Superman < Batman < Iron Man

[delericho]

It seems Neil DeGrasse Tyson believes Batman would beat Superman in a battle of... public opinion.

Doubtful. Superman represents hope, while Batman's whole approach is to engender fear. And people tend to vote for hope.

He'd rather see Batman VS Iron Man, and Iron Man would win that one.

That's an interesting match-up. But not a realistic one, I think - both Bruce and Tony know very well the benefits of preparation, of picking the battleground, and of out-thinking as well as out-fighting your opponent. So I doubt either would go willingly into that cage.

Instead, I suspect they'd find themselves fighting a long and dirty turf war, across both their business and super-hero lives. And, eventually, I think Tony would probably (just) come out on top - simply because Bruce has some lines he simply will not cross, while Tony appears to be just that bit more cynical when it comes to it.

 

[Homicidal_Squirrel]

Doubtful. Superman represents hope, while Batman's whole approach is to engender fear. And people tend to vote for hope.

That's true.

That's an interesting match-up. But not a realistic one, I think - both Bruce and Tony know very well the benefits of preparation, of picking the battleground, and of out-thinking as well as out-fighting your opponent. So I doubt either would go willingly into that cage.

Instead, I suspect they'd find themselves fighting a long and dirty turf war, across both their business and super-hero lives. And, eventually, I think Tony would probably (just) come out on top - simply because Bruce has some lines he simply will not cross, while Tony appears to be just that bit more cynical when it comes to it.

I don't know about Tony (just) come out on top. I think he'd finish the Bat rather quickly. Most of Iron Man's tech is more advanced than Batman's. Also, as you mentioned, Tony is more cynical and willing to go further.

 

[Ryujin]

Superman also represents, today, the imposition of one person's morality on others. That's why Lex Luthor is really the saviour of humanity

 

[megamania]

That, of course, is not an apples-to-apples comparison - it assumes that Wayne knows the conflict is coming, and has time to apply his corporate resources, and Stark does not. This reduces the situation to, "If I give the advantage to one side, that side wins," which is kind of trivial, no?

If Batman has taken the time and resources to plan how to defeat every member of the JL then he would the Marvel people also.

 

[Maxperson]

If Batman has taken the time and resources to plan how to defeat every member of the JL then he would the Marvel people also.

He already beat the Hulk in a comic book crossover.

 

[Morrus]

I don't see that Stark's tech is better than Wayne's. Both are billionaire tech giants. Bruce has a more visceral, physical preference, sure, but he's suited up in hi-tech gear when needed, punched out Superman, built the Justice League Watchtower (either as a space station or a moonbase depending on the version). If he wants an Iron Man suit, he can build one. I'm sure he has a Bat-equivalent.

I can't see Stark has anything Wayne can't have. He's just Bruce Wayne, but without the training. Other than that, they have pretty much identical resources and capabilities.

 

[Ryujin]

I don't see that Stark's tech is better than Wayne's. Both are billionaire tech giants. Bruce has a more visceral, physical preference, sure, but he's suited up in hi-tech gear when needed, punched out Superman, built the Justice League Watchtower (either as a space station or a moonbase depending on the version). If he wants an Iron Man suit, he can build one. I'm sure he has a Bat-equivalent.

I can't see Stark has anything Wayne can't have. He's just Bruce Wayne, but without the training. Other than that, they have pretty much identical resources and capabilities.

Isn't that essentially what he built (along with Kryptonite) to lay the beat-down on Superman?

 

[Morrus]

Isn't that essentially what he built (along with Kryptonite) to lay the beat-down on Superman?

Nah. It was tough (not tough enough, but tough) but it didn't fly, have repulsor beams, or integrated weaponry.

None of those things are beyond him, of course. He built a moonbase! His taste just tends towards the awesome planes and cars and stuff. Mine does, too. Stark prefers a suit. Batman likes stealth and infiltration; Iron Man enjoys grandstanding. I'm sure Stark can build a Batmobile, and Wayne can build a suit. Just not their styles.

The difference is Wayne can fight.

 

[Homicidal_Squirrel]

Nah. It was tough (not tough enough, but tough) but it didn't fly, have repulsor beams, or integrated weaponry.

None of those things are beyond him, of course. He built a moonbase! His taste just tends towards the awesome planes and cars and stuff. Mine does, too. Stark prefers a suit. Batman likes stealth and infiltration; Iron Man enjoys grandstanding. I'm sure Stark can build a Batmobile, and Wayne can build a suit. Just not their styles.

The difference is Wayne can fight.

Didn't Stark get fight training from Captain America? He may not have the same level of fighting proficiency as Wayne, but he can hold his own. Also, I don't think he would be fighting Batman without his suit, so the fighting ability wouldn't much matter.

 

[Ryujin]

Nah. It was tough (not tough enough, but tough) but it didn't fly, have repulsor beams, or integrated weaponry.

None of those things are beyond him, of course. He built a moonbase! His taste just tends towards the awesome planes and cars and stuff. Mine does, too. Stark prefers a suit. Batman likes stealth and infiltration; Iron Man enjoys grandstanding. I'm sure Stark can build a Batmobile, and Wayne can build a suit. Just not their styles.

The difference is Wayne can fight.

Obviously not with flight and repulsor ray tech, but I thought that it was at least a powered suit.