It’s a fanboy’s debate topic as old as the medium. Superman the Last of Krypton and Batman the Dark Knight; both iconic and everlasting character who stand the test of time. But after this there comes the question on who can stay afloat. Batman has practically become synonymous with DC more than Superman ever has; even the the initials of the company come from his original source Detective Comics. Is Batman just a better character? Is he the favorite child? Or is Superman just too hard a character to write? At Comic Comparisons, that’s what we try to highlight.
Superman in Action (Comics)
Superman is the quintessential superhero character; he lays the foundation for characters who comes after. As a character it’s all about adapting to the times the way an immigrant does. Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel create this character after a lot of trial and error. Over the years, DC’s iconic retroactive continuity even begins to form. Where does Jimmy Olsen first appear? Technically Superman #13 but after a radio show, he becomes the kid in Action Comics #6. Is that why he doesn’t have the double L initials? After both J.S.’s sell off Superman, other creators would help develop the character each with their own tastes and changes. Sometimes it’s introducing villains, other times it’s bringing out more development.
Action Comics #1000 is the culmination of all things Superman. From how he influences the people around him to be better like a criminal during the first issue; to the complex relationships he has with the world like with Lex Luthor and Mister Mxyzptlk. It also brings up the duality of Clark Kent and Superman. Growing up with Ma and Pa Kent allows Clark to grow up with the humility of a human. Superman however is the result of accepting his heritage while using the lessons of the Kents to do good.
The World’s Greatest Detective Comics
Superman’s creation is in reaction to the Great Depression, someone to give hope for in the worst of times. A not so known fact is that the J.S.’s help in creating the first issue of Detective Comics. But in two years, Superman’s popularity push other publishers to create their own superheroes. Bob Kane and Billy Finger after some guidance bring forth Batman, a superhero detective. Unlike the Man of Steel, Batman is about a man struggling to make travesties into hope. In this way, it’s like Batman is a symbol of someone trying to catch up with Superman.
It’s these struggles that make Batman such an interesting character. Like Superman, Batman changes with the times. Originally just a change of pace from the hardboiled detectives; Batman develops further. The iconic gadgets, his origin, the advent of Robin, and his Rogues Gallery. It’s also where characters start to cross over with J’onn J’onzz being the first of many.
The Light that Casts the Shadow
Issue #1000 brings out the highlights of the Dark Knight and Gotham as a whole. Batman isn’t merely a story of using trauma as motivation; but finding hope where you can even if it has to be remade. Bruce has the gun that killed his parents remade into a protective layer under the Bat insignia. The Robins and the rest of the Bat family also represent an important hope for the Dark Knight. Sometimes those hopes are more literal than figurative; Bruce wishes for a family and hope in a struggle that might not ever occur. But that wish is certainly worth fighting for.
That’s not to say the darker aspects of Batman are not inside. Warren Ellis delivers a story that shows off Batman without the need to hold back. This reminds the reader that Batman is still human and can enjoy himself. While people do not always enjoy the ultra-prep Batman, it displays how much of a reactionary force he is. His skills as a detective display a title he deserves. Then there are his relationships with the Rogue’s Gallery; Penguin doesn’t even look like a joke in Bendis’ story.
The Future of Action and Detective Comics
What really separates these collections are the previews into the newer stories with creative teams. Action Comics with a new writer in Brian Michael Bendis introduces Rogol Zaar, a villain with unoriginal motivations. Needless to say, the fans hate this threat from nowhere. No one even knows Zaar’s intentions, just that he hates Krypton for some reason. In fact, random events in later chapters make this inclusion even worse. People really find his work as more improvisation than anything else. Bendis’ only saving grace is the buildup of Leviathan.
Peter J. Tomasi on the other hand reassures his place in Detective Comics after some prior work. Unlike Bendis who introduces brand new characters for whatever the situation; Tomasi reintroduces the Arkham Knight from the Batman Arkham video games. Unlike Zaar who is just an extremist xenophobe; Tomasi has the Arkham Knight be a foil in both behavior and methods to Batman. He fixes the issues of the Arkham Knight from the game by ensuring that he is a separate character; non-essential spoiler alert, the Arkham Knight in the game is Jason before he becomes Red Hood.
Overhyped?
Brian Michael Bendis is a high profile creator who works best with Crime Drama and teenagers dealing with self-discovery. In fact, his time in Detective Comics #1000 is an overall improvement in comparison to his Superman stories. For a character like Superman after Tomasi’s time with him; it seems out of his element. Bendis’ ‘Slow Burn’ just feels like improv in these situations. At least his Jinxworld and Wonder Comics imprints are a huge step in the right direction. But that’s not exactly, his fault; Superman is a very difficult character to write about.
Tomasi after stepping away from Superman returns to Batman with a full understanding of the character. To create an adventure worthy of celebration, he re-integrates Arkham Knight into a genuine mystery. A lot of fans are aware of the more toxic sides of Batman; this is actually Arkham Knight’s motivation against Bruce. Unlike Zaar who can’t see Superman other than as a Kryptonian he hates; Arkham Knight personally feels that Batman is a villain. He even gathers followers as a more militaristic squad of Robins. All the while forcing Batman out of his element.
So Who’s Got it Better?
But just remember it’s not about who’s a better character; it’s about knowing what they represent and how people interpret those people. Superman has essentially no struggles when it comes to being a superhero; most of the time when he does it feels more forceful in the creative department. Superman as a character is a role model and his struggles are more about living with different people. Even a man who can do anything is afraid of being lonely.
Batman tends to be more compelling because his struggles are more grounded in reality. He’s one of the only people who tries to find the good in his home of Gotham. But he can’t do the job alone and has to reach out to people who share those sentiments. Batman feels more human than Superman; yet they each encompass different sides of the human spirit. For Superman, it’s the proof that things can be better; and for Batman it’s the struggle to be better.
Thanks for coming and as always, remember to look between the panels.