[Parademon1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boy Blunder

Sure, if Superman had literally crippling confidence issues. I love Gladiator, and I'm very much looking forward to adding him to my collection, but I'm not gonna lie about the fact that:

1) He is NOT a well-known character outside of comic circles - the most exposure he's had in the larger consumer consciousness was thanks to the original X-Men animated series, and that's... you know, nearly thirty years old.

and

2) He's a top-tier character, power-wise, but the moment you make him so much as doubt himself, his power gets cut in half, easily. There's a reason characters who shouldn't have stood a chance (Gambit, Cannonball, and even the Fantastic Four in that same story you posted) were able to at least hold their own against him. Let's not sell up the guy more than necessary. He's an amazing powerhouse with a much more glaring weakness than kryptonite or magic.

The 'loses powers if he has self doubt" card is the biggest POS I've ever heard for a superhero character. They already had established that he was vulnerable to a certain radiation ala Supe's aversion to Kryptonite, but to then throw in the "self doubt" card as well? Who in the hell though that was a good idea & OKed it?

I also think it's been a very long time since Marvel even pulled that "self doubt" card on Gladiator. All the stories you mentioned occurred in the 80's & 90s. The main thing against him is as all us comic fans know, is lack of recognition from the none comic book reading crowd. All they know is who's in the MCU & animated toons on Disney XD. That is freaking sad. And the X-Men toon from the 90s was the only time he's been seen in one if I'm not mistaken.