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RSS FeedSuperman versus Spiderman: The superior superhero
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| Superman | 63% | 752 votes | Total: 1186 votes | |
| Spiderman | 37% | 434 votes |
Superman
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Add to FavoritesThe power of flight, the ability to see through walls and the strength of a hundred men all give Superman the advantage of being one of the greatest super heroes in the galaxy. Unlike many of Superman's crime-fighting colleagues, he did not stumble into his powers or create devices which enable him to fight crime. Instead, Superman was born with his stupendous abilities and was sent to earth by his parents hoping to save his life.
Superman had the customary trials and tribulations of growing up "different" and had to recognize that he has something special. Through a period of self-discovery he emerged as Superman vowing to save the world (and Lois Lane whenever possible.) Superman possess power beyond his heroic strength - he could move entire planets in certain stories, he has great speed -he is able to travel faster than light and the ability to see things at great distances or things that are very small.
What makes Superman such a superior hero is that for all of his natural skill, he still seems relatable. This is due in part to his constant desire to do good and also that his story is a commentary on the American Dream. If you apply your natural talent, work hard and do well in the world, you too can be a super man. Men want to be like him and women want to be saved by him. (This is of course on par with what the culture at the time of his creation felt.)
Another thing that makes Superman the ultimate superhero is that he doesn't wear a mask. His real identity is always visible. Unlike Spiderman, who is always cloaked in mystery, Superman is not hindered by showing us his face. Granted it is a bit of a stretch that a pair of glasses and a somewhat different parting of the hair make him "disguised", but again this is more representational of how men were viewed during the 1930s. Men in glasses were seen as passive while men without them were praised because the world could see their eyes and the strength behind them.
In today's society, men still strive to emulate the qualities of Superman. The combination of Superman's great strength, handsome, masculine persona and his devotion to a world he has come to cherish as his own makes him the ultimate hero and one that other heroes look up to and villains fear.
Learn more about this author, Eric McKeever.
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Spiderman
The talent of spiderman goes far beyond human capabilities. Yes, he was human and still partly is, but when he was bitten by an irradiated spider he gained incredible spider like abilities whilst retaining his human vulnerability. This is why is has to be spiderman who wins my heart.
He has personal issues and worries that he seeks to overcome, just like the rest of us. This makes him more believable and able to gain empathy with the average person.
As with all superheros, he seeks to right wrongs and fights for his cause. Superman just doesn't seem to have a particular plan, just flapping around saving screaming women who should have known better than to get themselves into trouble in the first place. I am sure that superman is an awfully nice sort of chap but he lacks focus, unlike spiderman who seems to always have his goal in mind.
Spidermans brilliant spider sense, his sixth sense, allows him to see far beyond the capabilities of dear old superman. I do get the impression that superman may have more fancy special effects available to him but he lacks the intelligence, agility and flexibility of spiderman.
As spiderman leaps from building to building anyone he wishes to carry can be stuck to his back. This is a much safer way to travel than by clinging onto the back of superman for dear life, after-all, superman always seems to stretch his arms out in-front of himself so he won't be helping.
Spidermans speed and night vision means that he is able to scamper about undetected and if he is spotted by a villain then he can defend himself with webshooters that capture his prey and leave them trembling in their boots.
He could outwit and outrun our friend superman, leaving him in the dark with only a torch to see ahead.
Learn more about this author, Bridget Webber.
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