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Batman is Gotham City's Dark Knight, a superhero who made it cool to fight crime without superpowers. He made his debut in a time period when extraordinary and superhuman abilities defined superheroes. Without powers, Batman regularly saved the day using nothing but a superior intellect, clever deduction skills, and the best tech his money could buy.
Batman's consistent heroism without a single power helped make him a staple of comic book culture. He also paved the way for other superheroes without powers in the industry. However, there are a few powerless heroes who would beat Batman in a fight, even if the Caped Crusader had prep time.
Updated on September 9, 2022 by Scoot Allan: There are several ongoing and sometimes heated fan debates that discuss various characters who can defeat Batman. The Great Darkness and his powerful Dark Army took Batman down a peg during the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths. Batman is usually at his best facing stronger villains with incredible powers. However, there are some comic book characters without powers who could still give the Dark Knight a run for his money.
13 Hit-Girl
First Appearance: Kick-Ass (Vol. 1) #3 By Writer Mark Millar, Penciler John Romita Jr., Inker Tom Palmer, Colorist Dean White, And Letterer Chris Eliopoulos
Everyone's favorite antihero Hit-Girl made her debut in Mark Miller's breakout hit series Kick-Ass. Hit-Girl also starred in the hit movie adaptation, which became a cult classic. Seeing her unleash her fury in her recent return to comics reminded fans just how ruthless Hit-Girl could be in battle.
Hit-Girl has the ruthlessness necessary to defeat Batman in combat. She was well-trained by her father and has years of experience despite her young age. There's also a chance that Batman may underestimate her. Hit-Girl will definitely take advantage of that and deliver a surprise knockout to the Dark Knight.
12 Green Arrow
First Appearance: More Fun Comics (Vol. 1) #73, By Writer Mort Weisinger And Penciler/Inker George Papp
Batman and Green Arrow have frequently competed with each other over the years. In fact, one can argue both men are two sides of the same coin, right down to being billionaire heroes with equal efficiencies in combat. Given some of their similarities, it's no wonder why the two have gotten along so well throughout the years.
Thanks to their physical abilities and training, a Batman vs Green Arrow showdown would be a close match. However, Oliver Queen has a better chance of striking at a distance with his arrows, while Batman would likely win in close quarters. As long as he keeps the Dark Knight from getting too close, Green Arrow will seize the victory.
11 Adam Strange
First Appearance: Showcase (Vol. 1) #17, By Writer Gardner Fox, Penciler Mike Sekowsky, And Inker Bernard Sachs
Adam Strange upholds values and morals that may sound dated or sometimes cheesy by today's standards. However, what makes Strange so impressive is that he became the sole savior of the distant planet Rann simply by using his wits and the gadgets he created with his suit.
Strange was a simple archeologist when he got whisked off to another planet. He made the most of his time thanks to his high IQ and his ability to make brilliant friends on Rann. If an untrained scientist could become the protector of an alien planet, his advanced technology would give Batman a run for his money.
10 Katana
First Appearance: The Brave and the Bold (Vol. 1) #200, By Writer Mike W. Barr, Penciler/Inker/Letterer Jim Aparo, And Colorist Adrienne Roy
In the comics, Katana has proven to be one of Batman's closest allies and one of the most powerful members of his Outsiders. The two martial artists have teamed up together on numerous occasions, but have rarely tested each other's mettle. If such a day came, the battle would be a close one.
Batman and Katana are incredibly skilled in various forms of combat, but Katana may be just a smidge faster. That extra advantage is all she'd need to slice Batman with her mystical cursed sword, another advantage on her side. Even if Batman can disarm her, she's fast enough to counter most of his attacks.
9 Black Widow
First Appearance: Tales of Suspense (Vol. 1) #52, By Writers Stan Lee & N. Korok, Penciler/Inker Don Heck, And Letterer Sam Rosen
As far as being skilled in stealth, combat, and gadgetry, Black Widow and Batman are more or less evenly matched. Combat-wise, Batman should be able to take the win as he has the strength advantage. However, the gadgetry both characters wield adds a new element to the fight.
The difference between these two tech specialists is that some of Black Widow's best gadgets are lethal. Whether it's the guns in her holsters or her electroshock gauntlets, all it takes is one itchy trigger finger from the proficient spy to catch Batman unaware and end the fight early.
8 Ghost-Maker
First Appearance: Batman (Vol. 3) #100, By Writer James Tynion IV, Penciler/Inker Jorge Jiménez, Colorist Tomeu Morey, And Letterer Clayton Cowles
The mysterious vigilante known as Ghost-Maker was put in charge of his own team of heroes in the new Batman, Inc. Batman trained with Ghost-Maker for years as they both attempted to become the best fighter in the world. However, Ghost-Maker had no problem with killing and treated his vigilantism as an art form.
Ghost-Maker fought Batman many times, believing the Dark Knight was the only man who could offer him a challenge. They worked in different parts of the world for years, but ultimately formed an alliance to better Gotham City. Ghost-Maker had the same training and his own advanced weapons and gadgets, making it an intense fight. However, Ghost-Maker's willingness to cross the line could give him the advantage needed.
7 Shang-Chi
First Appearance: Special Marvel Edition (Vol. 1) #15, By Writer/colorist Steve Englehart, Penciler Jim Starlin, Inker Al Milgrom, And Letterer Tom Orzechowski
Also known as the Master of Kung-Fu, Shang-Chi is one of the most skilled hand-to-hand fighters in the Marvel Universe. His father trained him to become a master assassin, but Shang-Chi refused to take a life and struck out on his own. He joined teams like the Avengers and the Agents of Atlas, and he almost became the next Phoenix host.
Shang-Chi doesn't have any powers of his own, but he can harness extra power due to his connection to the mystical Great Protector. This will put him on an even playing field if Batman comes to the fight with his deadly gadgets. Batman will need to use every trick up his sleeve to match Shang-Chi's combat mastery, but he'll still lose to the Master of Kung-Fu.
6 Ironheart
First Appearance: Invincible Iron Man (Vol. 3) #7, By Writer Brian Michael Bendis, Penciler/Inker Mike Deodato Jr., Colorist Frank Martin Jr., And Letterer Clayton Cowles
Riri Williams' young age and lack of experience would be a disadvantage against any trained fighter like Batman. However, there is a reason that Williams became the successor to Tony Stark's original mantle. She holds an even more superior intellect than Tony Stark and is still refining her craft as Ironheart.
Riri's Ironheart armor was a challenge for her intelligence instead of a life-saving moment of inspiration, like Tony Stark's development of his own armor. She might prove herself smarter than Stark ever was, and possibly better equipped for a battle of wits with the World's Greatest Detective.
5 The Punisher
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #129, By Writer Gerry Conway, Penciler Ross Andru, Inker Frank Giacoia, Inker/Colorist Dave Hunt, And Letterer John Costanza
The Punisher is essentially Batman if Bruce Wayne used his tragedy to walk down a much darker path. While equally skilled in combat as Batman with years of training from the army, The Punisher is much more ruthless. H'll end the fight in any way possible so only one of them is left standing.
Frank Castle's ruthless brutality is only enhanced by his advanced training. Castle is proficient with numerous firearms and other weapons, and will likely find a good spot to practice his sniper skills when taking on Batman. The pair have met a couple of times in some of the best Marvel and DC crossovers, but their battles didn't end with a definitive winner.
4 Batgirl (Cassandra Cain)
First Appearance: Batman (Vol. 1) #567, By Writer Kelley Puckett, Penciler Damion Scott, Inker John Floyd, Colorist Gregory Wright, And Letterer Todd Klein
Cassandra Cain recently returned to the role of Batgirl, although she's also been known as Black Bat and Orphan. The daughter of Lady Shiva, one of DC's most skilled fighters, Cassandra Cain was raised by her father, the highly skilled assassin, David Cain. He trained her to be a fighter and to read body language instead of speaking.
Cain eventually broke away from her father and started working with Batman and his family of heroes. She repeatedly proved her skill in battle, and even Batman knew she could kill him in battle if she had the same killer instincts as her parents. In a fight to the death between the two characters, Cassandra's Batgirl could easily take down her newfound father figure.
3 Booster Gold
First Appearance: Booster Gold (Vol. 1) #1, By Writer/Penciler Dan Jurgens, Inker Mike DeCarlo, Colorist Tom Ziuko, And Letterer Augustin Mas
Much like Batman, Booster Gold is just a normal guy without powers who became a superhero. They both wear armor and use gadgets to be better crime-fighters. However, Booster Gold has a high-tech suit on his side that comes from the 25th century, which gives him a definite edge.
A former athlete who stole powerful items from a superhero museum, Booster Gold's technology is more advanced than Batman's. He can create force fields, has a robotic sidekick named Skeets, and knowledge of the future. If the first battle doesn't go his way, Booster Gold can also just go back in time and change things. However, he may accidentally create one of the most powerful versions of Batman again.
2 Ka-Zar
First Appearance: X-Men (Vol. 1) #10, By Writer Stan Lee, Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker Chic Stone, And Letterer Sam Rosen
Ka-Zar is basically Marvel's version of Tarzan, with a few key differences. Instead of being raised by apes in the jungle, a mutant sabretooth tiger with enhanced intelligence named Zabu helped keep young Kevin Plunder alive. They lived in the Savage Land, a prehistoric preserve hidden in Antarctica housing dinosaurs and ancient cultures.
Without any superpowers of his own, Ka-Zar more than made up for it by learning to move with the agility and stamina of the animals around him. Batman is one character who wouldn't survive in the Savage Land. Even before the Savage Land brought him back Ka-Zar back to life and he gained new powers from Galactus, Batman would struggle to defeat his opponent.
1 Iron Man
First Appearance: Tales of Suspense (Vol. 1) #39, By Writers Stan Lee & Larry Lieber, Penciler/Inker Don Heck, Colorist Stan Goldberg, And Letterer Artie Simek
Tony Stark has often been equated as Marvel's version of Bruce Wayne, albeit with a little extra charm. However, Stark may have more in common with DC's Lex Luthor, given their choice for evening wear. Stark's biggest advantage when going up against someone like Batman are the powerful Iron Man armors in his closet.
While Batman has his own armored suit and a few heavier-duty models, Iron Man has a suit built for every occasion and any potential enemy he encounters. Both heroes excel with some prep time, but Batman won't have enough firepower in his utility belt to deal with Iron Man's latest war machine.