My older brother teased me recently when he heard me talking about Godzilla films with an acquaintance that Superman could beat Godzilla. I just wrote it off as him being a jack-ass as usual, but it did get my imagination running. So David, remember, this one's your fault!
OK, The Man of Steel vs The King of The Monsters. This argument is not as clear cut as it seems simply because it depends on one big factor. Which version of Superman and which version of Godzilla are we talking about? Both characters have undergone many upgrades, in terms of powers, ability and personality, over the many years they've been in existence (Godzilla for over 50 years, Supes for over 70).
But thankfully, for the sake of keeping this essay going too long, there are three distinct periods for each character that we can nail down regarding power levels and thus come to some conclusions regarding a possible match.
Age before beauty, let's start with the oldest character, Kal-El of Krypton and his three "ages" of power:
The Golden Age Superman (1930's-1940's): Premiering in Action Comics #1 in 1939, The Golden Age incarnation of Superman was surprisingly underpowered compared to his future incarnations. To start with, he couldn't fly! Only able to leap long and high distances. (Flight would be added later during his popular radio show, where his famous phrase "Up, up and away!" came from.) Telescopic vision but no X-Ray vision, heat vision or cold breath. Had super-speed and endurance and super-senses but not sure how powerful those abilities were. I do know that while he was bullet-proof, a tank shell could hurt him and his strength could make him lift a car or tank, but anything heavier could give him problems.
The Silver Age Superman (late 1950's-mid 1970's): To put it mildly, The Superman of the Silver Age didn't have his powers cranked to 11, he broke the knob and blew out the speakers! All of the over the top abilities fans associated with Supes originated during this run of the character. Some abilities were used once, then forgotten about because the writers came up with them off the cuff for the sake of finishing the story! All a reflection of the kinda over the top adversaries Superman faced off against during this time. (Aliens, giant monsters, The full-on mad scientist version of Lex Luthor, The Bizzaro World, magic users to name a few). Oh and according to one website, he could also be kinda of a dick!
The Modern Age Superman (1980's to now): Modern Age Superman was stripped of his crazier abilities from the Silver Age and toned down to his base powers (Flight, Near god-like strength, speed and endurance plus x-ray, telescopic and heat vision, super senses and breath). Still the strongest of all super-heroes in the DC Universe but he could be hurt by anything or anybody that is equal or over his strength level which includes a number of heavy hitters on both the hero and villain sides.
OK, now for the King of Kaiju! Just as Superman had his distinct eras, so too did Godzilla. (The first two "eras" of Godzilla films refers to the then current Emperor of Japan.)
The Showa Era (1954-1975): Premiering in Japan in 1954 (Then in America in 1955 with Raymond Burr edited in), the first Godzilla film established Godzilla's core powers (Atomic fire breath, amphibious abilities, invulnerable to conventional weapons, tremendous strength and an ability to heal quickly from damage.) with only a few exceptions across the series. (Flying in Godzilla vs Hedorah and magnetic ability in Godzilla vs Mecha-Godzilla). The only weapon able to "kill" him (The Oxygen Destroyer) was used only once (In the first film) due to the creator killing himself with Godzilla (So it would not fall into the wrong hands) Personality-wise, Godzilla would quickly go from being a savage monster and metaphor for the A-bomb to a giant economy size super hero. That was partly to draw in kids who became more of the core audience and because the films were losing out to TV shows like Ultraman which featured monster action for free.
The Heisei Era (1984-1999): After 1975, Godzilla was retired. But nine years later, was brought back in 1984 in The Return of Godzilla (Known in the States as Godzilla:1985). Then, starting with 1989, with Godzilla vs Biollante, a new series was created made of a total of seven films ending with Godzilla vs Destroyah. The series was a reboot of the Godzilla franchise with the first 1954 film as it's base. Godzilla was upgraded in size and mass, but his core powers remained the same, although more powerful than they were in the Showa series. He was also given the ability to absorb and feed off of radiation which fueled his powers. Here, Godzilla was depicted as a living force of nature akin to an earthquake or a hurricane (and about as easy to stop). If he fought monsters (Which he did) it was less being a hero and more like a wolf protecting his turf.
The Millennium Era (2000-2004): Starting with Godzilla: 2000 and ending with Godzilla: Final Wars with a total of six movies. This series is...confusing. You see, while the Heisei and Showa series had their own internal continuity, each movie in the Millennium series, with two exceptions (Godzilla x Mecha-Godzilla and Godzilla:Tokyo SOS) basically have their own internal continuity with 1954 as their base. Godzilla's abilities stayed the same with each film. Although Final Wars had him in a form similar to his late Showa super hero form in terms of speed and fighting.
OK, stats outta the way, let's see how each would do against each other. Keep in mind, we're talking about a straight physical fight. Also keep in mind that:
1. Being smaller, it can be harder for Superman to get in blows that might have effect.
2. Superman, being a thinking being would normally be using both his brain and brawn.
Oh, and if it's late Showa Era Godzilla and any Superman...it wouldn't be a fight, it'd be a team-up! Probably against Lex Luthor and King Ghidorah!
Golden Age Superman vs any Godzilla-I hate to say it, but unless he used his head and fast, Golden Age Supes would be toast! Either version of Godzilla is automatically stronger than him, plus you have to factor in Godzilla'a fire breath and the radiation the early Godzilla gave off. Sorry kids, but in a straight fight, Kal-El 1.0 would be history before he made it.
Silver Age Superman vs any Godzilla-No contest! Silver Age Superman-The guy juggled planets for God's sake!
Modern Age Superman vs any Godzilla-Keep in mind that with Modern Age Supes being able to be hurt by anybody with power equal or over his, it'd be a tough contest. I can see him scoring a victory against the early Showa Godzilla, but it'd be close with the Heisei and Millennium era G's. Honestly could go either way.
And one more factor to consider. David, I know you are technically right in that he could do it, but let's face it. One of the main points about Superman is THAT HE DOES NOT KILL! Even a beast as brutal as Godzilla, Superman would do everything to avoid killing him. If it were a battle where any version of Superman used both his brains and strength, it'd be less a physical brawl and more of Superman using his abilities to divert Godzilla away from wherever he's headed or terrorizing.
So one score for Godzilla, One for Supes and a tie for both. Now shut up Dave and quit trying to annoy my inner geek.
Besides, everybody knows Grandizer would kick both their asses! ;-)
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