Throughout his long and storied history in DC Comics, Batman has earned a reputation not only as Gotham’s Dark Knight, but as one of the most cunning minds in superhero history. So it isn’t all that unsurprising, then, that such a mind could go up against even gods, something his history has proven time and again in his encounters with the likes of those from both the Old on Earth and beyond to those from Apokolips and New Genesis. Even those he calls allies with God-like abilities have been, themselves, outsmarted by Batman who proves, time and again, not to mess with him.
What are these moments in question, though? Let’s find out by diving back into the DC Universe archives, and checking out at least four instances where Batman has, in fact, gone up against and outsmarted gods.
Batman vs. Batmite and Mxyzptlk
To start this off, is the strange encounter, from Batman / Superman (2019-), with Bat-Mite and Mister Mxyzptlk. Using their reality-warping powers, the two manipulate Batman and Superman, like action-figures, forcing them to settle the age-old question: Who would win, Superman or Batman?
Nevertheless, however, Batman insists, with Superman’s support, that despite every scenario the two would never fight each other to begin with, causing the gods to relinquish their control. So it just goes to show, then, that Batman and Superman are always better allies than enemies.
Batman vs. Circe
The goddess Circe, while primarily a Wonder Woman villain, has, nevertheless, also had her time in the sun of being outsmarted by Batman. One of them being in Trinity #15 (2017-2018) when Circe attempts to steal the souls of Superman and Wonder Woman. Batman intervenes with science, however, using his tech to temporarily stop their hearts, disrupting Circe in the process and saving the day.
Magic: Batman hates it and it hates him.
Batman vs. Darkseid
Even with Metron under his Utility Belt, there is nevertheless the feat of outsmarting Darkseid, himself. Here, in Final Crisis (2008-2009), Batman escapes Darkseid’s capture, then breaks his “no-guns” rule, something worthwhile, in this case, and shoots the New God with a Radion bullet.
Darkseid uses the Omega Beam on him in return, of course, but even this isn’t enough to stop Batman’s will power, demonstrating just how much of a badass he really is when even the Omega Beam is no match for him.
Batman vs the Entire Justice League
Finally, then, there is one of the most infamous of these moments: JLA: Tower of Babel (2000). In this iconic DC comic, Ra’s al Ghul gains access to Batman’s secret contingency plans - strategies designed to neutralize his fellow Justice League members, including near god-like ones such as Wonder Woman.
As the plans go to plan, revealing Batman’s outsmarting prowess, loyalty to the hero becomes jeopardized, causing The Dark Knight to explain he would trust the League to stop him in the reverse - revealing that, at the end of the day, Batman’s cunning is always meant for good, never evil.