EPL clubs as DC comic superheroes

EPL clubs as DC comic superheroes - Part 1

Modified Jun 04, 2012 11:08 GMT

Batman and Chelsea FC

Among the few of the extremely obvious compatible choices for superheroes and football clubs has to be the combination of Batman and Chelsea. Various similarities can be observed:

Billionaires: We have Bruce Wayne, owner of the multi-billion dollar company, Wayne Enterprises and then we have Mr. Roman Abramovich, multi-billion dollar Russian oligarch.

Trust: One of Batman’s most important characteristics is his trust, or rather the lack of it. He never trusts anyone (which always seems to work in his favor). The only person he has faith in to finish the job is himself. Mr. Abramovich here seems to be of the same mold. One trophy-less season and out goes the manager, be it the double winning Carlo Ancelotti or youth sensation Andre Villas Boas. Even the ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho was not spared. If you can’t deliver, you’re out.

Superpowers: Another special feature of this extraordinary hero is his lack of superhuman powers. No eye-lasers, super strength, power of flight etc. Just your future James Bondesque gadgets and superior fighting skills. Chelsea FC here seem to always have the power to beat anyone on their day but sometimes lack the bite. Yet, season after season, based on pure hard work and true grit and determination, they continue to win trophies.

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Superman and Manchester United FC

Often regarded as the first superhero, Superman, the Man of Steel, is to the comic universe what Manchester United is to the Barclays Premier League. He is guided by his adopted parents, Johnathan and Martha Kent of Smallvile, to grow up with a purpose. Sir Alex Ferguson of Scotland played that role in bringing out the Superman in Manchester United.

Known for their ability to score late goals and turn losing matches into victories, most notably the Champions League victory against Bayern Munich in 1999, Man United share this remarkable ability in Superman, who never gives up. Coming back from the brink of death against deadly super villains like Doomsday and Darkseid.

After having dominated the Barclays Premier League for a majority of its 20 years, the rise of some new heroes (read Manchester City- Green Lantern) and the return to strength of old ones like Chelsea (Batman) has taken some “weight”off this hero’s shoulder.

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Green Lantern and Manchester City FC

Though the colors don’t match, Green Lantern is Manchester City in spirit and mind.

A human with no superpowers for most of his life, Green Lantern (be it Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart or Kyle Rayner) is similiar to Manchester City in the fact that they didn’t seem to have any “superpowers” themselves.

Having been selected by the Guardians of Oa (apparently the Centre of the DC Universe), Green Lantern was provided with a power ring which needs to be charged from a Green Lantern power source. Back here in our Epl world, we had the Shiekh Mansour of Dubai providing superpowers in the form of a power ring (read lots of money) which needs to be charged from a “green lantern power source” (100 million worth of new players almost every season).

And like their comic book counterpart, Manchester City have in themselves a good positive attitude. They don’t give up very easily and are always pushing themselves with every effort, as was evident in the heart-stopping game 38 against QPR.

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Flash and Arsenal FC

Along the same lines as discussed above, it becomes quite apparent why Arsenal FC is similar to the Flash.

Now I’m not saying the Arsenal players have superhuman speed. What I’m trying to say is that just like the Flash, Arsenal is essentially a young team. Just like the Flash was guided by a former Flash, we have the extremely young Arsenal team being mentored by the second longest serving football manager, Arsene Wenger.

Always one of the important characters in the storyline, the Flash usually causes an important turn of events but has nothing to show for it. Arsenal have constantly affected the progress of the Premier League and the process of who’d become the Champion, but sadly in seven years they too have nothing to show for it.