Batman more popular then Superman?

[Peyton Westlake]

Is it possible to say Batman is more popular then Superman in America's eyes? As of now , July 22, Superman Returns stands at $170 million to Batman Begins $205 million. You can argue that Superman may not hit 200 million here in the U.S. or even beat Batman's haul. Another 35 million to rack up is quite a chore, even for Superman. So does this mean the Dark Knight is the fave in America's eyes? Maybe we root for the badboy more then the boy scout?

[Kevin Roegele]

Is it possible to say Batman is more popular then Superman in America's eyes? As of now , July 22, Superman Returns stands at $170 million to Batman Begins $205 million. You can argue that Superman may not hit 200 million here in the U.S. or even beat Batman's haul. Another 35 million to rack up is quite a chore, even for Superman. So does this mean the Dark Knight is the fave in America's eyes? Maybe we root for the badboy more then the boy scout?

Spider-Man is the fave in America's eyes right now.

[Lucid]

----

[ShadowBoxing]

Batman Begins was a better film, plain and simple. By BOX Office returns it would seem that X-Men, Spider-Man, PotC and Shrek are more iconic and popular than both the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel combined. However this is not the case. Batman and Superman have been and will be remembered possibly for over a century, maybe longer. Their popularity and status lies not in their movies or their comics but in the fact that they were the first of their kind and exist as the template and benchmark by which all other heroes will be measured.

[jusblaze21]

I personally enjoyed Superman Returns more than Batman Begins. But I do think that Batman Begins was the better film. And I would say Batman is more popular than Supes nowadays.

[LadyVader]

Batman is not more popular. But he is cooler. ;)

[GL1]

Batman is FAR more popular... he's DC's Wolverine in many cases (thought a bit less overexposed, and more justified in his exposure).

[chiefchirpa]

Superman is way more popular. You have to see from the point of view of all people, not just comic geeks. I may like Batman more, but any non-comic dude from India or Argentina has to recognize Superman more.

That being said, Superman Returns have a couple of strikes against it
1. Costume color is way to drab. Superman needs bright Red. Remember Spiderman, Singer?
2. Story is lame and there's not much action. Heck, if they have giant Metallo like the one that EA game will have, that will make people more interested.
3. Poor trailer, showing #2.
4. POTC 2.

Batman Begins, on the other hand, is one cohesive action-thriller. It kept me on my seat from the start to the end.

[DarKush]

Interesting question:

Batman is certainly seen as a cooler character than Superman in fandom. Batman fit very well into the darker, anti-hero 90's than Superman did.

Batman has also had more recent box office success, his string of five movies coming in a shorter time frame than Superman's. Conversely, Superman has done better on TV recently, with Superboy, Lois & Clark, and Smallville. The Batman-related, Birds of Prey didn't do so well.

Batman can only claim cartoons, BTAS, Batman Beyond, and The Batman. But Superman has had STAS, and both characters share in the success of JL/JLU.

Robin is on Teen Titans. But there's Krypto's cartoon. Plus a Superboy is supposed to be in the Legion of Heroes cartoon.

Their track record doesn't seem to place Batman over Superman all that much. Even though I think Batman is a more relatable character, due to his humanity, angst, demons, and his internal motivation.

However, Smallville has gone a great way in giving Clark more internal motivation and angst, while introducing a whole new legion of fans to the Superman mythos.

So, I think it's pretty much a draw in popularity. What gives Batman Begins the edge is that it was a better movie than Returns, and it was more cheaply made.

The performance anxiety aspect of Superman Returns is helping to give it a 'loser' taint even though it is performing so-so at the box office.

BB was also helped in that it was a reboot that got back to basics and gave a lot of fans disappointed in Batman & Robin a chance to see a depiction of Batman more closely tied to the way he is currently in the comics.

SR miscalculated in trying to emulate the Donner films too much, ignoring a lot of Superman's recent comic depiction and development. Take some aspects, but tell a different, more modern tale. That's what Donner did. He took some aspects of the Supes comics, other media, but told it with 70s sensibilities. That's the real lesson that Singer failed to pick up on.

Plus, his cast was lackluster for the most part. There's not a lot in the film that makes you want to watch it again, that has you cheering, laughing, or pumping your fist in the air. BB doesn't have a lot of that either, however Batman is a darker, more brooding character by nature. I wasn't expecting that when I went into BB, but I was hoping for it when I went into SR.

[Peyton Westlake]

Interesting question:

Batman is certainly seen as a cooler character than Superman in fandom. Batman fit very well into the darker, anti-hero 90's than Superman did.

Batman has also had more recent box office success, his string of five movies coming in a shorter time frame than Superman's. Conversely, Superman has done better on TV recently, with Superboy, Lois & Clark, and Smallville. The Batman-related, Birds of Prey didn't do so well.

Batman can only claim cartoons, BTAS, Batman Beyond, and The Batman. But Superman has had STAS, and both characters share in the success of JL/JLU.

Robin is on Teen Titans. But there's Krypto's cartoon. Plus a Superboy is supposed to be in the Legion of Heroes cartoon.

Their track record doesn't seem to place Batman over Superman all that much. Even though I think Batman is a more relatable character, due to his humanity, angst, demons, and his internal motivation.

However, Smallville has gone a great way in giving Clark more internal motivation and angst, while introducing a whole new legion of fans to the Superman mythos.

So, I think it's pretty much a draw in popularity. What gives Batman Begins the edge is that it was a better movie than Returns, and it was more cheaply made.

The performance anxiety aspect of Superman Returns is helping to give it a 'loser' taint even though it is performing so-so at the box office.

BB was also helped in that it was a reboot that got back to basics and gave a lot of fans disappointed in Batman & Robin a chance to see a depiction of Batman more closely tied to the way he is currently in the comics.

SR miscalculated in trying to emulate the Donner films too much, ignoring a lot of Superman's recent comic depiction and development. Take some aspects, but tell a different, more modern tale. That's what Donner did. He took some aspects of the Supes comics, other media, but told it with 70s sensibilities. That's the real lesson that Singer failed to pick up on.

Plus, his cast was lackluster for the most part. There's not a lot in the film that makes you want to watch it again, that has you cheering, laughing, or pumping your fist in the air. BB doesn't have a lot of that either, however Batman is a darker, more brooding character by nature. I wasn't expecting that when I went into BB, but I was hoping for it when I went into SR.

That is very true. Superman Returns I couldn't wait to see, I guess I was expecting more though...it seemed to lag or maybe just have a story that didn't go anywhere. I won't be in a rush to see it agiain. Its a shame because they could have re-launched Superman like they did with Batman.

[ShadowBoxing]

Batman is FAR more popular... he's DC's Wolverine in many cases (thought a bit less overexposed, and more justified in his exposure).I think you have a very skewed view on things. Most people don't know superheroes, period. Most, I'd wager 99% of people, would not understand what "DC's Wolverine" even meant, in fact most I talk to don't know the difference between the two companies. However they do know Superman and Batman. Superman is still more popular though. He reaches to farther points of the globe and has created several popular characters based on him including Goku, Samaritan, Mr Incredible, and Apollo. Furthermore he has a town devoted to him (I think actually two at this point). Superman is not merely a comic character, or movie character. In fact he was voted the second "Greatest American Icon" and the "Most recognizable comic character in history". Superman, unlike Batman, has transcended media. Word in the english langauge like "Superhero, Super-power and Superman" exist because he does.

[Steelsheen]

Interesting question:

Batman is certainly seen as a cooler character than Superman in fandom. Batman fit very well into the darker, anti-hero 90's than Superman did.

Batman has also had more recent box office success, his string of five movies coming in a shorter time frame than Superman's. Conversely, Superman has done better on TV recently, with Superboy, Lois & Clark, and Smallville. The Batman-related, Birds of Prey didn't do so well.

Batman can only claim cartoons, BTAS, Batman Beyond, and The Batman. But Superman has had STAS, and both characters share in the success of JL/JLU.

Robin is on Teen Titans. But there's Krypto's cartoon. Plus a Superboy is supposed to be in the Legion of Heroes cartoon.

Their track record doesn't seem to place Batman over Superman all that much. Even though I think Batman is a more relatable character, due to his humanity, angst, demons, and his internal motivation.

However, Smallville has gone a great way in giving Clark more internal motivation and angst, while introducing a whole new legion of fans to the Superman mythos.

So, I think it's pretty much a draw in popularity. What gives Batman Begins the edge is that it was a better movie than Returns, and it was more cheaply made.

The performance anxiety aspect of Superman Returns is helping to give it a 'loser' taint even though it is performing so-so at the box office.

BB was also helped in that it was a reboot that got back to basics and gave a lot of fans disappointed in Batman & Robin a chance to see a depiction of Batman more closely tied to the way he is currently in the comics.

SR miscalculated in trying to emulate the Donner films too much, ignoring a lot of Superman's recent comic depiction and development. Take some aspects, but tell a different, more modern tale. That's what Donner did. He took some aspects of the Supes comics, other media, but told it with 70s sensibilities. That's the real lesson that Singer failed to pick up on.

Plus, his cast was lackluster for the most part. There's not a lot in the film that makes you want to watch it again, that has you cheering, laughing, or pumping your fist in the air. BB doesn't have a lot of that either, however Batman is a darker, more brooding character by nature. I wasn't expecting that when I went into BB, but I was hoping for it when I went into SR.

thats a really good post dude :up: nice how you covered as much of the different incarnations of both characters in live media. one thing though, i did find SR to have a rewatchability factor, i've seen it four times, 3 of which are on IMAX. maybe its the the way the sound is blaring in your ears and that everything is bigger than life. awe factor on a different level :up:

[Chaos Bringer]

Superman returns was Super Boring but good looking.
Batman Begins was a great movie.

[Peyton Westlake]

And for some reason, it didn't even feel like Superman was pitted against Lex. Very disconnected in how it all went about.

[mathhater]

IMO, Superman is the greatest superhero, but in all likelyhood, I'd say that Spider-Man and Batman are probably more popular amongst the masses.

[That-Guy]

Batman Begins was easily the better movie... but if I remember correctly, they took a poll 5 or so years ago with superhero fans and Batman was voted the most popular out of all. I think these days, people still like Superman and think he's cool, but face it folks... kids these days are more prone to dig dark, violent stuff. Batman fits into that a lot more easily than Superman does. True, Batman isn't a Punisher-esque killer, but he doesn't have any problem bashing someone's head in or using contraversial tactics as a means to an end. Superman is a lot more "by the book" and less violent (because, really, he has to be... he could kill most people with one punch).


On a side note though, SR Superman killed more people than BB Batman. :D

[GL1]

I think you have a very skewed view on things. Most people don't know superheroes, period. Most, I'd wager 99% of people, would not understand what "DC's Wolverine" even meant, in fact most I talk to don't know the difference between the two companies. However they do know Superman and Batman. Superman is still more popular though. He reaches to farther points of the globe and has created several popular characters based on him including Goku, Samaritan, Mr Incredible, and Apollo. Furthermore he has a town devoted to him (I think actually two at this point). Superman is not merely a comic character, or movie character. In fact he was voted the second "Greatest American Icon" and the "Most recognizable comic character in history". Superman, unlike Batman, has transcended media. Word in the english langauge like "Superhero, Super-power and Superman" exist because he does.

Theodore Rosevelt is a great American Icon, sometimes credited with winning WWII, and thus, saving us from a very bleak world history.

But he's not as popular as Eminem.

We're both right. Again. :)

Batman is known throughout the world, I recal, for instance, an Arabian or African comic book (which of course I couldn't read) where Batman was used to teach children the dangers of land mines.

While I can't speak for 'values' in other countries, I do know that here, Batman is thought of as much cooler and Superman, as iconic as he is, is "played out" "corny" "too... cheesy" too simple, too bland, too typical superhero... too powerful... but Batman, oh Batman, he's brilliant, he's a genious, he gets by on his own wits and not on superpowers... he must be better!

It's not necessarily my opinion, but it is prevalent. Superman's light has faded, and nothing secures that more heartily than fan reactions to SR, where Superman tried to be peaceful and have a family and stuff and everyone just wanted him to fight Doomsday...

[The Caped Knight]

Batman more popular then Superman?

If your talking about in the movies , SPIDER-MAN owns both of them .

But if your talking about in the comics & among General fans . Then yes BATMAN is much more popular than SUPERMAN .

See here's how it is general among fans .

1. THE DARK KNIGHT :batman:

2. THE MAN OF STEEL :supes:

3. THE WEBSLINGER :spidey:

[ShadowBoxing]

Theodore Rosevelt is a great American Icon, sometimes credited with winning WWII, and thus, saving us from a very bleak world history.

But he's not as popular as Eminem.

Right but this is not American History, it is pop culture. However Abraham Lincoln is more popular than Enimen, since like Superman, he has transcended American History. You know who Lincoln and Superman are before you hear about Enimem.

Batman is known throughout the world, I recal, for instance, an Arabian or African comic book (which of course I couldn't read) where Batman was used to teach children the dangers of land mines.
It was Africa I believe. Either way it is not those countries that create those things, we export such characters. Spider-Man is popular in Arab countries. However Batman is still not as far reaching as Superman, who as I said is the second "highest American Icon" second only to Jesus (it is actually quiet true).

While I can't speak for 'values' in other countries, I do know that here, Batman is thought of as much cooler and Superman, as iconic as he is, is "played out" "corny" "too... cheesy" too simple, too bland, too typical superhero... too powerful... but Batman, oh Batman, he's brilliant, he's a genious, he gets by on his own wits and not on superpowers... he must be better!

I've had American friends ask me "what are Batman's powers". You seem to forget that, again most people don't read comics. I.e. you are projecting again. Superman is far more well known since his powers and abilities (faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a...) were immortalized years ago in a radio broadcast and then made into a household phrase which almost everyone knows (it is a bird, no it's a plane, it's Superman!). Batman has had no such exposure. Sure he has been on TV and in movies however that is what people think he is, a movie and TV character. For Superman he is an icon, he is a symbol, much like Lincoln, Jesus, etc. Superman was woven into American and later Worldwide culture long before Batman had a somewhat popular show starring Adam West.

Also because someone has no superpowers they are better. Remember movie adaptions have yet to show Batman as a super genius with incredible fighting ability. They have shown him as a glorified Ninja who apparently doesn't "understand any of that" which Lucius Fox tells him about biology and medicine and who needs Gordon as a detective. Something the comic version would have no problem with. So if anything no powers make him lame to a general public just based on that. Remember the most popular "character" for humans is still probably "God" who is insanely powerful.

In fact the Batman you mention from the comics is foreign to anyone else. The best Batman we have had so far, ability wise, may be slightly less capable than DareDevil in comics.

It's not necessarily my opinion, but it is prevalent. Superman's light has faded, and nothing secures that more heartily than fan reactions to SR, where Superman tried to be peaceful and have a family and stuff and everyone just wanted him to fight Doomsday...

Again you are projecting "fans" as if they are somehow representative of the rest of the world, they aren't. Superman could make a million bad movies and shows like Smallville, The TWO new Superman cartoons coming out, Kryto the superdog and be placed virtually everywhere that is superhero related and he'd still be popular.

Batman is more popular on this board for example, but this board is all comic fans who know Batman's full history and can recite it verbatum. Most people can't do that, in fact most people still though Batman was SUPPOSE to be goofy when BB came out. A lot of people still think Burton's movies are superior, hence how HBO replays them these days (even B&R).

SR actually stands more as a testement to Superman than a hit against him. Years ago, even today, generally audiences don't cry foul when shows like The Batman make a mockery of the mainstream Batman Universe. However the poor reception of Superman, and the complaints that followed (about the kid for example) showed the general public had a much deeper knowledge of how Superman acts.

If Superman's light has faded he better stop racking in over 2 million dollars a year without movies for Warner Brothers then. And then Batman's first appearance better rise in price another 100,000 dollars (worth 300,000 currently to Action Comics 1 400,000+)

[Chris Wallace]

And for some reason, it didn't even feel like Superman was pitted against Lex. Very disconnected in how it all went about.
Look at other hero/villain conflicts. The villain usually has a personal beef w/the hero, for a plausible reason, & that drives their conflict forward. Lex's vendetta against Supes is born of an intolerance; he just can't abide Superman's existence. Supes never did anything to Lex, he was just there. Think that might be a factor?

[mathhater]

Batman is known throughout the world, I recal, for instance, an Arabian or African comic book (which of course I couldn't read) where Batman was used to teach children the dangers of land mines.

True. But Superman has been used for the exact same purpose...in the Middle East perhaps? I can't remember what country exactly, but Superman was used to teach this same thing too.

[batmaluco]

"I'm sorry Superman but Batman is the Badass!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtwqGKAhYic

[Pink Ranger]

Theodore Rosevelt is a great American Icon, sometimes credited with winning WWII, and thus, saving us from a very bleak world history.

But he's not as popular as Eminem.



I'm not American or anything, but don't you mean FRANKLIN Roosevelt?!?

[The Caped Knight]

"I'm sorry Superman but Batman is the Badass!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WluWfNZL80I


DAMN STRAIGHT !!!!! BATS is THE BADASS

[ShadowBoxing]

I'm not American or anything, but don't you mean FRANKLIN Roosevelt?!?Yeah he does:O I did not even take notice.

[DarKush]

Shadow Boxing,

In your analysis you made some interesting points. But I don't quite agree. Batman was created like a year or so after Superman and he has also had had long history in other media besides comics too.

There was a movie serial series in the 40s I believe. And he has had a long history in comic strips and cartoons similar to Superman.

However, I think he really began to inch Superman or compete with him for topdog status with the 1960s Adam West show, and when Neal Adams helped contemporized the character.

That was later followed by Frank Miller's Dark Knights Returns which made Batman a more 'serious, literary' type character and perhaps more importantly, helped make him more relevant.

Superman's update came a little later, post-Crisis and with the Byrne Man of Steel reboot. The more modern Batman was already on the scene by that time and going strong.

So, I can't say that Superman is more popular or has totally dominated Batman, at least with American audiences. Just like other posters have pointed out, Batman and Superman have been used as overseas ambassadors.

The mega-event of the 1989 Batman movie also impressed Bats deeply into the public consciousness. Followed by four Bat-movies that all gained some notoriety, good or bad. I think now that a lot of people know at least a few things about Batman. And they probably know maybe about several more with Superman which isn't that much of a difference.

For Bats, I guessing most people might think: Robin, Gotham City, Batmobile, Joker, and maybe Bruce Wayne or Alfred.

For Superman: Krypton, Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Metropolis, He can fly, kryptonite, and maybe "Truth, Justice, and the American Way," or the "faster than a bullet" spiel.

And even though Superman has proven to be a more attractive choice for live-action TV shows, Batman has done well with cartoons-being on one animated series or other since the early 1990s.

I would posit that Batman and his rogue's gallery has proven just as attractive or more so in the animated field. Superman got back into the animated field a couple years after Batman, but they have both been seen as equals whenever they teamed together or on the JL/JLU. I would say the same for the Superfriends and Super Powers cartoons too. Both got roughly an equal amount of attention which signaled to me that they were pretty much equal in importance.

Also remember that while Superman was in live-action series in the 90s, Batman was on the silver screen. There was the aborted TV show that I think morphed into Smallville, and the Batman-related Birds of Prey series.

Today I think they are about equal in popularity, or should I say notoriety. Superman might be slightly more well known or heard of, but Batman perhaps relates or resonates more with people/fans-movies or comics.

[GL1]

Right but this is not American History, it is pop culture. However Abraham Lincoln is more popular than Enimen, since like Superman, he has transcended American History. You know who Lincoln and Superman are before you hear about Enimem.

Okay, Madonna then... you hear about Eminem before Madonna, and Lincoln and Superman and those Rosevelt guys. (that was funny... heh :) )

It was Africa I believe. Either way it is not those countries that create those things, we export such characters. Spider-Man is popular in Arab countries. However Batman is still not as far reaching as Superman, who as I said is the second "highest American Icon" second only to Jesus (it is actually quiet true).

I never said that Batman is as far reaching as Superman. I simply said they are both worldwide figures. While Superman may have a more recognizable image throughout humanity, where both exist, (which VASTLY outweighs the areas where Superman is recognized and Batman is not), Batman is typically favored.

I've had American friends ask me "what are Batman's powers". You seem to forget that, again most people don't read comics. I.e. you are projecting again. Superman is far more well known since his powers and abilities (faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a...) were immortalized years ago in a radio broadcast and then made into a household phrase which almost everyone knows (it is a bird, no it's a plane, it's Superman!). Batman has had no such exposure. Sure he has been on TV and in movies however that is what people think he is, a movie and TV character. For Superman he is an icon, he is a symbol, much like Lincoln, Jesus, etc. Superman was woven into American and later Worldwide culture long before Batman had a somewhat popular show starring Adam West.

Superman has more symbolism and iconoclasm than Batman. I get it. That doesn't make him more popular today, that simply means that he has had an effect on society, and was more popular at some time in the past. Batman being considered a TV and movie character doesn't make him less popular, but those TV shows and movies do make him more popular.

I did project my reasons for why Batman may be more popular. In truth, when I ask my non-comics reading friends they don't have much reason, they just say "Batman's just cooler..." It's actually very frustrating, and I'm forced to change the subject. Of course, that doesn't mean much. Even if we made a poll here on the hype which one was more popular, a poll which Batman would almost assuredly win, that doesn't 'prove' anything does it? But, my theory, that Batman is more popular, would be supported by recent polls or findings-- box offices, ratings comparisons, merchandising! The only thing that would even suggest that Superman is more popular is his iconic status in society. And while, that cannot be argued, it can certainly be argued that 'recognizability' is not the same as 'popularity.' This arguement can be done with a Webster's Dictionary, in fact.

Also because someone has no superpowers they are better. Remember movie adaptions have yet to show Batman as a super genius with incredible fighting ability. They have shown him as a glorified Ninja who apparently doesn't "understand any of that" which Lucius Fox tells him about biology and medicine and who needs Gordon as a detective. Something the comic version would have no problem with. So if anything no powers make him lame to a general public just based on that. Remember the most popular "character" for humans is still probably "God" who is insanely powerful.

Hmmm... interesting thoughts. I also felt Begins was "underpowered." But that didn't stop it from being immensely "popular." While God (and varoius misinterpreteations) is certainly a formative figure in world history, and the Bible is the #1 bestseller, I think you can take a look around society and figure out that God's ideas aren't exactly "popular."

In fact the Batman you mention from the comics is foreign to anyone else. The best Batman we have had so far, ability wise, may be slightly less capable than DareDevil in comics.

True. And yet that doesn't stop him from being popular.

Again you are projecting "fans" as if they are somehow representative of the rest of the world, they aren't. Superman could make a million bad movies and shows like Smallville, The TWO new Superman cartoons coming out, Kryto the superdog and be placed virtually everywhere that is superhero related and he'd still be popular.

Superman IS popular. Just not as much as Batman. Smallville is a good show to many, as is SR. Superman's recognizability makes him 'marketable,' no matter the quality of the product. However whatever Batman does, sells better. Period. I guess you can say Superman is more popular among WB executives, but that hardly says much about the rest of the world.

Batman is more popular on this board for example, but this board is all comic fans who know Batman's full history and can recite it verbatum. Most people can't do that, in fact most people still though Batman was SUPPOSE to be goofy when BB came out. A lot of people still think Burton's movies are superior, hence how HBO replays them these days (even B&R).

Batman's more popular at the box office. We can compare movie by movie if we like... they'd both had five live action. Whether they like Burton or Nolan or what they expected, Batman, from the 60s show onward, is more popular. What other measure of popularity is there except taking people's time and money?

SR actually stands more as a testement to Superman than a hit against him. Years ago, even today, generally audiences don't cry foul when shows like The Batman make a mockery of the mainstream Batman Universe. However the poor reception of Superman, and the complaints that followed (about the kid for example) showed the general public had a much deeper knowledge of how Superman acts.

So adults don't make a big stink about a kids show they've never seen and hardly herad of? Big surprise. The fact that they made the show and it's going into it's third season despite questionable quality is a testament to Batman's popularity.

Also, the Kid has nothing to do with how Superman "acts." It's a seperate character. The mythos changed, but Superman's character remained the same. I highly dobuted the entire audience started spouting such illogic. Superman Returns's poor reception is much more readily attributable to a lack of action (from the trailer onward) and POTC2 than anyone's issues with "the kid."

If Superman's light has faded he better stop racking in over 2 million dollars a year without movies for Warner Brothers then. And then Batman's first appearance better rise in price another 100,000 dollars (worth 300,000 currently to Action Comics 1 400,000+)

I highly doubt debut comics value is an indication of current popularity. And I don't know why you don't quote Batman's figures and your source for this 2 mil a year.

Stop being so angry. Just admit we're both right: Superman is more iconic (recognizable, more influence on American History) and Batman is more popular TODAY.

[Octoberist]

I think Superman is more iconic than Batman. He is Americana.

But from a moderist's point of view, Batman is more popular. Trust me, I've heard so many things about Superman, from he's 'boring' to he's 'too powerful'.

Trust me, ask any non-comic fan on their fav superhero, they'll either say Batman or Spider-Man. Superman will always be in the public's conscience, however.

[SuGarRush]

Okay, Madonna then... you hear about Eminem before Madonna, and Lincoln and Superman and those Rosevelt guys. (that was funny... heh :) )



I never said that Batman is as far reaching as Superman. I simply said they are both worldwide figures. While Superman may have a more recognizable image throughout humanity, where both exist, (which VASTLY outweighs the areas where Superman is recognized and Batman is not), Batman is typically favored.



Superman has more symbolism and iconoclasm than Batman. I get it. That doesn't make him more popular today, that simply means that he has had an effect on society, and was more popular at some time in the past. Batman being considered a TV and movie character doesn't make him less popular, but those TV shows and movies do make him more popular.

I did project my reasons for why Batman may be more popular. In truth, when I ask my non-comics reading friends they don't have much reason, they just say "Batman's just cooler..." It's actually very frustrating, and I'm forced to change the subject. Of course, that doesn't mean much. Even if we made a poll here on the hype which one was more popular, a poll which Batman would almost assuredly win, that doesn't 'prove' anything does it? But, my theory, that Batman is more popular, would be supported by recent polls or findings-- box offices, ratings comparisons, merchandising! The only thing that would even suggest that Superman is more popular is his iconic status in society. And while, that cannot be argued, it can certainly be argued that 'recognizability' is not the same as 'popularity.' This arguement can be done with a Webster's Dictionary, in fact.



Hmmm... interesting thoughts. I also felt Begins was "underpowered." But that didn't stop it from being immensely "popular." While God (and varoius misinterpreteations) is certainly a formative figure in world history, and the Bible is the #1 bestseller, I think you can take a look around society and figure out that God's ideas aren't exactly "popular."



True. And yet that doesn't stop him from being popular.



Superman IS popular. Just not as much as Batman. Smallville is a good show to many, as is SR. Superman's recognizability makes him 'marketable,' no matter the quality of the product. However whatever Batman does, sells better. Period. I guess you can say Superman is more popular among WB executives, but that hardly says much about the rest of the world.



Batman's more popular at the box office. We can compare movie by movie if we like... they'd both had five live action. Whether they like Burton or Nolan or what they expected, Batman, from the 60s show onward, is more popular. What other measure of popularity is there except taking people's time and money?



So adults don't make a big stink about a kids show they've never seen and hardly herad of? Big surprise. The fact that they made the show and it's going into it's third season despite questionable quality is a testament to Batman's popularity.

Also, the Kid has nothing to do with how Superman "acts." It's a seperate character. The mythos changed, but Superman's character remained the same. I highly dobuted the entire audience started spouting such illogic. Superman Returns's poor reception is much more readily attributable to a lack of action (from the trailer onward) and POTC2 than anyone's issues with "the kid."



I highly doubt debut comics value is an indication of current popularity. And I don't know why you don't quote Batman's figures and your source for this 2 mil a year.

Stop being so angry. Just admit we're both right: Superman is more iconic (recognizable, more influence on American History) and Batman is more popular TODAY.



Actually, I'm gonna go ahead and say that the kid was a BIG factor. At least from the people I know. I cajoled, whined, and argued my family into going to see Superman with me. We all left unsatisfied. But my family's complaints, before I even voiced my own were along the lines of "he had a kid? Thats not superman! Superman's a good guy, Morals and Uprightness and all that." It's commonplace for our generation to see deadbeat fathers with bastard sons abandon them for years at a time. But for the older generation, at least down here in the South, that kinda thing is not what "Heroes" do.

For my GRANDMOTHER to complain about Superman not acting like Superman, that is saying something. The American public, whether they are 7 or 77 know Superman, they are much more familiar with his mythos and his cast. Sure when you poll a group of people age 18-30 they are gonna say Batman. Or Wolverine. I personally hate Wolverine, but products of the '90s as a whole embrace him as their idea of a hero.

All that being said, they had other problems with SR, and they had compliments. My mom and grandmother went on and on about how cute Brandon Routh is. They and my dad both asked why he was so skinny.
And their second biggest problem with the film behind the kid was not the weak plot or the lack of action, but the question " Isn't Lois Lane supposed to be pretty?"




So in conclusion, Yes quite a few people had a problem with "The Kid".





Oh and I think Aquaman is cooler than both, but he's not a choice.

[griffolyon12]

I think it just depends on your personal preference,as for me I love the characters both equally.But basing this off of the box office intake is kind of stupid because BB was released in the midst of a bunch of flops and SR was released only a week before the biggest hit of the year.As much as I love BB if it was released only a week before POTC2 it would have the same type of box office trouble as SR.It just all depends on good planning.WB planned ahead better with BB than SR.

[Stupify_me]

I think to the masses including non comic fans in the eyes of the general public Superman wins he is more iconic.

I have to say that to comic fans or even semi-fans of the comics Batman wins in fact alot of sites do a Batman vs superman poll and Batman wins about 90 percent of the time.

Personaly I love Batman and I can't stand Superman.

[Octoberist]

I think non-comic fans respect Superman, but they prefer Batman.

[Peyton Westlake]

Well as of now, 9/13/06 , at least in terms of total gross, Supes has pulled ahead.

Superman Returns $197 Domestic + $186 Foreign = $383

Batman Begins $205 Domestic + 166 Foreign = $371

[Chris Wallace]

So Batman's more popular in the U.S.

[dnno1]

So that means that Batman is more popular than Superman... Only in America!

[Peyton Westlake]

But overall, Supes maybe more popular globally ?

[chosen1]

Has'nt batman alway been more popular than superman.

[dnno1]

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=Superman&word2=Batman

[lordofthenerds]

I think that Batman is more popular, at least with the younger people. People in my school think of him more as a "cool" superhero, while Supes is thought of as a "gay" one.

[Steelsheen]

I think that Batman is more popular, at least with the younger people. People in my school think of him more as a "cool" superhero, while Supes is thought of as a "gay" one.

strange. a few decades ago it was the reverse.

[Clouseau]

i never stopped to see what anyone else around me thought, but in my book, yes, i like Batman a lot better than Superman... with Superman, my problem was that with all the powers, he was just no fun, because you knew he could never be held down for too long... with Batman, on the other hand, he didn't have any powers, so his humanity just made him more appealing to me... he's kinda similar to James Bond, of whom i also am a very big fan, but he's still unique enough - with his dual identity and many reincarnations - to pique my interest... :cool:

[BatB]

Just looking at the two characters in relation to the world around us, Batman is infinitly better than Superman. You look at the times where Supes was at the peaks of his popularity and they were times where good and evil, black and white, were clearly defined. Supes is a Black and White character. But now you look around and you come to understand the world more, you see nothing but shades of grey. There is no clean cut good and evil. Thats Batman. A hero who lives in darkness. He is the night as he says. Frankly, and I don't want to come off bizarre, but I might just, we need Batman. We need that guy who will stand in the shadows and watch over us. Who will meet the darkness head on. Supes is a great character don't get me wrong. But as long as he's caught up in the Donner-Verse. He will never ring with modern audiences. Time for Superman to grow up in the films just as he has already grown up in the comics and in the various animated series.

[Karea07]

In terms of kids and box office, i'd say:
Spider-Man
X-Men/Wolverine
Batman
Superman

[MalroyChick11]

Bats annoys me a lot of the time. His rogues gallery has to be the best in comics, but I don't see what's so great about Batman himself.

[superion]

I agree Superman is more popular globally. Batman more popular in the US. You can even see it in the BO grosses. The Batman films overseas BO even Batman 1989 has always lagged behind its domestic. Superman's domestic and overseas BO is usually about equal.

[Peyton Westlake]

Maybe its just the 'boyscout' image Supes has , and overseas that is not even a knock against him, but here in the U.S. it is for some reason.