Who is the better character: Batman or Superman?

[[]D[]/\/\[]D @ Nite/So-tite]

Out of the two, who is the better character? Please explain why.

*Note that this doesn't exactly mean the "better hero" or "better person"*

[Shellhead]

Superman is too perfect. He has great power and a flexible power set, so writers sometimes struggle to present him with worthy challenges. His nice upbringing by the Kents has left him a little too perfect in terms of character traits, as well, leaving him seem somewhat bland compared to most other fictional characters. He isn't a bad character, there still some interesting ideas worth exploring, but he is somewhat less compelling than Batman. As an untarnished ideal and symbol, Superman can only experience minor changes before reverting to form.

Batman represents the peak potential of a non-superhuman man in the DCU. Though his exploits are sometimes really a bit superhuman, he still has to work for every win the way Superman rarely does. While on the surface, Bruce Wayne also seems perfect, with his wealth, his physique, his intellect and his good looks, he is actually a flawed individual, obsessed with fighting criminals like the one that killed his parents. Because he is flawed, Batman is capable of going through changes and actual character development, at least to the extent that any character that has been around for 70+ years can really change. Look at the brilliant Planetary/Batman one-shot for a quick review of how many phases Batman has gone through over the decades: gun-toting vigilante, bland silver age hero, eccentric gentleman, urban legend, and even grim anti-hero.

[Nyssane]

Wonder Woman.

[InSovietRussia]

Neither. Superman's been mostly deadly dull ever since COIE, and Batman's been turned into Batgod. Alternate portrayals (All Star Superman, Batman: the Animated Series) aside, they're about as interesting as watching paint dry.

[Apathetic-piggy]

These threads so quickly descend into a contest of preference as opposed to objective critique on characters. To really argue which is better is going to belittle them both because they represent very different concepts and to pit each against the other will always be preference.

They're night and day, almost literally, and comparing them is a bit difficult. One's powered, one's not. One's an obsessive vigilante, the other a relentless but passive protector.

They each have immense potential for great stories. Being "too perfect" or "Batgod" is a failure on the writer's part to effectively present the character as a whole, and on the fan's part for not understanding that. Animal Man doesn't seem like the most revolutionary concept, nor does Swamp Thing, and yet...

Or do you want to compare their marketing power? Because sales are what put them together to begin with, and what keeps them DC's top two characters.

[Hulk_Is]

My vote is for Superman. Argubaly they both have their merits, but since today's world is geared towards Batman, I'll be the loner and vote for ole Supes. hahaha

For some odd reason, people feel that Superman is too powerful (in the context of superhero comics - are they serious?) and/or too perfect. I think neither claim makes much sense.

[keilthetarheel]

they're both great characters - but Batman is 1000 times more interesting

[Anthony D]

Pretty subjective question on who's "better"; they're both good characters.

If it's who's my favorite, however, Superman wins. Fun powers (he's not "too powerful" IMO; no moreso than Flash being able to do everything short of make instant coffee by "vibrating his molecules," or Green Lantern's power ring, any number of sorcerers, etc.), the broad (and sometimes goofy) scale for his adventures, and having altruistic motives for his deeds (vs revenge, brooding like some sullen teenager, etc.). While I like Batman as well, Superman's easily more fun for me.

[doctormistermaster]

I prefer Batman but I wouldn't argue he is a better or worse character and in both cases it tends to depend on the writer.

[Wexquif]

Batman (Bruce Wayne) has had a lot to deal with and he keeps going. Thats what makes him interesting. The same can be said for Superman, but he has had less trauma to deal with.

[dreyga2000]

Batman's more versatile... can be marketable in many diffrent intpretations...be made-over for virtually any audeience by playing different aspectss of character's history... He can just as easily inhabit a world brimming with fantasy and imginaiton as he can a world deeply grounded in reality....

Superman while a great character lacks that same range...

[RockinRobin182]

Can't...choose...mind...exploding...GRAHH

*snaps and votes for Batman*

Ultimately, Batman includes Dick Grayson (my favorite), and Superman, while an excellent character (moreso than people give him credit for), works on a far higher plane as a symbol and an inspiration.

[a13506]

Like them both.
In the end, it really depends on how they're written.

[mathew101281]

Batman is easier to write but Superman is the character from which all other Superheros spring. before their was the Spiderman/Peter Parker dynamic their was the Superman Clark Kent dynamic. Superman was preforming god-like feats way before Marvel's thor or even Wonder Woman. Pretty much every trope in comics can be traced back to Superman i some form.

[Dr. Cheesesteak]

Batman is more interesting in and of him(it)self. However, the fact that Supes is almost not interesting at all is what makes him more interesting in a sense. At least to people who have to write stories for him.