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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2015 9:25:16 GMT -5
When I was swimming my 18 laps today, I've came to the conclusion that overall the appeal of Superman is far too great to overcome. To me Superman is George Reeves who did 5 plus seasons, combine that with Dean Cain 4, and attraction of Christopher Reeve of who I consider the best Superman out there - Batman on the other hand had Adam West's 3, and five actors (Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney, Bale, and later Affleck) never had any stability in this franchise and having said that - I haven't read a Batman and/or Superman Comic Book in 20 years - that's right members 20 years!
Because of that - I consider the trifecta of George Reeves, Dean Cain, and Christopher Reeves is hard to beat. Besides hondobrode's comments rings true and having said that - SUPERMAN gets my vote! ... Shocking but true!
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Post by Randle-El on Sept 3, 2015 11:14:31 GMT -5
Superman for me. I could never take Batman seriously. We're told he's just a normal guy, then nearly every issue has him doing impossible things that not even a 'peak human' could do (you try grabbing a rope while falling from a roof and carrying someone, see if your arm stays in it's socket). With Superman, the suspension of belief was paraded loud and clear up front. Agreed. I often hear people describe the appeal of Batman as due to his being a normal person without powers. And while the suspension of disbelief required for his level of training, preparedness, cunning, determination, and physical conditioning has varied over the years, under certain writers Batman's so-called human abilities are elevated to levels that require the same suspension of disbelief as if he had powers. Considering some of the feats he has pulled off, he might as well have been superhuman. I much prefer Batman. But I can see the Golden Age appeal of Superman. It's just something that I don't think fits as well with what DC is doing these days (by "these days" I mean my entire life). I think Superman might be better suited today as a period piece like a Dynamite pulp. Perpetually taking place circa 1940. Same with movies. Want to make a hit Superman movie? Set it in a Road To Perdition backdrop. They did that a few years ago. It was called Captain America: The First Avenger. :-) (I've made that joke a couple of times on this board, but I still can't over the fact that Marvel put out a better Superman than the actual Superman as currently done by DC/Warner.) |
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Post by fanboystranger on Sept 3, 2015 11:18:05 GMT -5
Superman, by a lot. His stories have always been about making adult decisions and doing the right thing. Batman (especially lately) is about holding onto your childhood tramau. Honestly, I see Batman's current greater-than-Superman popularity as a symptom of first world coddled baby "My Pain is SO IMPORTANT" syndrome. (And, conversely, since Superman acts like a grown-up they think that they can't possibly relate to him.) I've never seen Doctor Phil, but for some reason I blame Doctor Phil. I don't know if it's about "my pain being so important", so much as the fantasy of Batman lets one indulge in some darker impulses without consequence. With Batman, you can indulge your otherwise impotent rage at the world by fighting crime at night, but also don't have to worry about bills or a mortgage because you're a billionaire. It's like a total escape from the responsiblities of real life, but still has a "realistic" veneer. Whereas Superman isn't particularly realistic at all as a superhero, but at least in his modern connotation, Clark Kent has a lot of adult responisibilities and trappings. Clark Kent is an average guy with regular responsibilities-- he's kinda any other working stiff with a job and an apartment and occasional romantic trouble and loneliness-- and he chooses to live this way. You don't really escape those elements of real life with a Superman comic as you do with a Batman comic. That's kinda why I prefer Superman. I'm not sure it's truly any more adult than Batman as a concept, but I know I'd have faith in Superman taking my (imaginary) kids on a camping trip or picking up my mail and watering my plants when I'm out of town or helping shovel the sidewalks when there's a snowstorm. Superman is someone you'd want as a friend. Batman, not so much. |
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Post by MDG on Sept 3, 2015 12:46:17 GMT -5
I went with Batman, but with two caveats: - I don't think I've read a Batman or Superman story from after 1993 or so
- At this point I don't see myself ever reading or re-reading a Batman or Superman story from after 1975
But with those limits, I find more Batman stories enjoyable to read (unless I'm in the mood for Weisingerish goofiness). As to "My pain is so important...": Not part of my Batman. It might've been the initial impetus for his actions, but he quickly saw his role in a larger, more societal context. |
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Post by hondobrode on Sept 3, 2015 13:37:37 GMT -5
Another thing about this is their homes.
Both are extremely cool, but to me, the Fortress of Solitude is even more awe-inspiring and mind-bending than the Batcave, what with the Superman robots, the gigantic key, Kandor, the Phantom Zone projector, and intergalactic stuff like Kryptonian artifacts, time travel, other dimensions, etc.
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Post by Reptisaurus! on Sept 3, 2015 14:57:42 GMT -5
Superman, by a lot. His stories have always been about making adult decisions and doing the right thing. Batman (especially lately) is about holding onto your childhood tramau. Honestly, I see Batman's current greater-than-Superman popularity as a symptom of first world coddled baby "My Pain is SO IMPORTANT" syndrome. (And, conversely, since Superman acts like a grown-up they think that they can't possibly relate to him.) I've never seen Doctor Phil, but for some reason I blame Doctor Phil. A grown-up? Superman?? The character spent the entire Silver Age using his godlike powers and abilities to play puerile practical jokes on the people who were supposed to be his best friends!  Bah. Supes was trying to do the right thing by leading his friends to live a more moral life. The idea of "doing the right thing" varies A LOT depending on who was writing (or in this case editing) the books. This is one of the more interesting aspects of Superman. I'm sure that from Mort Weissinger's point of view*, Superman was making adult, morally correct decisions. * Note that Mort had a bit of a reputation for being a jerk. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Sept 3, 2015 15:01:15 GMT -5
A grown-up? Superman?? The character spent the entire Silver Age using his godlike powers and abilities to play puerile practical jokes on the people who were supposed to be his best friends! Bah. Supes was trying to do the right thing by leading his friends to live a more moral life. The idea of "doing the right thing" varies A LOT depending on who was writing (or in this case editing) the books. This is one of the more interesting aspects of Superman. I'm sure that from Mort Weissinger's point of view*, Superman was making adult, morally correct decisions. * Note that Mort had a bit of a reputation for being a jerk. A bit??? |
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Post by pinkfloydsound17 on Sept 3, 2015 16:43:01 GMT -5
I still to this day cannot relate to Superman. Which is odd because I love the idea of powers and abilities that all superheroes have. With him though, I just find him too indestructible. His limitations are not there. Batman you see him take a beating and, granted, the amount he can endure is often a bit much but I feel like if they wanted to, they could kill Bruce Wayne. I cannot see that with superman. Plus I feel like Batman has a reason, a drive. I find his character more interesting than Superman. Of all the DC heroes I find him, Flash and Green Lantern the hardest to connect with and enjoy.
That and I have yet to see a Superman cover (outside a few done by Neal Adams and Jim Lee) that say grab me and read me. No disrespect but I am not a big Curt Swan fan and find that time period very simplistic. I like Superman as a side character...this mythical being greater than everyone and makes the odd appearance but I know I will never be able to get into reading Action Comics or Superman from any era. The old stuff is too campy and anything from the 70's to now is just not as intriguing as batman which is why I stick with the Dark Knight.
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Post by pinkfloydsound17 on Sept 3, 2015 16:46:09 GMT -5
Again don't get me wrong, as a comics fan I have huge respect for Superman. He is the original superhero. I just feel that the hero idea was vastly improved upon by Marvel and that Batman has spawned much more intriguing stories, villains and entertainment that ole Clark Kent.
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Post by hondobrode on Sept 4, 2015 0:08:20 GMT -5
Part of Superman's appeal is, to me, what a lot of people don't like about Superman : he's god-like and practically invulnerable, yes, but it's his restraint and staying firm with what's right that's appealing.
Yes, he could rule the world, but he doesn't.
Despite being super-strong and able to do amazing things, he's still vulnerable to emotion and constraints on those around him.
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Post by Cei-U! on Sept 4, 2015 8:47:29 GMT -5
Since probably a third of my comic collection features Batman (or a team he belongs to), I can't credibly answer any other way. I like Superman just fine (and as a kid my fantasies leaned more towards that kind of power) but his comics just don't do it for me the way Bats' do.
Cei-U!
I summon the Darknight Detective!
Aside to hondo: Throughout Superboy's pre-Crisis history, Smallville was on the East Coast, about 40 miles northwest of Metropolis. It was the '78 movie that first placed it in Kansas.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2015 10:12:03 GMT -5
Despite being super-strong and able to do amazing things, he's still vulnerable to emotion and constraints on those around him. That's the beauty of SUPERMAN 2 - Of where Superman was battling not just 1 villain but 3 in that movie and what you said here hit me like a ton of bricks. But, he managed to out-think (With the help of Luthor) them at the end and restore order. His emotions was running high and faced many odds/problems (constraints) and that's made him more human and that's makes him more attractive hero than Batman. |
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Post by crazyoldhermit on Sept 4, 2015 13:26:54 GMT -5
Batman by a pretty wide margin.
Just inherently a much deeper character. A lot of the latter-day interpretations and explanations of Superman have always felt like a stretch. The whole "he's an alien thats alone on this world" and "he's tormented by not being able to help everyone" arguments feel like they're working too hard to convince me while I've never needed to be sold on Batman. The body of work speaks for itself.
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Post by hondobrode on Sept 4, 2015 16:02:08 GMT -5
Since probably a third of my comic collection features Batman (or a team he belongs to), I can't credibly answer any other way. I like Superman just fine (and as a kid my fantasies leaned more towards that kind of power) but his comics just don't do it for me the way Bats' do. Cei-U! I summon the Darknight Detective! Aside to hondo: Throughout Superboy's pre-Crisis history, Smallville was on the East Coast, about 40 miles northwest of Metropolis. It was the '78 movie that first placed it in Kansas. I didn't know that Kurt ! |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 5, 2015 19:25:46 GMT -5
I think I probably identify with Clark Kent on a more personal level than I do with Batman( the whole out sider with a heart of gold angle) but in my mind Batman has been the more consistently well written character so I went with him as there is a just an overwhelming majority of great books with Batman in them than there are Superman.
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