Should Batman be powered down

[ShadowBoxing]

I'm not kidding about this.
Batman current stats are that he can bench 725, he is an olympic level athlete in EVERY event (does this mean he is a good sychronised swimmer). and that he is the world's smartest man (I shortened this bio by a lot)

He by 17 had 4 third degree black belts and started lifting at age 12 (which would mean in real life he would get past being 4 foot 5 in his life, lifting that young stunts your growth).

Don't you think its time they powered him down a little, maybe even retconned his origin a little to make his trainning seem slightly more--oh I don't know--believable

[Arkady Rossovich]

Batman has no super powers.He should not be "powered down",he is one of the only successful heros who can go anywhere without powers.

[The Question]

He can bench 725? But there was a story in which he became addicted to steroids after he couldn't save a person who was traped under a 400 pound beam. And if he could bench 725, he's be way more riped than he's usually drawn. He'd have muscles like beach balls.

[batnkevlar]

He couldn't save the girls life cuz he couldn't lift a boulder, causing the girl to drown... he got addicted to a form of Venom steroid...

[CobraCommander]

I'd say yes. He's way too "powerful," and I don't mean in terms of his strength. I mean this whole "everyone fears Batman," world's greatest scientist, master of all martial arts, prep time invinciblility, uber-high-tech costume bull****.

I'd say it's long past time to portray him as NORMAL for a while. Remember those detective skills? That used to mean something. Now it's just a minor aspect to his character, which has been overshadowed by the above-mentioned stuff.

Batman needs to eat some humble pie for a good long time.

[PaleRider]

yeah I can agree that I'm getting alittle tired of the fact that just about everyone in the DCU "fears" him, thats alittle old. But I don't think his the worlds smartest man.

[batnkevlar]

He's not supposed to be the world's smartest man... he's the best detective though... he sees connections other people don't see... he can fight, too, which is cool... and yes, i think he should be more of a detective... but he is still genius level... imagine this: if you had no social life, you coyuld easily devote your whole life to certain trades... that's what he did... so time is not really an issue...

[CobraCommander]

Whatever you want to believe. I just hate Batman as he is now.

[The Question]

Personally, I think Batman should be written as "a Jack of all trades, but a master of none." He's good at alot of stuff (fighting, detective skills, forensics), but he aint necesairlily da best.

[CConn]

No, Batman should not be powered down.

And yes, I'm only saying that because I'm a Batman fan. :o

[Spike_x1]

I like Batman just the way he is. The stories in his books are still entertaining to me, so I don't see any need for change.

[Lackey]

No.

[hey yo its sean]

Jesus Christ, he just got the s**t beat out of him by Superman. Maybe he should get "powered down," so next time, instead of being in critical condition, he can just die.

Even if does have the skills, it seems that everyone else is just as brilliant a tactician, detective, fighter, etc. So why does it even matter?

In short, no, he shouldn't have his non-existant powers downgraded.

[Brian Braddock]

Batman should always be an absolute badass. The hardest non -powered hero in the DC unverse - One person you would definately think twice about messing with. It's up to the villains to raise their game if they want to get past Bats.

[The Leaguer]

I don't think he should be "powered down," he should just stop winning bull**** fights that he has no business winning.

[Lackey]

like?

[The Leaguer]

Amazo.

[The Ether]

No.

[SpawnofInuyasha]

I don't think he should be "powered down," he should just stop winning bull**** fights that he has no business winning.

Exactly

[Lackey]

Amazo.


yeah, that's the one I was thinking of, but I couldn't think of any others

[Assassin]

no...

[hippie_hunter]

No because many people are better than him in many fields:

Deathstroke is a better tactitican

Lady Shiva, Batgirl, Richard Dragon, and the Bronze Tiger are better martial artists

Mr. Miracle is a better escape artist

Green Arrow, Arsenal, Connor Hawke, and Arrowette have better aim than him

Dr. Mid-Nite has better knowledge than him at medicine

Bane is stronger than him, even without the Venom

The list can go on and on

[Lackey]

Amazo.


I gotta add to that, it wasn't just him, it was him and Nightwing.

should we power down Nightwing too?




Now I agree with you that they shouldn't have won that fight, but I don't think it justifies powering down either of them.

[The Leaguer]

Green Arrow, Arsenal, Connor Hawke, and Arrowette have better aim than him
I don't know about Arrowette.

[batman44]

I wish he use more of his detective skills than asking Oracle for info. Also I wouldn't his attitude to change some, he's way too rude and tough with everyone.

[J.R.]

No...Batman's human..he's got to have something going for him.

[ShadowBoxing]

I think he is far too skilled at this point, even without a social life it would be impossible to train to that level. The Human body needs a certain amount of food, sleep and rest to build and grow stronger, faster, etc. If he truely trained from dawn till dust everyday for his life he would be the weakest most fragile person on the planet as opposed to what he really is

[ShadowBoxing]

plus this whole 725 bench (he doesn't look like he can) and Olympic level in ALL events in his bio is a load of crap they need to change. Perhaps they should put out a new handbook that tones down some of that stuff

[hey yo its sean]

No.

[Lackey]

I wish he use more of his detective skills than asking Oracle for info. Also I wouldn't his attitude to change some, he's way too rude and tough with everyone.


1. Read City of Crime and Broken City

2. Oracle hasn't been in Gotham for a long time now. She no longer helps Batman.

[Hush]

No...........

[goldmill]

BTW, weightlifting does not sunt your growth. TOtal fallacy.

[Red Mask]

Batman's still a human being, there's nothing to power down.

[Darthphere]

plus this whole 725 bench (he doesn't look like he can) and Olympic level in ALL events in his bio is a load of crap they need to change. Perhaps they should put out a new handbook that tones down some of that stuff


Its been that way for years, why would they change it now.

[ShadowBoxing]

BTW, weightlifting does not sunt your growth. TOtal fallacy.
no it does...i'm a fitness trainer, it absolutely does. As a kid he could do very light weight such as 5 or 10 pound weight and or pushups and situps, pullups and other bodyweight exercises. But weight training will stunt your growth.

[ShadowBoxing]

Most people who tell you its a myth assume the person in question started training at 16 or older (since most gyms require that as a minimum age). If you start training at 12 (like Batman did) its much different. People at 12 body's are just starting to change. There apetite spikes in reaction, they need more nutrients and more food to sustain there growth. Weight training uses a massive amount of nutrients and a massive amount of fuel. So why can't a 12 year old just take double or triple to compensate. Your body can only take so much before it fills up so to speak. Most protien and nutrients the average athlete takes in is lost to waste. A 12 year old body, just like any body, will send nutrients and protien, carbs, sugars, water, etc. To the place where it needs it most. If you a cutting and tearing your muscles up weight trainning, guess what, thats where it will send the nutrients.
PTs often give kids some line about how Michael Vick or Shaq are huge and muscular so that effectively disproves it. WRONG!!! most pro-athletes are naturally strong and fast and tall. Its just their genetics. Vick probably didn't do any intense weight trainning until 15 or 16 like the rest of his teammates, however he just got results at a faster rate due to inherent genetic factors.

If you want proof look at little Hercules, the kid will be small for the rest of his life

[The Riddler]

He can bench 725? But there was a story in which he became addicted to steroids after he couldn't save a person who was traped under a 400 pound beam. And if he could bench 725, he's be way more riped than he's usually drawn. He'd have muscles like beach balls.
lifting and benching are two very seperate things.

[The Question]

Yes. But lifting 400 pounds is much easyer than benching 725 pounds. In fact I'm pretty sure it's near impossible for any human to bench more than one rep of 725 pounds.

[Lackey]

Most people who tell you its a myth assume the person in question started training at 16 or older (since most gyms require that as a minimum age). If you start training at 12 (like Batman did) its much different.


who said Batman started weightlifting at 12?

[SpawnofInuyasha]

Batman's still a human being, there's nothing to power down.

It's impossible for a man his size to bench 725. He supposed to be a normal human. Plus they should not even have someone as powerless as him going up against the likes of superman. Superman should be able to breath and knock him out.

[ShadowBoxing]

who said Batman started weightlifting at 12?
his DCU bio says so

[ShadowBoxing]

Yes. But lifting 400 pounds is much easyer than benching 725 pounds. In fact I'm pretty sure it's near impossible for any human to bench more than one rep of 725 pounds.
just about the highest recorded bench (by the way his bio specifies bench) is 800 (which is what Cap A can do).

[Varient]

sigh.

[The Question]

just about the highest recorded bench (by the way his bio specifies bench) is 800 (which is what Cap A can do).


Really. Okay. Still, Bats aint anywhere near ripped enough to bench 725. He'd have to have muscles like thoes guys on the world's strongest man compititions. Thoes guys look like mini Hulks.

[Lackey]

his DCU bio says so


show me

[Lackey]

I looked at 3 different official Batman bios and none of them say that he started weightlifting when he was 12 or that he can bench 725.

[War Lord]

no it does...i'm a fitness trainer, it absolutely does. As a kid he could do very light weight such as 5 or 10 pound weight and or pushups and situps, pullups and other bodyweight exercises. But weight training will stunt your growth.

Weightlifting itself won't hurt a child. There's no biomechanical difference between doing a bench press and a push up, a chin-up and a lat pulldown, or a freehand squat or a weighted squat.

What can hurt them is focusing on heavy weights. This will hurt them because it could get them to be stronger than their body structure is going to handle, especially if the kid is prone to trying to show off how strong he is by doing something stupid like benching as much as he can.

If somebody is going to weight-train a child, you're not going to hurt them by getting them to do high reps (20 to 30 reps on each exercise) in proper form.

Having said that, imo, it is overall better for a child to be involved in various sport activities as opposed to a specific sport activity like body building so he/she can be as athletically balanced and coordinated as possible.

[War Lord]

I looked at 3 different official Batman bios and none of them say that he started weightlifting when he was 12 or that he can bench 725.

Here you go Shirley.

http://www.starnet-database.com/dbase_deo/profiles/batman/batman.html

In principle, whatever is close to the utmost of any physical ability, that is what Batman can do as far as DC is concerned.

[Lackey]

that's not official

[War Lord]

that's not official

It's pretty much official.

Most of the official DC bios mention that in all athletic events, Batman has trained himself to be at an Olympic level. Pick an event and Batman could win the gold as far as DC is concerned.

That's probably why DC doesn't really give stats for Batman because those stats would constantly change every four years.

[Not Jake]

Batman needs to be human again. Bring him down some. Make him more vulnerable. That's the fun Batman. That's Year One and DKR. I don't care that his prime is in between those stories. Those are the best stories about him, and he happens to be decidedly imperfect in them. It's an endearing trait for him.

[Lackey]

It's pretty much official.



nope, it's not official

Batman started training when he was 14, not 12... but nowhere does it say that he started weightlifting then or that he can bench 725

[War Lord]

nope, it's not official

Batman started training when he was 14, not 12... but nowhere does it say that he started weightlifting then or that he can bench 725

Batman maintains the physical stature of a man in perfect physical condition and he constantly trains his physical abilities, strength, agility, reflexes and coordination until they reach mythical proportions for a human. Starting at a very young age, Batman conditioned his body with physical regimes such as strength conditioning, martial arts, yoga and biofeedback. These years of intenstive training have allowed him to become and remain one of the most physically capable men on Earth.

He may bench press approximately 725 pounds and is the near-equal or equal of the world's best athlete in any Olympic event. Batman is a ruthless combatant and fights with an unothodoxed mixture of styles that incorporate techniques from other cultures, mixed with the weapon styles of his uniform. These include batarangs, razor-wings and grappling lines. Batman is also an accomplished night fighter and is capable of fighting in an obscured or poorly lit environnment.

[War Lord]

You're not going to see DC release any actual stats on Batman, because he's supposed to be the perfect human specimen capable of anything any human has ever accomplished.

[War Lord]

nope, it's not official

Batman started training when he was 14, not 12... but nowhere does it say that he started weightlifting then or that he can bench 725

When Batman started training has varied depending on which biography you read. When it was pre-crisis, he was training even before 12.

[War Lord]

If you read the copyright, this was written 7 years ago. It is accurate for when it was written.

[The Riddler]

Yes. But lifting 400 pounds is much easyer than benching 725 pounds. In fact I'm pretty sure it's near impossible for any human to bench more than one rep of 725 pounds.
no, benching 725 lbs. is much easier than lifting 400.

[War Lord]

no, benching 725 lbs. is much easier than lifting 400.

I agree. Benching 725 once is easier than benching it 400 times.

[Lackey]

You're not going to see DC release any actual stats on Batman


then that makes it not official, like I said... it's someone's idea of what they think Batman stats should be

[Red Mask]

Batman is no Doc Savage or Captain America. He's just good enough for today's standards of physical and mental power.

[Lone]

Batman doesn't have any powers to be powered down(I believe many have mentioned this already).

I do believe however that he should be humbled...and that ass-whoopin Supes handed to him doesn't count 'cause you know Batman's gonna be an even bigger prick now.

[Sarge]

Amazo.
He barely escaped Amazo, and Nightwing was helping him...he didn't exactly win that fight.

[Pksoze]

Batman doesn't have any powers to be powered down(I believe many have mentioned this already).

I do believe however that he should be humbled...and that ass-whoopin Supes handed to him doesn't count 'cause you know Batman's gonna be an even bigger prick now.

What can be done he's a prick if he doesn't get his ass beat and a bigger one if he does.

Maybe he just needs to take a vacation.

[ShadowBoxing]

Here you go Shirley.

http://www.starnet-database.com/dbase_deo/profiles/batman/batman.html

In principle, whatever is close to the utmost of any physical ability, that is what Batman can do as far as DC is concerned.

see I told you guys....thats Jonty30:up:

[War Lord]

see I told you guys....thats Jonty30:up:

and Lackey's real name is Shirley.

[ShadowBoxing]

oh I wrote thats....I meant thanks

[Johnny Blaze]

He barely escaped Amazo, and Nightwing was helping him...he didn't exactly win that fight.
Meh, I'd chalk it up to Winick writing Amazo like a jackass. True, he seemed to be lacking his GL ring, WW's lasso, and J'onn's powers, but with the powers of Supes, Flash, and Aquaman alone he'd be able to turn Batman into paste.
I figure that Winick wanted to boost Batman a bit by having him take out a more powerful foe, but he should've went a different route than Amazo. :o

[SuGarRush]

It is naturally impossible for someone to be at Gold medal abilities in EVERY single event guys. The worlds strongest man CANNOT outrun the worlds fastest man. And fast is very very very different than quick. and quick is different than agile.
Only someone like Captain America, who has a reason to be at these unbelievable levels, should be so strong and all.
Bats is too skinny. My favorite depiction of Bats is Jim Lee, he draws him like a powerhouse, but the guy still couldn't bench 725. Maybe I'm just a lil bit off, but I'm a fairly normal sized guy and 725 is a ton of weight to me.
Bats should have his tail handed to him by Aquaman, Flash, Gl and Supes. Not to mention Powergirl, wonder woman, supergirl, blah blah blah.
He is one of the most talented all around HUMANS in DC, but not Meta, he's nowhere near meta levels...

[The Question]

I agree. Benching 725 once is easier than benching it 400 times.


I meant Lifting a 400 pound object off of someone.

[Pksoze]

Actually Batman's most ridiculous win came way before the Crisis and the uber bat era.

http://data.gc.peachnet.edu/home/r/remm1891/Batman-Hulk.jpg

[SuGarRush]

hey lupus, I haven't read the comic, so I am asking, but couldn't have just squatted the thing off of her?
I mean heck I can squat a couple hundred on a good day, Bats shouldn't have a problem with it...

[The Question]

Actually, Batman couldn't lift the 400 pound weight. The fact that he couldn't save someone because he wasn't strong enough caused him to become dependant on Venom for a short while.

[TheStrider]

I meant Lifting a 400 pound object off of someone.That makes no sense, in lifting you use leg muscles, back, and arm muscles. In benching you only use arm muscles, so that makes no sense.

[The Question]

Wait, no. I was saying that lifting 400 pounds is easyer than benching 725 pounds.

[SuGarRush]

yeah, thats what we were all trying to say too!
See I knew we all agreed, we were just too confused to understand each other...

[War Lord]

It is naturally impossible for someone to be at Gold medal abilities in EVERY single event guys. The worlds strongest man CANNOT outrun the worlds fastest man. And fast is very very very different than quick. and quick is different than agile.
Only someone like Captain America, who has a reason to be at these unbelievable levels, should be so strong and all.
Bats is too skinny. My favorite depiction of Bats is Jim Lee, he draws him like a powerhouse, but the guy still couldn't bench 725. Maybe I'm just a lil bit off, but I'm a fairly normal sized guy and 725 is a ton of weight to me.
Bats should have his tail handed to him by Aquaman, Flash, Gl and Supes. Not to mention Powergirl, wonder woman, supergirl, blah blah blah.
He is one of the most talented all around HUMANS in DC, but not Meta, he's nowhere near meta levels...

In real life, it is impossible. But so are almost anything that "normal" superheroes do in the comics impossible to do in real life. For example, Daredevil couldn't jump off a 5 story building and grab a light post on the way down without leaving his arms attached to the light stem while continuing plunging to the ground.

It's about suspension of belief and accepting the impossible as probable.

[SuGarRush]

lucky for me, I don't like Daredevil either then huh?

[DarkKnightJRK]

Maybe 725's a bit much. Most pro weightlifters can lift just a bit over their own weight, so if Bats is 215 (I believe that's the official weight), he shouldn't be able to lift more than 375 or so. Still preety damn strong, though.

[SuGarRush]

215? I thought he was in the 240 range. hmmm this would explain why he is always drawn so skinny!

All the pieces are coming together now....

[A_French_Gal]

And you slowly spin into my web of truth about the Batman... *Evil failed cackle.* Nah, but that DOES explain a few things.

[War Lord]

Maybe 725's a bit much. Most pro weightlifters can lift just a bit over their own weight, so if Bats is 215 (I believe that's the official weight), he shouldn't be able to lift more than 375 or so. Still preety damn strong, though.

Some people have a lot of power. There are those that can bench upto 4 times their weight.

[The Question]

215? I thought he was in the 240 range. hmmm this would explain why he is always drawn so skinny!

All the pieces are coming together now....


I think he's 240 with the suit on. That thing weighs alot.

[ShadowBoxing]

Maybe 725's a bit much. Most pro weightlifters can lift just a bit over their own weight, so if Bats is 215 (I believe that's the official weight), he shouldn't be able to lift more than 375 or so. Still preety damn strong, though.
most good weightlifters should feasably be able to lift twice their body weight

[The Question]

But Batman isn't all about weight training. He's about fighting. Fighting isn't as much about strength as it is about agility and endurance.

[SuGarRush]

Now guys, I dunno know if you guys know this, but I just learned from the marvel thread, that Batman can apparently take down Galactus and THanos without a real problem.
So obviously, he has been pumping a lot of iron lately.

[A_French_Gal]

You've gotta be joking me....

[War Lord]

Now guys, I dunno know if you guys know this, but I just learned from the marvel thread, that Batman can apparently take down Galactus and THanos without a real problem.
So obviously, he has been pumping a lot of iron lately.

I can only speculate that Galactus hadn't had his morning coffee.

[A_French_Gal]

Maybe Galactus is already dead and he took credit for it?

[boywondernerdDC]

No because many people are better than him in many fields:

Deathstroke is a better tactitican

Lady Shiva, Batgirl, Richard Dragon, and the Bronze Tiger are better martial artists

Mr. Miracle is a better escape artist

Green Arrow, Arsenal, Connor Hawke, and Arrowette have better aim than him

Dr. Mid-Nite has better knowledge than him at medicine

Bane is stronger than him, even without the Venom

The list can go on and on


yes and the reason he is the best is because he cares more about his fellow man more then ne one so shouldnt be powered down becuz he isnt powered up so to speak his a great hero and thats all he needs

[A_French_Gal]

I still think he's "too strong." Sure, I think he should be powerful. But lately, it seems like some of his stuff borderlines "superhuman" in feel to me.

[SuGarRush]

did boywonder just say that Bats cares more for his fellow man than Doc Mid-Nite?
hahahaahahahahahahahahaha
don't make me laugh. Thats what the Doc is known for man.
Sure Bats cares no ones arguing, bt it's hard to be more altruistic than Dr. Mid-Nite.

[The Leaguer]

It's what pretty much all heroes are known for.

[A_French_Gal]

Not Punisher. But he's not really a hero either.

[The Question]

The Ounisher cares very deeply for his fellow man. He just doesn't consider drug dealers, murderers, and crime lords to be his fellow man.

[War Lord]

I still think he's "too strong." Sure, I think he should be powerful. But lately, it seems like some of his stuff borderlines "superhuman" in feel to me.

It's his willpower.

[A_French_Gal]

No, he doesn't care about other human life. I mean, he kills without remorse, and on more than one occassion, made a comment to innocent bystanders being nothing more than collateral.

[The Leaguer]

No, he doesn't care about other human life. I mean, he kills without remorse, and on more than one occassion, made a comment to innocent bystanders being nothing more than collateral.
Conversely, he killed a vigilante for having that outlook.

[A_French_Gal]

lol Punisher is an anti-hero. So I guess we couldn't use him. But yeah, on more than one occassion he's killed vigilante's for that. But good ol' Frank Castle is still awesome.

[Prognosticator]

Batman should always be an absolute badass. The hardest non -powered hero in the DC unverse - One person you would definately think twice about messing with. It's up to the villains to raise their game if they want to get past Bats.



Hell yeah!! Bats is the shis-nit! Plus, everyone else is such a friggin' emotional panzy in the DCU, why the crap don't they need a grumpy guss who tells it like it is...a la, Batman!!! Plus, what doesn't kill him only makes him stronger. Thus, no wonder he's such a bad-a$$ who can lift 700lb + !!!!

[y2jversion1]

For all those saying that Bats couldn't possibly bench 725 because he's not super huge - you don't have to be huge to be strong - it all depends on the density of the muscle fibres and connective tissue.

At my gym there's an asian dude, definately under 200lbs (probably around 180..), this guy whacks out reps with 405lbs on the bench (4 - 45 plates on each side + olympic bar). If you were to see this guy outside the gym, you'd think he's a skinny lil bastard but this SOB can outbench everyone at the gym, save for 2-3 other guys...

Maybe 725's a bit much. Most pro weightlifters can lift just a bit over their own weight, so if Bats is 215 (I believe that's the official weight), he shouldn't be able to lift more than 375 or so. Still preety damn strong, though.

That's totally BS...

[Red Mask]

If Batman were descended from the Wold-Newton group his great strength would make sense.

[goldmill]

no it does...i'm a fitness trainer, it absolutely does. As a kid he could do very light weight such as 5 or 10 pound weight and or pushups and situps, pullups and other bodyweight exercises. But weight training will stunt your growth.

Sorry but "fitness" trainer means jack squat to me. I've been weightlifting since I was 12-13 and am 6'3". Another real life example is Lou Ferrigono(sp?) who started at about 11 or 12 and is 6'5". There are a many tall lifters and short lifters. Weightlifting actually helps to strengthen a persons bones and connective tissues.

That is a VERY old myth that has been proven wrong time and time again in scientific journals. Personally, I wouldn't advise someone to lift until 12-13 but once puberty begins it is all fair game.

If you really feel that is the truth which it isn't, then post some proof.

I know this sounds like I'm attacking you personally but I'm not. I've been doing this for years and am sick of the myth along with all the other dumb things like your body can only process 30g of protein at a time.

[goldmill]

For all those saying that Bats couldn't possibly bench 725 because he's not super huge - you don't have to be huge to be strong - it all depends on the density of the muscle fibres and connective tissue.

At my gym there's an asian dude, definately under 200lbs (probably around 180..), this guy whacks out reps with 405lbs on the bench (4 - 45 plates on each side + olympic bar). If you were to see this guy outside the gym, you'd think he's a skinny lil bastard but this SOB can outbench everyone at the gym, save for 2-3 other guys...



That's totally BS...

Exactly. There are women who weigh in the mid 100s that can squat in the 500s as far as powerlifting goes. If you guys really want to learn about the stuff and what someone can do at a given BW then I suggest learning as much as possible about Westside Barbell. Louie Simmons is considered almost all knowing in the sport.

[Red Mask]

Sorry but "fitness" trainer means jack squat to me. I've been weightlifting since I was 12-13 and am 6'3". Another real life example is Lou Ferrigono(sp?) who started at about 11 or 12 and is 6'5". There are a many tall lifters and short lifters. Weightlifting actually helps to strengthen a persons bones and connective tissues.

Ferrigno. Guys like him have good genes for that.

[War Lord]

Ferrigno. Guys like him have good genes for that.

If you've seen pictures of him as a youth, you couldn't have guessed that he had that kind of potential. He had the skinniest arms and thinnest frame imaginable.

No exag.

[Red Mask]

Bodybuilding is a long process.

[War Lord]

Bodybuilding is a long process.

No question that it takes years.

[A_French_Gal]

It's a lifelong sorta thing for most people.

[Sarge]

yes and the reason he is the best is because he cares more about his fellow man more then ne one so shouldnt be powered down becuz he isnt powered up so to speak his a great hero and thats all he needs
Oh come on! Like Green Arrow doesnt care for his fellow man?

[A_French_Gal]

You know them hippies. They care about nobody. Whole taking down trees and blazing trails with tanks and... wait... Something about that doesn't add up. He does care!! I've been getting it wrong all these years!!

[SuGarRush]

Dirty Hippies!!!!

[Prognosticator]

This is a funny thread that deserves to be reread! LMAO! Those silly Bat-haters :woot:

[blud_knight]

there is a powered down batman. he is called nightwing.

[The Leaguer]

:rolleyes:

[Prognosticator]

It seems like a distant memory, all of that Bat-hate. I guess the Crisis was good for something :o

[raybia]

I'd say yes. He's way too "powerful," and I don't mean in terms of his strength. I mean this whole "everyone fears Batman," world's greatest scientist, master of all martial arts, prep time invinciblility, uber-high-tech costume bull****.

I'd say it's long past time to portray him as NORMAL for a while. Remember those detective skills? That used to mean something. Now it's just a minor aspect to his character, which has been overshadowed by the above-mentioned stuff.

Batman needs to eat some humble pie for a good long time.

Well, the reason he is too powerful is because DC insists on pairing him up with the JL and other super powered heroes and subsequently villians. To keep Batman from just standing around looking stupid, he is powered up to get included in the story. But within his own books he is usually powered down.

I say have him leave the JL and restrict his interaction with the DC Universe and keep him mostly in Gotham. I hate it that the existence of Batman has been confirmed with the DC Universe. He should have stayed an Urban Legend to the world and even in Gotham.

[Prognosticator]

^ WHAaaaaaaaa???

[raybia]

^ WHAaaaaaaaa???

Too much of a radical departure?

[Ultimate_Superman]

Well, the reason he is too powerful is because DC insists on pairing him up with the JL and other super powered heroes and subsequently villians. To keep Batman from just standing around looking stupid, he is powered up to get included in the story. But within his own books he is usually powered down.

I say have him leave the JL and restrict his interaction with the DC Universe and keep him mostly in Gotham. I hate it that the existence of Batman has been confirmed with the DC Universe. He should have stayed an Urban Legend to the world and even in Gotham.I agree with that part

[Ultra-Herald9]

This is one of the saddest threads I have ever read.:dry:

[Artistsean]

I think its all how you look at it,
Batman being unstoppable and all knowing Batman is the persona he created.
Its what all the enemies and heroes who have just heard about him or see him from affar think of him.
The vulnerable human aspect, where he isn't always right and prepared, is the real him and the side that only his close friends like Alfred or coworkers like Superman see.
What should be done is a way to portray that (without loosing his dark and "most dangerous human" persona and without making him seem like the most unstoppable hero in the world.)

[CLARKY]

I'm not kidding about this.
Don't you think its time they powered him down a little ?
Yes, ab-solutely.

[raybia]

I think its all how you look at it,
Batman being unstoppable and all knowing Batman is the persona he created.
Its what all the enemies and heroes who have just heard about him or see him from affar think of him.
The vulnerable human aspect, where he isn't always right and prepared, is the real him and the side that only his close friends like Alfred or coworkers like Superman see.
What should be done is a way to portray that (without loosing his dark and "most dangerous human" persona and without making him seem like the most unstoppable hero in the world.)

I like an episode of THE BATMAN that I saw recently. Batgirl was asking Batman will she ever get to meet the man behind the mask. He replied, "Who says I'm a man?"

To me, that is what Bruce is striving to have Batman precieved: To be more than a man. Is Batman some non super powered hero? Well, its his job to even have his fellow heroes to be doubtful of his abilities and capabilities.

[fifthfiend]

Conversely, he killed a vigilante for having that outlook.

Naw, he just killed the guy for horning in on his schtick. That teary-eyed crap about the poor innocent cleaning lady was just the best excuse he could come up with.

[Fledermaus]

I've got it. Instead of 'powering down' a character who doesn't have any powers, DC should show how human Batman really is by creating a villain, building said villain up for about 6 months, and then have that villain break Batman's back! That would so work. Then have a just some random motherf**ker wear the batsuit for about a year, and then the real Batman comes back, kicks ass, and takes Gotham back. What do you think? Would that be groundbreaking?

[Prognosticator]

^ You're my hero! And the savior of this thread, :woot:

[SpandexFan]

Jesus Christ, he just got the s**t beat out of him by Superman. Maybe he should get "powered down," so next time, instead of being in critical condition, he can just die.

Even if does have the skills, it seems that everyone else is just as brilliant a tactician, detective, fighter, etc. So why does it even matter?

In short, no, he shouldn't have his non-existant powers downgraded.

I thought the fact that he even survived Superman going crazy on him was a sign that he was overpowered, not that he survived in critical condition. That wasn't very believable to me. Come on now, the strongest man in comic book history thinks you are someone who just killed his wife and gets sixty seconds of free punches on you before he is stopped. No powerless hero, no matter how tough they are, can survive that.

[Anubis]

Well, Bat's surviving that battle can be chalked up to the fact that Supes attacked him while he was right next to the weapons systems. Slowing him down for just a fraction of a second probably saved his life. Of course there's always the possibility that, even extremely uber pissed, Supes still pulls his punches.

[Kitsune]

Well, Bat's surviving that battle can be chalked up to the fact that Supes attacked him while he was right next to the weapons systems. Slowing him down for just a fraction of a second probably saved his life. Of course there's always the possibility that, even extremely uber pissed, Supes still pulls his punches.

It's a hard habit to break.

[The Leaguer]

Naw, he just killed the guy for horning in on his schtick. That teary-eyed crap about the poor innocent cleaning lady was just the best excuse he could come up with.

I don't think you're allowed to reply to me 2 years after the fact.

[Ultimate_Superman]

Well, Bat's surviving that battle can be chalked up to the fact that Supes attacked him while he was right next to the weapons systems. Slowing him down for just a fraction of a second probably saved his life. Of course there's always the possibility that, even extremely uber pissed, Supes still pulls his punches.That and the fact they used the all healing purple ray on Batman which if not for that Bruce would have died.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I'm not kidding about this.
Batman current stats are that he can bench 725, he is an olympic level athlete in EVERY event (does this mean he is a good sychronised swimmer). and that he is the world's smartest man (I shortened this bio by a lot)

He by 17 had 4 third degree black belts and started lifting at age 12 (which would mean in real life he would get past being 4 foot 5 in his life, lifting that young stunts your growth).

Don't you think its time they powered him down a little, maybe even retconned his origin a little to make his trainning seem slightly more--oh I don't know--believable

Okay the 725lb thing is a little ridiculous, only because he doesn't really have the build for it, plus being that big to bench that much will slow you down a lot and he does rely on a good amount of speed. So that should be more around 500-600lbs.

But that isn't that big of a deal, being the smartest man on Earth and knowing ALL forms of martial arts at a master level is stupid. Just stupid.

[trustyside-kick]

While Batman is not omnipotent or anything...I will agree that he is set "too high on the pedastal". This is coming from a Batman fan...he is my number one but not because of his "oh so deadly prep time skills". Seriously...the prep time bull**** is so ridiculous.

While it is obvious that at certain fields Batman is great at, there are better people...I just think there aren't enough times that is shown. Depower him? Maybe to a point...but not much. Just let it show that he isn't the best at everything even though he isn't but it is shown that way almost. Heck, have some arc where Dick excells greatly at something better than Bruce. That will almost be enough right there.

[freemadison]

While Batman is not omnipotent or anything...I will agree that he is set "too high on the pedastal". This is coming from a Batman fan...he is my number one but not because of his "oh so deadly prep time skills". Seriously...the prep time bull**** is so ridiculous.

While it is obvious that at certain fields Batman is great at, there are better people...I just think there aren't enough times that is shown. Depower him? Maybe to a point...but not much. Just let it show that he isn't the best at everything even though he isn't but it is shown that way almost. Heck, have some arc where Dick excells greatly at something better than Bruce. That will almost be enough right there.

Yeah, anything except Dick has "better people skills" or is "a better leader".

[The Leaguer]

Dick is a better acrobat.

[Eros]

Well, Bat's surviving that battle can be chalked up to the fact that Supes attacked him while he was right next to the weapons systems. Slowing him down for just a fraction of a second probably saved his life. Of course there's always the possibility that, even extremely uber pissed, Supes still pulls his punches.


a "weak" punch from superman should be able to shatter a human skull with no effort.

[Anubis]

Who said Batman was the smartest man in the world?

[trustyside-kick]

I thought Luthor was the smartest, followed by Bats, followed by Mr. Terriffic.

[Fledermaus]

That's what I've read as well.

[Harlekin]

Mr. Teriffic is easily smarter than Batman.

[Anubis]

Batman isn't even in the top five. He's smart, yes, but he's master of only one thing, and that's his Detective skills. It's the same with his Martial Arts "mastery". He's got bits and pieces from all over, but master of very few things.