Warning: SPOILERS for Batman #134There are few DC characters who can match Batman as a fighter, but he's finally admitted the one hero who can: Ghost-Maker. Ghost-Maker trained alongside Bruce Wayne when they were young, and now the two can match each other blow for blow—even on alternate Earths.
Batman meets an alternate-universe version of his friend and ally Ghost-Maker in Batman #134 by Chip Zdarsky, Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles. Batman is on the run from the latest Big Bad, Red Mask, when "Ghost-Breaker," as he's called on this Earth, is sicced on him. Batman admits it on first sight: "When we're both at our peaks, we're each other's equals."
Unfortunately for Batman, Ghost-Breaker is "amped up on Venom" and Bruce has been fighting for his life on very little sleep. This version of the otherwise-familiar leader of Batman Incorporated even looks more intimidating than Earth-0's: not only does he have an ominous green glow, presumably from the Venom, he also has his massive arms bared and ready for battle. Batman recognizes his equal—and a real threat—when he sees it.
Who Is Ghost-Maker to Batman?
Ghost-Maker, one of the most interesting new Gotham characters to arise out of James Tynion IV's acclaimed run on Batman, is an international vigilante dead set on eradicating crime—no matter the cost. When readers first met Ghost-Maker, he was a mysterious killer who seemed to be at odds with Batman's mission. Since then, it's been revealed that the two were close friends when they were young and traveling the world, training with their shared masters. Their early relationship was further explored in Zdarsky's Batman: The Knight limited series, and Batman recently showed great trust in Ghost-Maker when he named him the new leader (and benefactor) of Batman Incorporated.
Batman's history with Ghost-Maker is all well and good, but it means practically nothing in an alternate dimension where "Ghost-Breaker" has no goodwill towards Batman. In fact, Batman is merely a problem to be solved, and though Ghost-Breaker seems impressed with Batman's skills, he fights viciously. Batman would never claim someone to be his equal without truly meaning it, and he knows Ghost-Maker could easily take him down in a weakened state (and vice versa). Batman's confession upon meeting Ghost-Breaker means trouble for this present confrontation, and it also means that the Ghost-Maker of Earth-0 could one day pose a serious threat to Batman and Gotham City.
Could Batman Survive an Attack from Ghost-Maker?
For now, the two allies are still on friendly terms, but this alternate-dimension clash—which results in Bruce losing his hands—shows just how dangerous Ghost-Maker could be to Batman. If the two are equals at their "peaks," what happens when Ghost-Maker is more prepared, physically, than Batman? Readers see a glimpse of that possibility in this fight with Ghost-Breaker. Ghost-Maker truly is Batman's equal, and that's a dangerous prospect for Bruce Wayne.
Check out Batman #134, available now from DC Comics!