20 Feb 2026

What constitutes a superhero?

From Nights, 8:10 pm on 20 February 2026

If you were tuned in on Tuesday night you would have heard the RNZ Nights quiz kicked off with a question regarding Adam West who played superhero Batman.

Not long after we received a message from a Nights listener which claimed that to be a superhero, one has to have superpowers. 

It went on to say that Batman has no superpowers he only has a square chin & a bunch of gadgets, hence Batman is not a superhero.

So, we decided to call in an expert to settle this once and for all. 

Auckland-based comic book enthusiast and superman superfan Stein Dando joins Emile Donovan.

Adam West as Batman in the 1960s television series.

Adam West as Batman in the 1960s television series. Photo: AFP