There is a common argument that occurs as to who is the more superior super hero in regards to Batman and Superman. I would like to draw your attention to some of the finer details that I feel often go ignored.
For the record I would like to say that I am more fond of Batman because of all the gadgets. That said, I will not be focusing on the tools or abilities that the use, instead I will look at the methods.
Superman takes an almost lazy approach. He waits until he hears/smells/tastes/gets hit with/etc. something before he acts. From there he goes in and simply muscles his way through the problem. It works well for him. He always manages to prevent the disaster just in the nick of time and saves the world. This approach requires a pretty good dose of luck and good timing.
On the other hand, Batman takes a more investigative approach. He sneaks around at night spying on people and beating guys up in back alleys, learning as much as he can in the process. He seems to always suspect that someone is plotting something. Again he manages to prevent disaster just in the nick of time.
Now consider if the two were to switch tactics. Consider if Batman were to wait until something hit him. I think that it is unlikely that he would be able to prevent the disaster. Likewise, consider if Superman were to take the more proactive approach. All the villains and crooks would be beat up and in jail long before they could think of breaking the law.
Having said this, I must conclude that it is inappropriate to compare Superman to Batman. They are completely different heros with completely different modus operandi. If you really wish to compare heros, group them by “category” first. Compare Spiderman to Superman or Batman to Ironman. Compare superpowers to superpowers or gear to gear. Just as in science, you cannot compare meters to seconds. They are completely different units.
Now: Discuss!
01/31/2011 at 07:06
Qualifier: I have read exactly two Superman comics and one Batman comic in my entire life.
(Well, the depends on whether you count the weird Marvel-DC crossovers, and how you count the “Death of Superman” graphic novel and “Return of the Dark Knight” graphic novel.)
Anyway … I’ve never been impressed with Superman because he is borderline-omnipotent. He can fly, live in space, move super-fast, has near-infinite senses (including seeing through things), has his ludicrous strength, shoots heat rays, etc.. So, the guy with infinite power beats up some bad guys. Okay. Great. But … you know … not exactly brave, since no one can hurt him.
Batman, meanwhile, takes some work. He’s human. I compare him to Captain America, who has no real superpowers yet runs with the Avengers because he’s sufficiently brave and determined that he doesn’t let mortality stop him from facing down the same villains as Thor and Iron Man.