Top 10 Cartoon Beatdowns That BROKE the Internet

“Justice League Unlimited” (2004-06)

Since Shazam’s, AKA Captain Marvel’s, creation, fans have argued who would win in a fight against him and Superman. In the “Justice League Unlimited” episode “Clash,” we got some evidence for the debate. With Supes suspicious of Lex Luthor’s plan, he attempts to destroy a generator that he thinks is an explosive. However, Shazam, on Luthor’s side, tries to stop him, leading to a devastating battle. The two slug it out, shattering buildings without uncharacteristic care for the citizens' lives in potential danger. Eventually, Shazam gets the upper hand by shouting his magic lightning down, striking the Man of Steel over and over. But Supes manages to move to revert the magic hero in Billy Batson, then covering his mouth, thus winning the fight.

“South Park” (1997-)

Back in Season 10, Al Gore was obsessed with exposing the truth of ManBearPig’s existence, an allegory of climate change. In the episode “Nobody Got Cereal?,” Gore could proudly show everyone he was right when they saw its existence. Satan, the show’s loveable villain who discovered ManBearPig was a demon, takes on the beast after it ravages South Park. In a series that seemingly homages Hulk battling Abomination, ManBearPig wrecks Satan brutally. For a brief time, “South Park” moved away from cartoon shenanigans into adult anime during the beatdown as Satan perishes. When he was on “The Daily Show,” Gore mentioned he appreciated climate change, or ManBearPig, finally accepted as reality in "South Park."

“Star Wars Rebels” (2014-18)

During the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” series, the audience witnessed Ahsoka Tano morph into a skillful Jedi as she was an apprentice under Anakin Skywalker. Our hearts broke when she discovered he'd become Darth Vader. In “Star Wars Rebels,” Ahsoka faced her former hero. The emotional fight had fans on the edge of their seats, especially when Ahsoka sliced through Vader’s mask. However, seemingly, Vader got the upper hand as the Togruta sacrificed herself to save the team. It took two more seasons to explain what actually happened. Before Vader landed the final blow, Ezra Bridger pulled Ahsoka from the timestream, changing her doomed fate.

“Family Guy” (1999-2003; 2005-)

Being two of the biggest animated shows, “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” have mocked and admired each other over the years. Finally, we got a proper interaction between the two behemoths with the crossover episode “The Simpsons Guy.” Even better, we got Homer and Peter going on a crazy, savage, and funny fight. The duo battled all over Springfield and space, throwing in superpowers, references, and cameos that enthralled the audience, although seeing “The Simpsons” involved in such violence was jarring. Another “Family Guy” battle that shocked fans was Peter taking on Donald Trump through the White House. The show took many shots at the then-president, especially when referencing his more insidious accusations.

“What If...?” (2021-)

After “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame,” the audience has seen Thanos as a near-unbeatable being whose power can lay waste to most folks and places. So, you can imagine the disappointment with the Mad Titan in the episode “What If... Ultron Won?” After Ultron destroyed the Earth, Thanos arrived to grab the robot’s Mind Stone to complete his Infinity Gauntlet. Yet, even with five stones to Ultron’s one, the AI very easily sliced Thanos in half within seconds, taking the gems for himself. In another episode, we witnessed a heart-wrenching and visually stunning fight as Doctor Strange loses to Strange Supreme and gets absorbed into the baddie. Yet, Thanos’ defeat was more uniquely buzzworthy due to its anticlimactic nature.

“Rick and Morty” (2013-)

Rick Sanchez isn’t a character who has many close friends. But there is one who steps above them all, Birdperson. Rick is genuinely devastated when his BFF is slain in front of him in “The Wedding Squanchers.” However, BP hadn’t perished. Instead, he was resurrected as Phoenixperson. In “Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri,” the mind-controlled PP fights Rick in an x-ray and tech-heavy battle. PP wipes the floor with the scientist. Before he can deliver the final blow-slash-laser blast, Space Beth saves Rick, and she’s then beaten. Thankfully, Jerry “Weekend at Bernie’s” Tammy until PP has his off button pressed. Some fans were disappointed that Rick, who often comes out on top, couldn't overcome Phoenixperson, but at least Jerry finally made himself useful.

“Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2” (2013)

In 1940, a year after Batman debuted in the comics, the Joker popped up in pop culture, creating the biggest rivalry in the illustrated pages. Since that day, fans have argued whether the Caped Crusader should permanently take the Clown Prince of Crime off the map. Those who believe Batman shouldn’t do such a thing were in for an uncomfortable experience watching this adaptation of Frank Miller’s groundbreaking 1986 work. At one point, an older and injured Joker and Batman brutally battle in the Tunnel of Love. Eventually, Bats breaks Joker’s neck, paralyzing him. After mocking Batman for pushing him to extremes, Joker finished the job on himself as he cackled.

“X-Men: The Animated Series” (1992-97)

Thanks to the success of “X-Men '97,” fans have revisited the original series in all of its epicness. This moment, in particular, is the most shocking in its brutality, but not the physical kind. In the episode “Deadly Reunions," former BFFs turned enemies for life, Xavier and Magneto, face off at a factory as the X-Men are indisposed. Just before the Master of Magnetism could end the Professor, Xavier has had enough. With Magneto’s helmet unable to block psychic power yet, Charles makes him relive his terrible experience during World War II. Even though Magento begs for him to stop, Professor X continues blasting him with trauma. Eventually, Eric can’t take it anymore and flies away into the night, wailing as he goes.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)

In a series filled to the brim with fights, there’s one battle that really got the audience buzzing. It doesn’t involve the main protagonist, Aang, who’s stuck in a box from the beginning. Instead, it featured “The Blind Bandit” in her self-titled episode. After showcasing her skills in the Earth Rumble VI tournament, Toph Beifong shows appearances can be deceptive as she battles Xin Fu’s fighters single-handedly. Even with her blindness and her family’s lack of faith in her abilities, Toph wrecks the group with her earthbending. Using dust as a cover, she takes each wrestler down with relative ease, cementing her place as the greatest earthbender.

“Invincible” (2021-)

No animated fight has been as graphic, emotional, destructive, and character-defining than this one. After discovering his father is set to conquer Earth for the Viltrum Empire and rejecting the chance to join him, Mark fights it out with Nolan. However, it’s an absolute squash match. Omni-Man, with disturbing bloodshot eyes, uses his son to slay thousands of civilians, all while touting his twisted ideology and belittling Mark. The train scene alone was shocking enough. Invincible is then beaten into a gross pulp on a mountain. Yet, before Nolan can finish the job, a heartbreaking trip down memory lane with Mark and Debbie stops him, causing him to tearfully leave the planet.

What other cartoon fights left you slightly traumatized? Let us know below!