Let's say Batman lost all his money...

[Beyond Batman]

With how the economy is staggering today, it made me think of this question. Let's say a sudden economic anomaly made Wayne industries and all of Bruce Wayne's assets plumet. Wayne's stock took a dive and the corporation went down the hole.

Like the dot.com genre, what if Bruce Wayne lost all of his money, sharholders, financial assets, etc. Do you think Bruce could still be Batman?

Or how about this. If Bruce wasn't a billion dollar icon, and was just a middle-class resident. Could he pull off being Batman? Or would he even have become Batman?

What do you guys think?

[Terminatah]

It is his wealth that provides him with the necessary seclusion and physical means to fight crime. Those batarangs don't come cheap. He would be able to continue being Batman, but not very effectively. There comes a point when the Batsuit is full of holes, your leg won't heal right, you can't analyze hairs from crime scenes, and the Batmobile just doesn't feel like starting. Money fixes these things! And wait until the villains' technology advances beyond yours. NOW you're screwed.

-Terminatah

[Beyond Batman]

Maybe he'd have cheaper equipment? Home Depot could supply lots of stuff. :p

[Domino]

Originally posted by Beyond Batman
With how the economy is staggering today, it made me think of this question. Let's say a sudden economic anomaly made Wayne industries and all of Bruce Wayne's assets plumet. Wayne's stock took a dive and the corporation went down the hole.

Like the dot.com genre, what if Bruce Wayne lost all of his money, sharholders, financial assets, etc. Do you think Bruce could still be Batman?

Or how about this. If Bruce wasn't a billion dollar icon, and was just a middle-class resident. Could he pull off being Batman? Or would he even have become Batman?

What do you guys think?

He did lose all his money once. It was in an annual in the mid-1980s, and Hugo Strange was responsible. Batman literally found himself out on the street with about $20 to his name. I'm at work now, but when I get home, I'll see if I can find the specific issue. I do remember that he really didn't know how to survive on that small amount of money (which I personally found silly) because he bought a can of beans, and then spent most of his money on a hot plate to warm them up. Maybe someone else can elaborate if they have easy access to their comics?

[The Game]

It would be tough to keep his identity secret with no money. I mean, if you looked out your window and saw the Batmobile pulling out of your neighbor's garage, you might get a little suspicious. Honestly I don't think so. I mean, he'd always have all the real skills, but he probably wouldn't be able to pay for all of his utility belt etc.

[austin norsworthy]

He wouldn't HAVE any skills. if he wasn't rich, then he would not have ehnogh money to go on his world wide cruise and LEARN those skills.

[Terminatah]

Originally posted by austin norsworthy
He wouldn't HAVE any skills. if he wasn't rich, then he would not have ehnogh money to go on his world wide cruise and LEARN those skills.

The question is what if he LOST all his money, not what if he never had any.

-Terminatah

[austin norsworthy]

Originally posted by Terminatah


The question is what if he LOST all his money, not what if he never had any.

-Terminatah

Right, I mean the second suggestion. my mistake.

[Poison Carley]

What? Think about it guys. Like if he lost all of his money he could still like use the cave for free. :) He would know how to get in it and like the new owners would be like, "Why is our power bill soooo high?" :p

[X-human]

Well, first of all how much money does he give Oracle?

He could still be Batman. Infact he might even be a better Batman in my eyes. He really isn't about gizmos, and although it might be hard on him at first, I'd imagine he could still prevail.

[Bruce Wayne]

I agree with X-Human. Those gismos are just to aid him in crime fighting. He has the great skills to be the detective that he is. No need for a super computer to analyze things, he can do it the old fasion way: Threaten people. Batarangs may not come cheap, but I'm sure he can save lots of dough if he reuses. He prolly only needs one or two at the most batgrapples. Bullet holes can be easily mended by patches... but the bullet shots in his leg pose a problem.

*shrug* How does Batman do half the stuff he does? Dodge bullets and what not...

[zero zero nine]

It's all a matter of physics and trigonometry... I just came from my physics class...

Batman keeps a constant look on the angle of the gun... using physics and trigonometry... he can predict where the bullets will be, or rather, not be at any time.

"The power of physics is to predict the future!" - Dr. Kenning, my physics professor

[FLIPMODE]

Hmm, very interesting question.

But after I think of it, the guy IS a business man. He could never Really be poor. He has Options. He has a plethora of people who probably owe him money, he's a charitableman, So if he were ever to go poor ALL those in his debt of contributiuons would come his rescue, just like in "It's a Wonderful Life". They'd come with a truckload of money.

Besides that he'd just start a new Business, OR just Work under Lucius. Because Lucius, will never stop being a business man.

Other routes to money. Steal it. The guy is an unstopple ninja slash genious, He'd probably make some pyramid scheme!! Or rob someone who is wealthy, who is a Villain!!

Infact I'd rather see him do that.

[Bruce Wayne]

Physics? Hmm.. I should learn more of it, I can start my own crime fighting buisness. :) Im screwed if there are more than one guy with a gun...

[Cassandra]

Actually, in the comics, I don't think Batman gives Oracle money. I don't think he has too. Oracle has access to JLA funds (and I imagine Bruce would too...) but she gets a lot of money through....I believe she called it a "sin tax".
"Those who sin, pony up"
:D I'm sure Batman could swing something of this nature, with that big old pile of computer chips in his cave....

[Crickett]

He'd do the same thing Tony Stark does every time he loses all of his money.


Create a new company, make tons of money and not worry.



This is Bruce Wayne we're talking about here. :)

[Stupendous Man]

Heres a universal truth in the Superhero Universe ...

If your a superhero you either have :

a) Super Powers

or

B) are independently wealthy.

Occassionally you have a hero who is both ,
super powered and independently wealthy.


You never ever have a non-powered middle class
superhero.

Think about it .. lets examine heros wout powers

Batman - millionare
Green Arrow - millionare (maybee not currently -
but throughout most of career and during origin)
Daredevil - independently wealthy lawyer
(not a millionare -but technically he has some
meta abilities)
Iron Man - millionare
Dr Midnite - millionare
HourMan - millionare
Starman - millionare
Anyone in the bat family - millionare by association

Can anyone think of a non powered superhero who
wasnt independently wealthy ?

[The Guitar Slayer]

Uhhhh...Black Canary. I know she lost the canary whistle-talent thingy, and that was it in terms of super-power (I think. Correct me, people). Unless Green Arrow funds her and if he is still a milionaire. Then that's kind of indirect.

:rolleyes: I'm thinking about this way too hard.

Peace and Rock 'n' Roll
The Guitar Slayer :cool:

EDIT: What does Dinah do for a living anyway?

[Stupendous Man]

Black Canary did ...and has since regained her powers .

So sadly , she does not count as a non powered superheroine.

But thank you for playing , we do have some lovely parting
gifts .

How do you feel about bieng a member of the "Fruit of the month" club ? ;)

[Domino]

Originally posted by The Spirit

Can anyone think of a non powered superhero who
wasnt independently wealthy ?

The Question (reporter), Rorschach (destitute), the Huntress (teacher), the Badger (martial arts instructor/bodyguard), Crossfire (private investigator/bailbonds guy), Nomad (wanderer), the Rocketeer (pilot).

That's what I can think of from the 80s and early 90s, anyway.

[Stupendous Man]

There are always a few exceptions ...

However notice none of these characters will ever have a
lunch box.

However even your exceptions are questionable.


Huntress ... is part of the bat family , so she doesnt need
money as she is funded by bats.

Rorschak ... is from an elseworlds oneshot.
However he was funded by the Watchmens version of
the "League" before heroes were outlawed by Nixon.

Crossfire & the Badger ... come on you made those guys up! :)


The Question is valid , I thought of him too when I posed the question (no pun intended) - I was hoping no one else would
think of him.

My problem with the Question is he had a number of high tech gadgets that would be very pricey . How did he afford them?
Who supplied them ?

His one way mask? His suit that changed colors?
His gas pellets .....where did this all come from ?

Maybee someone more familiar with Question mythology could
supply the answers.

[Cassandra]

I don't like the huntress, so I don't know lots about her, But I don't think she gets her money for toys from bats. I really, really, REALLY doubt it. Her relationship with the rest of the bat clan is so on again, off again it makes moonlighting look like a shotgun wedding.

[zero zero nine]

DARKWING DUCK! He's middle class! Does anyone know his origin? *LOL*

[Domino]

Originally posted by The Spirit
There are always a few exceptions ...

However notice none of these characters will ever have a
lunch box.

However even your exceptions are questionable.


Huntress ... is part of the bat family , so she doesnt need
money as she is funded by bats.

Rorschak ... is from an elseworlds oneshot.
However he was funded by the Watchmens version of
the "League" before heroes were outlawed by Nixon.

Crossfire & the Badger ... come on you made those guys up! :)


The Question is valid , I thought of him too when I posed the question (no pun intended) - I was hoping no one else would
think of him.

My problem with the Question is he had a number of high tech gadgets that would be very pricey . How did he afford them?
Who supplied them ?

His one way mask? His suit that changed colors?
His gas pellets .....where did this all come from ?

Maybee someone more familiar with Question mythology could
supply the answers.

No need. I can tell you what you ask. Vic Sage was supplied his technology by Aristotle Rodor, PhD. Rodor created the binary gas that created the color changing effect and provided Vic with the mask that bonded to his skin. Neither was independently wealthy, however. "Tot" was a scientist who allowed Vic to live with him for a time.

Cassandra is absolutely right about the Huntress. She most definitely does not receive funding from Batman. She isn't even tolerated by Batman, at least not anymore.

Crossfire was a great book by Mark Evanier and Dan Spiegle back in the 80s, despite being in black and white.

The Badger was created by Mike Baron, and was originally drawn by Jeff Butler and later by Bill Reinhold in his initial run. It was my favorite book at the time.

To dismiss Rorschach as coming from an Elseworlds one-shot does a disservice to Watchmen, but I'll accept your exception.

Okay, let's add to the list. From DC: Arsenal (formerly Speedy), Bronze Tiger, The Butcher, the Challengers of the Unknown, Chris King (Dial H for Hero), Crimson Avenger, Gangbuster, Guardian, a couple of Manhunters, Tarantula, Vigilante, Wildcat, and Wild Dog. Not household names, I agree, but mainstream heroes all.

From Marvel: The Black Widow, Hawkeye, the Human Fly, Nick Fury, Nomad, and I'm sure there are more.

The Golden Age and non-Marvel and DC books provide many, many more. Federal agents, police officers, reporters, and writers provided grist for the mill back in the day, but your point is well taken. We don't see enough of middle-class non-powered heroes anymore.

[The Mad Hatter]

Darwking's origin? I forget the name of the episode, but it all started when Drake Mallard was in high school... and a complete dork. He was picked on by the school's jock supreme, as was Elmo Sputterspark. Elmo was a science whiz, and was conducting an experiment wherein he was generating static electricity on a treadmill. The jock turned up the treadmill as a prank, and Elmo was stuck there for hours. When it finally stopped, Elmo was supercharged with electricity... and left with poofy hair! As revenge, he took on the moniker Megavolt and attacked the school's prom. Drake was there, stag in a purple suit. He knew Megavolt needed to be stopped, so he grabbed a mask and a hat from the drama department and kicked his butt. And the rest is history.

I wish I could remember the episode name, it's one of my favorites! One of the funniest eps in the series...