DC Confirms Batman is a Liability in Biggest Justice League Battles

on Apr 19, 2021

DC Comics has confirmed that Batman is a real liability during the Justice League’s biggest battles. Although he’s often characterized as an invincible presence on the team, a recent comic highlights the vulnerability of Gotham’s protector.

For as long as the Justice League has existed, readers have noticed a severe gap between the capabilities of superheroes like Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, and the Flash, with the Dark Knight. However, this has typically only emphasized Batman’s skills, being someone without any powers who has to rely on martial arts, gadgetry, and his intellect. Despite lacking superhuman abilities, the Caped Crusader has proven to be an integral part of the team. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s without any flaws.

In Strange Adventures #9 written by Tom King with art by Evan Doc Shaner and Mitch Gerads, this suspicion that Batman could be a genuine liability on the League has been brought to the forefront. When Adam Strange confronts Batman as a massive battle involving aliens known as the Pykkts is going on, the Dark Knight is shot in the shoulder. Immediately, Adam rushes to get medical help for the wounded Bat, and doesn’t assume that the iconic superhero will make it out alright just because “he’s Batman.” Especially in recent years, Batman’s liability as a powerless hero has been glossed over with this idea that his reputation nullifies any potential threat against him.

Even though he’s arguably a more grounded superhero than other members of the Justice League, it’s rare that Batman takes a shot and is clearly affected by it. There have been iterations in which he has been beaten or gotten tired in the midst of taking down criminals, like Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns or Dennis O'Neil's Knightfall, but in current continuity such instances are rare. With the combined strengths of his physicality, investigative detective skills, and innovative high-tech tools, Batman tends to see danger from a mile away. In this case, he was taken off guard by Adam Strange. Bruce might suit up to fight alien invaders with the Justice League occasionally, but when Adam gets in the picture, he’s obviously off his game.

It’s not such a bad thing that Batman might be a better fit to remain in the shadows of Gotham City and take on average criminals than take part in “end of the world” battles with high stakes. For the Penguin, the Riddler, Scarecrow, and several other classic rogues, Batman is a one-man war on crime. However, in the context of attacking alien forces, he isn’t just fighting crime as a vigilante hero. Suddenly, Batman effectively becomes a soldier, with the same strengths and weaknesses as any other human being. For some fans, this point of vulnerability might be an aspect of the Dark Knight that resonates, as Batman has more to lose than other teammates on the Justice League.

Source: https://screenrant.com/