East vs West Showdown, Issue 1

One time, I remember when I was still working as a trainer for this BPO firm, I asked my fellow geeks in the office a seemingly innocent question: Who will win Goku vs Superman?

It easily became chaotic as Alvin Bartolome, previous Quality Sup of the account, immediately declared that Goku will own Kal-El in a straight out fight. On the other side of the fence, Karlo Gavile and Jeri Tan, resident DC fan-boys insisted that with the right conditions Superman can knock the living daylights out of the occasional were-monkey from the Orient. And as with any debate of this magnitude, it easily became a stalemate with no clear indication of who would really win.

Fast forward to last Monday, I watched a Dragonball GT Marathon with my daughter and then stuffed myself with DC geekery after watching the direct-to-video DC offering All-Star Superman. These conditions somehow made a strange brew inside my head and now here I am trying my best to settle the argument with my newest blog offering: the East vs West Showdown! A fictional account of what might theoretically happen when heroes from both sides of the world collide.

Before I go and do this, a word to the geeks and otakus out there: this is not canon! This is simply my take on these timeless debates based on different aspects of the characters. So with that disclaimer: Let's start!

The characters:
Goku - Saiyan warrior from a dead planet, martial arts prodigy and a hero with a pure heart and indomitable will.
Superman - Refugee from a dead planet, whose exposure to Yellow sun radiation has made him the paragon of superhuman prowess.

In the final battle, I took the most powerful incarnations of Goku and Superman. Goku is in his Super Saiyan 4 form while Superman has recently absorbed enough solar radiation to boost his powers beyond reason.

Round 1: Strength
Goku launches into the air and then hurtles down onto the earth, casually creating a crater 2 kms deep and 5 miles wide.
Superman launches into air, hurtling through the stratosphere and then smashing into the moon, splitting it in two.
Winner: Superman

Round 2: Energy Projection
Goku assumes the posture of his trademark Kamehame Wave and launches his chi blast into the sky. It hits a barren planet and destroys it without much effort. The beam continues to hurtle through space and continues to destroy more space debris.
Superman releases a powerful beam of energy from his eyes. It melts down a mountain and turns it into lava.
Winner: Goku

Round 3: Form
Superman stands up straight with his chest out and his "S" symbol sticking out like a hump on a camel.
Meanwhile, Goku starts through multiple martial arts forms as part of his regular kata.
Winner: Goku

Round 4: Skills and Technique
Superman knows how to punch and kick really really hard. He can shoot beams of energy from his eyes. Blow a freezing wind from his lungs.
Goku on the other hand knows many different moves learned from his years of training and adventures, which include: the After-image technique, the Shenron Punch, Cho-Genki-Dama, Kamehame wave...
Winner: Goku

Round 5: Speed
A race from Metropolis to Capsule City is held (assuming that the physical boundaries of both realms can be bridged):
Superman gears up and flies at Supersonic speeds towards Capsule city, kicking up dirt and other debris in his wake. A few seconds later he arrives at the Capsule Corp headquarters where Goku is gobbling down platters of food after teleporting to the place in a wink.
Winner: Goku

Round 6: Social Network
Goku has a long list of rivals from his days adventuring and with his monumental fights with other martial artists. he has a close knit group of friends. he has his own family.

Clark Kent still has to gather his balls and ask Lois Lane to start a family with him, but his list of rogues far outstrip Goku's. Plus he's with the Justice League.
Result: Tie

Round 7: Misc Feats of Awesomeness
Superman died once and came back. Goku died twice and came back, with little effort.(Goku)
Superman has travelled multiple times into the past and future and into alternate worlds, while Goku regularly visits Limbo, Heaven and Hell. (Superman)
Superman fights regulary with gods. The gods on the other hand are afraid of Goku (Goku)
Superman has had multiple Hollywood movie adaptations, which has garnered box office sales in the millions. Goku on the other hand has spawned only two movies. both of which are too sad to mention. (Superman)
Result: Tie

Round 8: Character and Integrity
Goku has always been pure of heart, and was never found wanting when it comes to virtue. He is innocent, child-like and unrelenting when pursuing his goals. On the other hand he has no hesitation in killing his opponents if he needs to.
Superman has been very angsty as of late, with moral dilemmas surrounding his every decision. He is very clear about one thing though: he does not kill.
Result: Tie

Round 8: The battle!
Goku assumes his stance, and then erupts in a blazing aura of chi.
Goku: Superman, I have heard much about you! I am honored to be able to fight you today. In fact I haven't been this excited since I last fought Omega Shenron. let's see who's much stronger!
Superman: I don't really want to fight you. Senseless violence is nowhere near my list of priorities, but I would like to see what you're capable of so that I can be prepared if I have to take you down one day.
Goku: Enough talk! Let's go! Yaaagh!
Goku moves like lighting and kicks Superman on his side. Although he was able to follow his movements, Superman miscalculates and gets knocked away hurtling into a mountain. The mountain collapses and he is buried under. Goku tries to follow-up but is caught in a mile-wide optic beam from Superman. Superman rushes into Goku and lands a punch that throws Goku onto the field. A crater erupts underneath the point of impact.
Goku: (smiling) That was.... Awesome! I think we'll have a great fight!
Superman: You're not so bad yourself. But you're still no match for me. Give it up Goku.
Goku: Sorry Superman. It's not in me to give up that easily.
Goku does his instant transmission and appears behind Superman and he follows with lightning fast barrages that Superman is unable to avoid. The blows however barely faze him. He catches Goku's fists in his own and a tense stand-off ensues, each one trying to get the better of his opponent. Superman then spins around and throws down Goku onto a cliff. He releases an arctic blast and freezes Goku into place. After a few seconds, Goku releases his chi and melts away the ice. Once free they engage into a fierce melee.
The battle drags on for hours, leaving the landscape in ruin. Then Goku catches Superman off guard and launches him clear into space. He assumes his stance and then releases a Kamehame wave. It rams into Superman, and plows him through a couple of moons. However even before the dust settles, Superman flies through space and with a meteoric attack rams into Goku, further destroying the blasted land around them and creating an intensity 9 earthquake. Goku is lying on the ground, seemingly unconscious.
Superman: (panting) Sorry Goku, but you can't get up from this one. I've won. Now stay down.
Goku: (smiling) Don't assume Superman. I never give up.
Goku slowly rises and then musters all his might into his Shenron attack. it catches Superman on his torso knocking out the Kryptonian into unconsciousness. Goku stands... barely. A moment later he flops down, his strength spent.
Result: Tie.

Final showdown result: Superman 5, Goku 8
Close fight, but the Saiyan Warrior from Planet Vegeta prevails!