Warning: SPOILERS for X-Men #16
Marvel’s twin powerhouses of the Fantastic Four and the X-Men have super-strength, but which one is stronger than the other? Colossus and the Thing are nigh-invulnerbale strongmen of their respective teams, and both characters are known for their kind non-threatening nature. But X-Men #16 reveals that one is stronger than the other – and every member of the X-Men knows it.
Both characters are fan-favorites among their respective communities for their places on the team. Ben Grimm is the most loyal friend a superhero could ask for, and is fiercely protective of his family. Colossus, despite his appearance, is actually more of a poet and an artist than a warrior, and is not a violent person in any sense of the word. Between the former’s marriage to Alicia Masters and the latter’s relationship with Kitty Pryde, these two characters prefer to be lovers over fighters…but circumstances continually force them into battle to protect their respective families.
In X-Men #16, written by Gerry Duggan with art by Joshua Cassara, the Vault created by the mutant Forge is compromised (thanks to a fight between Cyclops and his brother Havok), releasing one of the Children of the Void. A terrifying Post-Human, this creature and others like him have the power to take over the world; they were imprisoned in a simulation which deluded them into believing they had succeeded, but the prison is breached and the Post-Humans reveal their true strength. “Alex, this one’s stronger than Colossus – maybe stronger than Ben Grimm” Cyclops reports to Havoc during the fight – and warns him not to hold back.
Even The X-Men Know The Thing Is Stronger Than Colossus
The fact that Cyclops mentions Ben Grimm after Colossus means Scott certainly thinks one is stronger than the other. For his part, Ben Grimm has fought the Hulk multiple times, and while the Hulk is technically still stronger, Ben has always retained his mind while fighting. Colossus’ metal skin makes him almost invulnerable – but the key word is almost; his metal body was once torn apart and he couldn’t revert to human form without facing certain death. That is another difference between the two men: Colossus can transform at will, while Ben Grimm is always doomed to remain the Thing.
The key takeaway from this interaction isn’t necessarily who would win in a fight between the Thing and Colossus – it’s who the X-Men believe would win in a fight. Even though Cyclops is the X-Men’s leader and Colossus’ ally, he still assumes Ben is far stronger. This means the X-Men are willing to cast aside blind loyalty if it means honestly admitting their sometimes-enemy can defeat them in a fight. The X-Men’s metallic mutant, strong as he is, can’t win in a battle against Fantastic Four’s Thing – and the X-Men know it for a fact.
