If Batman needed a stand in...?

[Kara Zor El]

If Batman were injured again or had to go away for some reason and Dick Grayson was unavailable, who would make the best stand in as Batman?
If you could pick anyone from the DCU, who Bruce would spend a few months training before the transition, who would you pick?
Someone with superpowers? Or just a man? Who in particular and why and how do you envisage them playing the part?

[Infra-Man]

Gosh... tough one... I'd say probably no powers, and my number one candidate would probably be Vic Sage, but his death complicates things. Maybe Iron Fist? ;)

In all seriousness, someone like Doctor Mid-Nite would work nicely. Even a partially powered superhero like Hourman would be interesting, especially given the story possibilties of having him use or not use miraclo while posing as a street-level hero.

[Evil Sneak]

Mr. Terrific for the win.

[zeroEDGE]

I can't picture Batman training a metahuman so I'd say Renee Montoya since she's already a detective.

[Shellhead]

Mr. Terrific for the win.

I agree. No other non-superhuman in the DCU has that same combination of HTH prowess and brilliance except Mr. Terrific.

[Hellstormer]

I agree with Infra, Iron Fist would be perfect. ;):p

But in all honestly I would want Mark Shaw or one of the numerous Manhunters.

[We R. Venom]

Green Arrow and Mr. Terrific where the only ones I could think of that are capable.

[Kara Zor El]

They are all interesting choices so far and would all make for great story telling. Oliver Queen sprung to my mind too as did Vic Savage.
Mister Terrific would be awsome too because he's into gadgets and a Batman with T-Spheres would be cool. Bane could be an interesting twist.

What about a meta who as part of the storyline has recently lost his powers. Bat's trains him up and he becomes Batman. Who would be the best for that?
Hal Jordan would be good. Guy Gardner would be outrageous but I can see some fun in that and what about Clark Kent?

[Atom_basher]

id love to see Mr terrific aswell, he could change those spheres into bats,

[Kara Zor El]

id love to see Mr terrific aswell, he could change those spheres into bats,

Bat-Spheres have one hell of a ring to them:)

Booster Gold would be interesting too. Imagine the character jouney he'd go on as Batman.

[Atom_basher]

Bat-Spheres have one hell of a ring to them:)

Booster Gold would be interesting too. Imagine the character jouney he'd go on as Batman.

imagine if they looked like actual bats, it would be so cool if batman constantly had a bunch of bats flying around him

[Exslade ZX]

First Post!

Been a lurker for a while, but saw this post and for some reason felt compelled to reply.

But as for the topic at hand, just an idea, but none other then Slade Wilson himself. Deathstroke.

Yea, I know, he's an assassin, but more importantly, he's a mercenary. And who's one of the richest men in the DCU? Bruce Wayne. And I could see Bruce easily being able to pay a "No Kill/Protect my City" sort of rules, that Deathstroke would actually follow. At least for a while...and if when he didn't feel the need to anymore, that would actually be one hell of a story.

And I think Roy proved to us in the past, that Slade can definitely pass for Batman. So there's what I'd think be a pretty cool story.

Deathstroke as Batman.

[Hellstormer]

imagine if they looked like actual bats, it would be so cool if batman constantly had a bunch of bats flying around him
That would be so awesome. Whatever happen to that siren thing in his boot he used in Year One? If he had that on allthe time it'd be cool.

[Kara Zor El]

First Post!

Been a lurker for a while, but saw this post and for some reason felt compelled to reply.

But as for the topic at hand, just an idea, but none other then Slade Wilson himself. Deathstroke.

Yea, I know, he's an assassin, but more importantly, he's a mercenary. And who's one of the richest men in the DCU? Bruce Wayne. And I could see Bruce easily being able to pay a "No Kill/Protect my City" sort of rules, that Deathstroke would actually follow. At least for a while...and if when he didn't feel the need to anymore, that would actually be one hell of a story.

And I think Roy proved to us in the past, that Slade can definitely pass for Batman. So there's what I'd think be a pretty cool story.

Deathstroke as Batman.

I love that idea. It would cause a lot of conflict from fans but what stand in besides Dick wouldn't? And just maybe Slade would be a changed man at the end of it all.

I like the idea of Bruce paying him but Slade owing Bruce a big debt might be as good.

Isn't it nice to quit lurking and making great posts like this one???:D

[dreyga2000]

How about Superman dress in Bats uniform... that's something I like to see adapted into comicbook form...

[Chad]

Batman's number one choice should always be Superman. This was the case during the Silver Age and I love the ego it suggests Batman has that he would be his first choice. "No one short of the most powerfull being in the cosmos is fit to fill my boots for the night".

In the early 80's, Batman's identity was on the verge of being exposed when Vicki Vale came up with what seemed like solid proof that Batman was Bruce Wayne. At the time, Batman had an endless supply of things to worry about (being hunted by the police who were being ordered to shoot on sight, having to break Deadshot out of prison and imprisoning him in the Bat-Cave, the imminent return of Hugo Strange) so Alfred decided to handle this problem himself. He decided to get Christopher Chance to impersonate Bruce Wayne and along with the sizable fee he paid, gave him the stipulation that he was to ask no questions as to why he was hired to do this. I love this story and so if we're talking Bruce Wayne (and I know we're not), I'd love to see the Human Target stand in for him.

As for my personal choice as to who should fill in for Batman. I'd like to see Brane Taylor- the Batman of the year 2956.

[rwe1138]

Mr. Terrific for the win.
Yup, Michael's my pick as well. Although Connor Hawke would be interesting, too...

Also, that episode of Superman:TAS where Supes pretended to be Batman was great.

[SpaceBooger]

if Slade took his place imagine the mental games that would be played in nightwings head. he was ticked about jean-paul imagine if batman gave the mantle of the bat to nightwing's most notorious enemies

[Choppa]

I thought Azrael did a good job until he went "crazy."

Who else...um...Harvey Dent?

[Lukabratzi V2.0]

It would be great if it was a character that lived in a relatively normal city so that we could see how the day to day insanity of gotham changed him and how he would reflect those changes. Maybe someone new who imagines life as a super hero to be nothing but fun and glamour.

[Kara Zor El]

How about Superman dress in Bats uniform... that's something I like to see adapted into comicbook form...

There is an Elseworlds along those lines. Kal-El is found by the wayne's and later becomes Batman, with Super Powers!

[Joe Acro]

If Mr. Terrific had to stand-in as Batman, he'd need a different costume, or at least a different headpiece, just so the villains don't know that it's a different person.

[elias_A]

imagine if they looked like actual bats, it would be so cool if batman constantly had a bunch of bats flying around him

Scott McDaniel drew him with real Bats all the time.

[SpaceBooger]

Scott McDaniel drew him with real Bats all the time.

him and nightwing

[yourverysilly]

Tim Drake. nuff said. once hes a little older, of course.

[Kara Zor El]

If Mr. Terrific had to stand-in as Batman, he'd need a different costume, or at least a different headpiece, just so the villains don't know that it's a different person.

Or he could do a Michael Jackson.

I'm starting to think Mister Terrific would be the perfect choice. He'd have a field day in the Batcave.

[Vakanai]

Lex Luthor!
Batman would never go for it, what with the evil and all, but he'd make one scary Bat!
A more serious choice, Superman if he can promise not to use his superpowers.

[Hellstormer]

Lex Luthor!
Batman would never go for it, what with the evil and all, but he'd make one scary Bat!
A more serious choice, Superman if he can promise not to use his superpowers.
Actually if he used his power it would return the scary sense to Batman that has been lost lately. Think about it if a guy came up to you and you knew, you've actually physically seen him, he could throw a city bus. Wouldn't that be a "Stay the f*ck away" sign?

[Joe Acro]

Or he could do a Michael Jackson.
He'd get a nose-job?:p

He wouldn't be a bad choice at all.

[Kara Zor El]

He'd get a nose-job?:p

He wouldn't be a bad choice at all.

He he. He could keep shortening those ears until they disappeared altogether.

[devinost]

Det. Chimp in the bat outfit!!!

But I would like to see him have Tom Blake (Catman) as a stand in for him.

[Kara Zor El]

Lex Luthor!
Batman would never go for it, what with the evil and all, but he'd make one scary Bat!
A more serious choice, Superman if he can promise not to use his superpowers.

That would be amazing. Difficult story to make happen but there could be a way. Maybe all the heroes disappear for some reason and the villains take on the mantles to protect Earth from some underworld menace. Lex becomes Batman and gradually starts to enjoy it on moral level. It's a thrill at first but later he feels he is effective and making a difference. The menace is defeated but the heroes don't return right away, giving Lex time to be Batman in Gotham hunting criminals. His inside knowledge of joker etc would come in handy and his ruthlessness. I could see a great Elseworlds here if nothing else.
Det. Chimp in the bat outfit!!!

But I would like to see him have Tom Blake (Catman) as a stand in for him.

Catman would be cool. And if Selina became his sidekick all the better.

[Captain Jim]

First Post!

Been a lurker for a while, but saw this post and for some reason felt compelled to reply.

But as for the topic at hand, just an idea, but none other then Slade Wilson himself. Deathstroke.

Yea, I know, he's an assassin, but more importantly, he's a mercenary. And who's one of the richest men in the DCU? Bruce Wayne. And I could see Bruce easily being able to pay a "No Kill/Protect my City" sort of rules, that Deathstroke would actually follow. At least for a while...and if when he didn't feel the need to anymore, that would actually be one hell of a story.

And I think Roy proved to us in the past, that Slade can definitely pass for Batman. So there's what I'd think be a pretty cool story.

Deathstroke as Batman.

Welcome to CBR ! :)