The Ultimate Showdown

The ultimate showdown: Nancy Drew vs. The Hardy Boys. Yep, I'm going there.


I used to like the Hardy Boys' books a little better, since there was more action. Of course, that was when I just read the classics. Others (also reading the classics) I've talked to liked Nancy better, because she used her head, instead of brawn, to solve cases. Then I started reading the Girl Detective series, and began to agree with them. Ultimately, it matters a lot on what series you compare.


As far as the classics, the Hardy Boys tend to be more active, and really don't seem to use their heads very much. If they get caught, say hello to Joe's right hook. By comparison, Nancy works complex puzzles and crimes out, and pretty much avoids all confrontation. In one scene, she gets caught and fakes a faint to get out of the situation.


The pattern didn't change in the paperbacks, though Nancy does seem to develop some guts over time.


The same pattern prevailed in the Casefiles, Frank and Joe get more violent, often carrying weapons and the whole trio's IQ drops. Nancy becomes a bit more active, but also ten times more interested in any random guys who happen to pop up. The Hardys get less amateur, as they work on and off alongside the Network.


In 2005, both the Hardys and Detective Drew got rebooted in Undercover Brothers and Girl Detective, respectively. The extremes finally stop, as the Hardy maintain their standing in American Teens Against Crime (their Dad's new crime fighting group), while dropping the weapons and extreme action. Nancy gets to have some more fun, as that new cell phone apparently let's her out of the house past ten o'clock. ;)


I honestly can't tell you anything about the Hardys' Clues Brothers or Secret Files, and Nancy's Notebooks or Clue Crew, since I haven't read any of them.


Cou