The Ultimate Ultimate #2 , Corrected: The Ultimate Weapon's Master

[Vigil]

The problem with thes pollsis that I always forget someone who's a no brainer and should be in these things and then I have to kick myself later and go"D'oh! What kind of idiot leaves Cheshire and Richard Dragon out of a best fighters poll?!". So, in an effort not to look completey foolish, I'm taking the easy way out and including an "other" write in ballot here. There! That solves that. Hah, ha! I'm still the greatest criminal pollster who ever lived!

The name of this one says it all, it's the other half of the Ultimate Ultimate....the greatest weapon's master in all comicdom. Narrowing this one down was way tricky. Do you include obviously vastly superhuman characters like Thor? He wields Mjolnir, which is the most recognizable weapon in all of comics. Is GL's ring a weapon? Yes and no, I guess. It doesn't look like one but it cetainly seems to act like one at times. Tricky tricky tricky.

Again the criteria are the same, not simply the most powerful but the all around best is what I'm loking for: the most resourceful, intelligent, brilliant weaponeer out there. So, once again, let's get ready to rummmmmmmbllllllle!


Vigil


And now..here's the poll! Bwah ha ha ha ha ha!

[Jeff T.]

Since he handles many weapons as good as the folks who are the absolute best with each of their particular weapons, I would think it would be Taskmaster.

[Lord Mhoram]

I went with Ollie on this one.

[levi]

I voted for him, but I don't know that it is fair to include Taskmaster. He is quite skilled in his own right and by just watching anyone else on the list, he becomes as skilled as they are. For versatility and plain old deadliness...make mine Taskmaster!

[JmOz]

I went with GA I

Here is why: It was to me between 4 people: Captain America, Green Arrow I or II, and Hawkeye

Captain America: He's good, but he is all about the fighting
Hawkeye: Is ironically the opposite problem, he's a great archer, one of the best, but that is where he stops. His quiver was desined by Iron Man IIRC (at least most of his gadgets)

Conner: Best with his weapon on the list, but again he is all about the skill with the bow

GA I: He built his own arrows, he is as good as hawkeye, and close to GA II, has the years of expereince, simply put he is the whole package

Taskmaster gets a note here: He's good, but he will always be second as all he can do is copy

[Madstone]

...Conner: Best with his weapon on the list, but again he is all about the skill with the bow

GA I: He built his own arrows, he is as good as hawkeye, and close to GA II, has the years of expereince, simply put he is the whole package...

Waitaminnit...Conner is better than Ollie? When did this happen?

[Hermit]

I went with Hawkeye, it was the 'resourceful' thing that got me and pushed him over Green Arrow for me, by a notch. I've read too many Hawkeye comics (and to be fair, probably not enough Green Arrow ones) where Clint has proven himself to think fast on his feet and use his arrows in ways beyond the typical. Deafening himself with a sonic arrowhead to keep mind control devices from affecting him, leaving an electric arrow on the ground so Iron Man might recharge himself with it in the next rumble with the Examiner; just to name a few. I know some will claim that's not real mastery of the weapon, but it certainly has seemed clever to me at the time.

Maybe a touch of nostalgia for ole Hawkeye is also influencing my vote , I confess it.

[JmOz]

Waitaminnit...Conner is better than Ollie? When did this happen?

Just how I read it...I don't think it was ever clearly stated, but the difference is slight (Then again Ollie is a meta-human, I beleive both his son and daughter are as well)

[Lord Mhoram]

Maybe a touch of nostalgia for ole Hawkeye is also influencing my vote , I confess it.

Yah, you're just voting for the teammate. :-)


Ya Know Hermit it's interesting we seem to have fairly similar taste in comics and comic characters, but I tend the DC versions and you the Marvel.

[freakboy6117]

hermit you must admit comapred to Hawkeye Green Arrow I had a vastly superior death and (i know hawkeye hasn't had one yet but i figure its only a matter of time) ressurrection.

[Hermit]

Yah, you're just voting for the teammate. :-)


Ya Know Hermit it's interesting we seem to have fairly similar taste in comics and comic characters, but I tend the DC versions and you the Marvel.

Oh, I was very much more a Marvel Zombie in my youth (though I enjoyed some 80's DC fare in the vein of the Blue Devil, the slightly silly Justice League, etc) before I started slacking off on my fanboy duties. My chief experiences with Green Arrow were his team ups with Green Lantern in the 70s so I've missed (i'm told) some great stories that came later. So I admit that I have 'incomplete evidence' for many DC characters.

I know some think GA has it all over Hawkeye because "Hey, Green Arrow used his archery skill to survive! Hawkeye was just a trickshot artist" My thought is that trickshot artists do some pretty impossible shots, and it's not to be discounted so cavalierly. Perhaps Oliver started out faster on the draw (Had to be before the food can get away) where Clint was originally better at called shots BUT even if tha'ts true their respective careers as super heroes have polished areas they might be lacking. Hence, the resourcefulness being the big factor for me.

Otherwise you have an JL/Avengers cross over where you watch the two plug away at a contest each and every time they meet with nothing resolved

[Hermit]

hermit you must admit comapred to Hawkeye Green Arrow I had a vastly superior death and (i know hawkeye hasn't had one yet but i figure its only a matter of time) ressurrection.

Don't got admit nuthin, I can play Pharoah and be King O Denial if I wanna!


You're probably right though.

[Telefrog]

Ollie by a "longshot" and besides, he's got mad experience!

[Vigil]

The experience thing is an intersting element here. While it's true that Taskmaster can duplicate any reflex/style/physical motion he can see or watches there's a few resistors to him to him being straight out number one here. First, he's only human. I don't think he has the caliber of athleticism of Cap and is well below Deathstroke and way below Deathlok in STR, DEX, SPD, etc. The second, probably more ephemeral but probably more important element is experience. Just cause Taskmaster can duplicate Cap's throwing technique, doesn't mean he can duplicate Cap's experience or battle savvy. This sounds like another Cap rant and I think the evidence to support him, even in this category is pretty overwhelming. Which is why I chose Deahlok. I mean look at him, way superhuman STR, computer aided/targeted reflexes, a maser that will punch big hole in the Thing...with out even being on max, superhuman resilience and toughness. He can take a licking and hand out an even worse one. He's like a super duper Deathstroke.

[Vigil]

Of course, amoong the worthies who should have been on this list who I forgot were The Punisher and Hawkman. Damn I knew I'd forgot a bunch of A lisers but that's what the other vote is for.