Batman REALLY a superhero?

Insane Drummer · 05-30-2004, 10:03 PM

Ok does Batman really count as a superhero, considering he has no powers?

**Skeeter** · 05-30-2004, 10:10 PM

You'd have to disqualify a great many other superheroes that don't have powers. Besides, Batman has trained himself to the point that his mind and body are "superpowered" in comparison to the average human being.

God's Jedi · 05-30-2004, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

You'd have to disqualify a great many other superheroes that don't have powers. Besides, Batman has trained himself to the point that his mind and body are "superpowered" in comparison to the average human being.

Yup. He's by far one of the smartest of all the heroes. An IQ of 9,000 or so has to qualify as a super power, right?

Lightknight · 05-30-2004, 11:22 PM

Yes, I would say that if Batman had any superpower, it would generally have to be streetsmarts and intelligence. Perhaps duralability.

**Skeeter** · 05-30-2004, 11:23 PM

I would put his detective skills above the things you mentioned.

Lightknight · 05-30-2004, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

I would put his detective skills above the things you mentioned.

unless I'm mistaken, his detective skills are a product of his street smarts and intelligence.

**Skeeter** · 05-30-2004, 11:29 PM

Well, not really. As I understood it, he studied different detective skills at university before becoming Batman.

Skradd · 05-30-2004, 11:31 PM

And besides, he FIGHTS supervillains, and kicks their asses. He also does the same for the odd rogue superhero if the need arises, too. That's pretty super.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Batman has trained himself to the point that his mind and body are "superpowered" in comparison to the average human being.

That too. He's a self-made superhero.

Lightknight · 05-30-2004, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Well, not really. As I understood it, he studied different detective skills at university before becoming Batman.

Ok, but what makes him good at that? Intelligence and street smarts. I've seen a lot of people studying things, only to forget them after tests.

Jeffrey · 05-31-2004, 12:01 AM

Of course he's a superhero. He's bested supervillains that superpowered yutzes like Geo-Force or Starfire couldn't even touch.

He's a peak physical athlete, he's a martial artist master with knowledge of arcane techniques from remote locations that came from years of traversing the globe honing his skills. He's trained in meditation and sleeps a short hour or two a night. He's able to concentrate and lessen the effects of pain from hampering his mind and endurance. He's a keen inventor and has a recognition for utilizing modern technology. He's a master of analytical thinking, processing events two or three steps in advance. He is a master of human psychology. He is a trained and gifted pilot and technician. He has incredible skills of deduction and reason, being the world's greatest detective. He's honed his mind to the point of catching details that even folks with X-ray vision miss or deem inconsequential. He's a master of stealth and weaves a web of human contacts and teammates. He has the paranoia of Oliver Queen with the discretion of the Martian Manhunter. He has an incredible ability to adapt and learn, and possesses a near-encyclopedic range of knowledge on topics from federal convictions to African history.

**Skeeter** · 05-31-2004, 12:04 AM

Is Green Arrow a super-hero? Does he have a "power" like Superman has powers? Of course he doesn't. He merely has a weapon with which he is an expert beyond par. The same could be said of Green Lantern for that matter. He doesn't have any powers. He simply has a weapon. I consider them super-heroes, and I consider Batman a super-hero.

Jeffrey · 05-31-2004, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Is Green Arrow a super-hero? Does he have a "power" like Superman has powers? Of course he doesn't. He merely has a weapon with which he is an expert beyond par. The same could be said of Green Lantern for that matter. He doesn't have any powers. He simply has a weapon. I consider them super-heroes, and I consider Batman a super-hero.

Hm! A great point. Superhero in its basic term is just someone beyond the normal standard of hero. The original Atom, the Question, Green Arrow, Batman - they don't have superpowers. But they do have gadgets, training, and techniques.

You raise a great point about GL. I'm a little fuzzy with what they've done with Kyle (I know John's taken back over), but I know Hal, Guy, and John all had to recharge their ring after twenty-four hours. The ring wasn't magic, it was just science so far beyond human reckoning that it appeared to be magic. It was a tool. Take the ring away Hal (or Guy, or John, or Kyle...or non-Oan GL Alan) and he's just a normal joe.

Ray Palmer, the second Atom, made a belt powered by a white dwarf star's matter that he found. Without the belt, he has no powers.

The Punisher (who I think is more villain than hero) has no powers beyond his peak training.

If the definition for a superhero only takes in account metagenic or mutagenic powers both innate or acquired, or alien abilites, then you lose a lot of heroes.

Lightknight · 05-31-2004, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Is Green Arrow a super-hero? Does he have a "power" like Superman has powers? Of course he doesn't. He merely has a weapon with which he is an expert beyond par. The same could be said of Green Lantern for that matter. He doesn't have any powers. He simply has a weapon. I consider them super-heroes, and I consider Batman a super-hero.

Well, being a superhero doesn't nessecitate the appearance of inner supernatural ability. Just that you are capable of supernatural things. The hero part is of course being good. So the lantern and Batman and ect. are superheroes. However, superhuman, would say that Batman is, while Lantern is not. The Green Lantern is every bit as normal as you and me. But, as Skeeter correctly pointed out, Batman is supernatural in so many areas. Even Green Arrow has his accuracy to call him a hero. Though... I will point out that I have won or placed in multiple national competitions in archery, tomahawk throwing, and knife throwing. Does that make me superhuman? Certainly NOT. So I guess you just need to decide how good, is super.

Jeffrey · 05-31-2004, 12:20 AM

Did you learn your archery after being a rich jetsetter trapped on a desert island? Do you have the reputation of ninety-nine percent accuracy, even in tight, last-minute situations surrounded by bullets, lasers, and explosions? Do you champion the cause of the oppressed and hold your own alongside aliens and metas? Have you utilized modern technology to design a series of specialty projectiles that utilize everything from tear gas to explosives to blunt instruments?

Just sayin', Green Arrow is more than just a good shot.

Lightknight · 05-31-2004, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starboard Wake

Did you learn your archery after being a rich jetsetter trapped on a desert island? Do you have the reputation of ninety-nine percent accuracy, even in tight, last-minute situations surrounded by bullets, lasers, and explosions? Do you champion the cause of the oppressed and hold your own alongside aliens and metas? Have you utilized modern technology to design a series of specialty projectiles that utilize everything from tear gas to explosives to blunt instruments?

Just sayin', Green Arrow is more than just a good shot.

That isn't my point. And how would I know the answer to any of those questions except the obvious ones unless I was in such a situation? My point is, at what point does one pass the point of being human to become superhuman?