Top Ten Martial Artists in the DC Universe
The most powerful of all martial artists in the DC universe. These powerhouses use their bodies and their intellect to beat those most powerful.
Batman aka Bruce Wayne is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and first appeared in Detective Comics #27. In film, he has been portrayed by Lewis Wilson, Robert Lowery, Adam West, Michael... read more Honestly, there are other martial artists in the DC Universe that are better than Batman, but he grabs the number one spot because he's probably got a plan to take them out. The man is crazy prepared and is the only one worthy of leading the League of Assassins.
The fact that a normal human could be the type to take on and defeat metahumans much stronger than he is shows why Batman is the best.
Batman is definitely the best fighter in the DCU, not only because he has mastered 127 styles of martial arts but also because of his intellect.
He is always four steps ahead of his opponents and can adapt to situations much faster than the average human. By the way, let's not forget that once in the comics, Ra's Al Ghul took down the Justice League using Batman's plans.
Lady Shiva is a fictional supervillainess and antiheroine appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The world's deadliest assassin and arguably the most powerful martial artist, Shiva has beaten almost anyone she's laid hands on. Her technique is perfect and constantly evolving as she discards old techniques and improves new ones. Her skill is so impressive that she can kill a man with a single blow.
She should be number one. People are only saying Batman because he's more popular.
She kicked Batman's ass when Batman and she had no gadgets. Even then, she beat him with all his gadgets together too.
The world's master of Leopard and Dragon Kung Fu, Richard Dragon was trained by O-Sensei. He is responsible for training Batman, the Huntress, and many more powerful martial artists. As an old-school Zen master, he's the best.
DC's most powerful Black martial artist, Bronze Tiger's ferocity and agility are so noteworthy that he can go toe-to-toe with Batman. He has trained many skilled martial artists. He was trained by Sensei and then O-Sensei.
Bronze Tiger, on a bad day, ties with Batman. He has beaten Richard Dragon once out of two fights and drew with Deathstroke.
Cass has repeatedly been said and shown as one of the best fighters in DC comics. She has her own unique fighting style that she created herself. Not to mention, her mother is Lady Shiva, and her father is David Cain, both of whom are on this list. She can read the body movements of her opponents - a skill only one other person can do, her mother.
As one of the few to defeat Lady Shiva, Cassandra received training from her father, David Cain, and serves as the protégée of Batman himself. However, she resists the urge to kill, which sometimes inhibits her abilities.
Deathstroke is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. He is a mercenary and assassin who first appeared in The New Teen Titans #2. Deathstroke is basically Batman but better. He has beaten Batman, the Justice League, Damian Wayne, Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson (both as Robin and Nightwing), Ra's Al Ghul, Talia Al Ghul, the League of Assassins, Young Justice, and more. He is one of the strongest fighters out there, with insane strength and crazy reflexes. On top of that, he is a tactical genius. He has some of the best gear ever, is a master of weaponry, and is a master of martial arts. This guy must be rich if he's a mercenary.
I love Batman, but Deathstroke could easily stand toe-to-toe with any character on the list. He is a tactical genius and, even without his weapons, is a force to be reckoned with. Plus, unlike most on this list, he is willing to take the extra step and kill his opponents.
Black Canary is a fictional superheroine in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by the writer-artist team of Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino, the character debuted in Flash Comics #86. Once approached as Shiva's successor, Canary is one of the world's most powerful female martial artists and has proven capable of going toe-to-toe with Shiva. She was once described as having the ability to defeat Batman himself. However, her ace in the hole is her sonic scream.
She should be in the top five. As someone who became the apprentice to Lady Shiva and went up against the best fighters in DC Comics, she earned her rank without using her metahuman ability.
One of Canary's feats is one-shotting a perfected human through power armor. With her foot.
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman. Nightwing has gone toe-to-toe with Batman, stalemated Cassandra Cain, and held his own against Lady Shiva with a broken rib. He has also stalemated Deathstroke multiple times. He should easily be in the top five.
Nightwing can match the best of DC, and he has. He also started training much younger than Bruce Wayne, and his life in the circus provided him with many transferable physical skills.
In one of the early 2000s comics I have, they state that Nightwing is the best hand-to-hand fighter, even able to best Batman.
He stalemated Richard Dragon, held his own against Lady Shiva, defeated Silver Monkey on his second try, and easily defeated Bamboo Monkey - someone who has defeated both Nightwing and Red Robin at the same time. Batman called him the second-best martial artist. Connor deserves more credit.
With his defeat of Silver Monkey, the second-in-command of the martial arts sect known as the Cult of the Monkey's Fist, Connor has proven to be among the world's top martial artists. He can go toe-to-toe with Richard Dragon and even fought Lady Shiva.
Arguably the world's top assassin, David Cain trained his daughter, Cassandra Cain, as well as a young Batman. He has even defeated Lady Shiva in the past. His strategy is good enough to kill an assassin with broken limbs.
The Newcomers
Batgirl is the name of several fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman.
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Morton Weisinger and designed by George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His real name is Oliver Queen, a billionaire businessman and owner of Queen Industries, also a well-known... read more Oliver Queen should be in the top five. He has beaten up more people than most superheroes. Plus, for five years, Green Arrow trained under many great martial artists. He knows many different fighting styles, which can make him better than Batman.
He killed Ra's al Ghul. He killed Damien Darhk, a former member of the League of Assassins. He defeated Malcolm Merlyn, also a former member of the League of Assassins. He defeated Slade Wilson, so he should be ranked before him. He killed Prometheus, who was trained by Talia al Ghul.
Wonder Woman is a fictional superhero created by William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter, appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character is a founding member of the Justice League, a goddess, and Ambassador-at-Large of the Amazon people. In her homeland, the island nation... read more Not only has Batman said that she is equal to or better than him without her powers, but it's telling that she has said the same about Batman, judging him on the same level. That Amazon training is something special. She also beats the God of War in straight sword fights without any physical advantage over him.
Batman stated that Wonder Woman is the best melee fighter in the world and that she is the first partner he wants on his side when the odds are stacked against him. She also trains him and Black Canary at the JLA, holding back her meta-strength and speed advantage. She literally schools them on technique.
Once the best in the Cult of the Monkey's Fist, only behind Shiva, he defeated Connor Hawke the first time but was defeated the second time.
Seriously, this guy speed-blitzes multiple Green Arrows and catches arrows like a boss. He could flatten three-fourths of the people above him on this list.
Ra's al Ghul is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an adversary of the superhero Batman.
Catwoman is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman.Catwoman has been featured in many media adaptations related to Batman. Actresses Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, and Eartha Kitt introduced her to... read more
Catwoman is extremely underrated, and it's a bit irritating. If she can hold her own against Bruce, then she can do a lot, considering Bruce is arguably the best in DC. If Wonder Woman didn't have her powers, Catwoman could even go toe-to-toe with her.
Catwoman is amazingly underrated. She has gone toe-to-toe with Batman and even defeated him on numerous occasions. For that alone, she deserves a higher place on this list.
What's more, she was trained by Richard Dragon and Wildcat. She is an Olympic-level acrobat and a literally lethal fighter. She deserves a 2 or 3 spot along with Deathstroke and Black Canary.
Jason has beaten Nightwing, Lady Shiva, Cass Cain, Ra's Al Ghul, and Deathstroke in the comics. He has never outright lost to Batman, either. He was trained by Talia Al Ghul, Batman, Lady Shiva, Bronze Tiger, the All-Caste, and various other League teachers. Jason should be at least right under Nightwing.
His master was Batman, who, if pissed off, is capable of killing everyone on this list. Also, Jason doesn't fear bleeding. Do you want more?
He can fight with any martial artist on this entire list, but what makes him dangerous is that he will not hesitate to kill any of his opponents. (He also fights dirty sometimes.)
Talia al Ghul is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman.He may be old, but he can fight Batman to a standstill. His age would indicate many more years of experience. His ruthlessness and leadership over the League of Assassins would make him a possible match for Lady Shiva. That's a fight I would like to see.
Prometheus is a fighter with superb ability and intellect to match. He is a master strategist, having devised plans to defeat every metahuman on the planet. I am pretty sure he can beat most, including Batman.