Melody MacReady is a writer and transwoman (she/her), passionate about all things pop culture-related. From movies to shows to games to comic books, there is not much that she does not enjoy or appreciate. Melody is also an aspiring novelist, comic book writer, and content creator as a hobby. This spark for content creation came from her childhood, growing up with media of all kinds which inspired her to write short stories, write comics, and begin writing about them on the internet. Melody's biggest inspiration came from first seeing Zack Snyder's Watchmen in 2009; the film combined with her knowledge of how scenes were done via behind-the-scenes featurettes before the film's release made her fall in love with entertainment.
Batman has evolved across different mediums, showcasing varying interpretations of his genius intellect and detective skills.
The Arkhamverse Batman relies on allies and gadgets, while the Dark Multiverse features evil Batmen like The Collector.
Different iterations of Batman, like Jace Fox and Kirk Langstrom, highlight unique qualities while still honoring the character's legacy.
Also known by nicknames like the Dark Knight, Caped Crusader, and even Gotham Guardian, Batman is known for punching criminals and costumed villains during the night, but he's more than his fists. Batman is also a master detective who has contended with genius beings of Earth and space, forcing him to rely on his brain as well as his brawn.
With the inclusion of the Multiverse and different takes on the character, DC has introduced many versions of Batman across comics, film, television, and video games, from counterparts of Bruce Wayne to different wearers of the cape and cowl. Each one showcases how different writers and creators have interpreted Batman's mental prowess.
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Arkhamverse
The Games Don't Showcase His Intelligence Enough
First Appearance:Batman: Arkham Asylum
While Bruce is still a tactical mastermind, the Batman seen in the Arkhamverse is shown to be more reliant on allies and his numerous gadgets for a good portion of the games. If he needs something analyzed, he calls for Alfred Pennyworth or Oracle. If he needs some kind of tool, he goes to Alfred or Lucius Fox, which makes him seem less intelligent than his other counterparts.
However, the Arkhamverse Batman is not lacking intellectually, as he can deduce many villains' plots before they even have a chance to finish their sentences. The Arkhamverse Batman also showcases an impressive amount of willpower, able to overpower his own darker persona in Batman: Arkham Shadow and then lock away the Phantom Joker in Batman: Arkham Knight.
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Gods And Monsters
When Batman Was A Vampiric Superhero
First Appearance: Justice League: Gods And Monsters
Even before becoming an Elseworld version of Batman, Kirk Langstrom in the Gods and Monsters universe was already a gifted scientist who was cursed with cancer and willing to do anything to rid himself of it. When he used the saliva of a vampire bat to create a cure, he succeeded but also transformed himself into a genetically engineered vampire.
The Gods and Monsters Batman still possesses multiple qualities reminiscent of classic portrayals of the character, alongside his drastically unique ones. He remains a technological wizard and a master detective, particularly with his vampiric senses. In his world, Langstrom is the go-to member of the Justice League for any type of information or investigation.
Timothy “Jace” Fox
Future State Introduced The Batman Of Tomorrow
First Appearance:Batman: Dark Nights: Death Metal #7
When DC introduced its Future State event, fans got a glimpse at the Justice League of an alternate future, with Nubia as the new Wonder Woman, Jon Kent as the new Superman, and Timothy “Jace” Fox as the new Batman. He is the latest in a long line of Fox family members to take on the vigilante life, with Luke Fox becoming Batwing and Tiffany becoming Batgirl.
Jace Fox, based on the limited time fans had with him, proved to be a worthy successor, leading his own Justice League while combating the evils of The Magistrate. Like his brother Luke, Jace also inherited the genius intellect of his father, Lucius Fox. He has demonstrated his prowess with technology, being able to create gadgets during battle and developing significant tech for the Justice League.
Bruce Wayne
The Original Is A Genius In Many Fields
First Appearance:Detective Comics #27
While it can depend on the writers, storyline, and even the continuity, there is no denying that Bruce Wayne, the mainline Batman, is a genius in most versions of the DC Universe. Since he first debuted in Detective Comics #27, Batman has been nicknamed The World's Greatest Detective, able to solve any case brought his way, from crime scenes to thwarting a villain’s plot.
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In some comics, he has become as much a rival to Lex Luthor as Superman because of his scientific and technological prowess. It's also been said that Bruce Wayne has pushed his mind and body to their limits in his training to become the Dark Knight. He’s also been listed as one of the greatest tactical minds of his time, which he uses as a co-leader of the Justice League.
The Batman Who Laughs
If Batman Became The New Joker
First Appearance:Dark Days: The Casting #1
A showcase of what would happen if Batman became just like the Joker, down to the same bleached skin and elongated smile. The Batman Who Laughs is one of the Multiverse’s scariest villains, but he began as no different from the Batman that fans know and love, until his Joker became terminally ill and decided to plunge the world into chaos as his final act by making Batman like him.
Many have commented that Batman and Joker are as opposite as they are alike and The Man Who Laughs highlights this. He has all of Batman’s genius intellect with the Joker’s creativity and lust for blood and chaos. The result is a being straight out of a horror movie that continues to devolve until he becomes the leading lieutenant of an evil Batman god named Barbatos.
Batman: The Brave And The Bold
Batman Is An Unstoppable Animated Hero
First Appearance:Batman: The Brave And The Bold Season 1, Episode 1 "The Rise Of The Blue Beetle"
Since he is the show's star, it makes sense for him to have some plot armor, but in Batman: The Brave And The Bold, Batman is depicted as a perfect superhero in seemingly every way. He’s strong, skilled, and happens to be an intellectual genius when he needs to be. He can figure out how to travel across space but also keeps up with some of the brightest heroes in the DC Universe, like The Atom.
Batman: The Brave And The Bold lasted for three seasons, allowing fans to enjoy a more light-hearted take on the character inspired by the Silver Age. In each episode, Batman teams up with at least one other hero or villain from DC; a simple concept that was executed well, resulting in a cult following that praises the show and its portrayal of Batman.
The Collector
Alien/Human Hybrid With A 13th Level Intellect
First Appearance:Dark Nights: Death Metal #3
The Dark Multiverse is home to a legion of evil Batman variants that even the deadliest villains are afraid of, with their leader being the famous Batman Who Laughs. One of his recruits is a Batman known as The Collector, a fusion of Batman and Brainiac who boasts a thirteenth-level intellect, surpassing that of even the Brainiacs.
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Not much is known about The Collector’s history, but he, Batrocitus, Night Glider, Dawnbreaker, and many others are all evil versions of Batman known as the Dark Knights, who serve Barbatos. It is confirmed though that The Collector does feature both human and Coluan biologies intertwined, hinting at a more literal fusion of characters.
God Of Knowledge
Batman With The Powers Of Doctor Manhattan
First Appearance:Justice League: The Darkseid War
Batman is already a scarily intelligent being on his own, but when the Caped Crusader gains access to infinite knowledge with the Mobius Chair, he becomes something nightmarish as a God Of Knowledge. It was originally owned by the Anti-Monitor and anyone who sits upon the chair is given the omniscience and interstellar traversal of Doctor Manhattan.
If Watchmen showed anything, it was that a being like Doctor Manhattan was already a powerful being. Batman, with his powers, is the closest thing to Bruce Wayne becoming a god. Batman took control of the Mobius Chair during the Darkseid War to level the playing field, transforming himself into an all-seeing figure.
