Top 10 Times Superheroes Fought Versions of Themselves

“Superman III” (1983)

Although “Superman III” wasn’t the strongest man of steel film, one of its most off-the-wall ideas led to an entertaining and memorable fight. During a personal crisis, Superman ends up in a junkyard and inexplicably splits into Clark Kent and a villainous version of the Man of Steel. The battle really incorporates the environment well, featuring a trash compactor, tires, a huge crane magnet, and even acid! It concludes with Clark literally strangling his darker impulses, before opening his shirt to reveal a revived Superman. Wacky ‘80s nonsense? Yes! Fun fight? Also yes.

“Crisis on Earth-X” (2017)

The “Crisis on Earth-X” crossover event sees the CW DC superheroes face off against villainous doppelgangers from an Earth dominated by Nazis. As fun as it is to see Oliver Queen face off against his villainous, Führer version, his wife’s battle is more astonishing. During the crossover, Kara faces her Earth-X counterpart Overgirl several times. It’s soon revealed that Overgirl seeks to steal Supergirl’s heart, due to absorbing too much solar radiation. Their final fight includes nods to Superman lore and great choreography. But during their final sky battle, Overgirl’s buildup of radiation is too much. She explodes and leaves Kara the victor.

“Legends of Tomorrow” (2016-22)

The Legends encounter just about everything during their zany time traveling adventures, and that includes…themselves! Long story short, an evil copy of their ship’s A.I. makes villainous duplicates of them, which decide to protect time by killing the real versions. When they do catch up with themselves, the robot versions prove strong and far more ruthless. But they’re outwitted by their real counterparts. The robots are tricked into unplugging themselves, hit with surprise attacks and are taken down with old fashioned magic. And in one of the best clone vs counterpart battles we get, Zari fighting herself in both a heated and gut bustingly hilarious duel!

“WandaVision” (2021)

Synthezoid superhero Vision has had several iterations in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In “WandaVision,” S.W.O.R.D. rebuilds the first Vision’s body into their weapon. Sent against Wanda Maximoff’s own recreated Vision, the two do battle over and through the town of Westview. The super strong android heroes match laser beams and use their phasing powers against each other. However, in the end, it isn’t might that decides the fight, but rather logic. Wanda’s Vision contends that since White Vision is trying to destroy the Vision, this could either apply to both of them, or neither. He then helps White Vision get original Vision’s memories back. Who knew the parable of the Ship of Theseus could be so handy in a fight?

“Loki” (2021-)

The “Loki” TV series sees the titular god of mischief encounter himself numerous times throughout various timelines. After the protagonist Loki is sent to a time-dumping ground called the Void, he learns that a lot of variants himself end up there. And they don’t all get along. At one point a mob of them arrive to attack the main Loki and his allies. But this invading group quickly turns on each other and sparks a huge brawl between all of them. There’s mayhem, magic, and an alligator Loki biting President Loki’s hand off. Both the main protagonist and the audience just sit back and let chaos unfold. It's brief, but gloriously entertaining.

“Crisis on Infinite Earths” (2019)

The “Arrowverse” has done some spectacular crossovers, but “Crisis on Infinite Earths” might take the cake! To save the multiverse, Superman, Lois, and Iris West go in search of the Paragon of Truth. On Earth-96, they encounter a version of Superman who has lost everyone, but remains a beacon of hope. After getting brainwashed by Lex Luthor, Kingdom Come Superman battles our Superman in the skies above Metropolis. Their titanic clash shatters glass and all expectations! Fortunately, Iris and Lois undo the brainwashing, but while it lasts, it’s a marvelous sequence, with great action and some nods to “Superman” films past.

“Logan” (2017)

Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine, thought it was strange enough when the corporation Alkali-Transigen brings his biological daughter Laura to life using his DNA. But life gets worse when the company reveals a perfect clone of the X-Man named X-24. This version has no mercy and is enslaved to Alkali-Transigen’s leader. The first clash between Logan and his clone makes it clear the copy’s youth and ferocity gives him the edge. During the rematch, Wolverine faces his clone once more to protect Laura and other young mutants. But the evil mutant fatally wounds Logan. Just before X-24 can finish him off, Laura takes the copy down with an adamantium bullet. This emotional and epic battle of mutants sadly still ends with a legend falling.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022)

While Dr. Strange is stuck in an alternate universe, he seeks out his counterpart for help. Unfortunately, his conversation with a variant of himself goes south almost immediately. The good Strange decides to stop his darker self by turning musical notes into weapons. His choice leads to a one-of-a-kind battle where two sorcerers fight each other with beautiful music. Not only is the sound design flawless, but the battle has both moments of tension and humor, with echoes to Disney’s 1940 experimental classic “Fantasia.”. In the end, Dr. Strange is able to triumph thanks to a single note from a harp. It’s good to see him turn the music knowledge he was so cocky about in the 2016 movie into a way of stopping his evil counterpart.

“The Flash” (2014-)

In season 3 of “The Flash,” Barry Allen and company face off against a mysterious armored villainous speedster named Savitar. Proclaiming himself the god of speed, the antagonist proves faster and stronger than Barry during most of their encounters. Eventually, Barry deduces that Savitar is essentially a future version of himself. But the villain’s complex origins and relationship to the hero made them fierce enemies. Their final race sees Team Flash and their allies battle Savitar together in a breathtaking fight. Ultimately, it takes Barry donning Savitar’s suit to defeat him. But while he may wear his armor, Barry refuses to kill him and walk down the path that will cause him to become Savitar. Luckily, Iris steps in to end the god of speed.

“Avengers: Endgame” (2019)

During a time heist in 2012 New York, Captain America manages to steal Loki’s scepter. Unfortunately, he’s confronted by this time period’s version of himself, who mistakes him for Loki impersonating him. They’re the perfect match for each other, easily countering each other’s shields. Their grappling match takes them crashing down several stories of Avengers Tower. Thanks to some future knowledge bombs, future Steve Rogers manages to blow his past self’s mind long enough to grab the scepter and erase his past self’s memory. It’s a brief battle, but it’s got some intense action, callbacks and call-forwards, and it’s “capped” off with one of Cap’s funniest moments.