The Energon Pub

OK, I got into an argumennt with a friend over this question: could Rorschach, the violent vigilante from watchmen, fill the shoes of the bat and protect gotham city? I said yes, it would make for an awesome comic, he said that Rorschach would go nuts just thinking about it. Here's the deal: Rorschach would have to deal with the big issues of gotham crime:

The mob/corruption
drug trade
human trafficking

On top of this, he'd have to deal with All of batman's villains, like:

The Joker (and harley)
2-face
Riddler
Poison Ivy
The Penguin

On top of this, knowing Rorschach, the cops would probobly be against him. (no, no shapeshifting signal)

Looks bad, doesn't it?

However, here is my case. In Watchmen, Rorschach had to put up with all sorts of crime, and he managed. The only real challanges are the supervillains, and they aren't even that difficult. Joker threatens batman on a psychological level. If Rorschach sticks to his core values, the joker would be going back to Arkham in a coffin. As a qualified detective, he would also be a match for the riddler. Pngiun could also be "dealt with," too. Poison Ivy and 2-face are the only real threats. Ivy preys on Rorschach's fear of sexuality, and has magical plant powers. As for 2-face, I don't se Rorschach doing anything about him. In fact I think he would more likly endorse harvey's violent anti-mob behavior.

So what do you think? could he do the job, and is it the setup for a great series?

Would he be able to defeat the likes of Clayface or Killer Croc though?

They are certainly power houses and shouldn't be taken lightly.

There's also Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Bane, Deadshot, Hush, Man-Bat, Mr Freeze, Copperhead, and the Wrath would also put up quite a fight.

I don't think Rorschach is up to the challenge

Well, I was focusing on the villains that were well known and people would know off the top of their heads. thanks for reminding me of the phsical portion of the job, though. I was just thinking about the mental aspect.

Well it's not like Batman beats guys like Clayface, Croc, or Bane with his fists.

His physic is pretty much only good for taking a hit and not dying in an instant from those guys.

But Batman's true strength lies in his head, which is how he ends up beating most of his villains.

In that respect, I think Rorschach would be able to handle himself for awhile.

Rorschach wins. You remember that part in Dark Knight, where Joker was egging Batman on to kill him?

If it were Rorschach there, there wouldn't be any emotional conflict, no morals being brought into question, just a grinning stain on the pavement.

Yes, I think Rorschach could do it. Because he's the on willing to kill, and speak in really short sentences.

Exactly what I was saying. What I didn't think, however, is how the job wuould chang to fit it's new hero. If joker didn't have to make Rorschach kill him, he'd probably find another way to mess with him. Still, the only problems I don't know how he could solve would be Catwoman and Ivy. Rorschach has a childhood-trauma related fear of sex and intamacy. This gives the girls a wide open flaw to exploit, especialy Ivy, since she has actual superpowers.

I've never seen that he has problems with Gynophobia (Fear of women), but if it came to a fight with Poison Ivy, an aerosol can and a cigarette lighter go a long way towards killing a plant-based adversary.

Personally I think Rorschach can take any mobster or villian in Gotham. But when there are Supervillians then I don't think he could tkae it. Joker coulkd get him with that laughing gas and it would be over. Clayface has already been brought up. Mr. Freeze, well the only way I see Rorschach beating him is if he got a gun and shot him. Seriously, i hate to say it, but against all the superfreaks and poisons that Batman deals with I think Rorschach woulsn't last long.

Rorschach should stick to the non-super psychos, especially the ones who haven't been discovered by anyone else. That would be his specialty.