From time to time, XCL’ers engage in some pretty interesting conversations about a wide array of topics. XCL Roundtable highlights some of these more interesting and entertaining conversations. Let’s check in with Creeping Judas polling XCL as to whether or not Batman was a superhero.
Creeping Judas: I was talking about Batman/Dark Knight last night with the wife and we got into a discussion whether he is a superhero or not? Wikipedia defines a superhero as such: “By most definitions, characters need not have actual superhuman powers to be deemed superheroes, although sometimes terms such as costumed crimefighters are used to refer to those without such powers who share other common traits with superheroes.†He has no super powers, he hasnt been bitten by a bat to give him the bat like abilities, he has no extra sensory powers related to a bat?? So my answer is no, he is not a super hero!!
Hitman: Is Iron Man a Superhero? He dosnt have powers. You could argue that Tony Stark is like Bruce Wayne: Rich enough and smart enough to build what they need to fight crime. I would consider them superheros, just for the fact that they are symbols to the public and do what no others do. They fight a higher level of crime and evil. Although thinking about it, does Batman’s Villains have super powers? Joker, Two Face, Riddle, Catwoman. They are all just human with a little bit of psycho thrown in.
Skeleton: He is a superhero though, albeit one without powers. If you take in his superior physical conditioning, the amount of fighting styles he knows, and his insane detective skills, wrap that all up in a tormented human being in the pursuit of justice, and his tendency to play dress up, well, if he isn’t a superhero, what the heck is he? Not to mention his long standing in the JLA, and the fact that in several stories, he’s the one guy able to take Superman down on ANY given day….
Imsel: He has abilities beyond the average guy as mentioned above, which makes him a superhero â„¢. They may not be outside the human range, but he’s at the top of the human scale. Similar for Green Arrow who is a regular guy with crazy archery skill. As an aside (and fun fact) DC and Marvel jointly hold the trademark on the term superheroâ„¢.
Skeleton: I would also like to add that he was part of this group:
Bruzza B2: My opinion is that heroes that don’t have some fancy power package to fall back on are more heroic. He gets hurt, injured and takes on a large amount of risk to do what he does… THAT’s heroic. If he knew he could step in front of a freight train and not get hurt, there’s no risk. Never been a Superman fan, as you might have guessed!
Kirbydb: I think that gadgets aside he still has fighting and detective skills that are superhuman, so I would have to say he is a superhero. The joker is a supervillain and his claim to fame is the chemical dip he got that gave him his grin and skin color and high intelligence. The Penguin is smart and has umbrellas, Two face is crazy (and has the coin) and the riddler is smart. They all mirror Batman in high intellect and gadgets. The supervillain definition from Wiki is:
“They are often used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes. Whereas superheros often wield fantastic powers, the supervillain possesses commensurate powers and abilities so that he can present a daunting challenge to the hero. Even without actual magical or superhuman powers, the supervillain often possesses a genius intellect that allows him to draft complex schemes or create fantastic devices. Many supervillains share some typical characteristics of real world dictators, mobsters, and terrorists and often have aspirations of world domination or universal leadership. Superheroes and supervillains often mirror each other in their powers, abilities, or origins. Often the only difference between the two is that the hero uses his extraordinary powers to help others, while the villain uses his powers for selfish purposes.â€
CJ you have the uncanny ability to team kill in any game and an unhealthy habit of tea bagging after said team kill. Do those above average abilities make you a superhero/villain?
Mercury: I am going to have to say no, Batman much like Punisher and Iron Man are not superheros they are just action junkies who are really vigilantes. I mean technically all superheros are vigilantes because they go above the law to fight crime. But in my opinion to define a superhero he has to have some sort of super power.
Skeleton: I hate to disagree with you on that. Lumping Punisher in with Batman and Iron Man is like comparing apples to oranges. Punisher never thinks twice about killing who he perceives to be a villain. He believes he is above the law. Batman & Iron Man although do heroic things, tend to honor and uphold the law as well, and have worked with law enforcement on several occasions.
Batman has had plenty of time to hand out justice by killing those he faces, like The Joker for instance. Instead, he captures them, turns them over to the police, and sees that they are incarcerated or hospitalized. His belief comes down to this: Help those who need help, and inspire the masses to better themselves and the world around them. And that’s what makes him a superhero. His refusal to take the easy road and kill endless amounts of villains, and instead aim for the dream that one day there will be no need for him or his friends.
Mister Switch: Batman (like Ironman) is not a ’superhero’ …. he is a detective. a rich one. Just because he’s better than you doesn’t make him a superhero. Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky … SUPERHEROES!
Imsel: Well, they would be if they used their mad skillz for something other than selling underwear… Like maybe fighting crime. Tony Stark works for SHIELD now… so not really a vigilante anymore…
KrossRoad: He doesn’t think he’s a hero, therefore he can’t be a superhero.
Copper 1087: Anyone that can dive off of a skyscraper building to save the falling girl, land on the earth below on your back and the chick lives and thanks you for that, is all superhero in my books.
Umm, you guys need to get out more!