Tom Holland’sSpider-Manhas come a long way in theMCU, and I firmly believe that he could beat many fellow superheroes in a fight.Spider-Man’s MCU debutinCaptain America: Civil Warimmediately showed how powerful the MCU’s wall-crawler can be, even when he was at his most inexperienced. Since then, Spidey has held his own against some incredibly powerful villains, including Thanos and nearly every villain from theSpider-Man movies of yesteryear.
Now, Spider-Man has matured significantly and has had plenty of opportunities to hone his powers.Spider-Man’s strength in the MCUis already staggering, though it is unclear if he yet has the power to match his comic book counterpart. Nevertheless, plenty of evidence in the MCU and Marvel Comics gives us a good idea of how Spidey would fare in a fair fight with some of the MCU’s foremost superheroes, such as the following.
15There Are Many Ways Spider-Man Can Beat Hawkeye
Hawkeye Is Reliant On His Trick Arrows
Hawkeye is famously (and perhaps unfairly) belittled asa less powerful Avenger. While he boasts near-superhuman accuracy, he is reliant on his arsenal of trick arrows to gain the upper hand againstthe MCU’s most powerful villains. Despite his physical shortcomings,he managed to outwit Loki with an exploding arrow inThe Avengersand held his own against Thanos' armies.
Short of some serious luck on Hawkeye’s side, this battle feels like a no-contest bout.
Nevertheless,not even Hawkeye’s trickiest arrows could counter Spider-Man’s superior spider-sense. Additionally, Spider-Man can easily disable Hawkeye’s one mode of attack - his bow - with a well-placed web. Short of some serious luck on Hawkeye’s side, this battle feels like a no-contest bout.
14Black Widow Concedes A Fight With Spider-Man In Marvel Comics
Black Widow Is No Match For Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense
Black Widow stands alongside Hawkeye as something of an outlier in the Avengers lineup, asshe has no superpowers to speak of. Instead, she has honed her skills to become the world’s foremost assassin. Like Hawkeye, she stood up to some immensely powerful adversaries in the MCU, like Ultron and his drones. Her lack of superpowers already puts Black Widow on a major back foot against Spider-Man, whose super strength, super agility, and spider-sense would be suitable counters toBlack Widow’s skills and tech.
Although the two were on the same side inCaptain America: Civil Warand haven’t otherwise had cause to fight in the MCU, comic book precedent dictates that Black Widow would lose in a fight with Spider-Man. In “The Spectacular Spider-Man #1,“Black Widow blinds Spider-Man, but she still cannot land a hit as his spider-sense allows him to dodge her attacks. She gets close to besting Spider-Man in “Amazing Spider-Man #86,” she eventually concedes the battle as Spider-Man webs her venom-sting bracelets.
13Spider-Man Defeated The New Captain America In Captain America: Civil War
Spider-Man Fought And Incapacitated Sam Wilson As Falcon
Although Steve Rogers' super soldier constitution and superior battle experience may give Spider-Man a run for his money, Sam Wilson isn’t afforded the same litany of powers.Sam Wilson stood up to Red Hulk inCaptain America: Brave New Worldthrough his agility and vibranium supersuit. He ultimately gained the upper hand, however, by talking Red Hulk down and out of his rage.
As a good guy, the same tactic wouldn’t work on Spider-Man (depending on the context, of course). Even in his most kitted-out stage in the current MCU, Sam Wilson would still be outpaced by Spider-Man’s agility.Spider-Man has already proved that he can surpass Sam Wilson’s superior combat experienceinCaptain America: Civil War, where he capably subdued Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes simultaneously.
12Spider-Man Already Overpowered A Powerful Thunderbolts Member
The Thunderbolts Aren’t As Powerful As The Avengers
The Thunderbolts are due to embrace superheroics inThunderbolts*, but the team of down-and-out antiheroes and reformed villains is far from themost powerful heroes in the MCU. Withtwo super-assassins, three super soldiers, and the quantum-phasing Ghost, their powers arguably pale in comparison to the Avengers. If pitted against Spider-Man individually, it’s hard to see how any Thunderbolts member could gain the upper hand.
Super-Assassin and perfect mimicry
Ava Starr/Ghost
Quantum phasing
Arguablythe strongest member of the Thunderbolts,Bucky Barnes, was already defeated by Spider-Man inCaptain America: Civil War. Red Guardian, meanwhile, is out of practice, and John Walker proves he doesn’t have Steve Rogers' resolve inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Spidey’s spider-sense would give him the upper hand against Ghost, while Yelena Belova and Taskmaster would offer a similar challenge to Natasha Romanoff’s Black Widow.
11The Young Avengers Are Too Inexperienced For Spider-Man
Spider-Man Is Now An Experienced Avengers Member
The MCU is gearing up toadapt the Young Avengers, as proven by Kamala Khan recruiting Kate Bishop at the end ofThe Marvels. Manypotential Young Avengers candidateshave been making their way to the MCU, with varying degrees of demonstrated power levels. Whilethese Young Avengers have already faced off against many powerful enemies, they have typically achieved this so far as part of a team, including older, more experienced heroes. While some, like Wiccan, could give Spider-Man a run for his money, many would struggle, including:
The reason Spider-Man could individually beat each of these in a straight fight is experience. Although he is still one of the younger Avengers,Spider-Man boasts several years of experience facing enemies like Thanos. Add this to his overall prowess and superpowers, and it’s hard to see how a character like Cassie Lang could come out on top.
10Spider-Man Outsmarted Doctor Strange In No Way Home
Spider-Man’s Intelligence Was Enough To Ensnare Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is one of the most powerful superheroes in the MCU. As a master of the mystic arts,he has access to a multidimensional litany of mystical powers, though he has since lost access to the immensely powerful time stone. I admit that I find it baffling that Strange was unable to defeat characters like Thanos, especially with the help of his fellow Avengers on Titan, when we have seen him sever limbs with his portals.
Perhaps even more baffling, however, is the fact thathe was bested by Spider-Man inSpider-Man: No Way Home. While Doctor Strange wasn’t attempting to kill Spider-Man, the wall-crawler demonstrated how his spider-sense and genius intellect can outwit Strange, even in the Mirror Dimension, with which he has plenty of experience. Based on this fact, I’m convinced that Spider-Man could repeat his success if another tussle were to break out between them.
9Daredevil Was Able To Defeat Echo
Echo Isn’t Shown To Be Particularly Powerful
Echo is arecently introduced MCU herowho starred in her self-titled Marvel Spotlight spin-off. Here,she was proven to be a capable hand-to-hand combatantwho could make short work of Kingpin’s lackeys. When she embraces her ancestral powers towards the end of the series, she is also able to defeat Kingpin himself.
Echo’s powers call upon the skills of her ancestors, one of which is healing.
Nevertheless,I find it hard to believe that her powers are enough to subdue Spider-Man in a straight fight. Given that Daredevil was able to get the upper hand on Echo in the past, the fact that Daredevil would also struggle against Spider-Man convinces me that Echo wouldn’t stand a chance. It’s unclear, however, whether Echo will re-emerge in the MCU whatsoever.
8Spider-Man Uses Star Wars To Floor Giant-Man In Civil War
Spider-Man Already Proved Himself Against Scott Lang
Ant-Man is a surprisingly powerfulcharacter when he concocts the correct tactics in a fight. He has proven to be a significant foil against Iron Man twice. For example, first disabling his weapons while ant-sized inCaptain America: Civil War, and then causing past Tony Stark to have a heart attack inAvengers: Endgame.He was also seen felling a Chitauri Leviathan during the Battle of Earthwhile fighting as Giant-Man.
While Spider-Man did receive assistance at that moment, it still proved how strong his webbing is and that it could be a useful tool in a subsequent fight.
Nevertheless, Spider-Man has also proven that his quick thinking is enough to get the upper hand on Giant-Man. Evoking the iconic Battle of Hoth inStar Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,Spider-Man uses his incredibly strong webbing to tie Giant-Man in knotsbefore Iron Man and War Machine knock him down. While Spider-Man did receive assistance at that moment, it still proved how strong his webbing is and that it could be a useful tool in a subsequent fight.
7Spider-Man’s Reflexes Outperform Black Panther
Black Panther Respects Spider-Man’s Power In Marvel Comics
Black Panther was also introduced inCaptain America: Civil War, wherehis powers were swiftly demonstrated in his tenacious pursuit of Bucky Barnes. Later, it is revealed that T’Challa received his powers from the heart-shaped herb and his specially-made vibranium suit. Along with his extensive combat experience, Black Panther is one of the most formidable heroes in the MCU.
Nevertheless, Spider-Man can give Black Panther a real challenge, as multiple comic book encounters help to prove. While certain parameters could see Black Panther gain the upper hand, such as immediate access to some of Shuri’s tech, a straight fight might be a battle of attrition.Spider-Man’s improvisational skills and superior maneuverability, however, would be sufficient in getting Black Panther to back down.
6Deadpool Isn’t Strong Or Fast Enough To Defeat Spider-Man
Deadpool’s Healing Factor Would Be Inconsequential
Deadpool is officially an MCU hero afterDeadpool & Wolverineintroduced him into the fold.His regenerative healing factor makes him practically invincible, even after being disintegrated by the time ripper at the end of his MCU debut movie. With that in mind, the best way to defeat Deadpool is to incapacitate him or get him to relent, as Wolverine proved is possible by strapping him up after their brawl in the Honda Odyssey minivan.
Deadpool is currently still in his universe, Earth-10005.
Deadpool and Spider-Man have come to blows multiple times in Marvel Comics, andSpider-Man often emerges victorious. Given that killing Deadpool is out of the question, his main power is null and void in a fight with Spider-Man, with Spider-Man’s superior speed, strength, and spider-sense giving him the upper hand every time. Deadpool is additionally a Spider-Man fan, meaning he would be likely to pull his punches in a straight one-on-one fight, as he wouldn’t want to kill the iconic web-slinger.
