BATMAN versus JOKER
Hunt The Dark Knight (DC)
Where: Dark Knight Returns #3 When: May 1986
Why: Frank Miller How: Frank Miller

The Story So Far...
They talk about a Man of Steel. An Amazon Princess.
But they never talk about the mean one. The cruel one. The one who couldn't fly or bend steel in his bare hands. The one who scare the crap out of everybody and laughed at all of the rest of us for being the envious cowards we were.
No, they never talk about him. Say his name and watch Dibny's face sag so bad his jaw hits the bar.

Not a man among them wants to hear about Batman.
Was he quietly assassinated? Or did he just decide we weren't worth the grief?
The question hangs in the air for a moment or two, then Jones springs for a round for everybody and himself.

The get talking again. About the old days. The glory days.
They remember. They were right there. In the thick of it. Back then.
It wasn't so long ago. We had heroes.

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Intelligence: Batman 5 (Professor)
Speed: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Draw 5 (Marathon)
Agility: Batman 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Batman 5 (Martial Artist)
Energy Power: Batman 4 (Arsenal)


- After witnessing the street murder of his parents, the young Bruce Wayne's destiny was forever shaped to be one dedicated to an ideal. Having spent his formative years studying the various sciences, martial arts, and crime fighting techniques, Bruce is ultimately inspired to become the one-man war on the criminal element in Gotham City: Batman.

Perhaps Batman's greatest power is the millions inherited from his industrialist parents, and the various facilities that came with that. They prove crucial in the design and construction of his many weapons, which are typically non-lethal, and have a variety of uses.

Complimented by his keenly strategic mind is Batman's expertise in the martial arts. He is extensively trained in multiple fighting styles, and commonly regarded to be one of the greatest hand-to-hand fighters in the world.
He is also extremely proficient in general urban warfare.

- It has been claimed that he was the victim of one very bad day, which ended with a fall into a vat of chemicals that bleached his skin, dyed his hair, and twisted his face into a permanent grin. The truth of his name and origins remain unknown, but as the Joker, he is one of the most feared killers in Gotham City.

Joker is known to have an aptitude for creating and working with toxins and other chemicals, favouring trademark concoctions that induce uncontrolled laughter, facial distortion, and often, death. Joker is also a proficient strategist, who is said to regularly reinvent his identity as a part of his vendetta against Batman.
The Joker, though not a skilled fighter, is shown to have an inhuman capacity for pain tolerance and recovery.

Additional: While Batman has one of the most impressive lists of nemesis, few characters reach the status of Joker as his arch-villain. Joker's rivalry with Batman has arguably produced the definitive vision of the classic comic book supervillain, defined by; false deaths, personal attacks (deaths), trap and baits, and a continuing relationship unlikely to be resolved.

Joker's unpredictability often means Batman is forced into a responsive position. The Dark Knight's dedication to non-lethal justice is the means by which Joker maintains his villainous presence, with an uncanny knack for escape.
Despite their continuous rivalry, it is Batman who has a distinct advantage over Joker in physical confrontations, and regularly dishes out defeat accordingly.
Examples include; Batman #614, Detective Comics #781 & Batman #663.

History: Batman (3-0-0)
Math: Batman Ranking: Batman (#1)

What Went Down...
A plague of carnage has come to Gotham County Fair. A sleeping terror awoken by a stirring bat. Ruby read lips on a chalk faced grin. It would be a silly death.
The Joker's obsession, once initiated, is predictable, as always. He knows the Dark Knight will come to defuse his exploding babies. To take him back to jail. He knows...

Batman and Robin arrive at the fair by glider.
Joker's chronies spot it's dark shadow from a mile off. The fat one boards the rollercoaster and promises he'll "make sure the bomb goes off." The mothers and fathers make their children than the Joker for their death. Stupid.

One of the robotic dolls flies toward the Batman.
He coaches Robin to remain calm. Lets it get nice and close before they dive.
His pasty face glowing in the explosion, the Joker lets off a smile. Not a twisted grin. Not a gaping snarl. An affectionate smile to greet an old friend.

Joker opens fire as the girl wonder lands on the coaster line.
The gunfire finally tells the faceless herd to panic. They show an incredible aptitude for getting in the way, but the Batman's grappling line still manages to snag the Joker's robotic doll. Green gas begins to pour out of it, and the Joker runs laughing. "I should have known," the Batman thinks.

Amidst a green haze the Joker snatches an innocent young girl.
Our ceremony. That same old dance. He's playing by the wrong rules.

Joker's itchy finger gets off a shot by accident. His fingers tighten. His body recoils and tenses as a batarang buries itself where an eye should be. The Joker runs and Batman - a silhouette - drags the hostage through the green mist. He's firing blind. He's running again.

Joker runs to the house of mirrors, pushing ignorant fair-goers aside.
A child taunts the Joker and becomes another hostage. Batman's scowling mug surrounds the Joker. He growls the command, "Put the boy down..."

This time Joker's gamble pays off. He hears the bull coming through the glass and gets one shot off. He puts the slug deep in Batman's gut, but the kid gets out okay. Batman too, really. He ducks a second shot and smacks the Joker in his gnashing mouth and sends his chalky head careening into a mirror.

Joker takes a couple more shots. If his gun was loaded they'd have killed.
He drops under another lumbering old punch from Batman and slides a clip into his pistol. He's as fast as ever. He blows off a few more rounds, each one hitting mirror Batmen. The dark knight welcomes it. A waste of ammo.

Joker flees into the night where Robin battles his henchman on the rollercoaster. Explosions fill the night sky, while Joker shoots at random. He clears a path to the tunnel of love. Slowly, like an old warship, the Batman follows. He clutches his bleeding gut and promises the two bodies floating in the water will be the last two if he can just stay awake. Finish him quickly. Stay awake.

Like a marine predator his sinks into the murky filth of the tunnel's river.
Batman has no idea high above the fairground his little soldier is becoming a woman. Her battle is about to end in blood. Batman's will be... cleaner.

Batman bursts from the depths to ambush the Joker. As fast as ever, Joker pulls a blade and prepares to fight. Waist deep in water, they do just that.

Batman takes Joker's gun away, so he puts a knife in him.
The cut is clean. It doesn't slow Batman down. He grabs at the Joker's pasty face. The face that's haunted his dreams with thoughts just like this. He squeezes and twists ignoring the Joker's frenzy. Voices echo through the tunnel, calling the Batman a murderer. The Joker slumps in the water.

The twist of Joker's neck has left him paralyzed, but it's all part of the plan. He taunts the hunched dark knight. Promises they'll kill him for this. Takes pleasure in Batman's weakness and twists. Laughing like a madman he twists. Through the echoed cracking he laughs and he twists.

The witnesses will say it was the Batman. When the feds find his broken body, they won't know about the silent laugh. The last laugh that taunts his enemy.
The Joker is dead. Long live the Joker.

The Hammer...
After blinding, paralyzing, and prompting a suicide, the dark knight, Batman, emerges grim, gritty, and victorious!

At this point we're running atrociously behind schedule, now well into August and the beginning of the Olympics, but you'll remember, all those weeks ago, there was a little known film called The Dark Knight in cinemas which we wanted to acknowledge!

In our previous Joker-entry [Batman #614] we talked about the relationship of the Batman and Joker, and this was supposed to be a resolution to that discussion. I wonder, however, if it might prompt reflection on the opposite.

Plotlines in the Bat-books currently revolve around concepts put forward in Grant Morrison's RIP, which seem to suggest a concluding world without a Batman!
Advanced speculation had fans questioning the mortality of the Dark Knight; particularly in a world reeling from the death of Captain America [#25]. Word, however, from above, was said to have nixed any intentions to eliminate the franchise stock of Bruce Wayne, who had not yet appeared in The Dark Knight.

Robin [title] has jumped into the speculation game with a new storyline featuring Robin and Spoiler dealing with the apparent absence of the Batman, and a situation that forces young Drake to don the Bat-mantle.
This is just the first tease for a post-RIP plotline announced at San Diego Comic-Con which will pit various supporting characters in a race for the Batman identity. Promotional art shows contenders for the battle for the cowl, from left-to-right, as: Selina Kyle, Thomas Elliot, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake.

So, at this point, in terms of the relationship between Batman and Joker, there's a question whether Batman will even survive to see it. Not that that itself isn't a conclusion, as proposed by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, which initially depicts Joker as a catatonic depressive in a mental asylum. Nor is it likely many are expecting Bruce Wayne's demise to be permanent, if even a death, at all.

There's something incredibly appropriate about Miller's end to one of comics' most famous rivalries. Batman remains true to his mantra, whilst still seeing an end to the villain, whose legacy is that of the furor created by the implication of a murder (per witness accounts). In a modern society that's explicitly dissociated with Batman and his methods, the perception shift is simple.

The success of the recent film brings home the idea that Batman's relevance could never realistically be reduced in the way Miller's dystopian future depicts. The longevity of the franchise will always mean Batman is at odds with the Joker - something suggested by Nolan's film, which does not forecast a conventional filmic conclusion to the characters' relationship.

Many fans look to a conclusion in a sequel, but I wonder, under these conditions, if it might not finally be an era where we witness the mainstream initiation of fans into the comics form. A form that tells these stories with a pseudo-realism of sequential constant, not necessarily preoccupied with the dwelling stop-start of act-driven storytelling.

Just a note: the opening Story So Far section features an exerpt from a Jimmy Olsen article about the post-superhero climate of the DKR universe. It references several heroes and villains specifically, some of whom show up in DK2. The article is included in the collected edition (available below).

That's about it for now, folks.
Unfortunately the arrival of this epic battle on the Infinite Wars has come at a time when we're not quite as focused as we'd like. With the Olympics upon us, I hope we can see a content revival through a shift back to statistical fun. Despite his prevelance on the site, you can be sure the Joker won't be winning gold after his string of defeats!
Stay tuned for the belated August Monthly Punch-Up to find out more about the Super Stock ranks!

The Fight: 5 The Issue: 7

That brings our month of Joker and "The Dark Knight" features to a close, but that doesn't mean the Batmania needs to end! By browsing through the Amazonian Gift Shoppe you'll be able to find a range of collected Batman stories, all at affordable prices, thanks to Amazon! By using the purchase links provided you also help sponsor the Infinite Wars, which is the Bat-tastic thing to do! We recommend classics that have appeared on the site, like: The Dark Knight Returns, DC: The New Frontier, Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: Dark Victory, Batman: Hush, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, to name just a few!

MATT MURDOCK versus SLADE
The Man Without Fear (Marvel)
Where: Daredevil: The Man Without Fear #2
When: November 1993 Why: Frank Miller How: John Romita Jr

The Story so far...
When the boxer 'Battlin' Jack Murdock is murdered by the criminal underworld for refusing to throw a fight, he leaves behind a son, Matt, who has the grim task of identifying his father. Complicating matters further is an act of selflessness that renders Matthew Murdock blind, the result of saving a blind man from a truck carrying radioactive material. Though blind, Matt finds the accident has enhanced his other senses, resulting in a radar-sight.

Whilst undergoing training from the mysterious martial arts master, Stick; Murdock finds himself overcome by the emotion of his father's death. Despite his so-called handicaps, Murdock leaves the morgue for the streets, where he begins a one-man war on the men responsible for his father's murder.

Murdock begins at the bottom of the chain; two hitmen called McHale and Gillian. They don't stand much of a chance. When the cops find them in a pool of their own blood in an alley, all they can babble is something about a dead boxer back for revenge. They worked for The Fixer, but he'll have to wait for his turn. Slade and Little Marcello are next on Matthew Murdock's checklist.

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Daredevil 3 (Athlete)
Intelligence: Daredevil 3 (Straight A)
Speed: Daredevil 4 (Olympian)
Stamina: Daredevil 5 (Marathon Man)
Agility: Daredevil 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Daredevil 5 (Martial Artist)
Energy Powers: Daredevil 2 (Projectile)


- As a young man, Matthew Murdock was the innocent victim in an accident involving the illegal trafficking of chemicals through New York City. Being doused in the hazardous materials cost young Murdock his sight, but enhanced his remaining senses so intensely he could now "see" through the reverberation of sound -- a bat-like radar sense! The angry youth would find himself orphaned, and consequently dedicates himself to training his body in the martial arts under the tutelage of the mysterious master, Stick.

Murdock's speed, strength and agility would reach human optimum, his enhanced senses complimenting his physicality in battle. By day, Murdock studied to become a hotshot lawyer, but by night he sought a method of justice without rules as the guardian of Hell's Kitchen: Daredevil!

- Slade and Marcello were among the gangsters featured in Frank Miller's alternate Daredevil origin; Daredevil: The Man Without Fear. They are among the five hitmen working for The Fixer, responsible for the death of Battlin' Jack Murdock; who refused to throw a fight for the mob.

The Math: Daredevil Ranking: Daredevil (#12)

What Went Down...
Coming straight from the morgue; Matthew Murdock turns his gifts of a Bat-like radar sense and martial arts training to stealthily seeking a path of revenge. With two of The Fixer's goons already taken care of, Matt's next destination is the gym, where the treacherous fighter Slade, and his suited accomplice, Marcello, are blissfully unaware of their shared fate.

The lights go out. Slades mocks Marcello for being so easily spooked, but when he staggers across the floor and reaches down to feel something wet, he knows that maybe his friend had something to fear afterall. When the lights come back on, a masked man is standing in the ring. A man without fear.

The masked Murdock tosses his ballbat aside and invites the burly boxer to meet him on his own terms, in the ring. The crooked fighter climbs into the ring and casts an intimidating figure. He knowingly looms over Murdock like a colossus, and lets out a chuckle. Matt thinks about the endless taunts of his childhood and in a single motion channels them all from mind, to hip, to leg, to boot.

Slade's knee takes the impact and bends in ways never intended.
The force of the kick explodes out the otherside of it's target. A pathetic spurt bursts from the wound that will cost the fighter quite some time in recovery.

It's a feast for heightened senses. Murdock sucks in the metallic taste of blood in the air and smells the panic and stink of the bulky man's sweat. Riding his own high, Murdock is unaffected, as he slips a roll of pennies into his right fist.
The stack of coins provides a brace that makes his already firm fist even harder. He mercileslly returns every blow that broke his father, slamming his vengeful fist into the boxer's face in a rapid succession, until the coins all spray from his hand.

Matt continues the assault, even when he senses the presence of another man, whose wafting scent of cheap aftershave and cigar smoke lingers at the door.

Murdock keeps close track of the man he knows to be the Fixer as he makes his panicked escape. Even while Slade's ribs crack and splinter beneath Matt's unrelenting boot, he keeps close track. Angelo and the Fixer: the last two needed to satisfy Matt's revenge. The last two who killed Jack Murdock.

The Hammer...
Y'know, in hindsight, it probably would've been more efficient to wrap the whole gang together as one big opponent, but we'll have to settle for Daredevil's victory over Slade and Marcello.

This was to have been an entry earlier in the week, but it sounds like I'm not the only one feeling some fatigue! For the first time in several weeks the Friday post is running on time, but Bahlactus and the gang are taking the week off! Friday's obviously the holy day on the Infinite Wars [as seen in C2C: Round 1], so it's no rest for the wicked, it seems...

Astute readers will note the emerging pattern amongst our most recent entries [DC: New Frontier #2, Phantom #972]. That's probably about all the boxing action we'll have from the squared circle, but rest assured the meeting of martial arts and boxing in Man Without Fear makes for more than age-old debate! There'll be more fighting of a competition sort in some exciting upcoming entries!

Against all odds, Frank Miller won some brownie points with contemporary readers of his Batman work with the most recent issue of All-Star Batman & Robin: The Boy Wonder.
The book, maligned by many as pseudo-psychotic mush, made good use of the latest issue to recast earlier militaristic and emotionless displays from "the goddamn" Batman as examples for impressionable youngsters, ie; Dick Grayson's Robin. Working against Miller, one might argue, has been his penchant for writing stories better suited to the single volume, which is typical of many of his best known works, but becomes an exclusive approach from the nineties onward.

Unlike his sprawling romances with the Daredevil title; Man Without Fear hones in on the subject matter of Daredevil's origins and growth before becoming a costumed hero. For the most part the origin was a non-issue during Miller's run on the on-going title, easily circumvented by what was essentially the deconstruction and rebuilding of the character, post-Born Again. Allegedly an ill-fated movie script, one can see how Man Without Fear differentiates itself not only from established Daredevil history under creator Stan Lee's pen, but also much of Miller's own characterization, particularly in the case of Elektra.

MWF no doubt benefits from knowing what becomes of the confused Matt Murdock, assuring us of a strong character borne of this tumultuous past. In this respect, the story connects well with the Daredevil mythos in the most basic of ways, but still, factors like Elektra as a slightly older woman, flirtatious and dangerous, really repel Miller's own simplicity in the original stories. Then again, much of Miller's writing, especially that on Elektra, is notorious for it's removal from conventional "continuity."

Fanboys have come to have an embarassed, self-loathing relationship with continuity. If the zeaously polite aren't insisting that cohesion and consistency are irrelevant, as they clash with their continuity obsessed peers, they're sheepishly hiding their interest in a sense of reality.

As both a writer and fan, I tend to believe the rules of reality on fiction, no matter how subliminal, are crucial to the artform. I think of unravelling, fantastical histories as the romantic strength of the comic book format, and am consistently disappointed by the flimsy attention to linear realities of life and death. Of course, with characters that bare the demands of contemporary interpretation without the luxury of age or legacy, one comes to accept the necessity of the rewrite, particularly where origin stories are concerned.

In isolation, Miller puts forward an incredibly strong superhero story.
Don't let the lack of costumes fool you, because for all the buzz of 'noir' sensibilities in Miller's writing, he revels in the superhero form. The theme of Miller's writing, which has always gone lengths to prove Daredevil is more than the horned costume, continues with strength in this new origin.

With so many comparisons already evident between Daredevil and Batman, it's refreshing when Miller pushes Matt Murdock further than anyone would expect of the Dark Knight. When this character goes on his rampage of revenge it stops being another superhero inspired by a familial death, and takes a turn toward something more akin to a seventies or eighties action movie. Which I like.

The excess of street level violence and corruption, though common to both DD and the Batman work, is taken so much farther here. If one were so inclined, you could probably read Man Without Fear, Born Again, and the last forty or so issues of Bendis and Maleev's Daredevil to get the abridged 'mental breakdown' version of the Daredevil epic. It fits. This is what makes Daredevil who he is, and in so many ways, I appreciate the over-the-top honesty of this fiction.

Though not Miller's best known work, Man Without Fear isn't without it's importance. Given the sheer prominence of Miller's influence on Brian Bendis' work, it's not hard to imagine this series might have inspired the drawn out take on Peter Parker's birth into Spider-man, as it was depicted in the redevised origin shown in Ultimate Spider-man. Likewise, given the context, the influence of Miller's art style is almost seen in JRjr's pencils, as they take on a strange hybrid of many styles, absorbing some of the harshness of Miller's depiction.

Ironically, Miller now appears to be spending his time on All-Star Batman and Robin, seemingly commentating on the very violence perpetuated in this very story. A violence (and style) perpetuated not just by Bendis, but an entire decade of influenced parties who may or may not have done this style justice.
Many have come to accuse Miller, even in the time of Man Without Fear, for writing in the style of Sin City. I mention the fact that [Man Without Fear] is a superhero story despite any "noir" predilictions, because in Miller's defense, what he's really done over his career with stories like this, and Sin City, is purvey a convention of storytelling by no means his own invention.

It's almost a contradiction because it's that gritty Miller style that makes Miller's writing so enjoyable. As a convention, it really shouldn't need to be excused, even though it's the very themes and violence explored in Man Without Fear that have curdled and turned against him. I suppose what I suggest is that, like Man Without Fear, the serialized formatting of his graphic novel work has come to undermine him, and in essence, Miller becomes a victim of his own success.

Another irony, given Miller's uncharacteristic commentaries on violence and the superhero iconography in All-Star Batman and Robin, which almost inadvertently cast a light of self-parody on works like Man Without Fear. That, however, is really a subject for another time!...

The Fight: 4 The Issue: 5.5

Frank Miller remains a polarizing influence on comics by any definition. You can find many of his influential works in the recommended section of the Infinite Wars Amazon Shop, or use the links provided here to checkout the Daredevil Frank Miller Omnibi! "Man Without Fear" is joined by "Love & War" as well as Miller's other later revisitations to the character in the Omnibus Companion. For the complete story, you can check out the book to which MWF is the companion piece! And remember, when you use Amazon purchase links provided, you help support future entries in the Infinite Wars! Yay future!

SUPERMAN versus BATMAN
Book One (DC comics)
Where: The Dark Knight Strikes Again #1 When: November 2001
Why: Frank Miller How: Frank Miller

The story so far...
After faking his own death, Bruce Wayne goes underground to train the army of SOBs who joined him after abandoning their Mutant leader to rally to his cause. With the aid of his new ward Carrie Kelly he makes this possible.

Using his personal army to break free some of his more willing peers from the past, Batman assembles a team that includes powerhouses in their respective fields including The Flash and The Atom, and prepares to go to war against the world.

In a world where superheroes are slowly beginning to again penetrate the shutdown public consciousness; Batman is bringing heroism back in a big way, and not a minute too soon. With threats from Lex Luthor and Brainiac lurking on the horizon, he'll need to have all his tools and freedoms at the ready. But what of the Superman? Where does he stand?...

Previous Form:
Superman (#6): Superman has victories over heroes like Wonder Woman, Uncle Sam & Hulk.
Batman (#2): Batman has a two-to-zip victory rate over Superman.

Tale of the tape...
Strength: Superman 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Batman 5 (Professor)
Speed: Superman 6 (Sound Speed)
Stamina: Superman 6 (Generator)
Agility: Batman 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Batman 5 (Martial Artist)
Energy Powers: Superman 5 (Lasers)


We've featured Superman/Batman fights twice previously on Secret Earths [Dark Knight Returns #4, Batman #612], and you have to wonder if there's really much left to say about these two going head to head.

This modern era has provided the World's Finest with one of the most compelling relationships, turning what was once a kindred friendship, and turning it into a begrudging, tense alliance. It's this chemistry that has made those previous entries two of the most popular even today, and that was back when entries ran a lot less deep, too! Heck, we barely even had pictures on the site back then!

Actually, the title here is a bit misleading.
By this time Batman has assembled a team of Justice Leaguers to aid him in his mission against the dystopian world presented in the Dark Knight books, and they seem all too pleased to help in the whipping of big boy blue.
It might have something to do with the fact that he let them get captured and tortured, but hey. Who's counting? At least he doesn't have a prat moustache like Stark!

Joining the Batman is Green Arrow, who aided him in his last encounter with Superman; as well as Silver Age versions of the Atom (Ray Palmer) and the Flash (Barry Allen).
When you factor those guys into the equation, Superman's four-to-three tape stats actually dwindle down to giving him only an edge in strength, as none of these other heroes have any real measure of super strength.

For Superman the keys to victory would come down to blunt force trauma. He would have to hit hard and fast, and throw everything he's got at these guys if he were to have any shot. Unfortunately, even in this grim future, Superman's still the type to ring the doorbell, so his chances aren't looking very good.

Batman built his house on planning, and his plans are ready and waiting for the day Superman comes to find him in his cave, knowing full well that he never truly died. With the Flash, Atom and GA at his side, and a collection fo synthetic and effective kryptonite, yeah. Let's hear it for the boy.

The Math: Batman (Total) / Superman (Average)
The Pick: Batman

What went down...
With a glowing red hatred in his eyes, Superman thunders down from the space station he's been relegated to by the puppeteers that control America.
He comes back down to Earth for a little chat with the man who's doing what he didn't feel he could, and he's pissed. The sonic boom of his reentry and speeding trajectory shatter windows across Gotham City. Such disregard is uncharacteristic.

By the time he's pound his way into the cave, The Batman and his team are ready and waiting. The split penny isn't much concern, but the giant dinosaur springs to life to greet the visitor from the stars. Bat says his name is Fido.

Superman slips through it's skull like it were an illusion, landing into a nightmare. A robotic Bizarro #12 leaps at the Kryptonian with the rabid enthusiasm of a crazed fan. It says he's his biggest.

Superman signs his head with his fist, and knocks his block off. The Bizarro grins sheepishly, revelling in it's destruction as it's head bobs upside down at the end of a coiled spring of a neck.

Now things get serious.
Allen slips onto the seen so fast he's there before anyone knows it. As his presence registers in Superman's alien brain, the thipping of explosive discs has already given way to their placement all over his super durable body.

They know he can take it. He's stronger than the pounding surf.

The massive amount of explosions do well to shake the man of steel.
Batman's disembodied voice rings through the cave, mocking him with bitter truths. Kal-El's birthgiven powers made him stupid. Batman is smart. Strategic.

"Pardon me while I drop ninety tons of planet Earth on you."

As chunks of rubble spray through the tiny space, Oliver Queen calls the Superman out. Sporting a brand new cybernetic arm (to replace the one Superman cost him), he cocks his bow with a bulky kryptonite arrow and spies his emerging target. Deja Vu.

The Superman sees it coming and heads it off with heat vision, but that only detonates the Kryptonite napalm head of it. All part of the act. He was always the straight man. For all his powers, he never had any real imagination. No creativity.

Reduced considerably by the radioactive remains of his home, it's Atom's turn this time.
Palmer emerges from the shadows and shrinks to a diminutive size and he launches himself through the air at relative dimensions to leaping a tall building.

He sneaks in to the fallen Superman's ear.
"Having a very little man bounding about your inner ear works hell on your equilibrium, doesn't it? I'd feel sorry for you, but I don't."

Palmer ignores Batman's facetious request to take it easy on the boyscout. "The man's having a bad day."

Feeble and defeated the great Superman plants his face into the dirt.
Batman calls off his little helper. He's ready to step into the light.
All sixty years of him.

"Bruce-- I just want to talk..."

Batman answers with his fists.
Giant green fists wrapped in Kryptonite gloves.

He knocks Superman off the ground with a left, and then swats him with a right.
He makes a crater with his face, pounding his head into the ground.
He doesn't stop until he hears a crunch.

"I'm done talking."

"Get out of my cave."

The hammer...
The winner and still champion, Batman!
Due to their vital role in the victory, the other heroes may as well be counted for full victories too. If you're playing along at home, remember to scratch that in.

Y'know, this book [and series] is a bit like when they inject radioactive goop into you, to follow it through the bloodstream, and highlight certain areas during an internal scan. Only, this is radioactive goop for the internet as a working life system of trends, herd mentalities and a desire for unique opinions in counter culture.

Despite reading comics for roughly twenty years, I fully submit the fact that I did so in a vaccum. It wasn't really until the beginning of this decade that I made any real connection with other comics fans, and that was only through the internet. This was a medium I was introduced to as a child, and have arrived at through my own means. So, many must read titles to this day remain unseen by my peepers, and I like to think that makes me some kind of impartial.

A book like All-Star Batman & Robin, which has suffered heavy criticism and consistent trashing online could fool you into thinking the machine of internet fanboys is all about the negative. Which is why I highlight DK2 as a great radioactive indicator, because in my experience, it's gone from being quite loathed, to becoming geek-chic.

Unlike an ASB&R, which I don't think will ever escape the quagmire of criticism, and probably partially because it's justified, DK2 was able to escape the clutches of the perpetuated opinion to start finding pockets of resistence. Which in turn seems to had gradually crated an reverse wave that's making it cool again.

For me, as I said, I didn't read DKR until only fairly recently.
I didn't have fifteen years to ponder the prospects of a Dark Knigt Returns sequel. I read them in succession, and so, from my perspective, this just read like the next logical step in what was a really enjoyable take on Batman.

In some ways I read with a naivety, being surrounded by an industry that was already well into the swing of benefitting from this take on the character.
For me, I read it, and almost acknowledge with bemusement that, yes. This is approximately what I want to see from a Batman story. It's context allows it greater lengths, but yes. Why wouldn't Batman slap Superman silly? That's what Batman does.

I'm simplifying, but my roundabout point is that perhaps somewhere along the lines the longterm fans got carried away with anticipation for DK2, and when it came it couldn't possibly live up to that hype. And with the glory of the internet, their gospel was carried across the information superhighway to be absorbed by the sponge-like masses of newer readers unconfident with their placement in a medium three or four times old as they.

Not that I mean to paint a picture of myself as anti-internet.
The irony of that would not be lost even on I who have not yet read Watchmen.

I just think it's very interesting the way the mass exchange of opinion has helped shape this current visage of an industry. Interesting that a new reader absorbs basic knowledge of this life like a newborn from sources like message boards and Wikipedia, and instantly learns these opinions as fact.

'DC is just capes. You must relate to characters. Only Marvel has relatable characters' is somehow dwarfed by the progressive life lessons of things like, 'smoking causes lung cancer' and 'unsafe sex leads to mortgages and assault charges'.

And if you're just joining us to see Batman punch Superman with a novelty sized boxing glove. Hey, it's Frank Miller! If you don't read the Hollywood Press online, when it's Miller, it's got to be about big issues!

Oh, the parody!

The Fight: 7 The Issue: 7

DAREDEVIL versus HULK
Blind Alley (Marvel comics)
Where: Daredevil #163 When: March, 1980
Why: Roger McKenzie How: Frank Miller

The story so far...
A swanky New York City fundraiser dinner in an expensive high rise appartment may require the attentions of attorney at law, Matt Murdock -- but when the pounding thud of a monstrous heartbeat echoes from the streets below, the Catholic has no choice but to abandon all fun and become -- DAREDEVIL: the man without fear!

Facing a confused and violent Hulk in a back alley, Matt Murdock manages to connect with the beast and calm him down. Thus, Bruce Banner becomes a temporary ward of the blind lawyer, who tries to help him through his struggle.

Banner attempts to escape the densly populated metropolis, but the charm of the New York subway and it's commutors eventually proves too much.
Ergo, the Hulk is unleashed upon an unsuspecting city.

Recommended reading:
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk: A rare and unlikely meeting for the two characters in this TV movie.
Deadpool #4: Hulk faces Deadpool, a character comparable to Daredevil.
Marvel Comics Presents #49: Daredevil versus Scope, a man much larger than he.

Tale of the tape...
Strength: Hulk 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Daredevil 3 (Straight A)
Speed: Daredevil 4 (Olympic Sprinter)
Stamina: Hulk 6 (Generator)
Agility: Daredevil 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Hulk 6 (Warrior)
Energy Powers: Daredevil 2 (Projectile Weapon)

Okay, whilst cruising the net recently I ran afoul a discussion that seems to come up periodically. It's one of those arguments that seems to get settled, but always manages to pop up again somewhere else.
It's the matter of the super strong, and the super fast.

Here Daredevil is uncomfortably denoted the speed rating of four, which is described in terms of running speed, even though this pertains more to the reaction and physical speed of the character, rather than his sprinting strengths.

There seems to be some confusion over the potential for characters like the Hulk (or Thing), that display incredible muscular power, but err on the side of lumbering, rather than speeding.
I suppose there are many things to consider, not the least of which, is comic book physics.

When it's all said and done, no matter how realistic these stories become, there are comic book laws that help steer the dramatic potential of any given character pairing, or story.
Quite relevent here is the balancing law of strength and speed. David overcomes Goliath through one of two contrasting abilities -- strategy, or speed. These two factors are inevitably the equalising factor when any giant is faced by a lesser character.

Ultimately, Hulk's mass probably does denote a relative speed, because he isn't hindered in movement by his bulky figure and musculature.
His incredible leaps are attributed to the sheer muscular strength of his legs, which is a stretch that doesn't really denote any inate speed, even in comic physics.
He lacks the 'fast twitch fibres' and general agility of a speedster. That said, like the Rhino, over a larger distance, the Hulk could no doubt throw his weight into a sprint of tremendous momentum.

How does this relate to a fight with Daredevil?
Daredevil, like any David, is going to be relying on speed and guile against a creature like the Hulk. Hulk's ability to thwart Daredevil's attack is reliant upon his ability to react to the greater speed and agility.

Daredevil is an extremely skilled fighter, and could no doubt out-maneuver the Hulk for quite some time.
Given the urban surroundings, some of that energy might be expelled in efforts to protect innocents. Likewise, those surroundings could be used by the Hulk as weapons, and a way to contain the movements of the blind lawyer.

When the smoke settles, there are very few general measures that give Daredevil the advantage. The Hulk is simply too powerful in the broadest sense, and try valiantly as he may, Daredevil has no business beating the Hulk.

What went down...
Finding himself trapped in a busy subway car, the Hulk bursts forth through the lower levels of New York, up, up to street level.

With traffic backed up, Daredevil is the only man within his vicinity to hear and know the true horrors that wait up ahead.
While the Hulk tosses cars and bends street lamps, the man without fear leaps into action to once again quell the rages of the rampaging Hulk!

Daredevil's efforts to use brain over brawn are thwarted when a well-meaning NY police officer opens fire on Hulk while his back is turned.
With the connection lost, Hulk swats Daredevil away, assuming he was trying to trick him into an ambush attack.

With the policeman's life in peril, DD springs to life to deliver a swift flying kick.
He continues to try to reason with the man-monster, using his agility to duck and parry his lumbering blows.
DD attempts an offensive, swinging his billy club into the Hulk's nose, but it has no effect. Hulk snatches DD by the wrist, and flings him into the air like a ragdoll.

DD hits the side of a building, and tumbles down to a roof below with a splatter of blood trickling from his nose and mouth.
Lucky to have survived a physical encounter with the Hulk, the man without fear rallies himself in the interest of the greater good, and his own dignity!

Hulk, still freaking out in the middle of an inter-section, starts shouting accusations at the skyscrapers, believing his predicament to be some kind of evil plot set-up by his alter-ego, Bruce Banner.
Fairly desperate by this stage, Daredevil does the only thing imaginable: He drives a bus into the Hulk.

The machine ultimately comes off second best, with DD flying out through the windshield as the bus makes contact [always buckle your safety belt, kids! - Mike].

Hulk tears the bus to smitherines, giving Murdock the time he needs to recover and make a second attempt at subduing the Hulk through mental and physical means. (Kinda sending mixed messages there, aren't you DD?)

Daredevil unloads with all the speed and skill he has, all the while desperately trying to calm Hulk down enough to realise he is not the victim of banner, but rather Banner himself.
Never the less, fearless as he may be, this man is no match for the Hulk.

Hulk again sends DD hurtling away, swatting him through a fence into a nearby alley.

Barely conscious and unable to stand, Daredevil feels the Hulk looming over him via his radar senses. He continues to plea with the Hulk for better sense, and as the beast stands over him with a slab of concrete, ready to crush the Hell's Kitchen hero, something twigs.

As the world falls out from underneath him, Daredevil collapses into unconsciousness, while the Hulk shows mercy for the 'puny human,' leaving him to resume a quest for his own inner devils.

The hammer...
Despite resisting the killer blow, Hulk comprehensively dominated his oponent, and is clearly the victor here.
Not only did he beat the snot (and blood) out of DD, but he also fascilitates a panicked slip by a friend, who pleas for authorities to protect "Ma--" from the Hulk. Not something you want your friend doing if you're Daredevil, and Ben Urich is within earshot.

This issue isn't by any means Shakespeare, but damned if it isn't what Secret Earths is all about. It's fun! It's exciting! It's action packed! Heck, there's even a little bit of story in there to boot.

There are a lot of traditions in comics that are now frowned upon by the self-conscious and embarrassed. People who refer to graphic novels instead of comics. People who don't want to indulge or invest in characters and stories. People who cower in fear, and cover their eyes and ears should any fan explore upcoming projects purely from the realm of speculation.

These people suck. If you see them, do as they wouldn't, and engage in an act of mindless brutality. Bend them backwards over a mailbox, or drive a bus into them! Show them what made superheroes the dominant species in the comic book format... and then get yourself a damned good lawyer, because no doubt they know some poseur lawyer who is a huge fan of graphic novels.

But seriously, there isn't really a lot to say about this particular issue. It is what it is.
The Hulk, a character who has no real business entering the world of Daredevil, is placed in the middle of a populated city. Daredevil, a character who has no business approaching the Hulk, tries to stop a rampage of chaos.

It's just fun.
Two unlikely opponents against one and other, in an old fashioned spit-fister.

Just so I don't wrap things up here without any reference to the issue specific, eagle-eyed fans will have already spotted a young Frank Miller on pencils.
This is, of course, before Miller developed a more stylized look, adopting more of an asthetically commercial Marvel pencil.
It's not terribly flashy, but Miller shows great sense of action and movement.

[EDIT: And I assure, despite my choice in panels to scan, there ARE many backgrounds littered throughout the entire issue. That's just an obscure coincidence. - Mike]

The Fight: 3.5 The Issue: 4

NEXT: The clash of the titans! Captain Marvel versus Superman!

BATMAN versus SUPERMAN
Where: The Dark Knight Returns #4 When: June 1986
Writer: Frank Miller Artist: Frank Miller

The story so far...
The future is a grim and gritty place.
The heroes have been driven out by a world that watched them with envious eyes. There are still whispers though. Rumors of a Superman puppet to the administration, and if you walk down the right alley, into the right bar, you just might find someone who knows him.

For Bruce Wayne the silence is deafening, and inevitably the Dark Knight returns to Gotham, in a time when he may be needed the most.

His return is not without it's cost. Though he rises to defeat the menace of the Mutants gang, old foes reemerge to take a last shot at their enemy. Two-Face and Joker make a stand, but prove to be nothing more than chapters in the Batman's legacy.

The true enemy is within. The Batman has rattled the cages of the wrong people, and now they have sent their Superman to stop him.

Tale of the tape...
If you're young enough, this might actually be your father's Batman, but ironically this Batman is the influential father to current interpretations of the Dark Knight.
Time has been relatively kind to Bruce Wayne, but he's definitely feeling it in his old age. Not to say life is peaches and cream for Superman in this dark future.
Before the fight, boy blue averts nuclear disaster by detonating it, and robbing himself of the solar powers he draws upon, via a nuclear winter.

Slice it anyway you like, this is the god damned Batman.
A Batman so typically atypical of Frank Miller's work; deliciously stripped to the core of his being. This is perhaps a more potent Batman than any seen since. A Batman driven, and focused in a way our current multi-tasking Batman seems incapable of.

Intelligence: 5 (Professor)
Stamina: 5 (Marathon runner)

For the Batman this is what it all comes down to.
David beats Goliath solely on the principle of his ability to account for, and effectively counter, the advantages presented against him, and by extension, the willpower to make it happen.

Strength: 6 (Invincible)
Speed: 6 (Speed of sound)
Stamina: 6 (Generator)

For Superman, it's probably a fight that on paper should be in his favour.
The legend of the oft despised infallible Batman has arguably been grossly over exaggerated, and ultimately, clouded the interpretation of Batman's abilities on a logical plane.

Reading a recent issue of Infinite Crisis, it was qui enjoyable to see a prime example of Batman's brittle humanity put to the forefront. With the DC trinity standing in the rubble of the Justice League sattelite, the villain Mongul does away with Superman and Wonder Woman, leaving Batman at his cosmic-level mercy.

Weakened or not, Superman is still Superman.
His weaknesses are Kryptonite; something more accessible than you might think; and his heart and Kansas razed good nature. Where the scales tip is the fact that these fallabilities fall right into the hands of an embittered industrialist-genius, with an emotional tie.

What went down...
Well, for the most part, I'm guessing most of us know what goes down, even if we haven't read this all important and influential chapter of The Dark Knight Returns.

As previously arranged, Superman shows up at Crime Alley, right on time. The place where it all began, and where it just might end for our grizzled anti-hero.

The welcome wagon comes in the form of six hunter missles, activated by the x-rays Superman uses to survey the area.
Anytime the Batman's role as a master strategist comes into question, this is without a doubt one of the finest examples of exactly how absurdly obvious his abilities are.

Carrie Kelly, aka Robin, is there to continue battering the great white dope as he hits the ground a block away from the target. The batmobile, more reflective of a military attack vehicle is light work for a man more powerful than the pounding surf.

True to form, Superman's first approach is to negotiate with the Batman. He probably asks him to give in to reason, and return to the shadows, away from the sight of the politicians that now control the last son of Krypton.
His words falls on deaf ears, though, protected by heavy armor and sound proofing. Perfect protection for unleashing a sonic assault, that gives the Superman a nosebleed, barely five minutes into the fight.

Using a street lamp, the Batman taps into the city's power to power his hulking armored suit, and fry the Superman's brain.

The Batman's resolve is strong, even when his helmet is ripped from his head.
He throws massive, technologically enhanced fists, defiant to the end, as Robin makes a getaway with the police moving in.

As the fight drags on, Superman busts three ribs.
"You're just bone and meat... like all the rest."

Distracted by the choppers, the back-up is slow to react. With one arm remaining, the Green Arrow waits in the wings with the final piece.
Batman distracts Superman with acid, and despite getting plugged in the leg - Green Arrow makes the shot.

Hanging upside down from a fire escape ladder by his legs, using his teeth to pull the bow, Green Arrow makes the shot - synthesized kryptonite.

With the kryptonite the clincher, the Batman pummels his better into submission. He reminds him of everything they've stood for, and everything they've begun, and as his heartbeat slows, Bruce Wayne makes sure Superman remembers who bested him.

Then, he dies.

The Hammer...
Of course, as we all know, Batman's death fell right on midnight by his own design. Though his back to the concrete by fight's end, Batman not only bested Superman in battle, but also proved to be the superior force for inspiration.

According to Batman these days, the last time Superman really inspired anyone was when he died. Batman's death was purely strategic, allowing him the retreat, and the opportunity to strike again.

This is definitely one of the greatest of comic book rivalries, and this is the battle that embodies it. This is the fight that shows just how hard it is to keep a good Batman down.

Apologies for being a little late. Hope everyone had a fantastic, violent Christmas full of dream match ups!
Next week another opportunity for the enemy of the state to step up to the plate, the 'dues ex', Wolverine. Then the end of month/year update. Ciao!

The Fight: 7 The Issue: 7 [July 17, 2006]

Stats:
Robin - Executed distraction. (Superman)
Green Arrow - Critical blow; kryptonite arrow. (Superman)
Batman - Multiple critical blows. (Superman)
Batman - Faked own death.