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Warning: Spoilers for Challengers of the Unknown #3
Many consider Batman to be DC Comics‘ smartest hero thanks to his impeccable detective work and analytical mind. However, another contender has arisen among the Justice League’s ranks, and even Bruce Wayne is willing to acknowledge how intelligent he is. In fact, every iconic genius in DC lore has shown their respect for this lesser-known hero, proving that he could very well be the smartest of them all.
Prof Haley could become the smartest hero in DC Comics’ extensive roster of characters if he put his mind to it, and he’d certainly have Batman’s approval.
In a preview for Challengers of the Unknown #3 by Christopher Cantwell, Sean Izaakse, Amancay Nahuelpan, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Walter Haley – a member of the titular team that has joined the Justice League’s ranks – walks the corridors of the Watchtower and gets greeted by many intelligent DC heroes, from Batman to Mister Terrific.
What stands out about these interactions is that the characters all refer to Walter as “Prof”, a nickname he’s earned due to his intellect. Even DC’s sharpest minds recognize Prof Haley’s genius, demonstrating how smart this overlooked hero truly is.
The Challengers of the Unknown’s Resident Genius Has Earned Batman’s Respect
DC’s Best and Brightest All Acknowledge Prof Haley’s Intelligence
The immense wealth of knowledge held by DC’s smartest characters isn’t to be underestimated, as they’re essentially the brains behind the Justice League’s overall operation. Batman, most notably, has cemented himself as one of the most intelligent heroes around due to his keen eye for solving mysteries and his photographic memory that allows him to grasp information for extended periods of time. With that being said, Batman isn’t the only intellectual powerhouse within the Justice League, much less the vast DC Universe in general, yet every hero who possesses above-average intelligence agrees that the Challengers of the Unknown’s Prof is worthy of their respect.
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The other heroes who use Prof Haley’s title include Mister Terrific, Cyborg, and both Blue Beetles. Mister Terrific has risen to prominence due to his renowned genius, boasting fourteen PhDs on top of founding the high-tech company known as Terrifitech. Furthermore, Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle leads his own corporation called Kord Industries, whereas Jaime Reyes’ has the brains to harness his scarab in innovative ways. Meanwhile, the Titans’ Cyborg is a technological genius, which lends itself to his robotic upgrades. These DC characters honoring Prof Haley’s genius solidifies him as a hero on their level, though he also has one advantage over them all.
Prof Haley’s Sole Focus on His Intelligence Helps Him Stand Out Among DC’s Geniuses
Without Godlike Powers, This Underrated DC Hero Relies on His Mind Alone
As part of the Challengers of the Unknown, Walter “Prof” Haley dedicates himself to investigating unusual phenomena across the DC Universe. Therefore, it only makes sense that he’s developed such immense intelligence as a result of the studying and analysis he’s conducted. Even the Atoms – who are smart enough to lead the Atom Project and restore heroes’ switched powers – rely on Prof to provide a model of their dataset, which they compliment. Prof Haley could become the smartest hero in DC Comics‘ extensive roster of characters if he put his mind to it, and he’d certainly have Batman‘s approval.
Challengers of the Unknown #3 is available February 19th, 2025 from DC Comics!
“}]] One Justice League hero is smarter than Batman. Read More