by Alan Davis and Adam Kubert, the battle showcased how evenly matched the two heroes were. It was a truly iconic showdown that significantly altered the power dynamics within the X-Men comics for years to come.

5. Wolverine vs. Hulk in The Incredible Hulk #340

Wolverine is known for his tough fights, and one of his most famous occurred in *The Incredible Hulk* #340. When the Gray Hulk was accused of causing a plane crash, Wolverine went after him, leading to a relentless, all-out brawl. Both fighters pushed themselves to new limits of aggression. Because the Gray Hulk was less powerful than his usual green form, Wolverine gained an upper hand and nearly won. However, the Hulk’s incredible healing ability allowed him to recover and ultimately overpower Wolverine. This fight is a legendary moment in Marvel history and is widely considered the best battle ever between the Hulk and Wolverine.

4. Hulk vs. the Illuminati from World War Hulk #1

The *World War Hulk* storyline is packed with action, but the best fight happens right at the beginning. Hulk targets the Illuminati, starting with Black Bolt. He withstands Black Bolt’s full power – though some fans point out it was a Skrull impersonator – and quickly defeats him. Hulk then heads to Earth to confront Doctor Strange, Mister Fantastic, and Iron Man. Iron Man tries to stop him with his most powerful Hulkbuster armor yet, but Hulk easily overpowers him, smashing him through Avengers Tower. It’s a brutal and intense battle, showcasing just how dangerous Hulk can be (a close second to the fight in *Hulk vs. the Sentry* #5).

3. Captain America vs. Iron Man from Civil War #7

The *Civil War* comic book series featured several exciting battles between heroes, but the most memorable was the final showdown. After numerous smaller fights, the heroes who supported and opposed the Registration Act clashed in *Civil War* #7, with Captain America and Iron Man at the center of it all. While Captain America lost their first fight in *Civil War* #4, he came prepared this time with a piece of SHIELD technology that could weaken Iron Man’s armor. Cap used his speed and skill to stay ahead of Iron Man, and even broke the faceplate of his armor with his shield. He would have defeated Iron Man completely, but civilians intervened, forcing Cap to surrender to prevent further damage.

2. Spider-Man vs. the X-Men from Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #3

The 12-part comic series *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* was a huge action-packed event that matched Marvel’s biggest heroes against their most notorious villains. At the time, the X-Men were often looked down upon because their leader, Magneto, was fighting alongside them instead of the villains. In issue #3, Spider-Man clashed with the X-Men – Cyclops, Rogue, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, and Nightcrawler. Spider-Man used his spider-sense and quick movements to outmaneuver the mutants and defeat them convincingly. It’s a particularly exciting fight and is widely considered the best battle in this iconic 1980s series.

1. Spider-Man vs. Wolverine in Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1

Though Spider-Man and Wolverine are close allies today, Wolverine wasn’t always popular, and for a long time, only the X-Men were fans. As his popularity grew in the 1980s, Wolverine appeared in several team-ups, with the standout being *Spider-Man vs. Wolverine* #1. The two heroes clashed because of a woman from Wolverine’s past who asked him to kill her rather than be captured by the Soviets. Spider-Man attempted to rescue her, leading to an incredible battle. Wolverine proved a worthy opponent, but ultimately lost. Tragically, the woman got what she wanted: she ambushed Spider-Man, and he instinctively reacted with a powerful punch, accidentally killing her. This encounter was far more than just a fight – it’s considered one of the greatest battles in Marvel history.

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2025-10-16 15:24