Batman's Martial Arts
- Thread starter Samloyal23
- Start date
As I recall, Superman received some training in Kryptonian martial arts in Kandor, back in the 1970s or 80s, possibly as part of his Batman-style crime fighting as half of Nightwing and Flamebird while there. I suspect that most writers forget abou those details, and occasionally reinttro the concept without needing to.
I can’t speak to how many martial arts forms Bats knows, but some of the internal monologues of characters who consider themselves superior to him have criticized him more in terms of practical application of his skills.
For example, when part of the final assault in the Paul Kirk Manhunter miniseries (waaaaaay back!), Manhunter observed that Batman was getting bogged down fighting the better combatants among the base’s forces while he (Kirk) was mowing down mooks in order to ger to the final objective more quickly. In his mind, Bats was prioritizing his ego proving his prowess as a combatant over actually achieving the mission.
trappedslider
Legend
In Mask of the Phantasm, we see Bruce practice jutsu or ninjutsu (i'll have to watch it again.)
anyway googling gave me this blog Boxing Upper West Side : How many martial arts does Batman know ?
Batman knows 10 core martial arts
Batman is proficient in ten core martial arts, cherry-picking the most devastating and tactical knowledge from each:
Today, Batman knows 127 martial arts
Above all, fans appear to be very passionate about Batman’s skillset. Because of this, the tally of martial arts is at 127. It may sound unlikely but this is over more than 75 years of Batman on TV and in comics.
For example, the most significant and widespread martial arts from those 127 include:
EDIT: Side note: jason bourne knows to fight using a whole bathroom including the sink.
anyway googling gave me this blog Boxing Upper West Side : How many martial arts does Batman know ?
Batman knows 10 core martial arts
Batman is proficient in ten core martial arts, cherry-picking the most devastating and tactical knowledge from each:
- Aikido – throwing techniques
- Boxing – punches
- Judo – throwing techniques
- Karate – open hand strikes
- Krav Maga – headbutts and disarming techniques
- Kung Fu – defensive skills
- Muay Thai – elbow strikes and knee strikes
- Ninjutsu – weapons throwing techniques and stealth
- Savate – kicking techniques
- Tae Kown Do – kicking techniques
Today, Batman knows 127 martial arts
Above all, fans appear to be very passionate about Batman’s skillset. Because of this, the tally of martial arts is at 127. It may sound unlikely but this is over more than 75 years of Batman on TV and in comics.
For example, the most significant and widespread martial arts from those 127 include:
- Aikido
- Ba Gua
- Bojutsu
- Boxing
- Brazillian Jujitsu
- Capoeira
- Chin Na
- Escrima
- Fencing
- Francombat
- Hapkido
- Hung Gar
- Jeet Kune Do
- Judo
- Jujitsu
- Kail
- Karate
- Kendo
- Kenjutsu
- Kenpo
- Kickboxing
- Krav Maga
- Kung Fu
- Kyudo
- Muay Thai
- Ninjutsu
- Savate
- Shaolin
- Shorin Ryu
- Silat
- Taekwondo
- Tai Chi
- Varma Ati
- Wing Chun
- Yawyan
EDIT: Side note: jason bourne knows to fight using a whole bathroom including the sink.
Ulfgeir
Hero
Superman (or rather superboy) had a match against Karate Kid from Legion of Superheroes, and the latter, managed to get to a tie (as part of his entry-test into the legion), even though he didn't have any powers.
Superman does come across more as someone more in the line of throwing wild swings and haymakers.
Superman does come across more as someone more in the line of throwing wild swings and haymakers.
Samloyal23
Adventurer
How many of these are actually effective? How many are redundant? How much actual training time would you need to be effective with each of them? It looks like Bruce Wayne would have to spend 30 years training in martial arts to become proficient in all of these...
Batman is also proficient in the art of conversing while being thrown through the air.
Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
That's an epic-level skill, there.
Tonguez
A suffusion of yellow
If we assume that Bruce Wayne was 8 when his Parents died then the years of training isnt so far fetched., especially if we accept Alfred being ex SAS, a field medic and an accomplished Martial Artist in his own right.
So from about age 8 Master Bruce learns boxing, archery,fencing and basic SAS Combat Training. As a child Bruce is also depicted rock climbing, so lets assume some wilderness survival and tracking too. Alfred may also have taught him first aid and biology (Alfred is an accomplished Rose breeder).
Anyway thats the first 10 years, then at 18 Bruce sets out on his world tour which takes another say 15 years. So after effectively 25 years of obsessive dedication to training Bruce returns to Gotham to become The Batman.
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Eltab
Lord of the Hidden Layer
Clark Kent can still do jumping jacks, sit-ups, go jogging, &c - the things where you mostly interact with yourself, not the equipment.
Superman can get leg exercise by jumping over tall buildings in a single bound (no flying to assist).
Superman can get arm exercise by picking up the aforesaid buildings for weightlifting.
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