In the DC Comics canon, no hero is more iconic than Batman. With all due respect to the Man of Steel and the Amazonian Princess, the Dark Knight is DC’s biggest figure, arguably the most famous and beloved comic character ever created and the hero we all wanted to be when we were young. Superman can fly, sure, but Batman has the gadgets, the Batmobile, the Batcave, the trauma! And, as Chandler perfectly said, “Batman has Robin.” In short, no hero can compare in terms of sheer influence and impact. But what about strength? Now, that’s another matter entirely.

Batman is widely recognized as one of the prime fighters in the DC universe, with very few equals when it comes to technique, skill, stamina, athleticism, and knowledge of multiple martial arts. In fact, one could easily argue that Batman could defeat most DC heroes in a fair, hand-to-hand fight — most. Indeed, at least 5 DC heroes have proven themselves strong and skilled enough to beat Batman in combat. Now, it’s important to mention that this list will only include non-powered heroes, since putting Batman in the ring with Wonder Woman or Doctor Fate would not exactly be fair. He might still beat them using his intellect, but that’s another story. We’re focusing on pure human-level brawn and skill, so don’t expect to see Big Blue here.

Bronze Tiger

Image via DC Comics

Debuting during the Bronze Age of comic books, Bronze Tiger is a Black martial artist widely considered one of the best fighters in the DC canon. His real name is Benjamin “Ben” Turner, and he trained under the tutelage of O-Sensei alongside Richard Dragon and Lady Shiva, who are most often considered his peers and rivals. Following a stint at the League of Assassins, where he’s severely brainwashed, Bronze Tiger became a member of the Suicide Squad, serving as the second-in-command after Amanda Waller. Eventually, Bronze Tiger became a free agent, adopting more of an antihero persona that often borders on straightforward heroics.

Notably, Bronze Tiger is among the very few characters to have ever beaten Batman in hand-to-hand combat. Objectively speaking, their skill is on par, as Batman’s high intellect can make up for Bronze Tiger’s precision and control. Still, thanks to his impressive agility and skill, Bronze Tiger is a formidable opponent who wears a lifelike tiger mask, adding to his cool factor. While the ultimate outcome of their encounters usually depends on whoever is writing them, the fact remains that this shifting antihero can take pride in being good enough to best the Bat in a brawl.

Richard Dragon

Image via DC Comics

Moving on to another exemplary martial artist, we have Richard Dragon, who might just have the most badass name in the DC canon. Like many other comic book characters, Dragon has gone through numerous aliases, and his backstory has received its fair share of retcons. Usually, he’s depicted as either a close friend or the student of Ben Turner, but the one detail that remains consistent across his appearances is his remarkable martial prowess.

Indeed, Richard Dragon is widely considered one of the most prolific martial artists in DC Comics. Yes, he has never outright faced Batman in direct combat, but he is arguably considered a superior martial artist to the World’s Greatest Detective. In a direct brawl, chances are Batman would win, thanks to his gadgets and gizmos, but there’s also a strong possibility that he wouldn’t use those so as to keep things fair. In that case, then we have to give the win to Dragon, whose discipline and sheer skill are considerable and would successfully bring Bruce to his knees.

Lady Shiva

Image via DC Comics

One just doesn’t get a reputation for being the deadliest martial artist in DC Comics for nothing. Indeed, in the pantheon of lethal DC assassins, Lady Shiva reigns supreme as arguably the most dangerous and mightiest martial artist. Throughout her history, Lady Shiva has been depicted as both a dangerous villain, a tragic antihero, and a self-serving freelance agent serving multiple masters. No matter the version, Lady Shiva remains an incredible opponent who can defeat pretty much everyone in single combat.

Unlike other entries on this list, Lady Shiva and Batman have actually fought quite a few times. In fact, Batman has actually trained under Lady Shiva, most famously after Bane breaks his back and he needs to not only repair his body, but his spirit, too. Moreover, it isn’t a case of the student surpassing the master, but it’s not a straightforward matter, either. Often, the result is indecisive, with one or both being incapacitated or hindered in some way. However, all these encounters establish that Lady Shiva is more than capable of kicking Batman’s butt. She’s among the deadliest

Cassandra Cain

Image via DC Comics

The Bat-family has expanded considerably to include many genuinely incredible fighters, but none can really compare to Cassandra Cain. Widely recognized as the best fighter in the Bat-family, which automatically turns her into one of the best fighters in all of DC, Cassandra is a true killing machine — or well, she would be if she actually, you know, killed. The daughter of David Cain and Lady Shiva, Cassandra was raised by the League of Assassins and forced to commit her first murder at 8-years-old, after which she vowed never to do it again.

Perhaps you know her as Orphan or Black Bat, or even Batgirl, the mantle she currently holds. No matter what name she goes by, one thing is for certain: Cassandra Cain can 100% beat Batman and pretty much every other member of the Bat-family. She was literally raised to do so, for crying out loud. A master of nearly every martial art under the sun, Cassandra has even managed to learn Dhritishastra, a legendary Indian technique said to be so complex that only immortals like Vandal Savage can dominate. She is also great at reading body language, which means she can anticipate her opponent’s moves. In short, Batman would put up a good fight and land a few good blows, but this fight would ultimately go to Cassandra.

Nightwing

Out of all the characters in the DC Comics canon, none is actually worthy of carrying the Batman mantle besides Bruce Wayne, other than Dick Grayson, that is. The first Robin and Bruce’s adopted son (and his favorite by far), Dick is the biggest acrobat in the DC universe, a consummate fighter at the peak of human physicality who trained under Batman to become his most dutiful student. At different points in his career, Dick has also trained under Richard Dragon and Lady Shiva, honing his leadership skills during his time with the Titans and becoming the ultimate beacon of hope in DC. Dick is what every hero should aspire to be, and he is often the one thing keeping Batman from being entirely overwhelmed by trauma.

Dick has assumed the Batman mantle a few times, matching Bruce in terms of skill and stamina. He has also actually beaten Batman in a one-on-one fight in the Batcave, largely thanks to his agility, strength, ability, and his intimate knowledge of Bruce’s techniques. What makes this confrontation better is that Bruce wants Dick to beat him; he wants Dick to be better than him, not only as a fighter, but as a human being. Their relationship is possibly the most meaningful in the Caped Crusader’s life (besides Alfred, that is), and their usual confrontations are packed with meaning and impact that goes beyond the physical bruises they could leave on each other’s skins. Out of all the fighters in DC, Dick Grayson is not only one of the few who could beat Batman, but also the only one who actually deserves to.

By Steven Nelson
| Published 2 seconds ago

Diving headfirst into the realm of time loops and futuristic chaos, ARQ makes its mark on Netflix with Robbie Amell leading the charge. While it may not have reinvented the sci-fi wheel, it weaves a tale of déjà vu that might just captivate those looking for a speculative thriller to fill their evening.

The film begs the question: How many times would you want to relive the same day if the fate of the world rested on your shoulders? Whether you’re a fan of mind-bending narratives or just in it for Robbie Amell’s performance, ARQ awaits your click on the Netflix queue.

A Fresh Twist On A Familiar Motif

ARQ plunges viewers into a near-future dystopian world where energy is scarce, and society teeters on the brink of collapse. At the center of this chaos is Robbie Amell’s character, Renton, an engineer who invents a machine named “ARQ,” capable of producing unlimited energy. But with great power comes great danger. The ARQ inadvertently causes a time loop, making Renton and his ex-lover, Hannah (Rachael Taylor), relive the same perilous day repeatedly.

As masked intruders break into Renton’s secure lab to steal the ARQ, the time loop becomes both a curse and a blessing. Each loop offers Renton and Hannah another chance to outwit their adversaries and protect the machine, but it also forces them to confront their unresolved past and the tangled emotions that come with it. 

The film smartly plays with the time loop narrative, using it not just as a sci-fi gimmick but as a vehicle to explore character depth, evolving strategies, and shifting alliances. As the loops progress, secrets unravel, and the line between friend and foe blurs, making the audience question each character’s true intentions. This time loop device, reminiscent of movies like Groundhog Day but with a darker, more intense twist, keeps viewers on their toes, eagerly anticipating Renton and Hannah’s next move.

ARQ garnered mixed reviews from critics. While the time loop concept was intriguing to many, some felt the execution lacked depth or originality. The strong performances from Robbie Amell and Rachael Taylor were commended, with many pointing out that their chemistry elevated the film. However, criticisms often centered on the movie’s pacing and its struggle to escape the shadow of other more iconic time loop narratives.

Low Budget, High Concept

While ARQ‘s ending leaves the door cracked open for a continuation, it will probably never receive sequel treatment due to its mixed reception. Still, the film’s universe and its energy scarcity premise leave plenty of room for other stories set within the same world.

There’s also room to further explore the characters’ backstories and the larger implications of the ARQ technology itself. But as of now, there’s been no official word on a sequel, and whether one ever happens would likely depend on audience demand and Netflix’s interest. If anything, ARQ stands as a reminder of how sci-fi can tackle real-world anxieties through speculative storytelling, even if the execution doesn’t always land perfectly.

ARQ ultimately represents both the risks and rewards of high-concept indie sci-fi. It may not have reached the same heights as other time loop movies, but its mix of futuristic tech, energy crises, and shifting character dynamics still makes for a compelling watch.

Robbie Amell’s performance, paired with the film’s grim vision of a collapsing world, gives sci-fi fans plenty to latch onto. Despite its flaws, ARQ remains an engaging Netflix thriller that keeps audiences questioning what’s really happening with each reset. If you’re looking for a twisty time loop story that keeps you guessing, it’s still worth adding to the queue.

By Zack Zagranis
| Published 1 minute ago

Most people play games to escape, unless that game is Jumanji. Then they play to escape the game itself. That was the case for Robin Williams in the 1995 family classic Jumanji, which is newly available to stream on Netflix.

Jumanji is a family adventure film from smack dab in the middle of the ’90s, with all the janky CGI that entails. The movie was based on a 1981 children’s book of the same name about a jungle-themed board game that comes to life as you play it. The film version stars Robin Williams as Alan Parrish, a young boy who goes missing in 1969 after playing a board game called Jumanji with his friend Sarah Whittle, played by Bonnie Hunt.

Welcome To The Jungle

Alan gets trapped inside the game after a turn that instructs him to wait in the jungle until someone else rolls a five or an eight. Sarah understandably freaks out and runs from the house, leaving Alan stuck inside Jumanji.

Twenty-six years later, two new children, Judy (a young Kirsten Dunst) and her brother Peter, discover Jumanji and, upon rolling a five, release a grown-up Alan in the form of Robin Williams from the game. Unfortunately, he’s not alone.

Among the other jungle perils unleashed upon the small town of Brantford, New Hampshire, are killer vines, giant mosquitoes, a gaggle of mischievous monkeys, and a colonial-Africa-style big-game hunter complete with a pith helmet and a long gun. Now it’s up to the kids, the now-grown Robin Williams version of Alan and Sarah, to finish the game that was started in 1969 if they can survive long enough.

The Origins Of Jumanji

The children’s book Jumanji was written by author Peter Guber and optioned for film by another author, Chris Van Allsburg. Van Allsburg did his best to take Guber’s bare-bones story of two kids playing a living game and turn it into a full-length screenplay.

TriStar Pictures agreed to finance the film, but only if they could get Robin Williams to play the lead character, Alan Parrish, as an adult. Unfortunately, Williams initially passed on Jumanji based on the draft of the script he was given to read.

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It wasn’t until Honey, I Shrunk the Kids director Joe Johnston reworked the story with screenwriters Greg Taylor, Jonathan Hensleigh, and Jim Strain that Robin Williams agreed to do the film. Ironically, despite being instrumental in Williams’s acceptance of the role, director Joe Johnston originally didn’t want Robin because of his reputation for heavy on-set improvising.

Luckily, Robin Williams understood the assignment and stuck to the script except for a handful of times when he was allowed to improvise a few lines with actress Bonnie Hunt. Even then, it was only after the director had already gotten a take where the actor performed his lines as scripted.

Jumanji Was Supposed To Star Tom Hanks And Madonna

Johnston’s first choice to play Alan Parrish was actor Tom Hanks. Hanks, however, was unavailable due to his commitment to Apollo 13.

Other actors considered for the role include Dan Aykroyd, Michael Keaton, Chevy Chase, Sean Penn, Kevin Costner, Richard Dreyfuss, Michael Douglas, Rupert Everett, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, and even Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Robin Williams wasn’t the only actor who wasn’t Johnston’s first choice. Prior to Bonnie Hunt, the director considered several actresses for the role of Sarah, such as Jodie Foster, Demi Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, and even Madonna. Meanwhile, Scarlett Johansson was in the running to play Judy at one point before the filmmaker decided on Kirsten Dunst.

Early CGI And Shot On Location

The movie was mainly shot in Keene, New Hampshire, which stood in for Jumanji‘s fictional town of Brantford. Other locations included North Berwick Main, where the Olde Woolen Mill was used for the shoe factory owned by Robin Williams’ father in the movie.

The movie was one of the first to rely heavily on CGI for many of its special-effects shots. George Lucas’s special effects company Industrial Light & Magic even wrote all-new software specifically for use in Jumanji.

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Due to CGI still being in its infancy, many of the digital effects were bolstered by more traditional practical means such as puppetry and animatronics. The effects may look laughable by modern standards, but they were mind-blowing to audiences in 1995, and, if we’re being honest, still retain a certain charm today.

Audience And Critical Reception

Jumanji was released on December 15, 1995, and immediately overtook Toy Story to become the #1 movie at the North American box office on its opening weekend. The movie went on to gross $262.8 million worldwide on a $65 million budget, making it a financial success.

The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Robin Williams’ performance but thought it overall relied too much on special effects and too little on the story. Audiences, on the other hand, almost unanimously loved the movie.

Jumanji spawned a real-life board game, an animated series, a quasi-sequel in 2005’s Zathura: A Space Adventure, and a couple of more direct sequels, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in 2017 and Jumanji: The Next Level in 2019.

Jumanji is remembered today quite fondly, especially by ’90s kids. Whether you’re an Xennial or Millennial looking for a quick hit of nostalgia, or someone younger looking to check out a movie full of retro visuals and a legendary performance by Robin Williams, you owe it to yourself to check out Jumanji while it’s on Netflix.

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When their friend Tommy (Bill Cone) is mysteriously murdered at a cemetery, Reggie (Reggie Bannister), Jody (Bill Thornbury) and Jody’s 13-year-old brother, Mike (A. Michael Baldwin), decide to investigate. They get more than they bargained for when they encounter The Tall Man (Angus Scrimm), an imposing figure who possesses unnatural strength and vague psychic abilities. The Tall Man knows why Tommy was killed, but he’s not telling, so it’s up to the three men to find out what he’s up to, why his mortuary might be a portal to another dimension and how the hell he can control two silver flying spheres that can kill people in an instant.

It’s a compliment to say that watching Phantasm feels like a bad dream you want to wake up from, but can’t. While it has its share of blood, the film is less of a slasher and more of a horror movie about the unknown. Nothing really makes sense or is explained, which makes Phantasm even scarier — you’re not given the comfort of an explanation. And for a movie made in 1979, the special effects still hold up — those flying spheres look real and deadly. 

Ray J has spoken out after his viral boxing knockout landed him in the hospital.

RELATED: Whew! Shyne Reacts After Ray J Says He’ll “Slap” The “Daylights” Out Of Him & Mase For Claiming They Allegedly Dated Brandy At The Same Time (VIDEOS)

Ray J Speaks Out After Viral Boxing Knockout Lands Him In Hospital

According to TMZ, Ray J checked himself into a hospital in Las Vegas two hours after his knockout by Supa Hot Fire. Per the outlet, as of Tuesday, May 26, Ray had been in the hospital for three days. Furthermore, the medical team is “investigating whether Ray had a concussion.” Additionally, he’s reportedly “experiencing issues with his heart beating slower.”

Furthermore, on Tuesday, the outlet obtained photos of Ray in his hospital bed. Additionally, on Tuesday, The Shade Room obtained an exclusive clip from Ray, who shared a quick statement from his hospital bed.

Social Media Reacts

Social media users reacted to the clip of Ray J in his hospital bed in TSR’s comment section.

More On Ray J’s Viral Boxing Knockout Landing Him In Hospital

As The Shade Room previously reported, Ray J hopped into the ring with Supa Hot Fire. Ultimately, Ray ended up getting knocked out.

According to TMZ, afterward, Ray J seemed to suggest that he “had a plan in place with Supa and they lost money as a result of the knockout.”

Ray J seemingly jokes that his fight with Supah Hot Fire was supposed to be rigged, but Supah Hot Fire had other plans. pic.twitter.com/gxOnid4vNB

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) May 24, 2026

Now, TMZ reports that the promoters connected to the fight are investigating “possible foul play.” Furthermore, the probe is reportedly also being investigated by “an attorney and former federal prosecutor.”

RELATED: Internet Is Crackin’ UP At Chris Brown Telling Ray J Not To Get “Whooped” Moments Ahead Of Him Getting Knocked Out In Boxing Match (WATCH)

By Robert Scucci
| Published 8 seconds ago

Sometimes you catch a movie that pisses you off so much while you’re watching it because every character in it is so unbelievably stupid. 2009’s Splice is exceptionally frustrating because it follows two genetic engineers, meaning smart people, who repeatedly make the dumbest decisions of their lives through reckless, unsanctioned medical experiments they should know better than to keep performing in secrecy. Movies like Splice always make me feel conflicted because the entire point of the movie seems to be pissing off the viewer.

The entire point of Splice, I’m convinced, is for me to scream at my TV, saying, “please stop doing stupid things,” and “wow, you’re pretty dumb for a genius.” As of writing this very sentence, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. The film evoked a visceral reaction from me, so if that was writer-director Vincenzo Natali’s intention, job well done, sir.

Could We? Should We? … Shasta? 

Splice tells the story of two genetic engineers who also happen to be romantically entangled: Clive Nicoli (Adrien Brody) and Elsa Kast (Sarah Polley). They both work at a company called Nucleic Exchange Research and Development, or N.E.R.D. for short. Clive is, by all measures, the more sensible half of the couple, but he’s also your typical movie scientist who, when told his funding may get cut, is willing to keep pushing forward anyway. Elsa, on the other hand, is the worst version of this character archetype ever committed to film, which we’ll get into in a second.

Clive and Elsa, along with their team, successfully create two animal hybrids named Fred and Ginger. Their bosses, Joan Chorot (Simona Maicanescu) and William Barlow (David Hewlett), want them to extract protein enzymes from the creatures so they can synthesize life-saving medications and bring them to market. Clive and Elsa express their desire to create a human-animal hybrid, which is rightfully discouraged because it’s playing God in the worst kind of way and a profoundly idiotic thing to do.

While Clive is disappointed that he can’t pursue what he believes is his true calling, he ultimately understands that holding off on this kind of experimentation, at least while working with Fred and Ginger, is probably the right move. Elsa, on the other hand, just goes ahead and does it anyway, resulting in the birth of a weird flipper baby they eventually decide to name Dren, which is N.E.R.D. spelled backward.

Dren is an intelligent little flipper baby, and before long she becomes a bigger, much more dangerous flipper baby. Every step of the way, Clive expresses his desire to end the experiment, the same one Elsa assured him would never even make it this far. Instead, they nurse the rapidly aging thing into adolescence and adulthood while neglecting the scientific breakthrough they’re actually being paid to monitor, resulting in a public embarrassment when Ginger transforms into a male version of the species and has a violent outburst during a press conference.

Splice Is Not Nice, And That’s The Point

What truly bothers me about Splice is Elsa. She’s one of the most unlikeable protagonists I’ve crossed paths with in a very long time, and I recently watched Nomadland, so that’s saying a lot.

Here’s my beef with Elsa. It was her idea to have a weird flipper baby and give it a name in the first place. Clive wasn’t totally on board until she forced his hand, and suddenly they had a weird, living, conscious half-human thing on their hands. Clive, who champions the scientific method and isn’t afraid to break the rules, is actually 100 percent in the right when he urges Elsa, who has formed a maternal bond with the flipper baby, to stop doing what she’s doing. Whenever the experiment backfires, Elsa takes zero accountability, shifts the blame, and takes her frustration out on everybody around her, including Dren.

Don’t get this twisted because I think Clive is equally in the wrong here, but his wrongness comes from cowardice and, quite possibly, a sexual attraction to Dren when she reaches adulthood that blinds his judgment in the worst possible way. If he had some semblance of a spine, maybe one he synthesized in a lab, Project Flipper Baby never would have gotten this far and gone off the rails so spectacularly.

Since he’s a pushover of the highest order, the blood is on his hands too when Dren, now secretly housed in the family barn that Elsa conveniently still owns, starts showing her violent tendencies while evolving into an exponentially more horrifying creature as the film progresses.

To make matters worse, Elsa starts setting arbitrary rules whenever her pride gets challenged, making an already terrible situation even worse. It’s almost as if she’s allergic to good advice. Just as much as Clive needs to synthesize a spine, Elsa needs to synthesize a conscience and a voice of reason because everything in this movie is her fault, yet she lacks the self-awareness to take accountability for any of it.

I Have Mixed Feelings

I think my reaction to Splice was exactly what Vincenzo Natali had in mind because he goes all in when creating characters who behave like this. It’s painful watching two scientists, people who should operate within some realm of ethics, potentially throw their lives away while endangering scores of people should Dren escape and wreak havoc on the surrounding community.

All I could think while watching this movie was, “please stop doing what you’re doing,” and I have to give it points for getting under my skin as much as it did.

As of this writing, Splice is not available through regular streaming subscriptions, but can be rented or purchased on-demand through Apple TV+.

The Australian countryside is about to become a hunting ground. Next week marks the arrival of one of the most tense, under-the-radar action thrillers of the year on digital and VOD, Seven Snipers, pitting Man on Fire star Radha Mitchell against Pulp Fiction alum Tim Roth in a fierce battle of wits, patience, and survival. The former plays a retired elite sniper who has set her rifle down in favor of a quiet life on a ranch with her daughter, until the latter re-enters the picture, playing a warlord from her past with a score to settle. Ahead of its arrival in the U.S., we’re thrilled to include this intense showdown as part of Collider’s Exclusive Summer Preview series, and we can share a new image hinting at the previous connection the two once shared.

In our exclusive still, The Dragon (Roth) isn’t trying to kill Kris Hendricks (Mitchell), but is instead adjusting her headband as if they’re on the same side. However, the look on the veteran sniper’s face and the presence of another armed soldier suggest this isn’t voluntary. Hendricks was once the warlord’s captive and may have even been forced to do some of his dirty work, at least until something happened long ago that freed her from his grasp. Now, years later, she appears to have played into his hands once again, though this time, she’s not about to go down without a fight. Determined to save her daughter, she’ll do anything to stop The Dragon’s quest for revenge dead in its tracks.

Fortunately for Hendricks, she’s not alone in this fight. As the title Seven Snipers implies, she was once part of an entire team of legendary ex-military marksmen, who all show up to save one of their own when she makes the call. The Dragon has a ruthless reputation for a reason, though. It’ll take all the skills Hendricks has learned during her time in the service to vanquish the ghosts of her violent past for good. At its beating heart is the relationship of a mother trying to protect her daughter from that violence, only for them both to have to confront it head-on.

‘Seven Snipers’ Brings in Some Elite Names for Its Killer Squad

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Among the elite team members surrounding Mitchell in Seven Snipers is Ioan Gruffudd, best known as the former leader of the Fantastic Four, and True Blood star Ryan Kwanten, alongside Charles Cottier, Damien Ryan, and Bianca Wallace. The film hails from Sandra Sciberras with a script by Andrew O’Keefe, who previously helmed an adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky‘s landmark novel Crime & Punishment in 2015. It marks the debut production of Monster Pictures Studios, coming out of an ongoing partnership between the banner and Head Gear Films with Grant Hardie, Ian Kirk, and Phil Hunt producing. Reviews so far have been positive, praising the film as a straightforward yet engaging actioner that relishes in the thrill of the hunt.

Seven Snipers will arrive on digital and VOD platforms on June 5. Check out our exclusive image above and stay tuned here at Collider throughout the rest of the week for more new looks at upcoming films from our summer preview series.