Who's the strongest? Amazing Spider-Man Annual #15.

As everyone knows, this site's drawn to controversy, like the Abomination's face is drawn to the Hulk's fists. And, just the other day, the Steve Does Comics comments section flung up one of the greatest controversies of them all; "Who's the strongest?"

This dread debate was set off by Dangermash pointing me to the post on Marvel Comics of the 1980s which dealt with the strength chart from Amazing Spider-Man Annual #15. Obviously, that chart puts The Hulk and Thor at the top of the tree but what of the others?

Looking at that illustration, the first thing that leaps out at me is that Iron Man's portrayed as being up there with the super-heavyweights, which is surely unacceptable to all traditionalists. Personally, I'd put him on a par with the Thing.

Doc Samson, meanwhile, is listed as being on the same level as the Thing, which seems too weak. I'd think of him as being stronger than the Thing but weaker than an angry Hulk.

No way should the Vision be listed as being on a par with the Thing. Being able to turn diamond hard wouldn't increase his strength, just his resilience.

Also, isn't Thundra stronger than the Thing? That was always the impression I got when she showed up.

Luke Cage is listed alongside the Valkyrie and She-Hulk, which seems like madness. I wouldn't even put him on a level with Spider-Man. I'd also assume that She-Hulk and the Valkyrie are at least comparable with the Thing when it comes to strength.

The Silver Surfer should surely be ranked alongside Thor and the Hulk, not down there with Luke Cage.

Elsewhere, shouldn't Colossus be comparable to the Thing? While there's no way Ghost Rider should be on a par with Colossus.

The medium-weights all seem correct, although I don't have a clue who the man with the beard is.

But, hold on, Ka-Zar is listed as not having super-human strength? I was under the impression that a lifetime of eating mysterious jungle herbs has given him enhanced strength and I would have thought he's on a par with Nighthawk who has the strength of two normal men. I'd also put Luke Cage on that level.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the matter. If you have opinions of your own, please feel free to share them in the comments section below.