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Off My Mind: If Batman Dies, Who Keeps The Kryptonite Ring?

Did Superman allow Dick to keep the ring when Bruce "died"?


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Let me know if I missed something. I can't remember if this has been brought up since Batman "died." Yesterday as I was driving from the comic shop to the office I started thinking, "What happened to the Kryptonite Ring when Batman 'died'?"
 
Let's back up in case you're not totally familiar with the story of the ring. Basically Lex Luthor had a piece of Kryptonite put in a ring he could wear and always have a weapon 'at hand' against Superman. The ring ended up in Batman's possession and Superman decided he wanted Batman to have it. If anything ever happened to Superman and he went out of control, the one person he knew could stop him was Batman. He felt Batman was the one person he could trust to keep the ring and not use it against him unless he had to. This just further showed the strength in their relationship.
 
As far as Superman is concerned, Bruce Wayne is dead. He was there when Darkseid blasted him with his omega beams and he brought his charred body back to the Batcave. Superman claimed that it was Bruce's body as he examined it down to its DNA. 
 
If Bruce was dead, who gets to keep the Kryptonite Ring? We can assume that Dick Grayson has it since he became Batman. Superman has worked with Dick in the past. I'm sure he knows Dick can be trusted, especially if Bruce chose him to be his successor. But does that mean Superman would still trust Dick with his life? All it takes is one mess up for an enemy to stumble across the ring in Dick's possession and Superman is done for. How many times has someone like Deathstroke gotten the better of him? 
 
My question is, if Bruce does in fact ever die for good, who would be Superman's number two choice to keep the ring. It can't be Lois since she's pretty much defenseless against Superman's enemies and I don't know if she could bring herself to use it against him if he was mind controlled. We've only really seen the deep friendship between Superman and Batman. I can't think of anyone that Superman would respect as much as he respects Bruce. Sure he's "pals" with Jimmy Olsen but come on, would you trust Jimmy with the ring? Maybe Wonder Woman?
 
Where is the ring right now? Does Dick carry it in a compartment in his utility belt? That's crazy too as we've seen Dick get beat. If someone beats Dick and takes his utility belt, they could stumble across the ring and do away with Superman. I'm surprised that crazy Jason Todd didn't try taking it when wandering around the Batcave right after Bruce's "death."
 
I hate to say that I don't have an answer to this right now. I'd have to really think about who Superman would trust as much as he trusts Bruce. Who do you think would be Superman's second choice?

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The_Ghostshell

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Edited By The_Ghostshell

Didn't Bruce have his utility belt when we first saw him drawing the bat symbol in that cave? It was draped over the dude on the floor. So I would assume Bruce himself still has the K-Ring as he still has the original utility belt.
 
As far as who would get it if he really died, I think Superman would keep it in the Fortress of Solitude. Both for safety as well as a reminder of Bruce.

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.Mistress Redhead.

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I am guessing he still has it, or its in the cave somewhere that only Alfred knows about so Jason could not find it, or did not think to look for it. 
 
I would guess maybe Wonder Woman? she has no worries about killing and is basically the third tire in the JL.

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Precise

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Edited By Precise

Doesn't Superman have a ring himself though? I seem to remember in the Superman/Batman comic where Supergirl is found, the arc drawn by Michael Turner, that Superman pulled out a kryptonite ring from his belt. And hit Supergirl with it. Although wetter it's canon or not, no idea.

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The_Ghostshell

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Edited By The_Ghostshell

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.Mistress Redhead.

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@Gambler: but who would take him down if needed?
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The_Ghostshell

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Edited By The_Ghostshell
@.Mistress Redhead. said:
" @Gambler: but who would take him down if needed? "
Well, I'm bias but I think Wonder Woman can take him down without the ring. Plus she already had some Kryptonite that Batman gave her (during her last fight with Superman she broke it out). Maybe she lost it during the battle, cant remember. Give it to Aquaman :P
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Precise

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Edited By Precise

Martian Manhunter now he's back could also be a candidate. Although I think he could take supes down without it.

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doordoor123

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Edited By doordoor123

batman never died.
Nor will he ever.

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RavenDark

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Edited By RavenDark

Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman shared a special connection comic-wise. So much so that it span the non-canon "Trinity"...Besides, they would have, between regular meetings of the JLA, have secret meetings amongst themselves...  So it is more logical to me that the choice would be Wonder Woman compared to Dick Grayson....
I always believed that Batman kept the ring in a lead safe, putting it in his utility belt only when he'd considered that he would need it (He was an excellent planer, and always was prepared for multiple outcome scenarios...)

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Kurrent

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Edited By Kurrent

Didn't Dick have a ring and used it on Superman already when he was training Ravager? It's been a few years but I think I remember something like that! I'll have to go back through my Nightwing books to confirm

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.Mistress Redhead.

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@Gambler said:
" @.Mistress Redhead. said:
" @Gambler: but who would take him down if needed? "
Well, I'm bias but I think Wonder Woman can take him down without the ring. Plus she already had some Kryptonite that Batman gave her (during her last fight with Superman she broke it out). Maybe she lost it during the battle, cant remember. Give it to Aquaman :P "
nah give it to Shiva, then we can finally get rid of Superman LMAO
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mattydeNero

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Edited By mattydeNero

This is a good ? because we still aren't for sure where Bruce is exactly.  In that Final Crisis image above Bruce clearly has his utility belt.  I always believed that Bruce was the kind of d-bag that would always keep it in his belt in a lead compartment.  I think that if it were serious enough, we would've already seen who's now got the ring.  As far as I'm concerned, you have to be nieve to think that there's only ONE k-ring that exists between heroes of the DCU.  Sure, Superman has a lot of friends, but deep down, you got to think that most of them would be scared ####less if Supes made a turn for the evil, so they would want protection.  My verdict is that Bats was too resourceful not to have duplicates.  Who knows?
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warlock360

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Edited By warlock360
@Precise said:
" Martian Manhunter now he's back could also be a candidate. Although I think he could take supes down without it. "
supes already has been and already admitted it LOL
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Precise

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Edited By Precise
@Voidheart: I know he has been, but i haven't seen what the ressurected MM can do... maybe he's weaker.
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Supreme Marvel

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Edited By Supreme Marvel

 Tim Drake
 Tim Drake
He's only improving all the time.
He's smarter than Dick.
Batman even said that he has the potential to be better than him.
" Tim Drake is not Bruce Wayne. He isn't Grayson, or even Damian. Drake is different...look behind his eyes. I suspect he's already won."  - Ra's al Ghul
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E.I.S.A.M.

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Edited By E.I.S.A.M.

I think that when Dick inherited the mantel, he inherited the K-ring. Superman would be fine with that, not out of friendship to Dick, but out of respect to Bruce's memory. If Bruce, whose not a very trusting person at all, trusted Dick enough to prepare him to be Batman, then Superman would have no arguments.   
@ G-Man
Honestly, they teamed up, Supes respects him, Deathstroke's a bad-a$$ by the way, so what's the problem? :/

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goldenkey

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Edited By goldenkey

I would think that since the trinity is WW, BM and SM it would go to WW.  Does Supes really even know Dick or Tim that well like he knows Bruce? 
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Nerd Of A Hero

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Edited By Nerd Of A Hero

Lex Luthor LOL XD. I'm sure he will use the kryptonite ring responsiply.  
But seriously, it should be Wonder Woman or Green Lantern (Hal Jordan).
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Caligula

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Edited By Caligula

 Martian Manhunter

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EisforExtinction

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Edited By EisforExtinction

Booster Gold

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raidenexe

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Edited By raidenexe

Didin't Earth 2 Superman use his heat vision to destroy Batman's kryptonite ring in Infinite Crisis?

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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O
@Supreme Marvel:
Totally agree.   
Wonder Woman would be the choice villains would THINK had the Kryptonite ring.  I doubt any of them would suspect Red Robin would have it, he's undercover and a bit unassuming which gives him the advantage.
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spiderguylll

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Edited By spiderguylll

I thought the ring was locked away in a vault in cave...but Dick can Stop Superman with the ring but I'm giving it to Wonder Woman for safe keeping.Why? Cause she can stuff it in her bra. if Someone trys to take it and they'll end up like Maxwell Lord...

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Obsurity

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Edited By Obsurity

I'm thinking Wonderwoman since she's a part of the Trinity. If Bruce has his utility belt it's probably with him. But if he's going through time as batman doesn't that mean he eventually loses it when he dies in that timeline?
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SUPER-MAN 23

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Edited By SUPER-MAN 23

I don't think they are going to put Dick and Superman against each other until Bruce comes back. But, I don't know who would keep the ring. Besides Bruce has a secret area where he has every single kryptonite in his cave. Superman does not know about that.

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Constantine

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Edited By Constantine

I reckon WW

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Son_of_Magnus

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Edited By Son_of_Magnus

There are multiple Kryptonite rings Batman has a couple tons of Kryptonite in his cave

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Jordanstine

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Edited By Jordanstine

DIE + BATMAN = Never goes to together

 
More important question:  Why would Batman ever die in the first place?  

http://www.comicvine.com/batman/29-1699/list-the-most-unbelievable-batman-survival-stories-youve-read/92-543105/#10     
 
^ Batman has survived being attacked by Superman, Darkseid, and even Marvel's own The Hulk.  
 
In fact, Bruce Wayne is going to out live everyone from Hal Jordan to Princess Diana and even Kal-El himself.  Even the New Gods don't got nothing on him!
 

 
 
Even obesity can't kill Batman.
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goldenkey

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Edited By goldenkey
@Caligula said:
" Martian Manhunter "

good one
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Fever

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Edited By Fever

Superman's number two... heh

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MrMiracle77

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Edited By MrMiracle77
@Kurrent said:
" Didn't Dick have a ring and used it on Superman already when he was training Ravager? It's been a few years but I think I remember something like that! I'll have to go back through my Nightwing books to confirm "
 
I'm not sure about Ravager's training, but Dick did show Superman a lead-lined "mystery box" in the later issues of the previous Outsiders series.  The box was revealed to the reader in the end as actually containing kryptonite, but Superman was left to wonder whether or not Nightwing now posed a real threat to him.
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deactivated-5c6600594117e

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Alfred sells it at the first annual Wayne family yard sale.
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KNIGHT SAVIOR

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Edited By KNIGHT SAVIOR

OTHER  THAN BRUCE , OF COURSE IT WOULD BE DIANA
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Edited By dondasch

Wonder Woman

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TheMess1428

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Edited By TheMess1428

First of all, Bruce always hid the ring away in the buckle of the utility belt. It was lead lined and locked. Not very many people even know that it opens. I'd say if he had to go on to choosing someone else, I'd say Steel. John Henry Irons would be great choice. Or Mon-El maybe. 
 
And as far as Dick Grayson having it, they showed Bruce in the cave with his utility belt so he probably still has it with him.

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warlock360

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Edited By warlock360
@Precise said:
" @Voidheart: I know he has been, but i haven't seen what the ressurected MM can do... maybe he's weaker. "
<.< that wouldn't make any conventional sense
 
plus in brightest day we see him lift some pretty neat structures.
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Dracade102

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Edited By Dracade102

I Read something about Lex losing his hand to Kryptonite Poisoning because of that damn ring... But Batman wasn't effected because of his Bat-armor... So I'd guess it would either be Tim Drake or Steel.
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G'bandit

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Edited By G'bandit
  @G~Man:

I'm sure he knows Dick can be trusted, especially if Bruce chose him to be his successor.


Well, not really :P 
 
 I remember you once reading us a very interesting part of a comic once in which Dick tells us why he didn't innmidietly take the Batman mantel and it was not because he didn't want to but because Bruce told him not too. So Bruce didn't wanted Dick to be Batman.. That I remember..
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Adam Michaels

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Edited By Adam Michaels

If there is one person other than Batman I see Superman trusting with that ring, it's Wonder Woman without question.  
 
Although I see her faltering because she's a superhero who is driven by her emotions, so she might be distracted enough emotionally to do what's necessary. Not saying that she wouldn't, but I can see her at least second guessing using the ring against Superman. Batman is a little more cutthroat than that. 
 
Honorable mentions for me would be Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern. However flawed Hal Jordan may be, he is honorable enough to respect the kryptonite ring's power over Superman and only use it under extreme situations. 
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cadaver

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Edited By cadaver

smash the ring into shards and give a shard to everyone so they don't fight over it.

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ComicStooge

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Edited By ComicStooge

You nkow what I never understood, if Superman can survive a Doomsday full of kyrptonite..what can a little ring do to him?

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trougedoor122

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Edited By trougedoor122
@Supreme Marvel said:

"

 Tim Drake
 Tim Drake
He's only improving all the time.
He's smarter than Dick.
Batman even said that he has the potential to be better than him.
" Tim Drake is not Bruce Wayne. He isn't Grayson, or even Damian. Drake is different...look behind his eyes. I suspect he's already won."  - Ra's al Ghul "

I totally agree with you, Tim Drake would be my best guess, since how in red robin #12...
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Supreme Marvel

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Edited By Supreme Marvel
@trougedoor122
Good job I didn't read the spoilers thing, I usually just open them. But I'm reading 12 now.
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lastdrag0n89

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Edited By lastdrag0n89

Martian Manhunter or wonder woman. Heck maybe even hal Jordan

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Gylan Thomas

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Edited By Gylan Thomas
@Dracade102 said:
" I Read something about Lex losing his hand to Kryptonite Poisoning because of that damn ring... But Batman wasn't effected because of his Bat-armor... So I'd guess it would either be Tim Drake or Steel. "
Bruce didn't wear the ring. He was just in charge of it.
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batmanfan0

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Edited By batmanfan0

Dick Grayson seems fine. Yeah he's been beat before, but so has Bruce. Dick has been a good batman so far, yeah he needed to get use to the batsuit but he's been a trust worthy person. If not than Wonder Woman. 

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GT-Man

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Edited By GT-Man

himself

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Blackestnight1

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Edited By Blackestnight1

Bruce probably hid it and booty trapped it.  He doesn't really need it as he already has so much hidden K in his cave. Batman was already prepared to deal with a superman who flips out. 
 
Superman's second choice would be MM because he'd already know where it is since he can read Bruce or Clark's minds. But he has weaknesses, most notably fire. The best choice after Batman would be WW she's immortal and going to out live them all. She's also immune to most magic, and doesn't have any outstanding weaknesses.   Plus with that ring she's waste him.

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Harlekin

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Edited By Harlekin

Clark is almost Dick's uncle.

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RiddlingGambit

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Edited By RiddlingGambit

The K-Ring was used by Batman in the "Hush" storyline to stall Superman who was under the control of Poison Ivy who had gotten K from Riddler I'm guessing.  
 
Now that Batman is dead I'm sure one of Batman's allies is holding it for the time being. It's unlikely Batman didn't mention the K Ring to someone.

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