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RSS FeedSuperman versus Spiderman: The superior superhero
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| Superman | 63% | 772 votes | Total: 1216 votes | |
| Spiderman | 37% | 444 votes |
Superman
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Add to FavoritesSuperman is more than Nieztche's ideal man, he's also the originator of the entire superhero culture. Before there was Batman's motivation to avenge his parents, and before Spiderman let guilt enslave him to sacrificing his time, education, sleep, and even girlfriend, there was Superman - doing what was right simply because it was RIGHT.
In order to compare Superman to other superheroes, you must first define how you are to judge the battle: will brute strength be your factor, or will character? For this argument, I'm going to say that a superhero is more than a strongman using a supernatural gift, as it can be shown that even villains can be difficult to stop or kill (for example, that killer of supermen himself, Doomsday). No, if we were to define the best "superhero" as simply being the best warrior, even the most villainous brute would qualify - so, ostensibly, prowess in battle cannot be used to validate Superman's reign as the better hero.
The key word here, then, must be "hero," rather than "super." And what's the most important aspect of a hero? Image. Heroes are bestowed with awards and medals, monuments and statues - Spider-man is a hero, right? He saves people every day! But he gets no glory. New York thought he was a menace for a good part of his career, and the Daily Bugle, Spider-man's own place of employment, slanders him every week, often right after he's saved dozens of people! Then you've got the heroes who abuse their position, like Iron Man in the recent "Civil War" story-arc. No one would think of Iron Man as a hero right now, and why? Image. A hero's most formidable weapon is his (or her) public image.
Superman has tons of image. He's the American icon. He stands for truth and justice. He was so inspiring that every other hero that followed in his footsteps followed his formula (cape, silly tights, bright colors). There are tons of other heroes who are stronger than Superman (I believe the the Hulk may be), or have better powers than Superman, but Superman always emerges triumphant.
The image is fostered mostly in his appearance: he is unmasked, as opposed to most other heroes, including the aforementioned spiderman. A concealed face naturally causes one to wonder what the concealed his hiding. What is he so worried about? we might ask. It gives off a subconcious feeling that the hero is not 100% confident, that he doesn't think he's doing right (because he's afraid that he may be arrested if his true identity is known) or that he may be unable to protect his loved ones (if someone comes looking for revenge). That doesn't make for a confident citizenry. And Superman knows this: Superman hides nothing, he appears friendly, confident, and so at ease that he can show his entire face to the world. You can TRUST him. Remember that old saying, "Can you trust a face like that?" Well, how can we trust a faceless man? Superman is far from faceless, his is the face of justice and freedom.
This would also help future Superheroes once Superman is gone: we can trust the men in tights, because we could trust Superman. Without the son of Jor-El paving the way, laying the foundations for the brightly-colored saviors of today, the public would never completely trust or tolerate any other "hero." There would be no "Justice League," if we can't trust one masked vigilante, how do you expect us to trust a whole gang of them, and never mind giving them a giant space laser to play with.
No, Superman has always been, and always will be, the world's greatest superhero, even if he loses all of his powers. His true power is hidden in his symbol.
Learn more about this author, Michael Collins.
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Spiderman
Ah, the age old comic book superhero question. "Who is superior?" Although, I don't think that this question is worded even quite as well as the kids in second grade might word it. It may be better than, "Who is better?", or simply "Spiderman vs. Superman", but it's not quite as accurate as the inquiry, "Who would win in a FIGHT?" (caps replace italics).
Yes, if that were indeed the question, then my siding might be different. In fact, I think it's a pretty sound argument that in battle superhero would be victorious. However, because the adjective is so broad, and can encompass every quality that a super-hero (or human) can possess, I must take liberty and argue with the underdog here: our geeky friend Peter Parker.
Although, both of these superheroes-along with almost every other known crusader-had to deal with adversity, Peter Parker's personal struggle is greater than Superman's, and thus, his personal growth is "superior". Yes, Superman came from a different planet to live among the humans, having been hurled into the cosmos after his entire home world was destroyed. And yes, he had to learn to become his alter ego, the painfully, frustratingly, embarrassingly shy Clark Kent. And yes, Superman is tortured by a love out of reach in Lois Lane. But Spiderman has had to endure all of these things and more. Spiderman didn't have the privilege of losing an entire race of people to a cosmic catastrophe, giving him a fresh start. And Spiderman doesn't have the privilege of protecting what, to him, are aliens.
So Spiderman isn't from a different world. Doesn't Superman love the humans as he would his own people? He might, although the guys so good I wouldn't be surprised if DC made him into a bad guy that's been masquerading this whole time here in the next few years. That's what the comic book industry might need in my slightly educated opinion. After all, Marvel killed Captain America.
Anyway, What else is there besides their origins that sets Spiderman above Superman in terms of Superiority? Well let's take a step back for a moment. How cool is Superman really? I mean seriously. I remember the first time that my childhood suspicion was affirmed when I saw it in an episode of "The Simpsons". I don't remember exactly what happens, but it was bad, and Comic Book Guy says, "This is a job for..." and then lists off a bunch of superheroes-Green Lantern being one of them. Then someone else says, "What about Superman?", and Comic Book Guy says, "...oh, please."
When I was kid this even made sense. What is cool about a superhero that's all but invincible except to one foreign element and his repressed emotions? I mean seriously? I have grown enough in my life to realize that cool is expressing those unique things about oneself, in a confident manner, with a small dose of personal pride. Superman does not have those unique things. Sure, he has laser vision, and icy breath, but those are all sub-abilities to the fact that he's INVINCIBLE. Hey, don't get me wrong, the COMIC BOOK's cool and all, but that's just another example of how the wording of the question could have changed my answer.
So, in closing, (I know that's a lame way to end an article), Spiderman is superior due to personal character and cool points. Plus, it's possible that his skills could score him a hefty batch of Kryptonite that he's be more than qualified to use effectively. But that's a weary argument that's been touched more often than a subway railing.
Learn more about this author, Phoelix AZ.
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