Literature
The Living Tribunal: Who Could Defeat the Ultimate Cosmic Guardian?
The Living Tribunal is a formidable presence in the Marvel Comics universe, standing as a liaison and a crucial member of the cosmic hierarchy, second only to the One Above All. In a hypothetical scenario where a character faced the Living Tribunal, the outcome would likely be catastrophic for the challenger, given the god-like powers and omnipotence associated with the Living Tribunal's role.
Power and Authority of the Living Tribunal
During the conflict depicted in the Secret Wars, the powerful Mighty Galactus was defeated and rendered unconscious by the Beyonder, a being so powerful that even the Living Tribunal needed to be defeated by three cosmic beings to win. This event highlights the immense power the Living Tribunal wields over the multiverse. The Beyonder, a cosmic entity capable of widespread destruction, was unable to defeat the Living Tribunal, further emphasizing the latter's status as a supreme cosmic being.
Brothers: The Ultimate Supervillains
Within the Marvel universe, there are also characters known as the Brothers. These characters represent combined embodiments of the major heroes and villains from Marvel and DC. However, it is unclear whether the Brothers would be strong enough to defeat the Living Tribunal. The Brothers are powerful, but not canonically depicted as having the same level of supreme power as the Living Tribunal.
The One Above All: The Ultimate Powerhouse
The One Above All is the ultimate entity in the Marvel universe, capable of exerting control over all other cosmic beings, including the Living Tribunal. The One Above All could defeat the Living Tribunal with little to no effort, as evidenced by the ease with which the entity can deactivate the powerful Infinity Gauntlet. If the One Above All were to intervene, the outcome would be instantaneous, and the conflict would be over in the blink of an eye.
Other Cosmic Beings and the Living Tribunal
While there are other cosmic beings that might be stronger than the Living Tribunal in some versions of the universe, very few have been depicted in official canon stories. The Multiverse, as mentioned, could potentially be a contender, as it represents the combination of all infinities. However, the Multiverse is more of an abstract concept rather than a single entity, making it difficult to classify its power level in a direct comparison.
Thanos, another powerful character, has defeated cosmic beings at the Living Tribunal's tier in some non-canon stories, but these stories are not considered official canon. In these scenarios, Thanos seems to have the upper hand due to his relentless drive and the vast resources at his disposal.
Conclusion: The Living Tribunal as a Critical Member of the Marvel God Circle
Given the Living Tribunal's status as a crucial member of the Marvel God Circle, the entity is likely to maintain its position even if a more powerful cosmic being were to arise. The Living Tribunal's authority and role in cosmic governance ensure that it remains a formidable presence, and it is doubtful that any being, other than the One Above All, would be able to defeat it in a direct confrontation.
In summary, the Living Tribunal is a supreme cosmic being, and defeating it would require the interference of the One Above All. While there may be other beings with immense power, none have been officially documented as having the capability to defeat the Living Tribunal in a direct manner.