Batman's New Ally Ghost-Maker is DC's Ninja Iron Man
In a very short period of time since joining Batman in Gotham, Ghost-Maker has shown himself to be a hero in the model of Marvel’s Iron-Man. The Dark Knight’s latest colleague in crime-fighting would probably get along very well with the legendary Tony Stark.
The true identity of Ghost-Maker remains a mystery, but in the Batman #107 companion story, Ghost-Maker Chapter 1 by James Tynion IV and Ricardo Lopez Ortiz, readers get a glimpse into the hero’s world outside of Gotham and away from the Dark Knight. Ghost-Maker casually carries on before a mission against some of his personal rogues. While en route in the Ghost-Stream, his radar invisible fighter jet, Ghost-Maker has just completed a bisexual ménage à trois, but is still masked and solving crimes, chalking the fling up to a meditation technique. Once arriving at the coordinates, he prepares with Icon, the snarky artificial intelligence connected to his Ghost-Net. Then, after donning in his armor, he heroically descends to Devil Skull Island.
Batman’s rival and friend Ghost-Maker treats crime-fighting like an art, and his approach gives off the vibes of Iron Man-meets-shinobi warrior. The confidence and audacious certainty that his way is the right way have been elements of Ghost-Maker’s character since arriving in Gotham in Batman #102. Combined with the casual, indulgent sex antics, and cheeky back-and-forth exchanges with an A.I., it’s hard not to draw similarities to the iconic Avenger, Tony Stark. Ghost-Maker exhibits a lot of the same behaviors and talents Stark does. In addition to also being able to multi-task at high levels, Ghost-Maker is clearly accomplished technologically. Batman had Oracle shut down her systems once learning Ghost-Maker was in Gotham, fearful of his hacking prowess. If Captain America and Batman are parallel characters for their respective publishers, Bruce Wayne has certainly found his version of Iron Man in Ghost-Maker.
Certainly Tony Stark’s genius, ingenuity and engineering abilities are unsurpassed, but the area where Ghost-Maker has an advantage is his physical capabilities. Batman and Ghost-Maker shared many of the same teachers and mentors, so his knowledge of martial arts, weapons and stealth tactics are world class. Whereas Tony creates Iron Man armors to protect him and enable him to be a substantial threat in a scrap, Ghost-Maker’s Ghost-Suit is a high-tech armored addition to the dangerous man who wears it, and it adds to his ninja-aesthetic. When it comes to finances, Tony Stark is a known multi-billionaire, however Ghost-Maker uses the money from his busts to finance his operations and isn’t lacking in cash either. He’s got more than Bruce Wayne currently does.
His rival’s presence in Gotham has been part of a shift in the Dark Knight’s tactics and methods. Ghost-Maker and Batman seem like competitive children when responding to crime together in the city. The lighthearted, cavalier demeanor he sports is also reminiscent of Iron Man. Gotham City has rough days ahead as Batman tries to stop the latest attack, but luckily he has the support of Ghost-Maker, his Iron-Ninja competitor.