Top 10 Reasons Captain America Could Beat Batman

For years friends and enemies have had back and forth conversations about which heroes could beat which heroes. As a fan of over 30 years and one of the few people I know that owns the complete series of Marvel Handbooks as well as many copies of DC’s Who’s Who series, I am possibly one of the biggest authorities on power levels and skill sets of anyone I have ever known.  This knowledge hasn’t gotten me into college or made me respected and feared by my enemies, but it has permitted me the opportunity to win many arguments when it comes to who could beat whom in combat.  Instead of focussing this article on the ever popular Batman vs. Superman discussion I have decided to focus on the two characters from Marvel and DC that are supposed to embody human physical perfection. Now I can tell you why Captain America would beat the stuffing out of Batman.

I understand that currently Steve Rogers is an old man, so to be fair let’s go with both characters when they were at their peak. Also I’m going with Marvels main Universe not the Ultimate Universe. I’m also going to use The Batman from my generation, not the New 52.

10. Strength

Bruce Wayne has trained his body to the peak strength a human can currently have, according to most available sources online including Wikipedia. This means he can bench 1000 lbs. or more.  Steven Rogers has the peak strength a human can ever have, and that’s the difference.  Yes, Batman is strong but he isn’t as strong as Cap, it’s just not possible unless he gets superhuman abilities.

9. Speed

Batman can run at speeds comparable to the finest competing athletes. This means his top possible speed is probably around the same as the current real world “Fastest Man Alive”.  This means he could possibly hit up to 27.45 mph, which is inaccurate since his build is far larger than an average runner but for arguments sake we’ll let it go.  Once again Captain America is the fastest a human will ever be, this means that he can run faster than an Olympic Gold Medalist even with his extra muscle mass, according to some sources he can run at 49 mph. The most recent copy of the Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe states his running speed is 30 mph, which is still impressive all things considered.

8. Endurance & Durability

Batman has endurance comparable to that of the finest Olympic Decathlon participant. The Super Soldier Serum inside of Captain America’s cells prevents the build-up of fatigue poisons in his muscles giving him endurance far in excess of an ordinary human being. Captain Americas endurance also prevents him from getting drunk, gives him an almost unbeatable resistance to disease, toxins and poisons, and this is all tied to a system of health that includes a healing factor that while not equal to Wolverines, has allowed Captain America to recover from severe damage far quicker than any mortal man.  Both men can absorb a huge amount of pain and suffering but Cap would recover far quicker. This is due to his bone and muscle tissue being at the peak that any humans could be.  Again the best we can ever be against the best we can currently be, there’s just no comparison.

7. Worthiness

While this is not a trait that seems important in my opinion this is truly a trait that cannot be overlooked. Batman is not a good person deep down.  He’s a psychopath with severe issues.  He has developed methods to injure, cripple and possibly kill some of his greatest allies, even the Sinestro Corps chose him, and they do not choose nice people. Captain America is good. He stands on the side of the angels and is in fact one of the few human beings worthy of wielding Mjolnir (something even Superman couldn’t do without Thor allowing it).  Character wise I just have to go with the guy that battles for good rather than fights due to insanity.

6. Weapons

Batman has a much larger bag of tricks, but Cap has one bag with one almost unbeatable trick. In an episode of one of my favourite shows they did scientific studies into the actual damage a Spartan Shield could do, the results were staggering.  Being hit by a full metal shield is similar to being hit by a car.  Caps shield is composed of the strongest material ever made by man and has recently been enhanced even further by Asgardian Metal.  As a defensive weapon it is unmatched.  While Batman has various different types of Batarangs, Smoke Bombs, and almost an unlimited array of weapons that make him almost unstoppable,  none of these can get around the sheer power and skill that Cap has wielding his shield.

5. Military Training

This might not seem important but Captain America has spent most of his entire existence training and learning from the military. He has studied with the best, he has fought the best, and he has beaten the best.  His military skills add one element to this battle that Batman cannot bring.  If needed Captain America will kill. He’s a soldier and soldiers kill if necessary.

4. Ego

Batman is by far one of the most egotistic characters within the DC Universe. This ego led to him getting his butt whipped by Prometheus, who was basically an amateur villain who wound up losing to a nut shot from Catwoman. Captain America is humble — confident, but humble.  Cap has lost battles but never due to underestimating his opponent.  Cockiness and arrogance don’t work at the level that these two are at.  Case in point, Captain America beat Prometheus the first time he fought him, Prometheus was at the time using Batman’s fighting skills, and the fight did not take a very long time. It took one page.

3. Tactical Mind

Everyone is aware that Bruce Wayne is brilliant in almost all fields of study; he has an analytical mind that allows him to develop new technologies and create new weapons. Yet when the chips were down and a huge battle between all members of the JLA and Avengers against the forces of evil led by Krona even The Batman deferred to Captain America’s skill as a tactician.  This skill doesn’t just apply in regards to Cap’s ability to lead; it also translates into his skills as a warrior. Captain America is possibly the greatest tactician in the history of the marvel universe.  It was his leadership that just recently saved the entire Galaxy from extinction against an ancient force that had wiped out countless planets.  It is almost inconceivable of a situation that Batman could put Cap in that Cap couldn’t either beat or turn to his advantage.

2. Fighting Ability

This is a hard one for anyone to analyze; Batman has mastered every known form of combat within his universe. Captain America has trained in mastered multiple forms of martial arts as well.  Both are considered to be either one of the best, or the best, that their individual planets have to offer.  All I can use to push this into Captain America’s favor is if they are exactly equal in skill then the stronger, faster man will always win.

1. Batman Said So

Simple fact is that in Avengers Vs JLA issue #2 after a brief exchange, Batman admitted that Cap could beat him. While Batman stated it would take a long time, this could have been his ego talking or wishful thinking, in their exchange there was no sign that Captain America was stretching his abilities, in fact it seemed more like he was matching Batman for the sake of testing him. This fact is possibly even more a fact since Cap wasn’t even in possession of his shield during the exchange. This means that Batman admitted he would lose even while he had all of his weapons and all Cap had was his fists.   This point alone renders all arguments invalid.

There will be a lot of people that argue against this list, all I ask is that while doing so you actually take the time to think whether you’re being a fanboy (or girl) that just backs Batman for everything because he’s cool, or if you truly believe that he would win.  Also if you feel I’m that wrong come up with your own list.