There’s a lot of questions being asked just before the third Captain America film, Civil War, hits cinemas next week. Why is everyone fighting? Does Captain America really have perfectly-punchable teeth? Does Hawkeye have a counter-boxing glove arrow? The most important question however is the obvious one: Who will win?
Now, there probably be some sort of stalemate reached in the film, when the heroes decide to stop being twats and get the hell off the airport runaway so that normal humans can experience the joys of last class on an airliner. But who’s going to win, if you take out all of that nonsense? Who has the best selection of fighters on their side?
We’re analysing that all this week, as we take a look at each fighter on either side. Naturally, we’re only examining their cinematic counterparts, because the comic book versions are already over-powered demigods. Let’s get this feature rolling then, with a pairing of the biggest and smallest heroes fighting for freedom and liberty.
Captain America
After being enhanced by the super soldier serum, Steve Rogers was reborn with physical strengths that far exceeded that of any regular human, ranging from increased intelligence, speed, agility, stamina, reflexes, durability and dexterity. The Super Soldier Serum was responsible not only for granting Rogers peak human potential, but it also amplified qualities that were already present inside of him.
Or as Dr Erksine put it, it made a good man…great.
Peak Human Enhancements
- Enhanced intelligence
- Enhanced Charisma
- Leadership Skills
- Enhanced Strength
- Enhanced Durability
- Enhanced Speed
- Enhanced Agility
- Enhanced Reflexes
- Enhanced Healing Factor
Thanks to the serum, Rogers also an enhanced healing factor that will have him back in action much faster than that of an ordinary human being. But that’s not all. After serving a lengthy tour of duty on the battlefields of World War 2, Captain America is a seasoned soldier and a leader of men. Having survived the streets of New York, Rogers quickly learnt several martial arts such as American boxing, Aikido, Judo, Jiu Jutsu, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Savate and Wing Chun.
Captain America combined all of these disciplines into a style of combat unique to him, that utilised his enhanced gifts and indestructible shield to augment even further to deadly effect and utilised against the likes of Loki, George Batroc, the Winter Soldier and an entire elevator of HYDRA assassins.
Martial Arts Skills
- American boxing
- Aikido
- Judo
- Jiu Jutsu
- Taekwondo
- Muay Thai
- Savate
- Wing Chun
While Captain America is more than capable of using various guns and other ordinance in battle, he usually prefers to let his Vibranium shield do the talking for him. Made of a rare alloy that can absorb vibrations,
Captain America has learnt how to wield it with pinpoint accuracy, using it both as a projectile and a close-quarters melee weapon. Able to bounce it off of multiple enemies, Captain America is even able to calculate exactly how hard to throw his unstoppable shield so that it always boomerangs back towards him.
After years spent stopping the HYDRA and Nazi forces of the Axis armies, Steve Rogers also learnt various tactical skills, marksman abilities with various weapons and how to speak French. But above all else, it’s Captain America’s ability to lead and inspire, that make him the hero that various other gods and superhumans would gladly follow into any battle.
An unbreakable will and an indomitable spirit, Captain America is a symbol to not only his nation of birth, but the entire world.
Ant-man
A thief, a housebreaker and a wanted criminal. But give him a chance, and you’ll find that Scott Lang can also be a hero. A former professional cat burglar who served time behind bars, Scott Lang just wanted to provide for his family and help the common man, but ran foul of the law in his less-than-legal methods of stealing from those people he considered to be criminals.
After his prison sentence in San Quentin ended, Lang became involved with scientist Hank Pym, taking up his mantle and becoming the latest Ant Man, a hero who went on to prove that size matters not.
Already an accomplished thief before he became Ant-Man, Lang was a creative thinker and a parkour expert who was capable of infiltrating various locations and out-thinking his way out of most tight jams that he found himself in. Lang is also an expert computer programmer and cyber criminal, with his stay in prison giving him the time to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering which he combined with his unconventional thinking to help him escape the Quantum Realm.
After training with Hope van Dyne, Lang also learnt how to finally throw a punch, with a crash course of martial arts that mixed Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu jitsu, judo, and aikido into a unique fighting style when combined with his Ant-Man abilities, as seen when he defeated Darren Cross and even the Falcon.
Skills
- Expert Engineer
- Expert acrobat
- Quick thinker
- Skilled fighter
As Ant-Man, Lang has access to Pym Particles, size-shifting molecules that allow him to shrink down to the size of an ant. While he may be smaller, he still has his regular-size strength but focused on a smaller scale and making him the equivalent of a human bullet. When combined with rapid shrinking and enlarging, Lang can momentarily achieve super-human levels of strength that send trained guards flying.
But beyond that however, Lang can also control insects with the use of radio and electric waves processed through his helmet. With this manipulation, Lang can summon and control hordes of insects to do his bidding. To top it all off, Lang can also use Pym Particle discs to shrink or enlarge targets that he attaches them to.
Ant-Man Powers
- Superhuman Strength
- Insect Manipulation
- Pym Particle discs
He may be the smallest man on the battlefield, but Ant-Man is the biggest hero around.
Last Updated: April 18, 2016
Admiral Chief in New York
April 18, 2016 at 15:35
Cap >>>>>>>> Ant dude
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:37
I’m pretty sure Captain America has Enhanced Leadership Skills
😛
Strawman Jim
April 19, 2016 at 11:16
The Cap got his MBA on the battlefields of World War: THE SEQUEL #Brofist
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:38
“Lang can also use Pym Particle discs to shrink or enlarge targets that he attaches them to”
He should enlarge Hulk when they fight Thanos, game over man, game over
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:40
It’s a wonder Captain America didn’t think of this. Nor the “Quick Thinker” Ant man himself.
I love plot loopholes. And shortcomings. And other stuff that when you actually look and think make superhero movies completely ridiculous.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:44
Like why can Superman detect Lois Lane is always in distress but not his own mum?
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:46
He doesn’t love his mom? I bet she doesn’t love him either. I wouldn’t.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:46
He is adopted after all
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:47
Ungrateful bastard.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:47
Innorite, he could’ve save Robin Hood dad no.1 but he didn’t.
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:48
And what about Bruce Wayne’s parents? He could’ve saved them too. Instead, he’s responsible for all the crazy in Gotham. All of it. Superhero? No, he’s the true evil overlord!
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:58
Then this could’ve happened
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 16:01
A joker is born! 😀
RinceThis
April 18, 2016 at 16:00
Well apparently Superman can hear every persons heart and tell them apart 0_O
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 16:00
He must’ve mistaken his mom Martha for a different Martha aka @hairyknees:disqus
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 18, 2016 at 16:03
He can’t tell the difference between his mom & a cabbage?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 16:09
Cabbage is the same colour as kryptonite. Coincidence?
Original Heretic
April 18, 2016 at 15:44
Or he should go down to the quantum realm again, get inside Thanos and just start rearranging atoms. I mean, throwing a few electrons around might not seem like much, but start doing that to a few particles and next thing you know, you’re forming different elements. Let’s see Thanos try pump gold through his veins instead of whatever it is he used for blood. Instant cholesterol.
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:40
So, what’s for dinner? 😛
miaau
April 18, 2016 at 15:51
Chicken, roast taters, various veg.
Why? Nachos tomorrow. Hmm. Wish it was tomorrow already.
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:53
I actually want tonight’s dinner. Yum!
RinceThis
April 18, 2016 at 15:43
Ant-Man FTW!
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:44
You spelled “what the fuck” backwards dude.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:44
XD
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 18, 2016 at 15:49
Many of the things he says are backwards.
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:50
¿u??? s??? ???l ??? o? ?u??l?? ?q plno?s ?? os
Admiral Chief in New York
April 18, 2016 at 15:52
¡u???? ????s p?no? ??? ??????? s??? u??? ?u???puo? s?? ?
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:52
(: ?????q ? ?oo? ?l???? ?p?ddo?s ????u ??
Admiral Chief in New York
April 18, 2016 at 15:54
¡poo?
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:55
…
RinceThis
April 18, 2016 at 15:52
You shut up!
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:57
D: .hguoht daer ot redrah neve eb lliw siht teb I
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:44
A relatable character for you I’m sure 😛
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:44
LOL
RinceThis
April 18, 2016 at 15:52
He’d kick your arse 😛
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:54
Not if I sat on him first
Admiral Chief in New York
April 18, 2016 at 15:54
You want to sit on Rince?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:55
I dunno, do they celebrate Christmas?
Admiral Chief in New York
April 18, 2016 at 15:58
Only on the day a partridge sits in the pear tree
Pariah
April 18, 2016 at 15:58
?dnaL apmooL apmoO s’ecniR ni yad yreve ,esac taht ni ,oS
Admiral Chief in New York
April 18, 2016 at 15:51
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3905/14639521978_e16e95fd86_b.jpg
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 18, 2016 at 15:54
ANTHONY!
Admiral Chief in New York
April 18, 2016 at 15:54
xD!!!!!
RinceThis
April 18, 2016 at 15:58
The monster!
Shan
April 18, 2016 at 16:21
I strike again! I am the REAL Batman!
Strawman Jim
April 19, 2016 at 11:15
BATMAN!!!
SHUT UP JIM!!
ok I’ll leave now!