Batman and Iron Man belong to a very small group of accessible superheroes -- that is, the group of superheroes who have a veneer of reality related to their powers and abilities. This reality makes them appealing and accessible to many and captivates the imagination in a way other heroes cannot. Both Iron Man and Batman are defined by the combination of their human frailty with extreme training and use of technological enhancements.
E. Paul Zehr (
Becoming Batman,
Inventing Iron Man) compares these two heroes and their two approaches to transcending human limitation. The concept of Batman is one of extreme human performance -- Bruce Wayne creates the Batman persona through extreme training. That of Iron Man is the story of Tony Stark, a genius scientist and engineer who amplifies human performance with technology in the form of the fantastic suit of armor. Considering the scientific realities behind these two icons presents a revealing look at how close we are to technological fusion between brain, biology, and technology. It also brings to mind a question truly grounded in popular culture. With these two superheroes in action, who beats whom? Answering this question involves a fascinating examination at the outer limits of human performance where neuroscience, kinesiology, brain-machine interface, and Kung-fu fighting converge.
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