Batman's Martial Arts

MarkB · Mar 21, 2020

I think Superman probably trains himself intensively to be able to deliver just enough force with his attacks and counters, so that he doesn't accidentally punch through someone's chest. Martial Arts training could help with that.

Dannyalcatraz · Mar 22, 2020

Oh = theres also two Krytonian Martial Arts which Superman may be familiar with -Torquasm Vo is a mental style similar to Yoga whereas Torquasm Rao is similar to TaiChi

Interestingly Supergirl knows Klukor (Kryptonian Karate) and thus has greater fighting skill than her cousin including use of flight enhanced side and drop kicks.

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 · Mar 22, 2020

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:

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

As for Sups, He's been taught by Muhammad Ali how to box way back when, anyway there's a whole trope based on it Boxing Lessons for Superman - TV Tropes

EDIT: Side note: jason bourne knows to fight using a whole bathroom including the sink.

Mercurius · Mar 22, 2020

I just re-watched the Dark Knight Trilogy and his fighting style is pretty straight-forward. I would guess boxing, jujitsu, and ninjutsu, with bits and pieces from various styles.

Ulfgeir · Mar 22, 2020

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.

Samloyal23 · Mar 22, 2020

trappedslider said:
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:

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

As for Sups, He's been taught by Muhammad Ali how to box way back when, anyway there's a whole trope based on it Boxing Lessons for Superman - TV Tropes

EDIT: Side note: jason bourne knows to fight using a whole bathroom including the sink.

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...

Baba · Mar 22, 2020

Doug McCrae said:
In 1940, boxing and jiu jitsu. At least those are what he teaches Robin in Detective Comics #38.

View attachment 120095

Batman is also proficient in the art of conversing while being thrown through the air.

Olgar Shiverstone · Mar 22, 2020

Baba said:
Batman is also proficient in the art of conversing while being thrown through the air.

That's an epic-level skill, there.

Tonguez · Mar 22, 2020

Samloyal23 said:
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...

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.

Eltab · Mar 22, 2020

Morrus said:
I always wondered why he looks so fit, given that it must be hard for him to exercise being super strong and stuff.

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.