Batmannerism
Super-unknown
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First, I love the classic Dark Knight returns sequence where Batman gets the upper hand over supes. I love it because it involves Batman using every trick and stratagem he can muster, and he still gets pretty badly injured - and of course has to use kryptonite. Even then, Superman is holding back , a lot, and is pretty much an unwilling combatant the whole time. It's a bitter fight, but a good one. It shows that once, just once,
under the right circumstances Batman could defeat Superman (provided Superman wasn't trying that hard). It's well written, well drawn, a real
classic moment in DC comics history.
Could you post some examples of Bats defeating Superman in a physical confrontation where its [QUOTE ] it's not hard at all.[/QUOTE]
because I can't think of any. I'm not saying you're wrong, because Superman gets sucker-punched all the time, and trapped by his foes, but it's usually pretty difficult for whoever's trying it (as Brainiac has discovered to his detriment).
You are correct though, if you can dictate the terms of an engagement, the turf it's fought on, and you have a weapon that your opponent is completely vulnerable to -it specifically exists to destroy them- and you have the element of surprise, then you pretty much should win, no matter who you're up against (even Batman took out Darkseid with the right bullet). Although, with that kind of planning and prep, you can't say it's not hard at all, because those of themselves are a major expenditure of effort.
The two classic Batman fights Superman situations in which Bats comes out on top (Hush, and Dark Knight Returns) strongly feature Kryptonite.
I guess that in Red Son, Batman overcomes Superman using Red sun radiation -and of course dies at the end of that confrontation.
But, essentially, whether it's kryptonite or other stuff, Batman has to neutralize Superman's powers in order to prevail.
Remember the plot line where Superman is under Max Lord's mind control.
Superman, even holding back, pulverizes Batman.
Also, in all of those situations, Superman was not trying all out to destroy Batman. If he did, it would go a bit like this. (even in HUsh, he was under mind control, and had enough restraint to regain control of himself to save Lois )
Batman : "A-ha a sonic boom, here comes Clark, I'll just....." (reaches for Kryptonite ring)
SPLAT. Moving faster than the eye can see, Superman slams into Batman with the force of a small meteor. Vaporizes Kryptonite with heat vision. Batman is reduced to a smear.
So, now on to the thread. Personally, I'm not that keen on a fight.
but if it has to go down, then my suggestion is one of two ways.
1) John Byrne it....Batman uses his wits, so a non-physical confrontation, in which Superman has to do what Batman wants because Bats outwits/manipulates him. Mark Millar did this brilliantly at the end of Red Son.
2) Batman attacks Superman, which is ultimately futile. After a bit of pointless mayhem, Superman has to save some bystanders from one of Batman's attacks that goes awry (a stray missile or something). Bats realises Supes isn't that bad a guy after all. Later in the film, when Supes is on the ropes (maybe from kryptonite or some fiendish Luthor stratagem) Batman saves Supes.
In then end, allies but not buddies.
