Batman; Super Hero or just Hero?

[Tower 87]

On a radio show I host with some friends in Melbourne Australia (SYN 90.7) the question of whether Batman and other non super powered vigilantes are Super Heroes or just regular everyday Heroes. The main difference being, as far as I can tell, that in order to be a Super Hero you need to have a supra natural ability that is a ability above that possible by an ordinary human being.

Is Batman a Super Hero? Why?

 

[Lonely Swordsman]

Batman is supposed to not have superpowers but since he does consistently pull off shit that would be absolutely impossible for a human being in any realistic story, I consider him superpowered.

My personal answer is still "emotionally crippled man-child with more time and money that what's healthy for him".

 

[MgR]

I'd consider him a vigilante as he breaks the law in order to keep the law.

Also, if you count his relations with some of the green lanterns, then you can count his lack of fear a 'super power'.

 

[Woodsey]

Vigilante!

But hero.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Batman is noted to have extremely high intelligence, agility and, strength. Coupled with all his gadgets he's still not super-powered. The thing that does make him a super-hero though is the fact that he takes on super villains (like Bane and, Clayface) unflinchingly and finds ways to beat them. No matter what's thrown at him, Batman finds a way to bounce back and come out on top. As was mentioned somewhere else, it took a God to actually kill Batman.

 

[Pyromaniak3]

He is just a Hero. Being a Super Hero implies that you have super powers. Batman does NOT have super powers. He is just... I guess athletic and extremely rich. Anybody with that amount of money can be a "hero". All you have to do is buy the right equiptment.

 

[badgersprite]

Superhero. There are lots of tech and martial arts based superheroes out there beyond Batman. The main fact that makes them superheroes is that their extensive training, their technology and dedication makes them capable of feats that an ordinary person could not achieve. Take a look at the Green Lantern or Booster Gold, for example. All their powers come from advanced technology, but no one ever argues that they aren't superheroes, because their powers and abilities surpass what is considered humanly possible.

I always look at superhero to mean "more than the average hero" rather than "super powered hero". Maybe that's just me, though.

 

[AssassinJoe]

Batman is just a hero. What's wrong with that? With all he's able to do, not being called a "super" hero shouldn't be degrading for him.

 

[Aaron.R]

I would definitely say superhero. Looking at his achievements and abilities within comic lore and also the success and stature of the character in real life. Definite superhero.

Also, basically what badgersprite said haha.

 

[ethaninja]

I would just call him incredibly empowered/skilled. But not superhuman. Shit like flying without any means of propulsion. Now THATS superhuman.

 

[Tower 87]

What about Ironman? He falls into the same category as Batman right? Is he a Super Hero? is he even a Hero? Is there a major difference to Heroes and Superheroes on a class level? a fireman is a hero, does that mean Batman is only as equal to a fireman in teams of heroism?

 

[Lord Beautiful]

He's a ninja, so yeah, he's a superhero.

What about Ironman? He falls into the same category as Batman right? Is he a Super Hero?

Well, in one continuity, he is affected with something called the Extremis virus, which does indeed give him superpowers.

 

[Tower 87]

He's a ninja, so yeah, he's a superhero.

Are Ninjas Superheroes? If so I need to go back to learning tae kwon do, yellow spandx here I come!

 

[Avaholic03]

There are a lot of "super villains" who don't have any powers aside from great intelligence and ingenuity. So why wouldn't Batman earn the "super" title as well?

 

[joe90]

If someone dives in the face of danger to save others, they are a hero.
If they do it every night for years, they become a 'super' hero.
I think he more than puts in the man hours and effort to earn the title!

 

[Tower 87]

If someone dives in the face of danger to save others, they are a hero.
If they do it every night for years, they become a 'super' hero.
I think he more than puts in the man hours and effort to earn the title!

No doubt, but that same line goes for the countless Police and emergency servicemen that spend 50+ years day in and day out doing their thing. Is it enough to say that someone who works hard at what they are passionate about is a Superhero?

 

[LittleWings]

I think the addition of 'Super' should depend upon scale. A fireman saves one life a night, Batman saves the world once a week.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

Of course he is. Why? Because he's the goddamn Batman.

Sure he doesn't have "super" powers, but the stuff he can do is pretty impressive. So sure he's a superhero rather than "just" a hero.

 

[silver wolf009]

Super. Anyone who wins a battle by giving the opponent the ability to fight with only the skill of Stephen Hawking, is a super anything and a super everything.