Batman Would Face Defeat in DC’s New Grudge Match

Within the realm of hand-to-hand combat in the DC Universe, Batman is widely regarded as one of the most formidable fighters. However, there exists at least one character whose martial prowess surpasses his, setting the stage for an epic showdown. In recent developments, DC is pitting two elite martial artists against each other—both of whom would likely prevail over Batman in a direct confrontation.

In a recent interview with Polygon, writer Tom King shed light on the intensity of this face-off in his new series, Black Canary: Best of the Best, illustrated by Ryan Sook. King emphasizes the threat posed by Lady Shiva, stating that in order to contend with her, Black Canary must truly be the “best of the best.” The comic, as King explains, focuses on the top martial artists DC has to offer—unfortunately, Batman falls short:

I mean, the book is called
The Best of the Best
, and Lady Shiva is the best hand-to-hand fighter in the DC universe. Male, female, what have you, she’s number one. And Black Canary is number two. This is a fight that if Batman got in the ring, he’d get his ass kicked by both of these women. And I say that as a guy who’s written hundreds of issues with Batman
[laughs]
and loves the character, but that’s what this fight is about. It’s about who is the best fighter in the DC universe. And it just happens to be that the number one champion and number one contender are both women.

According to King, the upper echelon of DC’s fighters is defined by Lady Shiva and Black Canary, with Batman not even making the cut in his own family of warriors.

Lady Shiva: DC’s Premier Fighter

The Stark Reality: Batman’s Limitations

Comic book page: Lady Shiva is ready to fight

For decades, Black Canary has secured her reputation as one of the best fighters in the DC Universe. In King and Sook’s compelling new series, she confronts Lady Shiva, a fighter renowned for her unmatched skills. While fans may fantasize about Batman entering the fray, the reality is that he would likely be outclassed in this fierce encounter.

Lady Shiva’s existence is emblematic of the idea that no matter how skillful one might be, there is always someone else with the potential to excel.

After the tragic loss of his parents, Bruce Wayne embarked on a global journey to learn martial arts from some of the finest practitioners around. This extensive training undoubtedly has shaped him into an extraordinary combatant. However, he has consistently found himself outmatched by both Black Canary and Lady Shiva. In fact, Batman has conceded that he is at a disadvantage against Cassandra Cain, Lady Shiva’s daughter, who often meets her mother at an equal level.

Batman’s Record Against Lady Shiva

Could Black Canary Stand a Chance?

Comic book panel: Lady Shiva attempts an elbow drop on Black Canary

Lady Shiva’s narrative reinforces the notion that there is always someone superior in combat. Throughout her life, she has traversed the globe in pursuit of a worthy adversary capable of defeating her—an endeavor that remains unfulfilled. Having faced many esteemed fighters in the DC Universe, Shiva has consistently emerged victorious, often engaging Cassandra Cain to a stalemate. This duel with Black Canary represents one of her most formidable challenges, a task that Batman himself has famously been unable to master.

While Batman has found fleeting success against Lady Shiva, such instances have typically involved extraordinary circumstances. Notably, he defeated her while she was under the control of Gorilla Grodd during the Public Enemies storyline. When it comes to martial competence, Shiva frequently ranks above Batman, and Black Canary is no lesser opponent. As tantalizing as the prospect may be of Batman trading blows with these two exceptional fighters, the reality is that this particular showdown presents serious challenges for him.

Black Canary: Best of the Best #1 is now available from DC Comics!

Source: Polygon

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