10 Marvel Characters Who Easily Could Take Up the Batman Mantle

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After Joe Chill murdered Thomas and Martha Wayne in Crime Alley, young Bruce Wayne vowed to avenge his parents and fight injustice in Gotham City as Batman. Many Marvel characters share similarities with Batman, whether it’s their motivations, backstories or general vibes.

In alternate universes, some Marvel Comics heroes could have become versions of Batman if events were slightly changed. Characters like Spider-Man and Daredevil could become versions of the Dark Knight with minor alterations to their characters, while heroes like Moon Knight and the Punisher already share so many similarities, allowing fans to ask interesting “what if?” questions.

10

Iron Man Would Upgrade The Batcave

In another universe, Tony Stark could have become a version of Batman. Tony and Bruce have many similarities, though Tony has always been more tech-focused, improving entire sets of armors, while Batman usually focuses on upgrading individual gadgets.

If Tony Stark became a version of Batman, the Batcave would start to look a lot nicer. Whereas Bruce would have some advanced suits on display in the Batcave, Iron Man would create a whole new armory of Batsuits, with a different suit needed for each situation, such as battling Superman or even Darkseid, as Batman already did with the Hellbat armor.

9

Nick Fury Would Also Have Contingencies For The Justice League

Nick Fury is a man of many mysteries. Fury’s secrecy has been the genesis of many conflicts within Avengers comics. While Fury trusts heroes, he ultimately doesn’t trust anyone more than himself. Batman is very similar.

In DC comics like “Tower of Babel,” Batman has created contingency plans to stop the Justice League should they ever go rogue. Nick Fury is the type of person who has similar plans for the Avengers. If Nick Fury ever became Batman, he’d have the whole world under surveillance, resembling the Kingdom Come Batman and his legion of Bat-robots.

8

Spider-Man Could Become Batman With A Darker Past

Both Spider-Man and Batman lost loved ones at a young age. However, Spider-Man always had Uncle Ben’s lesson of power and responsibility to guide him. Peter Parker was also a more jovial character than Bruce Wayne. In an alternate universe, Spider-Man could have gone down a slightly darker path and turned out a lot more like the Dark Knight.

What if Spider-Man donned a black suit from the start? What if he didn’t crack jokes or make quips with criminals? A Peter Parker who was inspired to become Batman would probably look more like the “Last Stand” Spider-Man, or a Spider-Man slightly corrupted by the symbiote––fewer words and more violent action.

7

Moon Knight Enters Gotham City

Fans have already drawn comparisons to Batman and Moon Knight, due to their choice of outfits, style of crimefighting and array of gadgetry. However, the similarities run deeper. Moon Knight famously has multiple personalities controlling his body. Batman has had some experience with foreign personalities taking over his body in the form of the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh.

If a variant of Moon Knight ever became Batman, his Dark Knight would look a lot like Zur-En-Arrh. He would be a Batman with a divided mind, with less control over the steering wheel and more chaotic, volatile decisions.

6

Daredevil Just Needs A New Tailor To Become Batman

Daredevil and Batman are already so similar that the idea of Matt Murdock becoming Batman in another universe is very plausible. Batman and Daredevil were both inspired to become crimefighters after losing their parents at young ages. They both have “no kill” rules, and they both use a variety of gadgets.

Daredevil could add an interesting spin to Batman’s overall design and vibe. Batman has never been religious, but Catholicism has always been a pillar of Matt Murdock’s character. Imagine a version of Batman who went to church and acted more on faith.

5

Black Panther Creates A Vibranium Batsuit

Black Panther is basically who Batman might become if he controlled a nation. Thankfully, T’Challa seems a tad more regulated than Bruce Wayne. In another universe, the Black Panther could have become a version of Batman. Fans have already seen Black Panther become more like the Dark Knight after losing the resurfaces of Wakanda.

A poorer T’Challa could stalk the streets of Gotham City, while a wealthy version could start an initiative similar to Batman Incorporated, using the vast resources of Wakanda to “put a suit of armor around the world,” and allow this Black Panther/Batman fusion to monitor the globe.

4

Iron Fist Is Well-Trained Enough To Become Batman

Iron Fist is one of the best fighters in the Marvel Universe. Batman is one of the best fighters in DC Comics. In another world, Danny Rand could have been inspired to become the Dark Knight, and this version of Batman would also be empowered with the “Iron Fist” mystical ability.

Danny Rand has formed many close bonds with other heroes, such as Luke Cage and the rest of the Defenders. Iron Fist’s Batman would be more of a team player, establishing a more connected Bat-Family with, hopefully, fewer internal conflicts.

3

Wolverine Was A Batman Amalgamation In Amalgam Comics

Logan could have easily been inspired by a bat instead of a wolverine, rebranding himself as the Batman, with his claws as deadly talons. Wolverine becoming a version of Batman is actually an old concept, first debuting in Amalgam Comics.

In this alternate universe, where the characters and concepts of Marvel and DC Comics merged, Wolverine and Batman became the hero called Dark Claw. Considering that Marvel and DC will be publishing a new crossover in the near future, Dark Claw could return.

2

Hawkeye Could Be A Long-Range Dark Knight

Hawkeye is the most skilled marksman in Marvel Comics. Trained as a fighter and a secret agent, Hawkeye could easily become a version of Batman on skill alone. While his fighting style doesn’t match Batman’s, Hawkeye could simply operate as a long-range fighter.

Batman successfully operates a network of heroes, leading the Bat-Family and training allies like Robin, Batgirl and Nightwing. In Marvel Comics, Hawkeye has had several apprentices, such as the popular Kate Bishop. If Hawkeye became a version of Batman, he’d similarly inspire new generations of heroes.

1

The Punisher Is Batman Without His “No Kill” Rule

Frank Castle became the Punisher after watching his family die. The Punisher had no rule against killing, using firearms to take revenge on the crime bosses who led to the deaths of his family. When Batman witnesses Joe Chill murder his parents with a pistol, he swore he’d never use a gun.

If a version of the Punisher became Batman, he would look a lot like the Grim Knight, a version of Batman who used guns, originating in DC’s Dark Multiverse. The Punisher/Batman fusion would be a literal lethal protector, opting to murder all of Batman’s villains to ensure the safety of Gotham City, all while losing his soul in the process.

“}]] While a certain set of events transformed Bruce Wayne into Batman, there are a few Marvel heroes with similar traits who could follow the same path.  Read More