10 Batman Questions That Always Confused You

1. Can He Really Beat Everyone With Enough 'Prep Time?'

If you've been on the internet for about the last decade, you'll no doubt be privy to the plethora of 'versus' scenarios played out online that see Batman as an invulnerable master tactician. Is he smart? Absolutely. Is he one of the more formidable combatants in the DC Universe? Also yes, but the idea he can beat even the strongest figures with enough 'prep time' is a myth, one extrapolated from the character's exploits in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and Mark Waid's Justice League: Tower of Babel.

The former story, set in a dystopian alternate future, sees Bruce Wayne go toe-to-toe with Superman with the use of a mechanised suit. He's able to take on the Man of Steel thanks to the assistance of Green Arrow, who fires kryptonite right at Kal El, enabling the Dark Knight to lay the smackdown temporarily.

It's important to remember though that Bruce doesn't actually win this fight - not that the purpose was to even defeat Superman in the first place.

Either way, it's part of what's informed the idea that Batman can defeat anyone as long as he's given enough time to prepare for the battle. Tower of Babel saw the Caped Crusader's strategies against the Justice League exploited by Ra's al Ghul, but his allies weren't permanently defeated, but instead briefly incapacitated.

Everyone can pretty much agree that Batman's appeal lies in his vulnerability. He's just a man, which is why it's so confusing that fans are so eager to anoint the character DC's most invincible hero.