Batman vs. Superman

A lot of people really like Batman.

Of course it makes sense when you think about the recent success of the new Batman movies as compared to the total flop that Superman Returns was.  People can connect with Batman because, besides the fact that he's a billionaire, he is a totally normal guy without any super powers.  He wasn't bit by some radioactive spider, nor does he come from another planet.  He is simply portrayed as a man who is fed up with the degradation in his beloved city and so decides to use the talents and resources he has to fight it.  The fact that he does such a good job considering how human he is gives him a lot of credit.

It's easy to empathize with Batman as he lives a lonely life with only his butler knowing who he really is.  Sure he has friends both as Bruce Wayne and as Batman, but there is no one else who understands him as a whole person.  Batman's closest acquaintance - Commissioner Gordon - doesn't even know very much about him.  Many likewise feel that there is more to them than what their friends and acquaintances observe from the outside.  A lot of single men and women, like Batman, are also lonely because they don't have someone to share their lives with and who can understand all their intricacies.  Additionally, some like to think that there lingers a hero-in-waiting part of them deep inside just as Batman had it in him all along to rise above his socially elite status to become the selfless hero that Gotham needed.

Batman's weaknesses are pretty much the normal, everyday pressure points that people have.  He is a typical man who can get distracted at times, isn't always the smartest, nor the strongest but somehow finds a way to get the job done.  People see the same flaws in themselves and therefore look up to Batman and how he overcomes his challenges.

You see, an important difference between Batman and Superman is that essentially Superman is an alien and is therefore hard to connect with.  He may look like a normal guy, but the man can't get hurt by the normal things.  Bullets bounce off of his bare chest for crying out loud.  He is so good that he only has two weaknesses - Lois Lane and kryptonite.  With these two issues out of the picture, Superman would be absolutely perfect.  Those who choose Batman over Superman often site this as one of their main arguments.  They reason that Superman is too fictional and just plain boring because he seems so perfect.

Now let me explain a little why I have been and will be a loyal member of the Superman camp.

Superman is the most selfless superhero out there.  He comes from a planet that was destroyed and he never knew his parents.  He could have decided to be bitter and lived his life taking advantage of everybody around him because of his powers, but chose instead to use those powers to help these strangers.  Batman fights for his beloved city, while Superman protects a planet that is not his own.

Superman is a symbol of freedom and everything good.  Whenever you see that iconic "S" symbol, you may get a sense of patriotism and generally good feelings (unless you're a hater of course).  I believe that's because Superman fights for the same ideals that our founding fathers had.  He fights for those who are too weak to help themselves and he fights for the freedom to live in peace.  Of course, most super heroes have similar ideals, but Superman has always been the iconic symbol.

Superman has various references to Christ in his story.  I'm not being sacrilegious or anything, but I think the symbols are beautiful.  He was sent to earth as an only son from his father as a gift to humankind, and his powers are renewed from the light of the sun as Christ is the light of the world.

Superman doesn't decide to be a vigilante in order to help the world.  He doesn't need to make himself the scape goat for the world's problems while Batman purposefully makes the decision to become Gotham's Dark Knight.  Superman finds a way to be a symbol of good and hope while still being the hero the world needs.