Let's meet the combatants:
MATCH 1: X Marks the Spot
JEAN GREY
Sometimes known also as Marvel Girl (and, on a bad day, The Phoenix), Jean Grey is a mutant telepath and a founding member of the X-Men. One of the most potentially powerful mutants, she struggles to channel and control her abilities with mixed results.
Pros
* Born with extremely powerful telekinetic and telepathic abilities.
* Believes in mutant equality arguably more than anyone, and strives to make the world a better place.
* Utterly selfless with a limitless capacity for love.
Cons
* When under the influence of the Phoenix Force, can easily turn into a chaotic font of destruction.
* Poor taste in men.
* Has a reputation for dying often, even though her death count is modest compared to some.
NIGHTCRAWLER
Abandoned as an infant for his...unique...appearance, Kurt Wagner was raised by a traveling Bavarian circus. He grew up happy, until one village discovered he wasn't wearing a costume. Saved from the torches and pitchforks by Charles Xavier, Kurt joined the X-Men under the name Nightcrawler and has been a steady rotational team member ever since.
Pros
* Able to instantly teleport over great distances.
* His dark-furred skin allows him to blend perfectly into shadows.
* Is extremely agile, which feeds his love of romantic swashbuckling.
Cons
* Unable to go out into the real world without a personal hologram projector.
* As a devout Catholic, he often struggles with the morality of what he must do.
* The smoke left behind by his teleportation has a noxious brimstone quality about it.
***
MATCH 2: Gotham Rogues
THE PENGUIN
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot was born as prime bullying material - short, squat, and with a beaky nose. In some tales he was rejected or abandoned by his high-society family. In others, his mother at least kept him - far too close. In any case, as the black sheep of Gotham City's elite, he knew a life of crime would put him in a position of power. He might even bring a classier alternative to the common riff-raff. After all, a Penguin is always dressed for the occasion.
Pros
* Shrewd and calculating.
* Very mechanically inclined, as evidenced by his trick umbrellas.
* When not on a crime spree, is the owner and operator of the popular Iceberg Lounge
Cons
* Not very fit.
* Easily frustrated.
* Smokes too much.
THE RIDDLER
What do you get when you mix a genius intellect with a complete and utter lack of positive reinforcement? The answer: Edward Nygma. Always the smartest person in the room and never given the proper respect, Nygma decides to take what others refuse to give him. However, being obsessed with puzzles and battles of wits, The Riddler literally cannot help but leave elaborate clues daring the law to try and stop him. Unfortunately for him, he's not the only genius in Gotham City who's good at puzzles...
Pros
* Staggering IQ.
* Slender frame good for dodging.
* Occasionally willing to help the law with cases - even became a legit PI once.
Cons
* Egomaniacal.
* Poor social skills.
* Literally cannot help himself from giving clues and speaking in riddles.
***
Final Verdict
I think I had to make the Jean/Nightcrawler choice in a video game once, except as part of a villain's Sadistic Choice. Like last week, I have my preferences, but they're all solid entries who deserve a spot.
As always, make sure you're viewing the WEB version of the site and vote in the
polls (remember, there are two now) on the right-hand side of the screen. Polls close Friday, and
results posted on Saturday. Feel free to discuss your picks in the
comments below.
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