Batman Vs. Superman

It is the iconic comparison when pitting Batman vs. Superman. Many people who I have met would choose one or the other. Understandably, the leading argument in my dorm suite is that Superman represents brawn and Batman represents brains. My question to you is “Is that a fair assessment?”

Born on the planet Krypton an infant named Kal-El was shipped off to the planet Earth as his planet exploded. Found by farmer Jonathan Kent he and his wife Martha took him in as their own sun. That is the basic beginning of Superman. Over the years, exactly what happens after that has been rewritten many times. The few consistencies used is that eventually Clark Kent (Kal-El) moves to Metropolis, gets a job at the Daily Planet, falls in love with Lois Lane, and becomes the icon Superman. Superman’s two weaknesses are Kryptonite and that he cares for people. That’s about it.

Born to Martha and Thomas Wayne, Bruce Wayne had a life of luxury and security, until his parents were shot down in front him. What Bruce did to cope was incredibly different than what most people do in face of tragedy; Bruce took his anger and pain and turned it to a fight for justice. What makes Batman so different from the normal super hero is that he is human. Incredibly intelligent, Bruce uses his training in various martial arts and his extensive knowledge to fight the bad guy. Eventually he is joined by others. For a super hero that is portrayed as a loner Batman has an extensive team/family. Bruce is eventually joined by Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Barbara Gordon, and many others.

The difference between Batman and Superman goes beyond the obvious, Kryptonian and Human, but rather the Why to be a superhero. Why would anyone complicate their lives so much? Clark does it as a sense of duty; he has the powers he should help. Bruce does it in a sense to protect his parents. Obviously, they are dead; but he is trying to stop crime so it doesn’t happen to anyone else.

The fight in Dark Knight wasn’t unexpected. Here are two guys who are/were friends. It had to come down to them. It had been brewing for too long. I think it is interesting there really isn’t a “winner” in the novel. However, I think Bruce would have won in the end because a brain always outwits brawn.

I know I don’t really answer my question “Is it a fair assessment to compare Batman as the brain and Superman as the brawn. I think that is for an individual interpretation. I’ve presented what I know and MY OPINION is that Bruce should get more credit, because he chooses to help when he doesn’t have to, he could play all his life away and yet he chooses to stand up against evil.