by D. Kearney Sparano

Created on: March 30, 2008   Last Updated: May 13, 2012

Extra! Extra! Dark Knight beats Big Blue Boy Scout

Ugh. It has been decided several times, Batman is always the victor and that's the way DC wants it. Why does Batman win? Because if you keep true to the spirit of the characters, Batman has too. Superman is the Hero of the light. He is the knight in shining armor. He will always fight fair and do what is right, he is incorruptible. More then that though, he is nothing without his powers. As stated in New Frontier by Batman (and I am paraphrasing) "I have a $70,000 piece of meteorite to stop the one in Metropolis, for you all I need is 2 cents for a match book." He was talking to J'ohhn J'onnz, The Martian Manhunter. Superman relies totally on his powers, however Batman is a self made man and relies on his mind and tactics. Brains over brawn every time, and just as you can rely on Superman to be incorruptible, you can rely on Batman to put the greater good above all. Above friends, above ethics, above love. Hence why Superman gave him the kryptonite ring and the entire Tower of Babel Story Arc. Batman just won't protect you from villains, but also heroes, because anyone can be compromised and therefore they must be stopped.

If you require proof of what I have written I suggest reading the Hush story arc. It's Batman vs. Superman. Superman is under Poison Ivy's control. Batman and Superman go at it in Metropolis. Batman wins by creating a moral conundrum for Superman, he can either continue to be victim to Ivy's control or save Lois who is plummeting to her death. Superman of course saves Lois. Other suggested reading would be DK2 by Frank Miller, though the book is horrible and recently DC released a continuation of New Frontier in which Superman is order by President Eisenhower to take out Batman. Batman sets up traps and tactics to keep Superman off balance until the unexpected arrival of Wonder Woman.

When it comes down to it, DC will always limit Superman's powers, but never Batman's ability for human achievement. Human achievement is limitless. Hence Batman will always have ways of stopping Superman. Batman is the DC story safety valve, so to speak. If the story gets out of hand and Superman has gone berserk, Batman is there to bring him down.

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