Arts & Humanities >
Comic Books & Graphic Novels
Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedSuperman versus Spiderman: The superior superhero
Results so far:
| Superman | 63% | 752 votes | Total: 1186 votes | |
| Spiderman | 37% | 434 votes |
Superman
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesThere is simply no comparison. Superman is THE original superhero. He is the one that started the whole comic book superhero craze. Even in the marvel universe, there is a special place for Superman, as witnessed by the many superman-like characters that intentionally are made to pay homage to the big guy. (For example, Gladiator is in every way just like Superman, right down to a similar looking outfit.)
All Superheroes must pay their dues and show their deference to Superman. They wouldn't exist without him. (DC Comics even went so far as to declare him the very first superhero in their universe to show this deference.)
Spider-ma n is awesome, to be sure. Like other Marvel Superheroes he's likeable because of his flaws. He screws up saving his uncle and spends the rest of his life just doing the best he can. He wasn't prepared from birth to possess godlike superpowers, as was the last son of Krypton (Superman).
In a fight, there is no doubt of Superman's superiority. Superman is faster, stronger, and utterly invulnerable. Spider-man couldn't even make Superman wince.
When working together in an actual comic book team up, Spider-man was forced to watch helplessly as Superman fought the Hulk. (Yes, Superman beat the Hulk the strongest character in the Marvel Universe in every fight they've had.) Spider-man finally quips about how useless he is compare to Superman.
The problem is that Spider-man really is one of the best superheroes ever created. But none can compare to Superman.
On the other hand, both heroes managed to get married to beautiful women, so they are pretty equal in that department. But let's face it, Lois could kick Mary Jane's tail, so I still think Superman gets the nod on this one.
And finally, it just comes down to iconic status. Superman is the single best known fictional character across the world. You can go to any country in the world and people know who Superman is. He's mega popular in places like China. Top that Spider-boy!
Learn more about this author, BryanN.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Spiderman
How do we judge what makes a superhero superior to the other? By the number of people they manage to save? By the number of super-villains they manage to help lock up? By how stylish their costumes are?
Any of these criteria would not do superheroes any justice at all. The number of people they manage to save, sadly enough, depends on the size of the town or city that they conveniently happen to be located in. It would be near impossible to create a point system that tallies number of super-villains locked away, 5 points for a super-villain, 3 points for a sidekick and 1 point for a random flunky? And of course, costumes would be a terrible way to go, for how does one judge between one glaringly loud piece of lycra and another?
I believe that what determines the superiority of a superhero, is the impact that the superhero has on both reader of the comics, as well as the fictional people that he helps around him, and on this basis, Spiderman would be a clear winner.
While Superman does possess the greater powers, with Super-Strength, Super-Flight and Power with a Pen being among some of his many talents, his emotional growth and maturity cannot be said to be likewise as super. Born on a distant land and never quite understanding why he is so different from those around him, Superman has always had a sense of detachment around him. One cannot get close to Superman, because he holds himself apart from the rest, lacking the emotional struggles that define humanity itself. Conquering super-villains forms only the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to becoming a great superhero and while Superman clearly is able to hold up that tip of the ice-berg with his strength, what he fails to comprehend is the rest of the ice-berg below.
Spiderman on the other hand, has made a career of struggling with the emotional bulk of the rest of the ice-berg, while still managing to stop the innocent bystanders from getting hurt. What makes Spiderman the superior superhero is not the fact that he was bitten by a stray spider that so happened to grant him with powers, but rather, because he struggles hard with being human, with coping with life much like the rest of us, and yet being and becoming more because of his powers. Spidey is the superior superhero because he takes the time to stop and have a friendly word with those who he help, to hold firm to his dedication to helping the city even though many accuse him of crime.
Superiority in a superhero stems from nobility of the soul, and Spiderman is a web above the rest.
Learn more about this author, Wispen Lee.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
- Comic Books & Graphic Novels
- Which is better: The Aliens Omnibus from Dark Horse or The Aliens Versus Predator Omnibus from Dark Horse?
- Who would win in a fight: Superman or Batman?
- Who would win in a fight: Spiderman or Venom
- Is Captain America really dead?
- Who would win in a fight: Wolverine or Sabertooth?
