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Batman Battle of the Month: Batman vs. X-23

The Dark Knight or Wolverine's genetic twin? Come cast your vote and speak your mind.

Does Bruce Wayne have what it takes to best Laura Kinney? Will his skill, gadgets and tactical mind be enough to compensate for her lethal mindset, healing factor and adamantium claws? Well, that's for you to decide. Yes, you. As these two duke it out, you'll have until Friday morning to think about how it would all go down. Can Batman earn a majority of wins or will X-23 outlast him in combat? Before voting, please be sure to read all of the following rules.

No Caption Provided

Match Rules

  • Combatants are in character.
  • This is a random encounter.
  • They're fighting in a generic downtown city setting. It's unpopulated, at night and all standard city lights remain on. Assume they start roughly 30 feet apart and visible. There's a fair amount of cover between them (parked vehicles, bus stops and such). The entire area is on limits. This means alleys, rooftops, building interiors, etc.
  • Standard gear.
  • Incapacitation, knockout or death all count as elimination.
  • Hey, you know what would be really cool? Treating everyone else in the debate with respect. If you think someone's saying something that just isn't true, go ahead and stick to the facts to point out why. There's no need at all to drop insults just because you disagree with someone. Seriously, this is just talking about a fictional fight, there's no need for immaturity and mudslinging.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!!!

Viners, you have the week to research, debate and vote! This means there's no reason to vote right away if you don't have all of the info you need to make an educated decision. Check the homepage Friday for an updated article with the following:

  • Thoughts from the staff.
  • A Viner Argument for both characters (can't include scans and must be in the poll thread).
  • If we're lucky, blurbs from industry talent.

Feel free to make future "Batman: Battle of the Month" suggestions in the comments below or via Gregg's Twitter page.

72 Comments

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Deadknight

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As many seem to have already reasoned, Batman is at a serious disadvantage with this being a random encounter. He can think his way out if just about any situation, but one that he has absolutely no precedence for would be a serious blow to his capabilities. In his versatile years of foes, Batman hasn't really faced anything like X-23. Granted, Talons are similar in their healing factors and murderous skills, but X-23 has exceptional skills ingrained into her, coupled with completely hidden blades and a relatively unassuming appearance. Even if Batman makes a first strike, he would most likely consider X-23 to be an opponent of relatively human limitations, thereby severely underestimating her capacity to withstand and survive punishment, as well as in dealing it out. Batman might get a quick knockout even against her, but he wouldn't think to put nearly enough power behind it that would be necessary to effectively knock her out for the fight to be over. In an impromptu hand-to-hand fight between X-23 and Batman, I see X-23 coming out on top. If their fight dragged out for a lengthy period of time though, I could see Batman coming up with some feasible methods to take out X-23, but I don't see her giving him the time he'd need for that.

X-23 for the win. Might be a close call, but I'd still give her the win.

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Daywalker

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Edited By Daywalker

BAT MAN DIES PAINFULLY BEATEN AND GETS HIMSELF CUT INTO IN PIECES HERE......

There is NO FRIGGIN WAY he'll prevent himself from getting shish-ka-bobbed, and X-23 is certainly no slouch when it comes to hand to hand combat...

Even if that weren't enough, the adamantium claws and the healing factor she has would surely more than make up for any and all perceived lack of fighting skills and training on her part....

The very second that BAT MAN attempts to make the confrontation a physical one, it will prove to be his death sentence, because X-23 is a lot better than you'd think she is at first glance!!!

As MythiiC pointed out, this fight starts with both combatants being in character, beginning the fight from 30 feet away, and the fact that it's a random encounter will also prove that BAT MAN can't use his usual PIS to win...

He gets absolutely NO PREP, and based on X-23's insane ability to tank damage and quickly heal up from most attacks rather readily, BAT MAN will think that she's just a young girl, and won't start off by taking her for the threat that she truthfully would be, and that would prove to be the death of him....

The only thing that might possibly help him is the use of the gadgets in his utility belt, and going into a fight in a random encounter, he won't pull out the big guns against a teen-aged girl to start this fight off.....

As I previously said in the DEADPOOL thread, none of that will be anywhere near enough to stop a determined combatant that can pretty much tank anything thrown at him/ her and keep coming.....

SORRY, BAT FANS, HE DIES!!!!!!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@k4tzm4n - February 10, 2014 at 1:25 PM

@mythiic said:

I'm gonna have to go for X-23 (6 out of 10 fights) and here's why.

In a random encounter, 30 feet away - both of them can see each other & analyse the threat. Neither character is stupid, so they'll evaluate the target. Now Bat's is designed to look intimidating, seemingly posing a greater threat, whereas X-23 frankly doesn't look anywhere near as intimidating. Batman will underestimate X-23, that's a given. I really don't see a scenario where he knows of her healing factor & claws before they trade blows, so the surprise will tip the favour towards X-23.

(Just to clarify, the reason Bats will most likely underestimate X-23 is because she has no visible weapons - whereas in reality, she has 2 sets of claws & 2 blades in either foot. If Batman went in for a hand-to-hand takedown without this information, he's toast. He's an excellent combatant, but even his armour isn't strong enough to take on adamantium blades!)

X-23 will see that Batman is kitted out on armour, and I doubt that she'll miss the fact that he has gadgets, so she'll see him as a threat.

Both characters are fast, theres no doubting that. I see Bat's getting the first blow on, due to his gadgets - so he may chuck a few batarangs, or potentially a gas pellet.

(LET ME STOP YOU THERE......As soon as BAT MAN flings a PLOT-A-RANG or a gas pellet, what's to stop X-23 from just tanking it, squealing in "FAKE PAIN" and acting like she's injured and waiting until he gets close enough for her to take a nice, hard head cleaving swipe at him when he tries to check on her???

{REMEMBER, HE'S IN CHARACTER HERE, FOLKS!!!}

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!!)

Neither of these will put X-23 down & her healing factor should prevent the gas from proving effective (in theory) - however, they may be effective enough to help Batman secure a win. Depending how fast they are thrown, it may cause X-23 to use her claws (e.g. to block a batarang) - which will, of course, reveal that she is a greater threat than initially thought, and may lead to Batman taking a step back & planning out a takedown.

( "OR" it will end in his getting his head cleaved from his shoulders, or an adamantium clawed foot thrust into his groin..... {HOPE YA REMEMBERED TO WEAR YOUR GROIN PROTECTOR, BAT MAN!!! OH WAIT.....THAT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO MATTER WITH ADAMANTIUM, NOW IS IT???)

It's worth noting that it's only X-23's claws that are coated in adamantium, so she's not difficult to knock out (in comparison to Wolverine).

(What's also worth noting is the fact that X-23 will carve BAT MAN's friggin head off as soon as he gets close, and last I checked, he can't win the fight unless he knocks her out or incapacitates her, because he's in character here, and LAURA would have no issues wasting him if she got the chance!!!)

If Batman can get the drop on X-23, it's game over - he'll do a swift takedown & won't give X-23 a chance to react.

(And that might actually be an excellent plan if it weren't for the fact that X-23 has superhuman senses and would probably smell or hear him, superhuman agility that would make hitting her a lot harder, she's a trained assassin/ master martial artist, she can utilize the "UNI-POWER", has peak human strength {she can press about 800lbs.}, and is immune to pretty much anything other than a massive dose of tranquilizers....BAT MAN has his work cut out for him....)

The main issue with this is that it's all very circumstantial. If Batman can see all sets of claws before engaging in hand to hand & deducing that she has a healing factor, then I can see it being in Bat's favour, but that's difficult to determine without trading a single blow. I dunno, he's considered the worlds greatest detective, maybe his analysis would save him the majority of the time, but even then, X-23 is skilled as well (& willing to take that killing blow).

In a set of random encounters, I believe X-23 will take it. All she has to do is get a good jab in with her claws, or a single kick to connect, and it's pretty much over for Bat's. He's good, but he gets tagged a lot, and this will most likely prove to be his downfall in a straight up fight.

(NAH.....I see BAT MAN DYING here......Very brutally and very PAINFULLY.....)

First time contributing to one of these fights, I apologize if what I've said is completely wrong! :D

Thanks for chiming in and welcome! Please be sure to copy/paste your post in the poll thread if you'd like it to be considered for the "Viner Argument of the Week."

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O_Bartels

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Batman: sonic Baterangs same reason he should have beaten Wolverine

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O_Bartels

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Batman might underestimate X-23, but he wouldn't go for an immediate hand to hand take down with what looks like an ordinary 16 year old girl(Batman is not an aggressive impulsive Wolverine). He would probably tell her to stand down, she pulls out the claws in response and then Batman would know not to fight close quarters (Again Batman is not Wolverine). Depending on how long Batman could stand his own and dodge X-23's attacks, he could probably come up with a counter strategy I.E using sonic baterangs or electrocuting her using her adamantium.

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Erik

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Batman might underestimate X-23, but he wouldn't go for an immediate hand to hand take down with what looks like an ordinary 16 year old girl(Batman is not an aggressive impulsive Wolverine). He would probably tell her to stand down, she pulls out the claws in response and then Batman would know not to fight close quarters (Again Batman is not Wolverine). Depending on how long Batman could stand his own and dodge X-23's attacks, he could probably come up with a counter strategy I.E using sonic baterangs or electrocuting her using her adamantium.

Using sonic tech or electrical attacks are a great way to piss off Wolverine and X-23 but they aren't auto-wins. I believe sonics have worked on Wolverine once, which is dumb considering he withstood a thunderclap from Hulk that would have killed humans and he was able to withstand Banshee's sonic attacks. Wolverine also withstood a direct lightning strike from Storm and treated it like they were playing.

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O_Bartels

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@erik:

@erik said:
@o_bartels said:

Batman might underestimate X-23, but he wouldn't go for an immediate hand to hand take down with what looks like an ordinary 16 year old girl(Batman is not an aggressive impulsive Wolverine). He would probably tell her to stand down, she pulls out the claws in response and then Batman would know not to fight close quarters (Again Batman is not Wolverine). Depending on how long Batman could stand his own and dodge X-23's attacks, he could probably come up with a counter strategy I.E using sonic baterangs or electrocuting her using her adamantium.

Using sonic tech or electrical attacks are a great way to piss off Wolverine and X-23 but they aren't auto-wins. I believe sonics have worked on Wolverine once, which is dumb considering he withstood a thunderclap from Hulk that would have killed humans and he was able to withstand Banshee's sonic attacks. Wolverine also withstood a direct lightning strike from Storm and treated it like they were playing.

If Im not mistaken Hulks thunderclaps almost killed him but I hate it when weaknesses are ignored or under exaggerated in certain comics. It makes it hard to keep track of the durability/powers of that character. But Batman has been known to make quick use of magnetism in fights which is a surefire way to beat Wolverine however X-23's claws are the only adamantium laced things in her body.

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Erik

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@erik:

@erik said:
@o_bartels said:

Batman might underestimate X-23, but he wouldn't go for an immediate hand to hand take down with what looks like an ordinary 16 year old girl(Batman is not an aggressive impulsive Wolverine). He would probably tell her to stand down, she pulls out the claws in response and then Batman would know not to fight close quarters (Again Batman is not Wolverine). Depending on how long Batman could stand his own and dodge X-23's attacks, he could probably come up with a counter strategy I.E using sonic baterangs or electrocuting her using her adamantium.

Using sonic tech or electrical attacks are a great way to piss off Wolverine and X-23 but they aren't auto-wins. I believe sonics have worked on Wolverine once, which is dumb considering he withstood a thunderclap from Hulk that would have killed humans and he was able to withstand Banshee's sonic attacks. Wolverine also withstood a direct lightning strike from Storm and treated it like they were playing.

If Im not mistaken Hulks thunderclaps almost killed him but I hate it when weaknesses are ignored or under exaggerated in certain comics. It makes it hard to keep track of the durability/powers of that character. But Batman has been known to make quick use of magnetism in fights which is a surefire way to beat Wolverine however X-23's claws are the only adamantium laced things in her body.

The thunderclap attacks almost killed him in the sense that he grunted, snarled, then cut Hulk open and tangled himself up in Hulk's intestines some. It's not ignored. In fact in every instance that I mentioned, it expresses that it is a weakness of Wolverine's, but only in that it causes him a great deal of pain. This is not the type of attack that is going to down him.

When has Batman ever used magnetism on the fly? Because he doesn't get prep for this fight.

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ThanosIsMad

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@hawkguy said:

Batman's gone up against a dozen talons while in his bath robe and pj's, and he's fought off a talon while starving and thirsty, and hallucinating.

Talons have a healing factor, and I may be mistaken but I'm pretty sure they have heightened senses as well as decades of experience. I think the easy decision to give it to x23 should be reconsidered

He beat them by taking advantage of the environment that he knew intimately and their weakness to cold temperatures and a powered suit of armor (though to be fair, the latter came into play because he was injured). X-23 has no weakness like the Talon's, so it's not as straight forward as that. Not to mention, her healing factor is superior to theirs.

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j4zzm4n88

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This battle should have been Cassandra Cain vs X-23, it would make more sense although Cass would have probably beaten X-23. Man I miss Cass.....

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El_Taza

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B-man would let her lead, feel confident in the fight to workout her fighting style and then adapt his moves and beat the snot out of her.

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@r3df13ld said:
Loading Video...

Bats is one of my top five favorite, BUT i think X-23 would win the fight.

Was just planning on posting the same thing :D

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iaconpoint

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Batman needing "prep time" for every encounter is a fool's misconception of his methods. He doesn't go to where the fight is gonna happen, "prep" the area and study the future opponent. He's "preped" and ready when he leaves the god damn batcave. So for him to have studied and "preped" himself for an encounter with X23 or anyone else he's never met takes away from what makes him an effective superhero who stands toe to toe with Superman and Wonder Woman. It's ridiculous for people to ask the generic and tired "how much prep time does he have?" He has as much as he needs because he doesn't leave the cave until he's fully "preped". Gee Louise.

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redwingx

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Edited By redwingx

@iaconpoint: You know what else is a foolish misconception? That Batman can win any fight with prep time. Basically any superhero or villain could win with prep time. You could argue Superman could kill earth with prep time or basically anything. I'm really tired of this Batman has an answer to everything, he doesn't. He has a small ass belt, do you honestly believe he could fit the tools for every situation? And people say Superman is op, when Batman whos only a human and that anything including a single bullet could kill him no problems has the power to defeat every person? The guy dies to any character with superpowers in reality, god you people have destroyed the character.

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entropy_aegis

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@redwingx said:

@iaconpoint: You know what else is a foolish misconception? That Batman can win any fight with prep time. Basically any superhero or villain could win with prep time. You could argue Superman could kill earth with prep time or basically anything. I'm really tired of this Batman has an answer to everything, he doesn't. He has a small ass belt, do you honestly believe he could fit the tools for every situation? And people say Superman is op, when BatUman whos only a human and that anything including a single bullet could kill him no problems has the power to defeat every person? The guy dies to any character with superpowers in reality, god you people have destroyed the character.

Destroyed the character? lol wut? you also didn't get his point either,Batman doesn't need prep to handle low-mid tier street level characters.

@hawkguy said:

Batman's gone up against a dozen talons while in his bath robe and pj's, and he's fought off a talon while starving and thirsty, and hallucinating.

Talons have a healing factor, and I may be mistaken but I'm pretty sure they have heightened senses as well as decades of experience. I think the easy decision to give it to x23 should be reconsidered

He beat them by taking advantage of the environment that he knew intimately and their weakness to cold temperatures and a powered suit of armor (though to be fair, the latter came into play because he was injured). X-23 has no weakness like the Talon's, so it's not as straight forward as that. Not to mention, her healing factor is superior to theirs.

The Talons have all shown different levels of healing,some of them have healing that's right up there with X-23 and Deadpool.

Batman wins,he's dealt with Felix Harmon and Cobb.Apart from the admantium she's bringing nothing new to the table.

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NukeA6

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Edited By NukeA6

@redwingx said:

@iaconpoint: You know what else is a foolish misconception? That Batman can win any fight with prep time. Basically any superhero or villain could win with prep time. You could argue Superman could kill earth with prep time or basically anything. I'm really tired of this Batman has an answer to everything, he doesn't. He has a small ass belt, do you honestly believe he could fit the tools for every situation? And people say Superman is op, when BatUman whos only a human and that anything including a single bullet could kill him no problems has the power to defeat every person? The guy dies to any character with superpowers in reality, god you people have destroyed the character.

Destroyed the character? lol wut? you also didn't get his point either,Batman doesn't need prep to handle low-mid tier street level characters.

@thanosismad said:
@hawkguy said:

Batman's gone up against a dozen talons while in his bath robe and pj's, and he's fought off a talon while starving and thirsty, and hallucinating.

Talons have a healing factor, and I may be mistaken but I'm pretty sure they have heightened senses as well as decades of experience. I think the easy decision to give it to x23 should be reconsidered

He beat them by taking advantage of the environment that he knew intimately and their weakness to cold temperatures and a powered suit of armor (though to be fair, the latter came into play because he was injured). X-23 has no weakness like the Talon's, so it's not as straight forward as that. Not to mention, her healing factor is superior to theirs.

The Talons have all shown different levels of healing,some of them have healing that's right up there with X-23 and Deadpool.

Batman wins,he's dealt with Felix Harmon and Cobb.Apart from the admantium she's bringing nothing new to the table.

The Talons are less skilled than X-23 is. Hell, Bane handled a bunch of them. And I remember Batman having trouble with the Talons until he figured they could be frozen and that didn't happen in one encounter. X-23 was already better than the average Talon at 10 years old. Fast-forward six years and she kills Lady Deathstrike and gave Spider-Man a fight (both who would slaughter Batman). He can't even beat human martial artists like Bronze Tiger or Lady Shiva and he's supposed to handle X-23? LOL

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iaconpoint

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@redwingx: yeah I never said he was invincible. He wouldn't stand a chance against the Aesir for example . And what does your ignorant ass mean "you people?" You need to stop generalizing and pretending your opinion is the be-all-end-all because it it isn't snacky. Finally, stop calling on your little pathetic god because your feverent worship of him has no place in this conversation. Gee Louise part duex!

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R3DF13LD

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entropy_aegis

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@redwingx said:

@iaconpoint: You know what else is a foolish misconception? That Batman can win any fight with prep time. Basically any superhero or villain could win with prep time. You could argue Superman could kill earth with prep time or basically anything. I'm really tired of this Batman has an answer to everything, he doesn't. He has a small ass belt, do you honestly believe he could fit the tools for every situation? And people say Superman is op, when BatUman whos only a human and that anything including a single bullet could kill him no problems has the power to defeat every person? The guy dies to any character with superpowers in reality, god you people have destroyed the character.

Destroyed the character? lol wut? you also didn't get his point either,Batman doesn't need prep to handle low-mid tier street level characters.

@thanosismad said:
@hawkguy said:

Batman's gone up against a dozen talons while in his bath robe and pj's, and he's fought off a talon while starving and thirsty, and hallucinating.

Talons have a healing factor, and I may be mistaken but I'm pretty sure they have heightened senses as well as decades of experience. I think the easy decision to give it to x23 should be reconsidered

He beat them by taking advantage of the environment that he knew intimately and their weakness to cold temperatures and a powered suit of armor (though to be fair, the latter came into play because he was injured). X-23 has no weakness like the Talon's, so it's not as straight forward as that. Not to mention, her healing factor is superior to theirs.

The Talons have all shown different levels of healing,some of them have healing that's right up there with X-23 and Deadpool.

Batman wins,he's dealt with Felix Harmon and Cobb.Apart from the admantium she's bringing nothing new to the table.

X-23 is more skilled than the Talons? okay prove it. Even Daredevil,Shang-Chi and Punisher have given Spider-Man a hard time means absolutely nothing and Batman hasn't fought Shiva or Tiger in decades,and there's nothing human about these guys the way you classified them.

The Talons have plenty of feats other than getting owned by Bane,infact Bane owning them is a good feat for Bane not a bad feat for the Talons,and based on how Bane took them out I see no reason to believe how any encounter with X-23 would be any different,he can rip her head off just as easily.

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k4tzm4n

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k4tzm4n  Moderator

One more day to vote. Please spread the word and what not.

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HighlyEvolved

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On knockout Batman takes her out in seconds, but for the kill, X-23 wears him out and kills him. So on KO, Batman. On Kill, X-23. I mean, while it was kinda PIS he did take on like 5 Talons while injures in a bathrobe.

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Edited By ComicKing7

In a random encounter, its impossible for Batman to know how strong X-23 is and will probably make the mistake of going easy on her. And, even if he found out he wouldn't know about her healing factor and would still hold back a little.

While Batman could win if he knew about her before hand and beat her the same way he beat the talons but in a random encounter X-23 definitely wins

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Killer-Flood

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BATGOD WINS!

PRAISE BE TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!!!!

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