"With prep time, Batman can beat (insert character here", the amount of times I have seen that argument being made when it comes to 1v1 battles is absolutely staggering. Batman is the goddamn Batman and I totally understand that but I feel that the concept of "prep time= beats anyone" is a very flawed one simply because he most often uses prep time to avoid battle altogether, not to ensure victory. People often bring up how he "defeated" the Justice League ( it wasn't actually him but rather Talia Al Ghul in the "Tower of Babel" storyline) but if you examine it closely you'd see that none of those were battle scenarios; he had created situations that would pretty much occupy the heroes..not defeat them in battle. What people seem to not understand is that prep time is not something that is exclusive to Batman, far too many times do I see vs battles that give Batman all the advantages, like prep time, and offer his opponent no such thing. One could argue that since he's going up against powered individuals that they shouldn't get the courtesy of prep time but then that is no longer a battle, it's an ambush. I have been in many debates where Batman fanboys refused to acknowledge that prep time should be given to both sides regardless if they are powered or not because you need to make it as fair as possible, for some reason Batman just brings out the illogical side of people. One thing that I never seem to get an answer for is how exactly does prep time help him? I mean sure in the comics it's used as plot device for him to beat a foe he has no business beating (beating as in came up with a plan to neutralize their advantages, not physically beating them through combat alone) but against other comic characters or out of the realm of story, how does he overcome their abilities? Just saying "Oh with prep time he'd be able to deduce Spider-Man's spider sense" doesn't really count because just knowing he has it doesn't negate the fact that he has it. If we keep it within the DCU then what kind of planning would allow him to stop the Martian Manhunter (just fire isn't gonna be enough) or Wonder Woman? Sure he could use the Hellbat armor (which is pretty awesome) but that drains his metabolism and can't be used for extended periods of time.
The video that spurred this post
My response to the video: I always hear "with prep time Batman can...." but they never explain how. How can Batman overcome Spider sense? What you bat fans fail to comprehend is that when he uses prep time he doesn't "beat" anyone, he creates situations where he can gain an advantage by surprising the unsuspecting opponent. Take endgame for example, all his strategies were to AVOID confrontation with the League, not beat them in battle. Batman knows he cannot take them head on so he makes those plans but imagine if Wonder Woman also had time to prep, or if Superman did, or if the Flash...it has to cut both ways in battles because if not you're basically saying "Batman can beat anyone if he gets to study them and catch them unawares since they didnt know they'd be in a fight". That makes it look like Batman can't win a fair fight
I especially want to emphasize that last sentence because a lot of people think prep time is this magical thing that makes Batman an all knowing God that is incapable of being defeated when that isn't the case at all. Yes Batman is a brilliant tactician but he isn't the only brilliant tactician there is and people have got to accept that fact. I really do like Batman but enough is enough, if Batman get's prep time then his opponent gets prep time, if you want Batman to stand a chance I suggest stop pitting him against people he cannot beat because newsflash: Batman is not invincible.
And if anyone disagrees
I'm all prepped for a nerd battle
No comments:
Post a Comment