The Marvel and DC Universe have both explored their futures almost as much as their respective pasts. Naturally, those two futures have heroes of their own, and none are as prominent in their respective worlds as Batman Beyond and Spider-Man 2099.
While both Terry McGinnis and Miguel O'Hara are more than capable of handling the worst that their timelines have to offer, we're taking a closer look at how these hi-tech heroes size up against each other.
Batman Beyond's Technology
Ever since he first appeared in 1999's Batman Beyond animated series, Terry McGinnis has been more than equipped to handle anything that comes his way. Besides the state-of-the-art Batsuit that gives him superhuman strength, durability and senses, he also has an array of tactical moves like electric charges, and he has a seemingly endless supply of gadgets at his fingertips. Terry also has flight and cloaking capabilities, making him completely invisible and effectively untouchable. Miguel O'Hara's high-tech Spider-Man suit might be made of Unstable Molecules bonded to Kevlar, but it doesn't come close to what the Batman of the future can do.
Spider-Man 2099's Powers
The initially horrific transformation that Miguel O'Hara underwent in his first proper appearance in 1992's Spider-Man 2099 #1, by Peter David and Rick Leonardi, might have made him a vicious monster at first, but it eventually imbued him with all of the power he currently possesses. Apart from his superhuman strength, speed and reflexes, Miguel is also a base-level telepath. The spinnerets from which he releases his webs and the talons and fangs that can rip, tear, and paralyze his foes are an easy way to win once he gets them in his grasp, making Spider-Man 2099 far more physically formidable thna Batman Beyond.
Batman Beyond vs Spider-Man 2099: Sheer Strength
Both Batman Beyond and Spider-Man have some measure of super-strength, but Terry's tech-based suit can't quite measure up to Miguel's raw power. Terry's Batsuit gives him the ability to lift am impressive 1700 pounds, increasing his natural strength factor tenfold. This is an impressive amount of weight to carry without a doubt, but it pales in comparison to the 10 tons that Miguel O'Hara is strong enought to lift. Not only does this mean that Miguel dwarfs Terry in comparison to their raw power, but the upper limits of Migeul's power have rarely been tested. Once again, Batman might have the edge when it comes to tricks up his sleeve, but even getting grazed by one of Miguel's punches would more than be enough to lay Terry out cold.
Batman Beyond vs Spider-Man 2099: Critical Weakness
Batman Beyond's human fragility is Terry McGinnis's greatest weakness. His gadgets and high-tech suit can only do so much against an opponent who is strong enough to literally punch a hole through his chest without even trying. While he's fought opponents with super-strength before, few of them have had the kind of agility that Spider-Man 2099 has.
However, this Spider-Man has a glaring weakness of his own. Miguel's accelerated vision and preternatural ability to see in total darkness has made him extremely sensitive to light, so something as simple as a well-placed flashbang might buy Terry the time he needs to take Spider-Man down. Miguel's natural webbing could also be cut off by blocking or applying sufficient pressure to his spinnerets themselves at close range.
Spider-Man 2099 vs Batman Beyond: Who Wins?
Terry McGinnis isn't Bruce Wayne, but even if he was, prep-time and gadgets only go so far against well-rounded opponents like Spider-Man 2099. you so far when your opponent is a superpowered force of nature from another universe. While Terry could easily get a few good hits in on Miguel, the Spider-Man of the future just has too many other things going for him. If Terry goes invisible, Miguel can still find him with ease. If Terry hits Miguel with anything other than a very bright light directly in his face, he could shrug most of Batman Beyond's attacks off. While Batman Beyond is a skilled fighter, he's not the fighter Bruce Wayne was in his prime, and he just doesn't have the raw skill it would take to defeat an opponent with Spider-Man 2099's skills. At the end of the day, taking down Miguel O'Hara is simply beyond this Batman's abilities.