All 45 Versions of Batman, Ranked From Weakest To Most Powerful

Few heroes have achieved the height and fame that Batman has. In the near century since his debut, the Dark Knight has become one of, if not the defining hero for the DC Universe. Countless stories have shown the tenacious fighting spirit of Batman and while Bruce Wayne receives most of the limelight, he’s not the only hero to wear the cape and cowl.

DC Comics has presented multiple Batman variants over the years. Some of them are Bruce, some of them are his allies, and some are complete strangers or even monsters. Out of the dozens of Batmen that fans have gotten to know over the years, these are the most powerful variants and Batman versions ever created.

45 Golden Age Batman Can’t Compare to His Future Selves

Multiverse Designation: Earth-2

The Golden Age Batman that started the Dark Knight’s impressive and long-lasting legacy. This Caped Crusader excelled in punching out crooks and cleaning up the streets of Gotham. But while this version of the hero helped build the DC Comics empire, he had little technology or feats to his name, making this variant rank quite low on the Batman power scale.

44 Batzarro is a Woefully Inefficient and Backward Batman

Multiverse Designation: Bizarro World

Bizarro copies are rarely an improvement over the original and Batman’s demented doppelganger is no different. Batzarro, Batman’s outlandish Bizarro copycat, wasn’t very skilled beyond being pretty deadly with a pair of pistols. However, he had Batman’s sense of justice and was willing to sacrifice his life to protect the real Batman.

43 Red Son Batman Can Think Ahead, But Lacks the Strength for Bigger Fights

Multiverse Designation: Earth-30

Few were willing to stand up to the Soviet Union’s Superman, but Superman: Red Son’s Russian Batman showed no fear. This freedom-fighter Batman went toe-to-toe with a fascist Superman and was smart as a whip. But even he knew he only had one good fight in him and ended his match with the Man of Steel by triggering a bomb Batman had hidden in his gut.

42 Batman ‘66 is Good with Gadgets, But He’s Not Much of a Threat

Multiverse Designation: Earth-66

This well-prepared Batman has made a name for himself with his incredible optimism and his unbelievably specific gadgets. The Caped Crusader that was famously portrayed by Adam West kept his city safe from cartoonish and over-the-top evildoers. Sure, he’s lower on the power scale, but this Batman’s utility belt is filled with weapons that make him a formidable opponent.

41 Stan Lee’s Batman Gave Fans a Curious Take on the Iconic Hero

Multiverse Designation: Earth-6

Stan Lee showed the world his spin on the Caped Crusader with Wayne Williams, a man who was unjustly framed for a crime. While in prison, Williams trained his body to seek revenge on the man who framed him. Williams is a phenomenal athlete and has no problem handling criminals on the street. However, as far as Batmen go, he’s pretty low on the power scale, though his determination is to be admired.

40 The Dark Knight Returns Batman Was Terrifying But Slow

Multiverse Designation: Earth-31

Even in his old age, this Batman was relentlessly determined could still take on legions of gang members and other heroes. This Bruce is built like a tank and his ability to strategize has only gotten better in his late age. However, he’s still a bit slower compared to younger Dark Knights.

39 Earth One Batman Was a More Grounded, Inexperienced Bruce

Multiverse Designation: Earth-1

While he was able to take down the threats plaguing Gotham such as serial killers and more grounded villains, this younger Batman is often hampered by his inexperience. He underestimates his foes, and has had the misfortune of having faulty equipment in the field. He’s got potential to be better, but he’s not the fully realized Batman he could be.

38 Jim Gordon Did What He Could as Batman

Multiverse Designation: Earth-0

Armed with a Batsuit and his powerful Rookie armor, Commissioner Jim Gordon’s Batman kept Gotham safe when it look liked Batman died after a confrontation with the Joke. Gordon settled into the role well and his Batman armor made up for his age and lack of experience. However, the Commissioner faltered against more powerful villains like Mr. Bloom.

37 Jace Fox Has Potential to Be a Better Batman Than Bruce

Multiverse Designation: Earth-0

DC’s newest Batman has taken to the role quite well. Jace Fox might not have been the most obvious choice to become the Dark Knight, but between his enhanced Batsuit, his military training, and his high degree of intelligence, Jace has done quite well as the Batman of New York City.

36 Gotham By Gaslight’s Batman is a Fantastic Dark Knight for His Era

Multiverse Designation: Earth-19

This version of Batman doesn’t live in the modern day, but rather, the 19th century. As such, he doesn’t have many of the tools and weapons most Dark Knights do. However, this Bruce Wayne is highly skilled, having mastered numerous martial arts styles thanks to his worldly travels. He may lack much of the things more modern variants have, but for his time, this Batman is a force to be reckoned with.

35 Owlman is a Dark and Threatening Batman Variant

Multiverse Designation: Earth-3

Just as Batman is one of the greatest crusaders of justice, his evil counterpart from Earth-3 is one of th greatest villains alive. Owlman is cold, calculating and always armed to the teeth. Not to mention Bruce’s devious counterpart is a killer fighter, making him one of the more dangerous Batman variants.

34 Bat-Man of China is Young, But Incredibly Capable

Multiverse Designation: Earth-0

Wang Baixi earned the right to become China’s Bat-Man after graduating from the Ministry of Self-Reliance’s Academy of the Bat. Bat-Man makes his own gadgets such as his own Batmobile, a magical, anti-Kryptonian batarang and even programmed his faithful sidekick Robinbot. Baixi is also a remarkable fighter and has defeated his ally, the Super-Man of China.

33 Damian Wayne Proved He Was Ready to Be Batman as a Kid

Multiverse Designation: Earth-55

The Anti-Life Virus presented in the harrowing alternate Earth tale DCeased took everything from one unfortunate corner of the DC Universe, including its Batman. However, Damian Wayne, though only 12 years old, took up his father’s mantle and became the Dark Knight the world needed. The DCeased trilogy follows Damian as he grows to be one of the most effective Batmen ever, to the point where he took on Erebos, the God of Darkness himself.

32 Kingdom Come Batman Had Just Enough Fight Left in Him

Multiverse Designation: Earth-22

Kingdom Come’s Batman was older and broken down from years of fighting. But when a war broke out between the heroes of the world, Bruce stepped back into the fray. Thanks to a powerful exoskeleton, the Dark Knight could fly and was far more powerful than he’d been in years.

31 Azrael Earned the Batman Title, But Couldn’t Live Up to It

Multiverse Designation: Earth-0

Batman’s initial replacement, Azrael took up the role of the Caped Crusader after Bruce’s back was broken by Bane during the “Knightfall” storyline. But while he was strong and cunning, Azrael took things too far, and even threatened Robin’s life. Ultimately, hero couldn’t help but crack under the pressure that came with the mantle and was forcefully retired.

30 Gargoyle of Gotham’s Batman is Willing to Sacrifice Everything for His City

Multiverse Designation: Earth-46

This Batman lives in a Gotham that is far more sick and plagued by ills he can’t solve by donating money. Gargoyle of Gotham’s Batman is so dedicated to his mission, he’s willing to destroy his life as Bruce Wayne and become Batman full-time. He’s also an incredible detective and extremely capable fighter.

29 Flashpoint Batman Was Older, But Still Brutally Effective

Multiverse Designation: Earth-0, Flashpoint timeline

Thomas Wayne became Batman in a world that saw Bruce gunned down by Joe Chill. But even though he was decades older than most Batmen, Thomas’ anger drove him to be one of the most ruthless and scariest Batmen around. While he wasn’t much for gadgets, he brutalized criminals and supervillains, making the underworld fear Batman more than usual.

28 The Batman of Zur-En-Arrh is as Unhinged as Batman Can Get

Multiverse Designation: Earth-0

Deep in Batman’s mind lurks the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, a backup personality meant to protect Bruce from trauma. This Batman is violent, smart and free from the constraints of Batman’s usual moralities. Unfortunately, this split persona has revealed his true dark nature and is currently trying to replace Bruce as the new Batman.

27 Jason Todd Was Gotham’s Most Brutal Batman

Multiverse Designation: Earth-0

One of the biggest things about Batman has always been his refusal to use guns. That’s why it was so shocking when a new Batman showed up in Gotham City and began happily gunning down criminals. After Batman’s supposed death at the hands of Darkseid during Final Crisis, there needed to be a new Batman. Both Tim and Dick were considering stepping into the mantle, but things were made far more complicated when Jason Todd returned, intent on taking the cowl for himself. What resulted was a brutal battle with Jason ultimately being defeated and Dick taking on the role of Batman.

26 The Grim Knight is a Batman That Embraced Wholesale Slaughter

Multiverse: Dark Multiverse

In one awful world in the Dark Multiverse, Bruce grabbed the gun Joe Chill used to kill Thomas and Martha Wayne and used it, the first of may firearrms he’d use. The Grim Knight doesn’t share Batman’s aversion to guns and is one of the best and deadliest sharpshooters in the DC Universe.