8 DC Characters Who Are Better Martial Artists Than Batman

Besides his distinctive look, Batman’s most defining trait is that he doesn’t have superpowers. He makes up for that on two fronts when striking terror into the hearts of criminals. The first is relying on the many advanced gadgets and vehicles he creates using his vast fortune. The second is through good old-fashioned punches and kicks, and Bruce Wayne happens to be one of the best martial artists in the world, mastering kung fu, boxing, karate, ninjutsu, savate, judo, jujutsu, and other fighting forms.

Most non-powered individuals who face Batman in one-on-one combat will eventually fall. However, that doesn’t mean he’s the best martial artist in the world. There are eight DC characters whose fighting skills surpass Gotham City’s Caped Crusader, with some being in his direct circle, while others are largely active in other corners of the DC Universe.

8

Bronze Tiger

Ben Turner, a.k.a. Bronze Tiger, began studying martial arts as a way to control his anger, with the legendary O-Sensei and Takibi Kirigi (who also trained Batman in ninjitsu) being among his many instructors. Bronze Tiger is now an expert in most martial arts forms, though he specializes in Taekwondo. This proficiency led to him working for various intelligences, though he was unfortunately later brainwashed by the League of Assassins, which came up with the Bronze Tiger moniker for Ben.

After breaking free of the League’s mind control, Bronze Tiger became one of the original members of Amanda Waller’s Suicide Squad, albeit as a government agent rather than one of the supervillains coerced into service. These days, he primarily operates in superhero territory, so he and Bruce are usually on the same side. Nevertheless, Bronze Tiger soundly beat Batman in Detective Comics #485, one of his earliest appearances, and has done so again on multiple other occasions.

7

Lady Shiva

DC Comics

As another student of O-Sensei, Lady Shiva mastered all known forms of martial arts, as well as some forgotten forms. Her fighting skills are further enhanced by her uncanny ability to read an opponent’s body language and pinpoint their weaknesses. This made her an invaluable asset to the League of Assassins over the years, though she has also served on superhero teams like the Birds of Prey, Outsiders, and Justice League.

Lady Shiva has varied between being an ally and enemy to Batman. In the latter category, whether it’s been in service to the League of Assassins or other reasons, she’s beaten Batman in numerous fights. Batman even once stated that one of these fights ranks as his greatest defeat of all time. In the former category, Bruce sought her help in regaining his fighting skills after his back was broken by Bane during the Batman: Knightfall storyline.

6

Wonder Woman

Take away all of Wonder Woman’s superpowers, leave her just with her combat training. Even then, she outclasses Batman, her longtime Justice League teammate. While being raised on Themyscira, Diana was trained by the magical island’s mightiest warriors, including her own mother, Queen Hippolyta. That included learning Amazonian martial arts, which makes her stand out from the DC Universe’s other martial artists. In the New 52 continuity, Diana also learned from Ares, the God of War.

Wonder Woman’s combat knowledge especially came in handy during the period of the Silver Age when she gave up her powers. She resumed crimefighting after further training under a blind martial arts master named I-Ching. In Justice League of America (vol. 2) #13, Batman described Diana as the “best melee fighter in the world,” so he clearly thinks highly of her ability to neutralize opponents beyond her super strength, flight, and other abilities.

5

Connor Hawke

DC Comics

As the second Green Arrow, Connor Hawke is chiefly known for his proficiency with a bow and arrow, just like his father, Oliver Queen. However, while Oliver is the superior marksman between them, Connor outshines him in hand-to-hand combat. He’s trained with some of the best martial artists in the world, in particular specializing in aikido. So if Connor ever finds himself without his bow or any arrows, he’s more than capable of dealing with criminals close up.

In Green Arrow (vol. 2) #135, Batman considered Connor the second-best fighter in the DC Universe, trailing only behind Lady Shiva. In Robin 2021 Annual (volume 3) #1, the cape and cowled vigilante upgraded that assessment to Connor arguably being the best hand-to-hand in the world. Batman is well aware of who would be victorious if he and the younger Green Arrow came to blows.

4

Richard Dragon

DC Comics

Few DC Comics characters are as strongly associated with martial arts as Richard Dragon. In his original depiction, he trained under O-Sensei with Bronze Tiger and Lady Shiva, and he’s now considered to be a master of all unarmed martial arts styles. Although there are two younger variants of Richard Dragon who have been adversaries to Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) and Robin (Damian Wayne), respectively, the original Richard remained a protagonist.

However, instead of becoming a traditional superhero, Richard Dragon primarily served as an instructor to characters like both the Vic Sage and Renee Montoya versions of The Question, as well as Barbara Gordon after she was paralyzed by The Joker. Meaning, anyone in the DC Universe looking to be one of the best martial artists in the world should go to him for tutelage. This is also more than enough proof that he’d easily beat Batman in a fight.

3

Black Canary

DC Comics

While Black Canary is best known for her sonic scream metahuman ability, she’s seen far more often beating criminals to a pulp with her hands and feet. Like Batman, Dinah Laurel Lance learned to box from Ted Grant, the original Wildcat, and she’s proficient in many forms of martial arts. Additionally, like her mother, Dinah Drake (the Golden Age Black Canary), she can use the Five Heavens Palm & Pressure Point techniques.

Dinah beat Batman in sparring matches depicted in Detective Comics #1110 and the limited Black Canary: Best of the Best. Furthermore, in the latter series, she defeated Lady Shiva in an official match, something that Bruce has never accomplished. Black Canary is a proven superior fighter to Batman, so hopefully he’ll never have to face her in true life-or-death combat.

2

Cassandra Cain

The daughter of Lady Shiva and fellow League of Assassins member David Cain, Cassandra Cain is the second Batgirl, and currently shares the title with Barbara and Stephanie Brown. David raised Cassandra to be one of the best assassins in the world, which meant prioritizing teaching her to fight and kill over things like speech and social skills. As a result, she became a superb martial artist at a young age and an expert at reading body language, but it came at the cost of being mute and illiterate before joining the Bat-Family.

As Cassandra has been socializing and found happiness with her unorthodox family, she hasn’t lost a step with her martial arts either. Batman has continually praised her fighting skills, even acknowledging to Batwoman in Detective Comics #951 that he would lose if he and Cassandra fought. There’s an argument to be made that this Batgirl is the best martial artist in the present day DC Universe.

1

Karate Kid

Val Armorr, a.k.a. Karate Kid, is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st century. Val has mastered every form of martial arts that exists a millennium into the future, as well as developed the ability to sense weak spots in an object. So, despite not having any super strength, he’s able to shatter things like metal and stone with his bare hands.

Thanks to the Legion’s many time travel adventures, Batman has crossed paths with Karate Kid. In Justice League of America (vol. 2) #8, Val was listed as a Class 15 fighter, while Bruce was ranked at Class 12. They exchanged a few blows in that same issue, and Val was able to steal Bruce’s utility belt and give him a hernia. The fight only ended because Black Lightning shocked the young man into unconsciousness, but it was still made abundantly clear that Karate Kid could defeat Batman without breaking a sweat.

Created By

Bob Kane, Bill Finger

Alias

Bruce Wayne

Alliance

Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family

Race

Human

Franchise

D.C.