POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD so read on at your own risk. Or don’t, it’s up to you.
After much anticipation and hooplah, Captain Marvel is finally out in cinemas and to no one’s surprise, it is pretty damn good.
While there were many highlights in the film (Nick Fury being a closet crazy cat lady is definitely one), the big question going into the film was where did Carol Danvers fit into the grand scheme of things in terms of the MCU and the Avengers, especially since Captain Marvel essentially leads into the upcoming Avengers: Endgame.
Both those answers are pretty well answered in Carol Danvers’ origin story but having seen what she can do, another interesting question popped up in my head: how many members of the Avengers can Carol beat up?
Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige has said that Captain Marvel is “by far the most powerful character” in the MCU and so the GOAT decided to dive deep into this claim.
Carol’s list of powers and abilities is pretty impressive. She’s got the usual skillset of superhuman strength, speed, and durability, which is topped off by her ability to fire powerful photon blasts from her hands (which also allows her to fly at near-light speed).
Now to keep this nice and easy, we’re covering all “official” Avengers members plus “honourary” members who might as well be an Avenger, such as the Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange.
Having covered what every member of The Avengers were up to during Captain Marvel, it’s time to find out how much Avenger ass Carol can kick.
She’s ready to rumble.
Tony Stark
It’ll start off pretty evenly as Tony will keep up the pace against Carol with his gadgets and savvy. But the Iron Man armor will lose durability quicker than Carol, allowing her to emerge victorious.
Verdict: Carol wins, albeit with a struggle.
Thor
Talk about a battle for the ages. Both heroes’ strength and durability are about on par, she’s got Kree blood in her while he’s literally a god, and Thor’s lightning is a decent match against Carol’s photon blasts. While Carol can fly at near-light speed, Thor has his Stormbreaker weapon. This fight may come down to the littlest things, like choice of battlefield or what they had for breakfast.
Verdict: Too close to call.
Bruce Banner/Hulk
Hulk will take Carol initially by surprise due to his aggression and brute force. But once Carol figures this out, her photon blasts and far greater maneuverability will overcome Hulk.
Verdict: Carol to out-savvy Hulk in the second round.
Steve Rogers
With the inability to fly or powers of any sort, Steve will have to rely on his superior hand-to-hand combat skills. While this will keep him in the fight, Carol will eventually lose patience at not being able to knock him down and resort to using her flight ability and photon blasts.
Verdict: Capt will put up a good fight but won’t be able to do this all day against Carol.
Natasha Romanoff
Same outcome as Steve Rogers, except it’ll be over sooner as Natasha doesn’t have the benefit of super soldier serum pumping through her veins.
Verdict: First round TKO to Carol.
Peter Parker
Peter’s maneuverability and agility is a match for Carol and his webbing will give her headaches. But Carol’s photon power will eradicate any attempt from Peter to web her up while her flying speed and combat experience will be too much for the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man to handle.
Verdict: He’s got heart but it’s not enough against the experienced Carol.
He’s just happy that he lasted as long as he did against Carol.
James Rhodes
Rhodey’s firepower pales in comparison to Carol’s photon blast and his suit is slow and clunky against her flight speed. Carol will run and fly circles around poor Rhodey.
Verdict: It’s definitely gonna hurt him more than it’ll hurt her.
Doctor Strange
Doc’s power is no match in a straight head-to-head battle against Carol but he is definitely more savvy and trickier than she is and that will keep him in the battle longer than expected. At least the quips will be off the charts.
Verdict: Either Carol knocks out Doc or he manages to mystic art his way into a draw with his powers.
T’Challa
The Black Panther is a warrior through and through but he is no unmovable object to Carol’s unstoppable force, no matter how much vibranium he has tucked away in his suit.
Verdict: A top-of-the-line suit and tech from Shuri, a lifetime of training, and ingesting weird purple flowers won’t be enough for the Black Panther to take down Carol.
Vision
Now this is quite difficult to pit since he’s, you know, dead as of Infinity War. But if he were still functioning, his Infinity Stone power would give Carol fits. However, one well-placed photon blast to the stone in his forehead and he’s toast.
Verdict: N/A since he’s already dead.
Wanda Maximoff
If this fight took place somewhere with a lot of junk and big things to throw around, Wanda would last a decent amount of time before Carol either gets past everything thrown at her or Wanda runs out of junk. Otherwise it’s Carol by a landslide because Wanda’s power isn’t really for combat and she doesn’t have the speed to get close enough to Carol to use her crazy mind magic.
Verdict: Second round TKO to Carol.
Sam Wilson
Sam is like a less artillery-heavy but much more maneuverable version of War Machine, but that is still nowhere near enough to take on Carol.
Verdict: Falcon will get his wings clipped by Carol.
The losers club.
Bucky
Basically Steve Rogers all over again, minus the gritty determination and plus one metal arm. Still not a winning combo against Carol.
Verdict: Bucky will lose the fight and maybe his arm. Again.
Peter Quill
Sure Starlord has his tricks and blasters but Carol will swat him away like an annoying fly.
Verdict: Starlord will get his ass handed to him but not after he and Carol bond over 90’s tunes.
Gamora
Gamora’s deadly combat skills and sword ability will keep Carol honest for a bit until the battle settles in and Carol starts figuring out Gamora. Definitely a good battle in the works.
Verdict: Carol but a respectable performance from the green-skinned assassin.
Rocket Raccoon
Unless Rocket can build some crazy cosmic cannon of sorts, he’s got no chance. If anything, his quips will annoy Carol so much she will make sure this irritating trash panda shuts up for a long time.
Verdict: Rocket will wish he was in a test tube again.
Groot
Groot has the reach but that’s really it. Carol will fly circles around poor Groot and methodically take him apart in various ways, literally.
Verdict: Anyone need firewood?
Clint Barton
Hawkeye may be a kickass archer but even he isn’t fast enough to hit Carol. That’s really all he had as he sure as hell can’t match her in any other category.
Verdict: First round TKO for Carol, after which she’ll babysit his kids as an apology.
Scott Lang
Ant-Man’s speed and power is lacking but his ability to shrink will keep him in the fight long enough to annoy Carol or find a way out of the battle. Giant Ant-Man is too slow to do anything against the quick and nimble Carol.
Verdict: Carol will squash him or he’ll manage to escape. Sorry Scott, no orange slices for you.