Ranking the 15 greatest DC Comics rivalries of all-time

14. Batman and Ra’s Al Ghul

If you want to see Batman ripped away from Gotham, the rivalry between he and the League of Assassins does that. Ra’s is the leader of the echo-terrorist group, the League of Assassins.

Ra’s infiltrated Batman’s territory by releasing a deadly toxin in Gotham. He worked with Bane for a time. The Demon’s Head considered Bane his successor to ensure his genocidal ideals were successful — they weren’t. Still, that’s not the nature of this rivalry.

Talia, the daughter of Ra’s, and Batman developed a relationship. This prompted The Demon’s Head to offer Batman an opportunity to become the heir to the League.

Ra’s went through extreme measures to test Bruce, including kidnapping Robin and his daughter. After Batman declined, their rivalry was born. Ra’s swore him an enemy and saw him as a defender of a world that needed cleansing.

Unfortunately, Ra’s was murdered and dethroned by his two daughters putting an end to their rivalry — for some time. He did return, thanks to his son, in a new weakened body.

Any good rivalry needs something extra, so he kidnapped Tim Drake and Damien Wayne. Ra’s forced Batman to choose his next host. Luckily, Nightwing was there to help and things worked out.

Ra’s did get his new body, but Batman got the upper hand. The Dark Knight got Ra’s committed to Arkham Asylum. This rivalry also sees Ra’s protecting Bruce’s identity as a Batman despite being mortal enemies.