It’s hard to pick a character that holds as much fascination and intrigue as Batman does. That’s because we’re talking about a complex character who wrestles with his duality and consciousness frequently. He’s not just a superhero; he’s a special one!
One of the major reasons why Batman might actually be the best superhero of all time is that he doesn’t even have any superpowers. He’s a man just like us, only that he’s rich enough to afford to buy all those expensive and powerful toys, such as the Grappling Gun, the Batarang, and a lot more, that have impacted the childhood of many of us.
Whether we’re talking about DC Comics or any of the major movies depicting Batman, and regardless of the actor in charge of giving life for the Caped Crusader, whether it’s Kevin Conroy, Christian Bale, Adam West, Ben Affleck, or others, Batman has some common characteristics. The Dark Knight always has the same tragic origin story, such as witnessing the murder of his parents. He always has his well-known dual identity as Bruce Wayne and Batman, and he is always the same master detective and strategist we all love.
Therefore, the million-dollar question is this: could Batman actually exist out there in the real world and try to fight crime as he does in the movies and cartoons? Let’s try to find out!
It’s more difficult than it seems
A real-life Batman acting as a masked vigilante prowling the streets and thwarting crime with gadgets and cunning decisions surely sounds like an exciting scenario for many. However, such a scenario would face significant hurdles if we want to be one hundred percent realistic.
First and foremost, we need to keep in mind that the origin story of Batman has its roots in tragedy, as Bruce Wayne witnesses the murder of his parents. Thus, he starts to feel a permanent quest for justice. Even though traumatic events can indeed shape individuals, we cannot overstate the psychological toll of such trauma on a person’s psyche.
Let’s also not forget that even though Batman doesn’t have any superpowers, his physical prowess and combat skills are often shown as superhuman. It’s obvious that Batman’s abilities push the boundaries of true human potential, from martial arts mastery to acrobatic feats. Even though it’s true that if a person undergoes rigorous training to enhance their strength and agility, taking down multiple enemies at once, such as Batman often does, remains highly unlikely.
Batman’s gadgets are too much for the real world
The gadgets and technology that lie at the core of Batman’s arsenal are from out of this world. Whether we are talking about the iconic Batarangs to the Batmobile, such tools of the trade are the linchpin of the crimefighting prowess that Batman always exhibits. However, developing and procuring such advanced equipment is highly unlikely in the real world because the cost, legality, and feasibility of acquiring and maintaining such technology would render it inaccessible.
Let’s also not overlook the ethical and legal aspects of vigilantism. Batman operates outside of the law in the “Batuniverse,” but when it comes to reality, vigilantism is illegal and very dangerous. That’s because there’s the risk of injury, escalation of violence, and unintended consequences.
We’re pretty sure that men capable of seeing through walls, flying, or smashing entire buildings with their fists don’t exist in the real world, such as Superman or Son Goku from Dragon Ball. But when it comes to Batman, this legendary character has a slight chance of inflicting justice in the real world as well, even though it remains highly-unlikely.