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Science & Technology

Batman would be 'ill-equipped' say scientists

By T.K. Randall
June 25, 2016 · Comment icon 56 comments

Could Batman really glide from the rooftops ? Image Credit: CC BY 2.0 Pop Culture Geek
Researchers at the University of Leicester have determined that Batman would be rubbish in real life.
He might be able to defeat the villains of Gotham with ease in the movies, but according to a recent study by physics students in the UK, the Caped Crusader's physical attributes would make him woefully ill-equipped to glide from buildings in the real world.

The problem stems from the fact that he would simply hit the ground with too much force.

"Looking at the case for gliding from a fairly tall building of 150m, Batman can glide to a distance of about 350m, which is reasonable; the problem with the glide lies in his velocity as he reaches ground level," the team wrote in a research paper on the subject.
"The velocity rises rapidly to a maximum of a little over 110 kilometres an hour before steadying to a constant speed of around 80. At these high speeds any impact would likely be fatal if not severely damaging. Clearly gliding using a batcape is not a safe way to travel, unless a method to rapidly slow down is used, such as a parachute."

"This inability to perform even the simplest of superhero feats suggest Batman would struggle to get off the ground, let alone save Gotham from the likes of the Joker and Bane."

The researchers also conducted a similar analysis of other superheroes including Superman who they determined would need a skin density of 296 g/cm^3 to stop a handgun bullet.

They concluded that the Man of Steel was the best equipped to succeed out of all comic book superheroes whereas contenders such as Wolverine, Iron Man and Thor didn't make the cut.

Source: The Guardian | Comments (56)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #47 Posted by jethrofloyd 8 years ago
Crimson Bolt is the best
Comment icon #48 Posted by paperdyer 8 years ago
Because Batman always uses Kryptonite.  Superman could kill Batman without laying a hand on him from a great distance just by burning a hole in him with his heat vision.  Superman could finish 99% of his battles with his heat vision, but where would the fun be in that for the writers and readers. That's why Superman loses his powers from time to time, to make the  villains more challenging for him.
Comment icon #49 Posted by DieChecker 8 years ago
Goku will always win in the end, because a Saiyan, unless he is killed get more powerful after every battle, even battles that he looses. The hesitancy of most DC Heros to kill would be their undoing. 
Comment icon #50 Posted by Thorvir Hrothgaard 8 years ago
Then put Goku up against Darkseid or Doomsday, or a Thanos.  I, personally, think that saiyans are bit overrated.
Comment icon #51 Posted by Sir Wearer of Hats 8 years ago
Goku fought the DBZ version of a God, someone who frightened Shenron in fact. and came out of it with a power up and a new semi-ally.
Comment icon #52 Posted by Thorvir Hrothgaard 8 years ago
Ha!  But not DC's version of god. And I do remember that, somewhat vaguely.  It's been a long time since my wife made me watch that stuff.
Comment icon #53 Posted by DieChecker 8 years ago
I'd put money on Goku. Toward the end of the DBZ saga, Goku was able to take on bad guys that could, with a single attack, destroy a planet. True... They needed to have a few seconds to get to the power needed to destroy the planet, but really that isn't very long. Considering that Goku went through three (?) more power level transformations after that, with each probably increasing his power by at least 1000. That would mean when fully in Super Sayan God mode, he'd probably simply rip any DC Character in half within milliseconds. He's colossally overpowered compared to DC Universe. If we go ... [More]
Comment icon #54 Posted by jethrofloyd 8 years ago
Hancock a hard-living fallen superhero.
Comment icon #55 Posted by TripGun 8 years ago
Well, now that we've figured this out maybe we can pursue something a bit more constructive. Maybe a cure for something? idk...
Comment icon #56 Posted by Sweetpumper 8 years ago
The cure for Superman is Kryptonite. Robin could beat his ass with a chunk of it. I'm talking Burt Ward Robin.


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