Batman vs T'Challa: Can the Black Panther beat the Dark Knight?

Batman and T’Challa are two of the most evenly-matched comic book characters. They’re both known for having plans to defeat their enemies (and teammates if it comes down to it), have trained worldwide to become elite fighters, and have saved their universes with their world’s best heroes. But who would win in a fight? Let’s break it down by category.

Technology advantage: T'Challa

Nobody on Earth has a technological advantage over Wakanda. They had cures for diseases centuries ago that don’t exist in other parts of the world, don’t use energy sources that hurt the environment, and have weapons countries can’t even dream of. T’Challa has mastered all of this and more. To him, Batman’s most advanced weapons are primitive toys.

Preparation advantage: Even

T’Challa joined the Avengers to learn about Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in case he needed to defeat them. Batman has files on how to take out the Justice League if they go bad or become mind-controlled. Both know how their friends and enemies think and have weapons to stop them or serums to cure themselves. This is a category where neither hero has the advantage.

Creativity advantage: Batman

This one is going to Batman. T’Challa was born into a country with superior technology and knows things that the Dark Knight never will. Bruce was born into wealth, but he didn’t and doesn’t have the resources that T’Challa does.

During most of Chip Zdarsky’s Batman, Bruce Wayne was broke. Without his billions, he had to do more with less. T’Challa did this in Black Panther: Man Without Fear and Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive, but Bruce may have done it better. 

Fighting advantage: Even

Initially, this was going to T’Challa. The Black Panther has traveled to other planets to master fighting styles he couldn’t learn on Earth. Batman worked the best of the best too, just not intergalactically. However, the Dark Knight has practiced with Amazons, Kryptonians, gods, and others. He's also been to other worlds and watched beings battle. Through those lessons, he’s become a better fighter. That makes this category a draw. 

Physical advantage: T'Challa

T’Challa joined the Avengers to learn about Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in case he needed to defeat them. Batman has files on how to take out the Justice League if they go bad or become mind-controlled. Both know how their friends and enemies think and have weapons to stop them or serums to cure themselves. This is a category where neither hero has the advantage.

Brutality advantage: Batman

T’Challa’s willingness to kill doesn’t give him the edge in this category. Batman doesn’t believe in murder, but he’s more than willing to get creative when he needs to get information out of people. He knows the proper pressure points to make someone weep for their elders. T’Challa does too, but he has the patience to talk things out first. Batman’s more of a, “I asked you once, now here comes the pain” kind of person.

Popularity advantage: Batman

Batman wins this by a mile. Chadwick Boseman’s brilliant performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe helped Black Panther’s popularity, but Batman is among the most well-known comic book heroes for decades.

Like most characters, it took a while for the Dark Knight to become the pop culture icon he is today, but he’s here now. Black Panther isn’t on the Dark Knight’s level in terms of popularity, at least for now. That could change over the next decade.

This makes a difference because relevance and coolness can sway pick. No matter how good someone is, the voting comes down to a person’s opinion. There’s a guarantee that someone read this article and hated some or all of my points because they like one of the characters more. Are they wrong? Not at all. Nevertheless, it should be acknowledged that bias comes with any fictional fight.

So who wins between Batman and Black Panther? That's up to you to decide. However, since this website is dedicated to the Dark Knight, you can guess where this writer may vote.

What other moments from Batman, his family, and his enemies would you like to hear about? Are there other battles you want to see in articles? Email us at entertainment@fansided.com