Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises had Tom Hardy’s Bane who was the most physically strong villain in the Dark Knight Series. Zack Snyder introduced Ben Affleck as Batman for the first time in the DCEU. Nolan’s Dark Knight series had more realistic attributes than Zack Snyder’s DCEU. The comparison between Tom Hardy’s Bane and Ben Affleck’s Batman seems unfair but fans are crazy about these comparisons. So, this article will discuss how will a battle between Tom Hardy’s Bane and Ben Affleck’s Batman work out?
Tom Hardy’s Bane’s Origin in The Dark Knight Rises
Bane was reportedly born and raised in the Pit, a hellish prison located within a Middle Eastern country. At some point, he showed interest in the wellbeing of a young female prisoner named Talia. Bane protected Talia when several inmates attacked and killed Talia’s mother. He became her friend. Later, Bane helped her escape from the Pit. However, this selfless action resulted in the prisoners’ exacting revenge by torturing and beating him to the point that his face was mutilated and wrapped up in bandages after the doctor did what he could to save him but the doctor’s fumbling attempts to repair the damage left Bane in constant agony.
Bane was eventually rescued by Talia’s father, Ra’s al Ghul. Bane and Talia were taken in by the League. They were trained there. however, Bane was excommunicated for his interest in Talia. Bane also wore a mask that pumped gas into his system to alleviate the pain from his injury within the prison. However, he rejoined the League of Shadows after Ra’s death.
Tom Hardy’s Bane in The Dark Knight Rises was the friend and protector of Talia. He was the field commander of the League of Shadows. He was a master in both strategy and physical combat. He defeated Batman in combat and also manipulated the citizens of Gotham City with his high intellect. His expressions through his eyes showed his predominant personality. Bane’s physical appearance was defined by his mask. His strange mask inhibited the excruciating pain that agonized his body to bearable levels.
Origin of Ben Affleck’s Batman in DCEU
Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne witnessed his parents’ death at the hands of a mugger as a child. Affleck’s version of Batman once had a version of Robin as his sidekick. However, through unknown circumstances, Robin was killed by the Joker. The suit of Robin is full of spray-painted words (“Hahaha, Joke’s on you Batman”). Bruce has kept the Robin suit in a glass case at his Batcave. This event led Batman to become more brutal but continued his crusade on crime.
In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Ben Affleck’s Batman fought against Superman. This Batman is a more traumatized version than other versions. Batfleck had developed an armoured exoskeleton suit as well as using a Kryptonite grenade launcher and spear to face in a fierce battle against Superman. At the end of the movie, He joined forces with Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman, and Superman to take down Luthor’s creation, Doomsday. Superman is ultimately killed by Doomsday.
In the Suicide Squad, Ben Affleck appeared as a Batman to capture Deadshot and Harley Quinn. He also collected all the data related to metahumans to form Justice League.
In Justice League of 2017, Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince follow on their plans to locate more metahumans in the wake of Superman’s death. They battle against the New God Steppenwolf, who has sent with his Parademons from Apokolips to collect 3 Mother boxes. After defeating Steppenwolf, Bruce and Diana decided to make room for more members in the Hall of Justice.
In the Snider’s version of Justice League, Bruce is met by Martian Manhunter, who thanks him for forming the Justice League and promises to be in touch to plan for Darkseid’s inevitable return.
Affleck’s Batman is set to appear again on screen in The Flash film of 2022.
Comparison of Attributes
Tom Hardy’s Bane is a muscular super villain with great strength and is also a great tactician. His intellectual level is also high. On the contrary, Ben Affleck starring Batman is the most muscular version of Batman that has ever appeared on the screen. This version of Batman is stronger than other versions of Batman. He has faced cosmic threats and also formed Justice League. Now let’s compare their basic feats:
Body Strength
From a physical perspective, the physicality of Batman and Bane looks almost the same but their strengths are different. Batfleck lifts around 680 pounds during working out sessions. Bane had to put effort into lifting Bale’s version of Batman who weighs about 210-220 pounds.
Striking Strength
Batfleck easily sends people flying several feet fighting them. He even ignores the added weight of a man flying towards him and changes his momentum completely with a punch.
Bane’s striking strength is still in the realm of reality, where his strongest punches just break some decorative marble on a pillar.
Reaction Speed
Bane is in the peak condition of a human. He can dodge firearms easily and strike his opponents like a pro-UFC fighter.
Batfleck reacts quickly against the opponents’ attacks. His fight against Lex’s goons shows his great reaction speed.
Durability
Batfleck took a hit from Superman in Justice League that created dents on a police car and he gets back up with some soreness and a frown.
Bane had trouble taking hits from Bale’s version of Batman.
The Movie Culture Synopsis
From a different point of view, Ben Affleck’s Batman and Tom Hardy’s Bane have quite similar tragic backstories. Bane’s most weak point is his mask and Batman had defeated Bane many times in the comics by destroying his mask every time. In an honest opinion, Robert “Jeep” Swenson’s version of Bane which appeared in Batman & Robin of 1997, would be more threatening for Ben Affleck’s Batman than Tom Hardy’s Bane.
