by Phoelix AZ

Created on: September 04, 2007

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.

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