BvS Batman or Superman: Which do you prefer?

[KRYPTON INC.]

I'd like to know exactly what was so "dark/gritty" about Superman as an individual in MOS as compared to Cap as well, considering that it's only really been in the last 15 years or so tops that they even started to present Cap actively taking lives during the war. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it even a big deal when Cap beheaded a freaking vampire back in the day? Yet on film Cap racks up quite the body count. I'm not saying I am against that. Cap is the ultimate soldier, and soldiers kill the enemy. Period. But that presentation is fairly recent and it is a change from the majority of Captain America stories since AVENGERS #3 when the brought him back. So he HAS changed.

Also, besides the way the Zod situation was hanled, what about Superman was so radically different in MOS, really? And please I don't want to hear about minor crap like the clothes or the truck. If you really judge a character as so morally lacking because of those moments I don't know what you're doing here on a internet forum, since surely you must be busy judging the the living and the dead at the right hand of God himself.

Again, exactly has Cap NOT been change and adapted over time but Superman has? As someone born in 1976 that's read them both in comic form, I'd like to be enlightened. Please take note, I'm talking about the characters them selves, not the stories/plots or story content.

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

With regards to 'edginess', Cap's source material (Brubaker's run) was already 'edgy', whereas the Supes source material these people prefer is lighter, so I'm not sure why they're even being compared in the first place. A better comparison would be Spider-Man or something. (and this is under the assumption that all Superman comics are light, filled with comedy, and take place at the daily planet, which of course, they're not. So really, there's no change being made here except maybe the color of his suit..?)

With regards to being 'darker', I think the complaint has more to do with the idea of these main characters having to make a compromise as a part of their arc (Cap doesn't, whereas Supes is required to 'change' in the climax in the most traditionally 'anti-Superman' way possible because of the situation he's in).

Some people want Supes, like Cap, to be the one who doesn't change or learn lessons, and they find it dark and cynical that Superman has to become less of a boyscout to save the world, whereas Cap doesn't have to (even though he's less of a boyscout than Clark most of the time being a soldier and whatnot, but that's besides the point).

I personally don't have a problem with it, because the way I see it, Clark's character arc is twofold: it's about realizing that sometimes you might have to be less of a boyscout and learning 'to do what's necessary' (hiding the truth, letting his father die, bringing down the genesis chamber, killing Zod), but also simultaneously regaining his boyhood sense of hope, trust, and humanity (Clark trusting the people of Earth, Clark sacrificing himself to destroy the world engine and save the people of Earth, Clark crying over an enemy he has every reason to hate). Clark found the right balance. Zod on the other hand did not.

(This is another reason why I think the Supes/Cap comparison shouldn't be made. Cap is about fighting for ideals or extremes ("Freedom at all costs!"). Superman has always been about balance, restraint, and dealing with the issue of his own existence in the world. The whole idea of "there's more at stake here" than one life is a part of Superman's character. For example, Superman chooses not to save people on the other side of the world and doesn't interfere in conflicts because he believes it's for the greater good. This doesn't make him Ozymandias. Superman chooses to spend time as Clark Kent blocking out the voices around the world, and not being Superman 24/7 saving people, because he believes his connection to the world is important to his character, and ultimately for the safety and greater good of the people of Earth.)

 

[ArmsHeldOut]

I could probably write a dissertation on the subject of Batman, specifically why I hold him in higher esteem than that of any other fictional character (even Superman).

Instead, I'll leave you with a brief quote from former DC Comics scribe Alan Grant, which nicely sums up what I admire most about the man behind the cape and cowl.

"He (Batman) is perhaps the only genuine hero amongst them. People say Batman is this dark, vengeance-driven, obsessed character but that's not Batman to my eyes. That's just the fuel which drives Batman. The trauma of his parents' death is what motivates him and forces him to go on, but what makes him Batman is a decision. He took a decision to be a good guy, which is a decision in life not too many people make. He is a self made character. He didn't get superpowers, he's not a cyborg, he made a choice to be what he is. He is motivated by the terrible thing that happened to him when he was a kid, but that's not the thing that defines his character. What defines his character is the decision to do something."

 

[anonomissx]

/me tries to choose, head explodes.

 

[hafizbat]

I'd like to know exactly what was so "dark/gritty" about Superman as an individual in MOS as compared to Cap as well, considering that it's only really been in the last 15 years or so tops that they even started to present Cap actively taking lives during the war. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it even a big deal when Cap beheaded a freaking vampire back in the day? Yet on film Cap racks up quite the body count. I'm not saying I am against that. Cap is the ultimate soldier, and soldiers kill the enemy. Period. But that presentation is fairly recent and it is a change from the majority of Captain America stories since AVENGERS #3 when the brought him back. So he HAS changed.

Also, besides the way the Zod situation was hanled, what about Superman was so radically different in MOS, really? And please I don't want to hear about minor crap like the clothes or the truck. If you really judge a character as so morally lacking because of those moments I don't know what you're doing here on a internet forum, since surely you must be busy judging the the living and the dead at the right hand of God himself.

Again, exactly has Cap NOT been change and adapted over time but Superman has? As someone born in 1976 that's read them both in comic form, I'd like to be enlightened. Please take note, I'm talking about the characters them selves, not the stories/plots or story content.

I don't care to know or understand the stuff you're rambling about, but you need to rewatch MoS and TFA/TWS if you think MoS Clark was anywhere near MCU Cap in terms of being a boyscout/old-fashioned. If someone had never seen or heard of these characters before, and only watched those 3 films, who do you think they would feel is more in line with "truth, justice, and the American way"? Cavill's Superman is no more heroic than Jackman's Wolverine. His ideals and earnest nature don't set him apart from the other heroes as they do for Cap.

I hope you don't freak out on me...

 

[The Batman]

I would've just left him to his temper tantrum, to be honest.

 

[Crazymaverick]

You guys should vote here:

http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=53a05e66e4b0eac9672566d1

 

[Kirmit]

For me it's Supes, I really like Batman but Superman was my first hero and he is THE Superhero, when you think of superhero you think Superman IMO.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Batman vs. Superman AMC

 

[The Batman]

^ Yeah, if we're talking cinematically, Batman takes it. At least 5 memorable films (6 if you count "Mask Of the Phantasm"), and he changed the way we see CBM's...twice.

Superman hasn't had a good film since 1980.

 

[AnneFan]

^ Yeah, if we're talking cinematically, Batman takes it. At least 5 memorable films (6 if you count "Mask Of the Phantasm"), and he changed the way we see CBM's...twice.

Superman hasn't had a good film since 1980.

Generally speaking, I agree 100 per cent. The quality content for Superman just isn't there like it is for Batman. For an iconic character he seems to have more misfires than hits, which is a shame.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Bit late to this one but while I like Batman, and always have, he isnt in my top 10 superheroes, Superman on the other hand, is probably around number 3. I have read a lot more Superman comics and just generally like the character more

So Superman wins by some way.

 

[STARMAN]

I bounce back and forth. Coming off The Dark Knight I would have said Batman. But I think I switched sides again.

 

[RustyCage]

I am totally in love with both, far more versed in Batman... It depends on my mood, though. Depends on who I connect with based on what my life is like in the moment.

Right now, it's Superman.

 

[Young Superman]

Superman

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I would've just left him to his temper tantrum, to be honest.

Dule Hill Voice: C'mon son! You're better than that.

When I have a tantrum, you'll know it, I assure you.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I don't care to know or understand the stuff you're rambling about, but you need to rewatch MoS and TFA/TWS if you think MoS Clark was anywhere near MCU Cap in terms of being a boyscout/old-fashioned. If someone had never seen or heard of these characters before, and only watched those 3 films, who do you think they would feel is more in line with "truth, justice, and the American way"? Cavill's Superman is no more heroic than Jackman's Wolverine. His ideals and earnest nature don't set him apart from the other heroes as they do for Cap.

I hope you don't freak out on me...

You don't care or want to know? Ok. Then I don't have to rewatch anything.

 

[hafizbat]

You don't care or want to know? Ok. Then I don't have to rewatch anything.

I was referring to your history lesson which doesn't seem to relate at all to the current movies. What does Cap beheading a vampire have to do with MoS?

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I was referring to your history lesson which doesn't seem to relate at all to the current movies. What does Cap beheading a vampire have to do with MoS?

My point was that in fact... the presentation of the character of Cap HAS changed, from his 1940's roots, to the silver age revival to today in films. To put forward the notion that he hasn't would be wrong. The Cap in the MCU is in fact different in ways to Cap as he was in say, Marvel Comics during the 1970's. Back then, heroes ending lives was a huge deal. Now, personally, I always had as my personal cannon that Cap had to have offed a ton of Nazi's, but there are many stories of his time in the war, from the 1960's to the late 1980's where they go to great lengths to show him not breaking that moral code of non lethality. Which is why the whole beheading of Baron Blood was kind of a big deal. You can argue that was just COMIC CODE nonsense, but it doesn't change the fact that he was written differently in one era and in films that presentation is different. Comics too. He was far less likely to be a hero that used lethal force before say, 1999 than he's been since. So again... the character has changed.

 

[sf2]

wow. it's a close tie. wonder if the result will be same from the public.

 

[catherinedsouza]

both are so good so it is difficult to choose one. but i like superman more than batman.

 

[Mandon Knight]

Superman - he is and always will be the first 'superhero' I was born with and understood, his moral compass, what he stands for and his outlook. Seeing the 1978 film in the cinema set me on the path of being a fan and I just sync with his character, that isn't to say I don't love the Batman character any less, it's just Superman was the first I got to experience as a child and I've grown up with him.

 

[BatmanVSuperman]

like I said before, it is usually close but Batman slightly wins in these polls just about everywhere. I'm more of a Superman fan btw. Just saying

 

[Boy Scout]

Yeah, Batman is the more popular character. I'm not surprised that he's winning.

 

[Krumm]

I could probably write a dissertation on the subject of Batman, specifically why I hold him in higher esteem than that of any other fictional character (even Superman).

Instead, I'll leave you with a brief quote from former DC Comics scribe Alan Grant, which nicely sums up what I admire most about the man behind the cape and cowl.

"He (Batman) is perhaps the only genuine hero amongst them. People say Batman is this dark, vengeance-driven, obsessed character but that's not Batman to my eyes. That's just the fuel which drives Batman. The trauma of his parents' death is what motivates him and forces him to go on, but what makes him Batman is a decision. He took a decision to be a good guy, which is a decision in life not too many people make. He is a self made character. He didn't get superpowers, he's not a cyborg, he made a choice to be what he is. He is motivated by the terrible thing that happened to him when he was a kid, but that's not the thing that defines his character. What defines his character is the decision to do something."

I feel like the broad strokes of that can be applied to Superman as well.