Previous Post Quote: A hero who is as omnipotent as Superman is boring as hell. There would be no conflict in the world. Any war, he could sweep in and single-handedly end it if this book had an iota of realism to it. Plus, he works at a newspaper company full of journalists who can't tell that this reporter looks exactly like Superman, except with glasses. Yeah, okay. The argument that Superman is boring because he's omnipotent is weak, because all the iconic heroes are treated that way. Batman can never be outsmarted, Wolverine is the biggest badass, the Hulk's "the strongest one there is", etc. The only guy who breaks the mold is Spider-Man, and that's because he's meant to be a putz. Really, of all the big superheroes I'd say Superman is the one who gets his head handed to him most, for the simple fact writers bend over backward to avoid the "omnipotent" stigma.

I don't see the analogy.

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.

Hulk, while not my cup of tea, at least has the duality and pain of his uncontrollable transformations into Bruce Banner and the fact he can't control this monster inside of him. Some things the Hulk did were not always good and Bruce was as much at war with the Hulk as he was with external enemies.

Wolverine USED to be interesting, back when his healing-factor was reasonable, but now it seems it will heal anything and that makes him boring like Superman. When nothing can hurt you, all elements of suspense and danger leaves the book.

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.