The Batman has been a cultural phenomenon for almost 100 years. Since the premiere of the very first Batman show in 1923, the character has never been absent from the big or small screens. With the introduction of the Arkham series and the rise of the dark web, it seems like the superhero’s popularity never wanes.

Whether you’re a fan of the Caped Crusader or not, it’s hard to deny his influence. So, it’s only natural that fans of the Dark Knight would want to compare his abilities to those of other famous superheroes.

Here, we’ll rank the three biggest rivals of Batman as seen on-screen and examine how they stack up against the caped crusader.

Robert Pattinson

Yes, the Edward Cullen fanboy is now a bonafide rival of Batman. When we last left off, Robert was about to lose his virginity to Bella and save the world as we know it!

Since his time at Hogwarts, Robert has proven to be quite the prodigy. Not only did he graduate with honors, but he became head editor of his school’s newspaper, The Quibbler. In addition, he published his first book at the age of fifteen and began work on his second manuscript while still a student at Hogwarts.

But, as great as all of that was, he still has a lot to learn. As of right now, Robert is still bested by Batman when it comes to fighting ability. In fact, the Dark Knight easily outclasses him in every way possible. Plus, we know that Batman has been practicing his ass off since the age of six.

However, Robert does have his perks.

For one thing, he is definitely the sexiest of the three. We’re not just talking about a handsome young man either. He is absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Moreover, the Twilight movies were absolutely bonkers. Not only did they break all kinds of box office records, but they also became an overwhelming success with audiences around the world. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that he has a lot of fans who would love to see him fight Batman. Or, at least, knock him out.

The Dark Knight

It’s been a dark couple of weeks for Batman. Not only did he lose his parents, but he also learned that his former partner, Harvey Dent, was actually behind the Joker’s actions. Moreover, in order to save Gotham City and the entire universe, Batman had to sacrifice his own moral code. In short, it’s been a horrible few days for the Dark Knight.

On the bright side, Batman did learn a lot from his experiences. Harvey Dent’s death was actually a turning point for the Caped Crusader. Not only did it bring him closer to the one person he truly cares about, Bruce Wayne, but it also made him realize that he is not invincible and that he needs to be more humble. Or, at least, that’s what he tells himself. However, it’s hard to argue with the numbers. When the Dark Knight arrived on the big screen, he instantly became one of the most popular and iconic superheroes ever. Even today, over sixty years later, people love to debate about which version of Batman is the best.

Moreover, this version of Batman is a far cry from the brooding, angry character that we know and love. Tim Burton’s Dark Knight is a suave, stylish figure who wears a mask to conceal his identity and who is not above using a little trick or treat to get the kids to come to his door. For what it’s worth, he also happens to be one of the most popular superheroes of all time.

The debate over which version is the best is a common thread among Batman fans. However, we thought that it would be fun to rank the three biggest rivals of Batman as seen on-screen. And, for the most part, we’d have to agree with our rankings. They are as follows:

  • 1. Batman
  • 2. Robber Pattinson
  • 3. The Dark Knight

Ironman

It’s been a rough decade for Ironman. First, his girlfriend, Pepper Potts, was killed in a tragic accident along with several other spectators at the grand opening of the Ironman museum in 2010. Then, in 2011, he lost all of his money in a bad investment and was forced to declare bankruptcy. Finally, in 2012, his arch-nemesis, the mad scientist, Dr. Igor, led a group of fellow scientists in separating Pepper’s body parts to see if they could re-create her using science. Fortunately, the plan didn’t go too far and Pepper was able to rest in peace.

Ever since the news of Richard’s misfortune, he hasn’t been the same. The stress of avoiding bankruptcy and protecting his money was too much for one man to handle. Moreover, he hasn’t been the same since losing Pepper. It’s almost as if the comic book legend has become two different people.

And it’s not just his social life that has taken a turn for the worse. In recent years, Ironman has been involved in a number of weird and dangerous stunts. From being shot at to protect Ironman’s daughter, to battling a giant squid, to saving Gotham City from a giant monster, Ironman has always come through in the clutch. Not to mention the occasional superhero team-up with Spiderman and Wolverine.

But that’s not to say that Ironman hasn’t improved. Far from it. Since losing Pepper Potts and going through those financial hardships, he has cleaned up his act. He no longer spends his time pursuing reckless behavior. Instead, he devotes himself to being a responsible, disciplined person. He still wears the suit, but he also invests his time in being the best father he can be.

And it shows. Since the start of the 21st century, Ironman has been one of the most popular superheroes. He’s constantly in demand for interviews and, even now, he’s still one of the most interesting personalities in the comics. Plus, at the age of 46, he’s still pretty much invincible. Not to mention that he’s also one of the most well-known and influential figures in the world of science. So, it’s no surprise that his fans would still like to see him fight. Or, at least, knock him out.

Man of Steel

It’s been a rough century for Superman. First, his wife and daughter were murdered in a mysterious explosion, and he was forced to battle the Nazis in World War II. Then, at the end of the 1940s, he put the villainous Lex Luthor in jail, but he was eventually forced to release him due to a misunderstanding.

Since then, Superman has remained an iconic figure. Not only did he undergo a transformation from mild-mannered reporter to world-famous superhero, but he also became the symbol of justice for every generation. Even now, when we think of superheroes, we automatically think of Superman. Not to mention that he is one of the most popular and influential characters in the entire DC universe.

It’s hard to believe that it was only sixty years ago that Superman was considered a comic book legend. Before World War II, his adventures didn’t even appear in print. It was only after his stint in the armed forces that his adventures were made into comics. Moreover, it wasn’t just the print media that took notice. The television show, Superman, had its premiere in Canada in 1942 and became an immediate hit. In fact, it was such a success that the U.S. military seized the program and started using it to train their pilots. Thus, in a way, the war effort was helped by Superman.

Since those days, Superman has been in a constant state of evolution. Thanks to advancements in Science and technology, he has been forced to change with the times. However, despite his best efforts, he has never truly been able to put his past wrongs behind him. Even now, although he is one of the most powerful and influential beings on the planet, he still mourns the loss of his family and friends. And it shows. Despite his strength and determination, Superman has always been portrayed as a tragic figure. A powerful, noble figure who just wants to be able to let his hair down and have some fun. Or, at least, that’s how he used to be.

Since the start of the 21st century, Superman has become the posterboy for a new generation of superheroes. In a way, he represents the change that has hit the comic book industry thanks to online communities and forums. Previously, comics were mostly made for adults, but thanks to smartphones and social media platforms, kids and teens have become big fans as well.