Marvel’s crack team of superheroes has returned to save the world from an artificial intelligence program with an axe to grind against mankind in Avengers: Age Of Ultron, which swoops into UK cinemas on April 23.

Marvel and DC comics have inhabited alternative universes since the 1930s. But how would Captain America, Iron Man et al. fare against someone their own size?

Here’s what we think would happen if the two collided in a face off.

Round 1: Captain America (Marvel) v Superman (DC)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Marvel/Disney)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Marvel/Disney)

Captain America was born as feeble kid Steve Rogers. Superman was rocketed to Earth and forced to assimilate into suburban America. Both overcame outsider status and blossomed into superheroes.

Superman has super strength, heat vision and can fly. Captain America is just a regular guy who got lucky with some special serum and a shield.

Winner: Superman (DC)

Round 2: Iron Man (Marvel) v Batman (DC)

Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr plays Iron Man in the Marvel films (Marvel Studios)

Both are billionaires with genius intellects and a desire to better mankind. In close combat Iron Man would have the edge due to his superhuman armour, which would run rings around Batman’s mastery of martial arts.

Iron Man also has the superior sidekick. James Rhodes, aka the War Machine, has a suit of armour nearly as strong as Iron Man’s. Batman has Robin, a chap in tights.

Winner: Iron Man (Marvel)

Round 3: Thor (Marvel) v Aquaman (DC)

Chris Hemsworth plays Thor (Disney/Marvel)
Chris Hemsworth plays Thor (Disney/Marvel)

They share an ability to control the elements – Aquaman is King of the Seven Seas and has telepathic abilities with marine life, while Thor is the god of thunder, who can wield the almighty hammer.

As founding member of the Avengers, Thor has a pretty solid crew to call on in times of need. And not much can defeat a god able to travel through time and summon the elements. Even if Aquaman can speak to fish.

Winner: Thor (Marvel)

Round 4: Black Widow (Marvel) v Wonder Woman (DC)

Amazonian princess Wonder Woman was the first female figure deemed strong enough to win a battle on her own. She has Amazonian blood on her side, giving her enhanced hearing, vision, speed and strength. Black Widow has no superhuman powers, and her warrior skills pale in comparison.

Scarlett Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the Marvel films (Marvel/Disney)

Winner: Wonder Woman (DC)

Round 5: Hulk (Marvel) v Green Lantern (DC)

Mark Ruffalo portrays the Hulk (Disney/Marvel)
Mark Ruffalo portrays the Hulk (Disney/Marvel)

Both have exceptional brain power – as Bruce Banner, the Hulk is one of the greatest scientific minds on Earth, and Green Lantern has superb willpower enabling him to alter reality at his will.

They are matched in their superhuman strength and endurance. However, Green Lantern has been known to let his conscience get the better of him, whereas the Hulk only strengthens as his rage soars.

Winner: Hulk (Marvel)

Round 6: Black Cat (Marvel) v Catwoman (DC)

While the superheroes may take the headlines, there’s always room for a more villainous showdown, and we need look no further than Black Cat and Catwoman, both baddies who occasionally dip their paws into doing good.

Romance has littered both of their back stories – Catwoman and Batman have a soft spot for one another, and Black Cat and Spiderman have been linked.

Black Cat would get the cream in a fight because of her spells of superhuman prowess, whereas Catwoman has to rely on a whip.

Winner: Black Cat (Marvel)

Round 7: Hawkeye (Marvel) v Green Arrow (DC)

This round is a close call.

Both are master archers. Both tempestuous in nature. These two excel in long range combat, so it’s down to who is the more accurate shot. And when it comes to accuracy, you can’t beat Green Arrow’s ability to pierce a drop of water.

Winner: Green Arrow (DC)

Round 8: Spider-Man (Marvel) v Nightwing (DC)

Spider-Man can crawl up walls, swing across skyscrapers and has his all important spidey-sense to warn him of danger.

Nightwing grew up in the circus and learnt his trade from Batman. Despite his acrobatic know-how, the odd back flip cannot match Spidey’s agility.

Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man (Sony Pictures UK)
Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man (Sony Pictures UK)

Winner: Spider-Man (Marvel)

And the winner is … Marvel with five victories to DC’s three.

Congratulations to the Avengers.