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It seems like in recent years Marvel has realized something a lot of fans have known for a long time: Black Panther is awesome. T'Challa has always been one of the coolest characters in the Marvel Universe: a super-smart monarch of the most technologically advanced nation on the planet, one of the best tacticians around, and a beast of a hand-to-hand combatant.
Many Marvel Comics have demonstrated who Black Panther could defeat in his home universe, but how well would Black Panther fare against the heroes of the DC Comics universe like Green Lantern or even Superman? Who could the King of Wakanda defeat? Who would defeat him?
Updated on November 19, 2022 by Cole Kennedy: As Black Panther: Wakanda Forever expands the Black Panther legacy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introducing Ironheart and a new live-action version of the Black Panther, some comic book and MCU fans are curious how the Wakandan warrior would hold his own against the most powerful DC Comics heroes.
Characters Black Panther Would Beat
Hal Jordan's Will Is Not Strong Enough To Defeat Black Panther
Hal Jordan is one of Earth's Green Lanterns. Tasked with defending the Earth and the surrounding sector, Hal is armed with one of the most powerful weapons in the universe: the Green Lantern power ring. The ring allows him to use his considerable willpower to create energy constructs, among many other uses.
At first glance, this should be a fight that Black Panther loses, but Hal, as powerful as he is, is also kind of easy to goad. A cocky test pilot, he likes to make things close and personal and this is where T'Challa will beat him. He'll be able to trick Hal into fighting on his terms, and Hal will lose.
Green Arrow Is Only An Impressive Marksman
Green Arrow is the protector of Star City. Armed with one of mankind's oldest weapons, he fights a one-man war on crime in his hometown. He's also been a member of the Justice League, helping battle some of the most powerful villains and threats the DC universe has to offer.
Green Arrow is a skilled armed and unarmed fighter, but he's got nothing on Black Panther. His arrows, be they the regular bladed kind or any of his trick ones, wouldn't have much of an effect on Panther's vibranium armored costume, nullifying any range advantage. Up close, Panther would destroy him.
Nightwing Is Simply Not As Advanced As Black Panther
Dick Grayson was the first Robin. A leader of the Teen Titans, he would take on the heroic identity of Nightwing, becoming his own man. Nightwing is one of the premier hand-to-hand combatants of the DC universe, combining his acrobatic skills with martial arts, as well as a shrewd detective and a born leader.
Nightwing is very formidable and in a straight-up fight could probably take T'Challa. However, T'Challa has all the advantages of his vibranium suit and vast technology. Nightwing wouldn't be able to counter any of that, giving Black Panther the victory.
Hawkman Only Has An Aerial Advantage
Hawkman is Carter Hall, a warrior who has been reincarnated through space and time trying to make up for all the killing he did in his first life. Using Nth Metal, he's able to fly, has greater strength and durability, and can heal faster than a regular person. He's one of the fiercest fighters in the DC universe.
While his flight would make him a hard target to hit, Hawkman still has to come at Black Panther to hit him and that's where T'Challa will make his move. Black Panther has dealt with flying opponents before. Without that advantage, it would come down to a brutal hand-to-hand battle Black Panther would win.
Batman Is Not As Technologically Advanced As Black Panther
Batman and Black Panther are birds of a feather: two normal humans using their smarts and resources to battle evil. One protects a city, one a country. Both are fierce fighters and brilliant tacticians, more than earning their places in the greater superhero community.
When it comes right down to it, Batman can't really take out Black Panther sight unseen. He's easily the more skilled fighter and probably a better tactician, but he doesn't have the same resources that Black Panther has and wouldn't be able to overcome Panther's vibranium technology. If he had prep time, it might be a different story, but otherwise, Black Panther gets the win.
Characters Black Panther Would Lose To
Superman Is DC's Mightiest Hero
Superman needs no introduction. One of the most powerful superheroes in any universe, the Man of Steel is a paragon of the heroic ideal. Superman can easily outfight nearly anyone he's up against, but he'd rather use his brains to win than his vast repertoire of powers.
While Black Panther's vibranium gives him a way to absorb a lot of damage and redirect it at a foe, there's just not much he could do against Superman. Superman doesn't even need to directly engage him. He can just stay airborne and use some of his long-range powers on T'Challa.
John Stewart Is An Equally Skilled Tactician
John Stewart is another human Green Lantern, but in a lot of ways, he's better at his job than Hal. A former Marine Corps sniper and an architect, John's constructs are much better thought out than Hal's. He's also more level-headed and not as prone to risky behavior.
Black Panther would be able to goad Hal, but he couldn't do the same with John. John Stewart might not be smarter than Black Panther, but he wouldn't allow T'Challa to force him into a mistake. Making a surgical strike, with help from the scanning abilities of the ring's AI, he would take the Wakandan monarch out.
Wonder Woman Is An Actual God
Diana is the pinnacle of the Amazons, a group of fierce warrior women. As Wonder Woman, she is one of the leading heroes of the DC universe. Armed with the Lasso of Truth, she's super strong, and durable, and can throw hands with the best of them.
While not as strong as Superman, Wonder Woman is still vastly stronger, faster and durable than Black Panther. Panther would probably get some good licks in using some of his technological tricks, but he couldn't hang against Wonder Woman for too long and if she used the Lasso of Truth on him, he wouldn't be able to escape or fight back.
The Flash Would Run Circles Around Black Panther
Barry Allen is the Fastest Man Alive. Powered by the Speed Force, the Flash can run at super speeds, vibrate through matter, and travel between universes, using his super speed to clean up crime in Central City and help his superhero compatriots in the Justice League save the universe.
Nothing Black Panther could do would help him against the Flash. Any attack could be vibrated through and while T'Challa is much smarter than Barry, Barry knows how to use his speed as a weapon in ways that would give Black Panther a run for his money.
Aquaman Is King Of Most Of The World
Aquaman and Black Panther have a lot in common. Both are monarchs of technologically advanced kingdoms. Both are formidable hand-to-hand combatants. Both are two of the richest men on their respective Earths. However, Aquaman has inborn superpowers and is vastly stronger and more durable.
Even out of the water, Aquaman outclasses Black Panther. Aquaman can survive the pressures at the bottom of the ocean, meaning any attack Black Panther can throw at him would fail. Vibranium is quite durable but could it stand up to Poseidon's trident? Doubtful.