Ask any Batman aficionado why they enjoy the character and many will most likely answer the same way: he's just a normal guy. When compared to the super gods who inhabit his world, Batman's heroism despite his human frailty is a very appealing fantasy for many comic readers.
Often, it seems as if all the unpowered heroes aren't afforded the same love as the World's Greatest Detective. Many behave in a much more human manner than the often impenetrable Batman. While the Dark Knight might be the most revered of them, many powerless heroes are just as interesting and just as cool.
10 Nick Fury Sr. Always Acts In Favor Of The Greater Good
Aside from a prolonged life and his stint as the Unseen, Nick Fury Sr. is a top-tier display of human excellence. From the battlefield engagements of the Howling Commandos to the covert network of S.H.I.E.L.D., there has been no shortage of opportunities for Nick Fury to display his leadership and combat proficiency.
The question if Nick Fury actually is a hero might be up for debate. Ultimately, despite having to make hard decisions, everything he does is in service of what he genuinely believes is the greater good.
9 There's No Questioning That Vic Sage Is Cool
The Question was created by the legendary Steve Ditko for the now-defunct Charlton Comics. Much like the pulp heroes of past days, Vic Sage strolls the streets of Hub City in a suit and mask. The modern interpretation of the Question is just as likely to express paranoid conspiracies as he is to dispense justice with martial arts. Sage is also a relentless master detective who's on par with Batman.
The Question's legacy extends to Gibbons and Moore's classic Watchmen series. As the other characters are based on Charlton heroes, Rorschach is influenced by the Question.
8 Shang-Chi, The Master Of Kung Fu
For the vast majority of his publishing history, Shang-Chi has only had the power of his martial arts skills. While he has had the occasional upgrade (most famously with the ten rings in Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings), the Master of Kung Fu is perhaps best when he relies solely on his human talents.
Shang-Chi was born in Marvel Comic's black-and-white magazines. Since then, he has worked alongside MI6, been a hero for hire, and joined a few Avengers lineups. A powerless Shang-Chi even held his own against Spider-Man for a time, proving that dedication to a skill can be better than raw power.
7 Dwayne Taylor Thrashes Thugs
Night Thrasher is the leader of New Warriors, the Marvel teen super-team. In a completely unique origin story, Dwayne witnesses the death of his billionaire parents as a young child, which sets him on a vengeful path against crime.
From a design standpoint, Night Thrasher is very different from most Batman analogs. While most use a cape and cowl of some sort, Night Thrasher is instead garbed in extreme sports gear that's similar to the style of the '90s. This is very fitting for Thrasher as he often employs a skateboard in combat - once even subduing Juggernaut with it.
6 Green Arrow Is More Human Than Batman
While Green Arrow might have been greatly influenced by the Caped Crusader in earlier years, he has since grown to be more. Ever since the Hard-Traveling Heroes storyline by O'Neil and Adams, Green Arrow has become a more socially conscious hero. Oliver Queen's passion for people even led him to serve as the mayor of Star City.
Green Arrow is also allowed to be more flawed than Batman. He neglected his sidekick, Roy Harper, which led the young hero to drug addiction. He was also unfaithful to Black Canary, jeopardizing one of the most cherished relationships in comics. While these failures do not make him a better hero, the humility he displays to right his wrongs does.
5 Two-Gun Kid Is As Cool As Batman
Perhaps the most famous of Marvel's Western characters, Two-Gun Kid has faced rustlers, werewolves, and supervillains - all with his trusty Colts. Matt Hawk has even brought his frontier justice to the modern Marvel Universe, having been brought over several times. He formed close friendships with Hawkeye and She-Hulk and even became a card-carrying Avenger.
While Hawk's fighting prowess is nowhere near that of Batman's, his expert gun skill and tenacity make him just as cool. Two-Gun is also just a fun character, his "man-out-time" disorientation being as compelling as Captain America's.
4 Wildcat Is The Best Bruiser
Ted Grant is the heavyweight boxing superhero, Wildcat. With nothing but his wits and fists, Grant has been a longtime member of the first superhero team, the Justice Society of America. In some continuities, Wildcat actually trains Batman and other Leaguers in the art of boxing. There's just something to be respected about a man facing the DC Universe with only wrapped hands and a catsuit.
Technically, Wildcat has been imbued with a "nine lives" resurrection ability, though this doesn't affect his boxing skills. It's also often ignored by some writers and easily overlooked by some readers.
3 The Phantom Is Older But Still Great
Beating Superman to the title by a couple of years, The Phantom is regarded as the first superhero. The Phantom is similar in style to pulp magazine heroes like The Shadow, but the visuals of the comic strip medium allowed for a much more colorful costume. This is a trait that has continued in the modern superhero.
Like most heroes of the time, Kit Walker doesn't rely on superhuman abilities. Instead, Kit Walker relies on normal physical strength, intellect, and technology, much like Batman would a couple of years later.
2 The Union Jack Is A Generational Hero
The Union Jack mantle has been held by three men: James Falsworth, Brian Falsworth, and Joe Chapman. Brian eventually received a super-soldier serum and Joe was possessed by the Pendragon spirit for a time but by in large, the Union Jacks have been non-powered operatives for the British government.
Wielding his signature revolver and combat knife, Joe is a skilled warrior who protects the UK and its allies abroad. Union Jack frequently works with Steve Rogers, often appearing in the pages of Captain America. Like his predecessors, Joe is also a member of the Invaders.
1 Nightwing Is More Fun Than His Mentor
Dick Grayson may have started his career as a sidekick but he has successfully shined through the shadow of the Bat. While he may not have honed himself physically to the same degree as his progenitor, Dick's upbringing in circus life has made him far more agile. With his experience in the Teen Titans, Nightwing is also arguably a better leader than Batman.
What really sets him apart, and what arguably makes him superior to his adoptive father, is his personality. Dick is far more likely to crack jokes and is much more approachable and trusting than Batman. Nightwing is also on great terms with most of the DC pantheon, a valuable commodity in times of crisis - which is always.