As non-super-powered but super-capable heroes of their respective universes, it’s natural for fans to compare DC’s Batman and Marvel’s Captain America, wondering who is the superior fighter. In fact, several Marvel and DC crossovers have teased an answer to this latest peer contest, but only one has actually delivered.
Batman is the ultimate human hero, having become one of Earth’s primary protectors despite his lack of superhuman abilities. Bruce Wayne uses relentless training and billions of dollars to stay on par with god-like beings like Superman and the Martian Manhunter, protecting Gotham City and the world with an arsenal of gadgets and a veritable army of staunch allies. In contrast, Captain America was given a peak human physique by the Super-Soldier Serum, continuing to fight throughout World War II and into modern times as the undisputed leader of Earth’s superhumans. However, although Steve Rogers may have received his muscles through experimental treatment, he is still subject to the limitations of the human body, existing at the peak of human potential, but no further.
Despite the similarities in their abilities, Batman and Captain America are very different people who fight crime in very different ways, so it’s natural to wonder who would win if the two went head to head. Various Marvel and DC crossovers have delved into this question, but frustratingly, the answer has always hit a dead end. In JLA/Avengers, the two clash for a while before agreeing they’re on the same side, with Batman admitting that Captain America could eventually beat him. Meanwhile, in Marvel vs. DC (by Ron Marz, Peter David, Dan Jurgens and Claudio Castellini), Captain America admits he’s never fought someone he’s so evenly matched against before losing to a glitch, when the tunnel in they are fighting is flooded. Naturally, when DC and Marvel merge properties, neither is willing to declare their character the underdog. However, in JLA/Avengers they did just that.
Batman vs Captain America has a good answer
The series sees the Marvel and DC universes collide, resulting in an all-out war between the heroes and villains of each reality. In battle, Captain America stays behind, using his tactical genius to coordinate the fight, but is targeted by a little-known DC villain known as Prometheus. Prometheus was introduced to DC lore as the opposite of Batman: the son of two criminals who, after their deaths, vowed to become an expert in combat and take on law enforcement. Prometheus is a genius who uses technology to download different fighting styles into his mind and also uses strobe lightning in his helmet to disorient his opponents. Importantly, Prometheus fought Batman and Captain America on equal terms, resulting in him revealing who truly is the better fighter.
Captain America and Batman versus Prometheus
In JLA #16 (by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter), Prometheus faces Batman in one-on-one combat, revealing that one of the fighting styles he has downloaded is Batman’s. Sure enough, Prometheus beats Batman to a pulp, dealing the Dark Knight an unqualified loss. However, in JLA/Avengers #4 (by Kurt Busiek and George Perez), Prometheus takes on Captain America, and he’s not so lucky. Again, Prometheus confirms that he used his strobe weapon and downloaded Batman’s moves, but this time he’s knocked down, as Captain America reveals that his experiences during WWII taught him to focus on anything. scenario.
Captain America beats Batman
Captain America fighting Prometheus creates an objective point of comparison between his abilities and those of Batman. Either way, everyone is surprised by the same villain using the same equipment, and Bruce Wayne goes down as Steve Rogers prevails. To further solidify the results, Prometheus fights explicitly using Batman’s fighting style, proving that Batman can’t beat the same moves as him as well as Prometheus’ other advantages, but Captain America can. In the end, the winner of any hero vs. hero fight will always come down to what the creative team wants to happen, but for any fans who just want to know who would win in a real all-out fight, Captain America proved that he has what it serves to beat Batman when it counts.
