In 1994, Gotham's Batman met with New York's latest brutal vigilante Spawn in an intercompany crossover between DC and Image Comics that joined Batman writer/artist Frank Miller with Spawn creator Todd McFarlane in one violent and entertaining issue. With both vigilantes investigating the same crime, the Dark Knight travels to New York where he meets and fights the former Al Simmons in a battle of discipline, strength, and skill that begs the essential question, who will win: Batman or Spawn?

In Batman/Spawn #1 - which appeared more in line with Miller's Dark Knight Returns universe than other depictions of the Dark Knight- Batman's patrol is ended by the attack of a powerful robot. Taking evidence back to the Batcave, Bruce follows the trail to New York City, where his investigation brings him to the alleys where the homeless ramble, drink, and tell stories about the spiritual protector/friend they call "Al". Their supernatural guardian  makes himself known when Spawn stops two men from lighting a homeless man on fire, seeing justice in using his powers to ensure they burn instead. Witnessing a murder firsthand, Batman introduces himself to Al with his usual dramatic entrance and an attack that might as well ring the bell on their fight.

Related: Spawn And Batman Are Friends In Mortal Kombat 11

In the beginning, Batman's usual attempts to incapacitate a foe do nothing as Al shows superhuman strength, stamina and dexterity. Realizing he doesn't have to hold back his punches, Bruce unleashes his batarangs while continuing to pummel Spawn with little to no effect. Spawn cheats a little by using his precious magic to make himself strong enough to beat up Batman. Realizing he's overpowered, the Dark Knight retreats temporarily while both men attempt to heal and lick their wounds, Batman taking the defeat the hardest when he realizes Spawn was holding back.

The two vigilantes confront each other later but instead of acting rationally or answering each other's questions, Miller writes his Dark Knight like an obsessed bully dying for some payback. Wearing a gauntlet that augments his strength and healing, Batman pummels Spawn back until he decides to fight dirty, each hero wasting more time and energy to the point where they're on the ground hurling insults in between gasps. This rematch ends in a draw when two cyborgs show up and attack Batman. Spawn is forced to use his magic to not only destroy the murderous machines but also to heal Batman's body. Batman and Spawn begrudgingly work together against their common enemy, accomplishing their goal of saving New York from a nuclear missile. Batman gives Spawn a laundry list of things he doesn't like about him and promises that they'll meet again, and this time the Dark Knight will be victorious. Instead of being a good sport, Miller's Batman continues to be unable to admit Spawn has won, proving Al is also the better man by ignoring Spawn's compliments, honesty, and offer to bury the hatchet. Instead, he hurls a batarang at Spawn's face.

Originally it was believed that Spawn chose to sew up the resulting scar with a pair of shoelaces, although this was retconned later. The shoelaces themselves would become a powerful magical artifact that was coveted by one of Spawn's allies but besides that, the events of this crossover were never mentioned even by the second Batman/Spawn crossover later that year. Although one can argue that Spawn cheated more than once in his fight against Batman, the Dark Knight's behavior is so over-the-top and uncharacteristically aggressive that you have to award Spawn the win, if only because he was the only one to emerge with his dignity intact.

Next: Batman vs Predator: Can Marvel Ever Top DC's Crossover?