Previous Post Quote: I don't see the analogy. Quote: There's a difference between having a genius level IQ (Bats) and being an invulnerable God (Supes). What levels the playing-field for Batman, is he's a normal man with none of the powers that other heroes have. He can be hurt easily. Sometimes smarts aren't enough to save yourself from a physically damaging encounter (see Bane). He only his wits to rely on and that's what makes him so compelling. And just because he's smart in one way, doesn't mean he's mentally incapable in others (see his social interaction with women). I liken him to a contemporary Sherlock Holmes. Superman isn't an invulnerable god. He takes his lumps plenty. From villains just as powerful as he is. Or have advanced enough tech. Or use magic. Or, you know, kryptonite. In his last movie Superman needs to be saved from certain death by a couple of mere mortals. I don't recall Batman having these kinds of problems in "The Dark Knight". Watch the finale of Justice League Unlimited, where after he gives his famous "World of Cardboard" speech while knocking Darkseid all over Metropolis, he still gets taken down by the New God and its up to Lex Luthor to save the day. And the comics have just as many examples. Superman isn't any more unstoppable than the other A-list heroes; he just gets more flak for it, mostly by people who don't actually follow the character's adventures. Quote: Spider-Man used to be awesome. His current book is crap. But that has more to do with the writing than the core of the character. I love the current run on Spidey, Green Goblin tattoos aside. Slott is writing fun stories about actual superheroing, which is rare in the market nowadays.

I've tried reading Superman and haven't enjoyed it at all. I always found the kryptonite thing to be a crutch too. ("Okay, we need an element of danger... let's use kryptonite! It will be purple colored this time!") Every time Batman or Spidey even take down a mugger there's a risk. With Supes, it seems there's only danger when there's a hidden brick of kryptonite conveniently around. Okay, so there are some others who might match Supes in the strength category, but they are always other-worldly beings like Doomsday or Dark-Seid and I can't relate to their motivations, personality or code of morality at all. That is a personal taste thing though. I've always hated cosmic entities in comics.

I also don't find his civilian ID compelling at all. I'm sorry, but Superman is like a God. If you were Supes, you would never find the need to be Clark Kent. The whole concept just feels disingenuous and odd. He's not grounded at all and heroes like Spidey came up in reaction to these omnipotent heroes like Supes who had no flaws. Plus, I'm sorry Nats and anyone else, but I'll never get over the leap in logic of Clark not being suspected as Supes at all just because he slouches and puts on glasses. Lois Lane must be a crap investigative reporter if she didn't know for years that her co-worker was the same guy who kept rescuing her every time she went building diving. It's a conceit I just can't buy.


Look, different strokes for different folks. You've explained why you like Supes. I've explained why I don't. No need to keep going back and forth. I understand people have different tastes and like you I'm pretty set in my opinion about Big Blue.