WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Episode 3, "Power Broker," now streaming on Disney+.
Batman's defining traits are that he's rich and has no superpowers but still proves to be one of the most dangerous men in the DC Universe. Those attributes are shared by a character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Baron Helmut Zemo, who, before re-emerging in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, was a villain capable of dismantling the Avengers.
Zemo exists as a man who lost everything and made a vow to fight that which brought ruination to his life. However, unlike Batman, who stalks criminals, Zemo confronts the symbols of power he believes will inevitably become corrupt. In that sense, he's what the Dark Knight fears most.
The similarities between Batman and Zemo ultimately help create a greater sense of contrast when one analyzes where they differ. Both Bruce Wayne and Zemo are wealthy figures from old money. Bruce's family has a history of wealth, made all the greater by his business contributions, while Zemo is a Baron of Sokovia.
Wealth, however, is just one factor. Plenty of characters are wealthy in the MCU, but Zemo stands out because he can take down just about any adversary, given the right plan, without superpowers. While he is a capable fighter, his strength is his ability to scheme and plot, which, again, is similar to Batman. The Dark Knight has a plan to eliminate every member of the Justice League, should it ever become necessary to do so. Likewise, Zemo's strategy ultimately destroys the Avengers as it existed, with even the threat of Thanos not being enough to truly bring the team back together.
Ultimately, Zemo and Batman stand alike in how their resources and brains make them able to stand up against literal Gods. Not only that, but they can succeed based on their skills. However, they are also both morally gray figures. Zemo will help other superheroes if it furthers his agenda, as seen when he helps Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes get into Madripoor, while Batman has worked alongside criminals like Catwoman if it helps his crusade against crime. Both Zemo and Batman hold true to a very rigid moral code, but they are willing to bend it should it serve their greater goals.
But just being similar to Batman isn't enough. While Zemo isn't a murderous machine, he has no qualms about killing to achieve his goals. This ranges from shooting random people dead to murdering King T'Chaka in cold blood just to frame Bucky Barnes for terrorism. Obviously, this goes against Batman's strict no-kill policy.
On top of that, Zemo and Batman use their talents against very different targets. Batman targets criminals, those who would dare hurt innocent people. Zemo, on the other hand, goes after heroes. Both are motivated to stop the people who ruined their lives, but while Batman fights for establishment and order, Zemo seeks to dismantle.
Batman is often seen as a dark, tragic figure who fears ever going over the edge. Because of this, most people see the Joker as Batman's true antithesis, but figures like Ra's al-Ghul are better foils to the hero, showing what he'd become if he did ever break his no-kill rule. Zemo is a lot like Ghul, being disillusioned with the world of heroes and seeing them as a threat he needs to combat. Zemo may think he's the MCU's Batman, but in reality, he's what the hero would become if he ever truly lost his way.
Directed by Kari Skogland, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell, Noah Mills, Carl Lumbly and Daniel Brühl. New episodes debut on Fridays on Disney+.
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