10 Strongest Versions Of Batman Who Could Take Over The World

Batman is one of the greatest heroes in the DC Universe, partially because he’s always prepared and always has contingencies for any situation. The Justice League learned this firsthand in the «Tower of Babel» arc. Batman ultimately uses his knowledge and resources for good, but readers have seen him fall to villainy a dozen times in alternate universes.

Exploring the Dark Multiverse and Elseworlds, readers will discover many, many Batmen who became villains. Even those with heroic goals possess the power and potential to take over the world. Certain versions of Batman, given the proper circumstances and motivation, could use their combat mastery, resources and unshakable drives to challenge the Justice League and take over the DC Universe. Many have already tried.

10 The Batman Who Became The Joker

Batman Who Laughs

The Batman Who Laughs was the main antagonist of both Dark Nights: Metal and Death Metal. He was responsible for uniting the Batmen of the Dark Multiverse and invading the prime DC Universe.

The Batman Who Laughs is a twisted amalgamation of Batman and the Joker––a Bruce Wayne infected with Joker toxins. The Batman Who Laughs tried to take over the DC Universe, forcing Batman and the Joker to team up. If any Batman is capable of taking over the world, it’s a Batman who also shares Joker’s chaotic madness.

9 The Dark Multiverse Batman With Guns

Grim Knight

The Grim Knight represents the darkest path Batman could have taken. As a boy, this Bruce Wayne also witnessed his parents murdered in Crime Alley. Reality branched when he stole Joe Chill’s gun and murdered the killer in turn.

As the Grim Knight, this Batman has no problem using guns and killing his enemies, ridding Gotham City of their evil, but losing more and more of his soul in the process. The Grim Knight allied himself with the Batman Who Laughs to invade the prime DC Universe, so he’d have no issue trying to take over the world, and no moral conundrums about killing the Justice League to do it.

8 The Dark Multiverse Batman/Cyborg Fusion

Murder Machine

After the death of Alfred Pennyworth, this version of Batman created an AI version of his old butler and friend that eventually took over his mind, the Batcave and the entire world. Created by Cyborg, this Murder Machine Batman spread through the world like a virus.

Murder Machine was one of the Dark Multiverse Batmen recruited by the Batman Who Laughs. He was able to completely take over all the technology of his own world, so the same would be possible in the prime DC Universe. Only geniuses like Cyborg or Mister Terrific would be capable of stopping Murder Machine’s spreading virus.

7 Batman With The Power Of Ares

The Merciless

The Merciless is yet another version of Batman born in the Dark Multiverse. In this universe, Batman and Wonder Woman became extremely close during their war against the god of war himself. Batman ultimately stole the helmet of Ares and became the new god of war.

Addicted to gaining more power, this Batman killed Wonder Woman and began spreading war and bloodshed, carrying on Ares’ mission. The Merciless could potentially take over the world, infecting humanity with war, all the while gaining more divine power himself.

6 Batman, King Of The Vampires

Vampire Batman

When Dracula invaded Gotham City with an army of vampires at his disposal, Batman was forced to fight fire with fire and become a vampire himself. The Dark Knight became a hulking, demonic version of himself, upgraded with all the standard powers of a vampire.

Batman eventually defeated Dracula and was capable of repelling the vampiric hordes. This version of Batman, given the right circumstances, could absolutely take over the world. Readers have seen, in miniseries like DC vs. Vampires, that a coordinated vampire army can overwhelm the Justice League. With Batman at their helm, DC’s heroes wouldn’t stand a chance.

5 Batman's Deadly Backup Personality

Zur-En-Arrh

Grant Morrison completely revolutionized the concept of the Zur-En-Arrh Batman. The original version was another Batman from an alien world. The modern Zur-En-Arrh is a hidden personality Batman created to take over in case his mind was ever compromised.

Batman got more than he bargained for with the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, a split of his mind that has become an antagonist since the «R.I.P.» story arc. Zur-En-Arrh is willing to do anything to protect his city, even kill. With Zur-En-Arrh left unchecked, this Batman could take over the world one murder at a time.

4 The Dark Knight's Son Becomes The Father

Damian Wayne

Damian Wayne is one of the most brutal Robins, trained by Talia al Ghul and the League of Assassins. Damian is skilled with a sword and has proven to be even more brutal than his father. In Batman #666 and the Damian: Son of Batman miniseries, an alternate future depicts Damian as an adult Batman in a world where Bruce Wayne passed away.

Damian Wayne, with the right mentors, such as Nightwing, Alfred Pennyworth and Batman himself, is a hero, especially with friends like Jon Kent’s Superman. However, if left alone in a darker Gotham, Damian’s Batman could take things too far and aspire to control the world to save it.

3 The Knightfall Batman

Azrael

When Bane broke Batman’s back, Bruce Wayne searched for a replacement to defend Gotham City. Tim Drake was too young and he thought that Nightwing would refuse, leaving Azrael as his only choice. Azrael took things to the extreme, creating a new Batsuit with armored talons and deadly weapons.

Azrael’s Batman defeated Bane and took over Gotham City, forcing the rest of the Bat-Family into action. If Azrael defeated Nightwing and Robin, then he could have potentially taken over the world. Armed with Batman’s resources, a deadly assassin like Azrael could have been unstoppable. Thankfully, Bruce recovered from his injuries and returned as the Dark Knight.

2 Batman Becomes A New God On The Mobius Chair

Batman ("Darkseid War")

When the Anti-Monitor invaded Earth and killed Darkseid, the Justice League was forced to accept unfamiliar and dangerous powers. After they removed Metron from the Mobius Chair, Batman took a seat and gained access to all the knowledge of the universe.

Batman immediately used the chair to determine the identity of his parents’ killer and the Joker’s real name. Armed with this power, Batman could have absolutely abused the New Gods’ greatest resource, using the chair to assess every encounter and ensure he defeated anyone who tried to remove him from it.

1 Batman's Evil Earth-Three Counterpart In The Crime Syndicate

Owlman

The Crime Syndicate is an evil version of the Justice League from an alternate universe. Owlman is Bruce Wayne’s evil counterpart, possessing the same skills and resources as Batman. Owlman works alongside Superwoman and Ultraman, but usually has his own selfish desires.

In the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths animated movie, Owlman hatched a plan to destroy the entire multiverse, and only Batman stopped him. A rogue, villainous Batman could absolutely take over the world given the right circumstances––circumstances someone like Owlman would create for himself using intimate knowledge of the gods who surround him.