Why Batman is not a super hero

chelleymarie88

Ok so after reading all the whole thread (30+ minutes, but what else am I going to do at work?), there was a point being made that Batman is not a superhero because he does not have super powers. However, there was an argument that Tony Stark / Iron Man is a super hero because of his Arc power source and Uni-Beam projection. If someone can please provide a credible source saying otherwise, I believe Tony Stark cannot shoot Uni-Beams from his chest without his suit, hence the removal of Tony Stark from superhero categorization. His chest reactor should be likened to a pacemaker or a car battery. Without the suit, he is just a regular man with extraordinary intellect and brilliance, as well as an overabundance of wealth.

Batman, or Bruce Wayne, stripped of his belt and suit, is also just a regular man with extraordinary intellect and brilliance, as well as an overabundance of wealth. Perhaps the fact that both Bruce and Tony clearly are able to access more of their human brain ability than average humans might make them 'super'. These two individuals' intellectual capability is far superior than 99% of the human population, but does being superior intellectually equate being 'super'? Using your brain to the maximum capability, or at least to a level above even a certain Kryptonian, should qualify as a power, if not a super power. Batman augments his intellect with tools that help him achieve his goals, just like Iron Man does. Batman has been dubbed 'the world's greatest detective', and that should qualify him as a super, right? Greatest, meaning there is nothing better. Top of the charts, second to none. Super? Quite possibly.

Sorry about the confusion I was referring to his Extremis armor most of the time and when he was a cyborg. I would still consider Tony Stark a super hero, because of the fact that with his chest reactor, he is able to shoot uni-beams. In several issues was he able to control his suit with his mind/body. If you would like to debunk Tony Stark in order to accept that Batman is not a superhero, then that is fine. I will consider him a super hero nonetheless I won't argue that Batman is highly intelligent, but I will argue that his intelligence does not make him super.

Now I did some research (again, what am I going to do at work all day?) and found out that at one point, Batman had willpower strong enough to wield a Green Lantern Ring, thus technically becoming a Green Lantern himself. Are Green Lanterns not superheroes? I seem to recall that certain Green Lanterns already possess super strength, and their ring adds to their prowess. Hal Jordan, or whomever the current Green Lantern on Earth is, is a superhero via alien technology, much like Venom is a hero/anti-hero via alien technology (or is that also up for debate?). Are the Power Rangers superheroes? They possess super strength, super speed, 'magical' and 'power' item generation, etc, all through alien technology too. It's also been noted that Batman is at the PEAK of human perfection, and shown to be able to bench-press at least 1000 lbs. To me, that's a pretty good measure of being superhuman, all without any external devices, DNA-altering chemicals/radiation, or given non-human powers. Captain Marvel's strength rating is 1000 lbs normally without his Nega-Bands (marvel.wikia.com/Strength_Scale), so perhaps Batman qualifies in this sense based on super strength? Captain America can only lift 800 lbs, but he's a superhero, right? Captain America "has no superhuman powers, although as a result of the Super-Soldier serum, he was transformed from a frail young man into a "perfect" specimen of human development and conditioning", much like the Caped Crusader, sans serum.

By the way, while I was Googling for information and research, this very thread came up #1 on one of my searches. Lol.

Way to go, MFP!!

You bring up the best points, I applaud you for researching lol. Someone brought up a great point to me... Captain America can lift Thor's hammer. I was in disbelief that he can only lift 800 lbs; however, I do know he regenerates health faster and never runs out of stamina. I've seen Batman get winded. Also- do you have any idea how heavy Thor's hammer is? Lol. Let Batman try to pick that up Honestly, I see no interest in Green Lanterns; therefore, I haven't read much, so I can't really speak on that topic. I do know; however, that even through your argument, I see no reason to call Bruce Wayne a super human. He is rich and intelligent, with some awesome martial arts moves....but I don't see him past that.

ETA: I'd also like to add that even though he has reached the "peak" of human strength, that does not mean he has surpassed the ability of a human. Which concludes, that he is nothing more than human.

Captain America is super human. He has super human strength; therefore, he is the epitome of a super hero.

Iron Man arguments: see previous pages, lol.

Which superhero are you referring to when saying, "he has reached the "peak" of human strength, that does not mean he has surpassed the ability of a human. Which concludes, that he is nothing more than human"? :-) Both specimens are at the PEAK of human development / conditioning. Captain America still has to maintain his regimen lest he joins us on MFP one day. Same with Batman. And the Captain (not Morgain, he's a weekend warrior, lol) does have stamina limitations, although "he can exert himself at peak capacity for several hours without rest and before showing any signs of fatigue" (marvel.wikia.com/Captain_America_(Steve_Rogers)). And as far as picking up Thor's hammer, one just has to be deemed worthy to wield Mjolnir, either decided upon by Mjolnir's enchantment itself or by Thor. I'm pretty sure Batman would be worthy in Thor's eyes to hold the hammer for a bit.

I strongly doubt that Batman could wield Thor's hammer. Hulk can't even pick it up. Technically he did, when he lifted Thor, but that's beside the point. Captain America is pure and known as a SUPER soldier. Hint at super. He is more than man. I am referring to Batman when I say reached his peak. I don't know anyone that is human that has (okay nearly) unlimited stamina like Cap does... or regenerates health as quickly...do you?

chelleymarie88

LEAVE BATMAN ALONE!

I just died @ this

chelleymarie88

I will be right back to this thread.... Need to get one more work out in, then I'll resume it lol.

TDGee

This thread has BAZINGA written all over it!!

chelleymarie88

One last thing before I go out for my jog....My Dr. Doom action figure says anyone who opposes me will suffer.

sr823204

LEAVE BATMAN ALONE!

I just died @ this

freaking hilarious!!!!!!!!!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

MissClarey

Best. Argument. Ever.

JDviant

From Merriam-Webster dictionary

a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also : an exceptionally skillful or successful person

Thats Batman, the very definition of a superhero.

chelleymarie88

This thread has BAZINGA written all over it!!

What does that mean?

xcrushx28

From Merriam-Webster dictionary

a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also : an exceptionally skillful or successful person

Thats Batman, the very definition of a superhero.

I'm in full concurrence with this dude.

JDviant

What does that mean?

It's a reference to Big Bang Theory, a show about nerds (who happen to looove comics too)

I'm in full concurrence with this dude.

Cool tattoo, you're like Iron Fist (he has a Dragon)

xcrushx28

What does that mean?

It's a reference to Big Bang Theory, a show about nerds (who happen to looove comics too)

I'm in full concurrence with this dude.

Cool tattoo, you're like Iron Fist (he has a Dragon)

Thank you kind sir.

chelleymarie88

What does that mean?

It's a reference to Big Bang Theory, a show about nerds (who happen to looove comics too)

I'm in full concurrence with this dude.

Cool tattoo, you're like Iron Fist (he has a Dragon)

Thanks for clearing that up. I have never seen the show before. I have exhausted nearly all of my arguments on why Batman is not considered a superhero; however, good job on finding a different definition lol.

OOOOO, WA. Iron Fist is bad *kitten*.

JDviant

Yeah I'm a big Iron Fist fan, Danny Rand is awesome

Indy_Mario

Yeah I'm a big Iron Fist fan, Danny Rand is awesome

Iron fist?! I prefer Iron chef myself! Batali FTW!

PrincessEliNa

I LOVE Batman!!

...

That is all.

chelleymarie88

Yeah I'm a big Iron Fist fan, Danny Rand is awesome

Iron fist?! I prefer Iron chef myself! Batali FTW!

fail

chelleymarie88

I'm sorry, but this is full of win.

chelleymarie88

OMG iron man didn't uni beam wolverine... they fought when he was a Cyborg but it was Cyclops that made it to where he couldn't regenerate....optic blast :0 *fails at life*

1996gtstang

the red and silver/gray iron man was awesome

lacroyx

What does that mean?

It's a reference to Big Bang Theory, a show about nerds (who happen to looove comics too)

I'm in full concurrence with this dude.

Cool tattoo, you're like Iron Fist (he has a Dragon)

Thanks for clearing that up. I have never seen the show before. I have exhausted nearly all of my arguments on why Batman is not considered a superhero; however, good job on finding a different definition lol.

OOOOO, WA. Iron Fist is bad *kitten*.

I've convinced many girls who were anti big bang theory watch the show and fall in love with it. you should give it a chance

lacroyx

Can the rest of you join me in guilting Chelley into starting the Comic Book Group?


I don't like talking nerd where everyone else can see. :glasses: :embarassed:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/2820-comics-n-things

LOL fine >:O

also it's not working for me. what's the secret handshake? ok ok. Batman is NOT a super hero, Aquaman is dumb and Batman would eat fish sticks in front of him AND then defriend him on FB. as for the group link, it doesn't work. is it set to private? I can't even bring it up on a search.

_Ben

Im sorry op, but you are not correct.

Now this is cross publishers, but lets look at the Civil War series from Marvel.

For those who are not familiar, in the Marvel Universe, war breaks out when the US government mandates that all superheroes must register their identity, family, and all other personal information with the government, They must also now act as government employees, instead of rouge vigillantees.

The person who leads this initiative is Iron Man, or Tony Stark. Tony Stark is a man with no super powers, no special history, but a regular human, with considerable wealth and training. Using his technology, he prevents the apocalypse several times over, as well as many smaller heroic acts. Tony Stark/Iron Man is classified as a super hero, as he is acting as a vigilanty, using beyond normal abilities, technology, skills, or techniques to help protect and save others from 'the forces of evil'.

Batman exactly fits the previous description, therefore, by comic book standards, is a superhero

Cold_Steel

I don't feel like you need super "powers" to be a superhero though.

That's where a lot of people are wrong. Superheroes are super human... Indicating they are more "superior" than human. He is a hero, yes. Tony Stark is the "Batman" of Marvel and even HE has something "super" about him. His chest reactor keeps him alive, and so does his armor.

That is where you are wrong.....

Super-hero does not mean superior human, unless hero means human- last time I checked that was not the definition.

_Ben

Here it is from the source. DC and Marvel actually have a copyright on the word Superhero (which I never knew):

"A superhero (also known as a super hero) is a fictional character "of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest". Since the debut of the prototypal superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas — have dominated American comic books and crossed over into other media. A female superhero is sometimes called a superheroine or super heroine.
By most definitions, characters need not have actual superhuman powers to be deemed superheroes, not, although sometimes terms such as costumed crimefighters are used to refer to those without such powers who have many other common traits of superheroes.
The two-word version of the term is a trademark co-owned by DC Comics and Marvel Comics."

http://superhero.askdefine.com/

_Ben

I'm gonna defend b-man to the bitter end, he is the best superhero out there.

XXXMinnieXXX

Agree x

gatecityradio

So then iron man and the punisher aren't superhero's either?

gatecityradio

Here it is from the source. DC and Marvel actually have a copyright on the word Superhero (which I never knew):

"A superhero (also known as a super hero) is a fictional character "of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest". Since the debut of the prototypal superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas — have dominated American comic books and crossed over into other media. A female superhero is sometimes called a superheroine or super heroine.
By most definitions, characters need not have actual superhuman powers to be deemed superheroes, not, although sometimes terms such as costumed crimefighters are used to refer to those without such powers who have many other common traits of superheroes.
The two-word version of the term is a trademark co-owned by DC Comics and Marvel Comics."

http://superhero.askdefine.com/

So it's settled, batman is a superhero. /thread

Cold_Steel

So then iron man and the punisher aren't superhero's either?

This argument is special...

The Punisher, Iron Man, Batman, Robin/Nightwing, ...All super hero's....