By demonstrating that Batman is stronger than Daredevil, Marvel vs DC put an end to a huge fan controversy. A spatial breach randomly spread characters throughout each dimension in the 1996 intercompany crossover that allowed fans to vote for the winner in clashes between comic book heroes and villains. While the characters from DC and Marvel sought to make sense of what was going on, one such crossover saw the lethal assassin Bullseye land himself in the Batcave, where he rapidly became enemies with two of the Batcave’s tenants, Batman and Robin.
Despite the fact that they are from different universes, Batman and Daredevil have a lot of similarities (to the point that some fans argue they should trade names.) Both have lost a parent, have spent a large amount of time training their bodies and minds, and wear outfits designed to shock and intimidate criminals.
In the first issue of DC vs Marvel, Batman is seen attempting to protect Robin from Bullseye, who has a knife to Tim Drake’s throat and is seeking answers. Bullseye chuckles at Batman’s effort to scare him with his appearance and name while disoriented from his sudden teleportation. When Robin eludes Batman’s grasp, he launches a Batarang at Bullseye, which the maniac catches and rapidly redirects onto the formidable vigilante. But the Dark Knight avoids this, which unnerves Bullseye, who, like Deadshot from the Suicide Squad, boasts he “never misses.” Before passing out, Batman delivers a single direct punch to the villain’s face, prompting him to say, “You hit… even harder than… than… Daredevil.”
There’s a case to be made that Daredevil is a better fighter than Batman because of his increased senses and personal radar, which allow him to predict his opponents and environment, but it’s evident that the Dark Knight simply hits harder than the Man Without Fear. Some of Marvel vs. DC’s battles have been decided by fan voting, but in the instance of Batman and Daredevil, it appears that the two publishers agree that Gotham’s defender is more powerful than the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.
