Even when facing the manifestation of ultimate evil, Batman takes the time to refute those who say he doesn't belong on a team of some of the DC Universe's most powerful heroes.
When Bruce Wayne began his one-man war on crime, he set out to protect the area closest to his heart, his hometown of Gotham. For years, Batman cut his teeth as a hero by dealing with local mob bosses and supervillains aiming to seize control of the city the Dark Knight swore to protect. Before long, Batman had become one of the most capable heroes in the DCU and was teaming up with powerful figures like Superman and the Flash. He may not have powers, but Batman proved how just how resourceful he was by forming the Justice League with the likes of Wonder Woman and Green Lantern.
Powers or not, the entire Justice League was put through the ringer when they were confronted by a sinister and otherworldly force. In the "New Maps of Hell" storyline of JLA: Classified by Warren Ellis and Butch Guice, an artificial intelligence presents itself to the League in the guise of the Devil. Each member of the team is forced to confront their greatest fears, but manage to overcome the trial and decide to end the technology's reign of terror for good. As a united front, the League attacks the Devil with their combined powers (and a few Batarangs from Batman). The team hoofs it out while the malignant force decries the Dark Knight and his weaponry as "stupid." Batman gets the last laugh with a Batarang that contains a powerful explosive that destroys the AI's cavern and defeats the Devil for good.
While it may not have been the traditional Devil, the fact that the Justice League fought and overcame such a powerful evil is still pretty amazing. It's also interesting that for its last words, the AI seemed to echo the same criticisms certain fans have leveled against the Dark Knight over his place on the Justice League. Bruce's response to being called stupid is the perfect comeback to any fan who thinks Batman is out of his depth on the team.
On the surface, it might seem like a fair criticism to ask why Batman is on a team of gods, aliens and heroes who can defy physics themselves. However, "New Maps of Hell" shows that the Dark Knight has a constitution as strong as Superman and Wonder Woman that allowed him to overcome an evil that effortlessly conquered numerous civilizations. Batman is clearly more than just a rich guy that has a wide range of weaponry. But for those who want to criticize that aspect, Batman's "toys" manage to save the day by destroying the AI's hideout whereas the combined might of the League only managed to stun it. Every comic fan has the right to speak against things they disagree with, but Batman's brush with the Devil is a solid refutation of his most recurring criticism.
