Is Batman A Superhero?

What makes a superhero, well, super? They have super-human abilities. Their abilities go beyond the average human. Superhuman strength, superhuman intellect, superhuman kite-flying-ability (Kiteman! HELL YEAH!). That's why the rogue's galleries are usually referred to as supervillains. They're usually also superhuman. So, based on that, Batman could be considered a superhero, since his IQ is 1045. And considering that the highest IQ ever recorded is 228, I'd say that's pretty freaking superhuman.

Also, just because characters like Doctor Strange or Merlin as mentioned in previous posts use magic, a sorcerer can still be a superhero. Magic is superhuman.

 

Batman has defeated gods with his intelligence alone, saved billions, if that doesn't make him super, nothing will.

 

Ok…….the term is subjective and depends on context.

Looking at the etymology of the word “superhero”, it’s derived from two words:
Super - excellent, extraordinary, above, over, etc.
Hero - a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

So basically it’s a hero who is on the high end of the spectrum of heroes, or at least above average in comparison to other heroes. Based on that, pretty much all of them would fit.

One note: Continuity varies, but for the most part he and Lucius Fox designed and built his equipment. Alfred merely maintained it. Alfred would be considered a Super-Butler.

As for Batman, I’d say he fits the definition of the word. Having superpowers or how superpowers are acquired isn’t part of the equation. I’d say the question to ask is if the subject is more able than “normal” heroes. Batman is more capable than your average policeman, soldier, or pro golfer, so he’d be considered a superhero.

That said, even his abilities vary between different iterations. The Adam West Batman was an absolute genius and detective. The Batman from the newest movie is grade A dumbass motherfucker. Therefore Adam West would be considered a “super Batman”.

As for the question of whether or not I am a superhero - I’m just as likely to use my powers for good or evil depending on my mood, how much sleep I got, or if I haven’t eaten in a while. I suppose that would make me just a normal hero since it balances out.

 

Hold up, DC One Million was nuts, almost everyone was OP at that time and more of a legacy showcase than anything else

TBH, DC's intellect levels are whack. Luthor is widely considered one of the most intelligent men alive, second to Toyman, he can casually reverse engineer apokolips/new genesis tech on his spare time, Batman can too, but not as quickly or effectively (usually one time use at first) and he's 1 or 2 levels below the baldie. These levels are not consistent, ranging from 1 = all of humanity combined (but apparently excluding Lex and others? not even sure how that works), to 12 = processing power of octillions of beings.

Whether Batsy is a 6th to 8th level, he can still outplay vastly more intelligent beings, mainly because his intelligence is crazy focused on detective work and strategy. It's been said he can defeat anyone if he prepares, "the most dangerous man on earth" is not a term used for anyone but Bats.

 

The bigger question is… which superhero would win in a Battle Royal Cage match?

 

Just remember when casting your vote, that under that Batman costume, was Ben Affleck.

 

No capes!!

https://youtu.be/YL3w73MAuIM

 

Not gonna fall for this one.

 

Shaggy from Scooby-Doo

 

I'll say Wolverine. Can't wait to hear why I'm wrong.

 

You’re wrong because when Wolverine runs at Dr. Strange, he’ll open up a portal and transport Wolverine’s sorry ass out the cage!!!

 

https://youtu.be/lrzKT-dFUjE

 

So was your answer Chuck Norris?

 

I gave no answer. Just shared a topically relevant work of art.

 

I like Wolverine. But I'm gonna give the cage match to Superman. He's just so overclocked it's not even funny. As long as the cage match referee prevents any Kryptonite from entering the ring, it's no contest.

https://superman.fandom.com/wiki/Superman's_Powers_and_Abilities

• Super Strength: Superman's strength allows him to battle with omega level threats such as Darkseid .

• Flight: The character gained the power of true flight.

• Super Speed: Superman's speed increased to the point where he could travel faster than light. Several stories depict him traversing great distances through space to other solar systems and distant galaxies and even other universes. He could cross our own solar system in minutes. He could also use this power to travel through time, as shown in his boyhood visits to the 30th century as a member of the Legion of Superheroes. Superman can also swim at speeds approaching Aquaman's speed as well as run at speeds similar to that of the Flash. Superman is unable to beat Flash in a race.

• Invulnerability: By the 1970s, Superman became able to withstand an atomic explosion and even fly through the core of a star. He was also immune to non-Kryptonian diseases and all radiation except for that of a red sun or Kryptonite.

• Vision: In addition to X-ray vision and heat vision, Superman was also given telescopic and microscopic vision. The character could see across interstellar distances and observe events that occurred on a microscopic and even atomic level. He could also see across the full electromagnetic spectrum, including infra-red and ultraviolet light.

• Hearing: Superman could hear sound at almost any wavelength and at great distances. His hearing is use for people calling him for his help as for distress calls.

• Super Breath: Superman's breath was capable of freezing objects and generating hurricane-force winds. His super breath can extinguish fires or freeze things. He could also hold his breath indefinitely, allowing him to travel underwater or in space without breathing apparatus.

• Mental Powers: Superman possessed genius-level intelligence and an eidetic memory. These enhanced mental capabilities were a direct result of his exposure to a yellow sun, as evidenced by the depiction of Superman's dog, Krypto. While under a yellow sun, Krypto's intelligence was boosted to that of a typical human. Superman also possessed the mental ability to screen out the enormous amount of information received by his enhanced senses, and to focus on a single detail, such as a particular voice or location. As well, his speed reading abilities were much like that of the Flash. He was able to absorb large amounts of information quickly; whether it entered his short term or long term memory is hazy. Under a yellow sun, a Kryptonian gains the ability to speak and understand all languages.

• Super Ventriloquism: Superman could throw his voice across great distances. This power was used to confuse enemies or protect his secret identity by tricking others into believing that he (or Clark Kent) was in a different location.

• Super Hypnotism: This power enabled Superman to hypnotize anyone. He could make people forget incidents or obey his commands. This power was often used to safeguard his identity.

• Stamina: Superman could survive indefinitely without food, water, or rest due to the yellow sun's radiation sustaining him.

• Healing factor: Superman could regenerate physical damage to his body at an accelerated rate. He was able to regenerate when Wonder Woman slit his throat with her tiara in Wonder Woman #219. In the series Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Superman regenerates his body after being reduced to near a skeleton by a special nuke that was designed to blot out sun light and disrupt energy. Superman's healing rate has been inconsistently portrayed, however. In the first issue of the "Superman/Batman" comic, Alfred is able to remove a Kryptonite bullet from Superman's body without fear of the wound closing (probably because the Kryptonite was affecting his ability to heal).

 

Batman is VENGEANCE.

 

To think I used to watch this when I was a kid...creepster.

 

All good but how’s Superman going to get Dr. Strange out the cage???? I mean I’m no Dr. Strange fan, I couldn’t even finish either of his movies. But that MF can transport anyone out the cage. And put them on Pluto if he chooses to.

 

I picked Wolverine because he's also invulnerable and seems like a brawler who's willing to fight dirty. I'm thinking Superman would want to follow some kind of gentlemanly rules. The Jack Reacher books have taught me a lot about brawling.

 

My Dad is a Superhero.

 

Superman could fly right back in mere seconds and lay a hurt on. Maybe.

Dr. Strange vs Thor would be an interesting match up. Wizard vs actual god...

Brawling is good. I think Superman would get annoyed after a bit though and put all the rules aside, then just fly Wolverine into the sun or something.

 

The inventor of Cheezies is a superhero.....

 

That’s the issue. Remove kryptonite and every Superman story is over in two pages. The character is repetitive bullshit.

That said, a mantis shrimp would win. It’s the ultimate killing machine. Totally OP in the animal world.

 

what is really "super" about him? only thing super about him, is when says,- im batman

 

He’s not invulnerable, just heals from pretty much anything. He could be eliminated from the fight for a long period of time. Hulk ripped in half one time and he had to crawl a few miles to get his legs back on.

 

My mistake.

 

Im not mad at you. Just took the opportunity to talk about a guy getting ripped in half.