So why isn't Superman a Batman Level of Cool?

[Jer]

I disagree. I think people who need to see that sit right next to those who need to see him kill Batman to those who think Superman is dumb. They all miss the very point of Superman.

Does anybody have a scan of where Superman gave Batman back his mind in Superman: Emperor Joker.

That was a cool Superman moment.

[Predator jp]

If presented like that, if the new Zach Snyder film does that, then Superman could be considered as relevant to the general public as Batman.

Snyder knows how to make things look cool on screen. although i'm not fan of his work, i guess that's what Superman needs right now.

[Apathy Lad]

Superman's just a boring character to read about.

[Jim Thompson]

People taking the high road is almost never seen to be "cool".

[lariatofhestia]

Sales dictate who is cool and ultimately who resonates with audiences.

Hence the reason why they rebooted a movie and relaunched the comic verse. We can love Supes till the cows come home but one can't close one's eyes to the fact something was not working in the last decade or so. Hopefully Action and the new movie might change the idea that Superman is preachy and boring.

[Jim Thompson]

Superman's just a boring character to read about.

I don't agree with that at all.

[Namtab]

I disagree. I think people who need to see that sit right next to those who need to see him kill Batman to those who think Superman is dumb. They all miss the very point of Superman.

Actually you're right. The best examples would be scenes of Superman just being awesome, doing things that Batman, and other heroes, are simply incapable of doing -- either because they are not Superman or because they are not Clark Kent.

[Brannon]

Because modern readers have a very limited palette of character types that they like? There does seem to be an extreme lack of tolerance for idealism nowadays.

I like Batman more than I like Superman...yet I still like Superman. I can "relate" to aspects of both characters viewpoints, but the idea of any of us being able to relate to any superhero beyond that is absurd and laughable. Particularly the "human" superheroes given the extreme dedication and training needed to maintain that level of ability.

I suppose a character with Batman's personality and Superman's abilities would be the perfect character? Perhaps the level of coolness a character like this would generate would be too much for the fanboys to endure?

[The Batman]

I like Batman more than I like Superman...yet I still like Superman. I can "relate" to aspects of both characters viewpoints, but the idea of any of us being able to relate to any superhero beyond that is absurd and laughable. Particularly the "human" superheroes given the extreme dedication and training needed to maintain that level of ability.

I was once told that because he is so deeply flawed a person, Batman is so easy to relate to. I had to wonder to myself how someone who is unwavering in their commitment to justice and to protecting the innocent, who is classically handsome and fabulously wealthy, and who is a preternaturally gifted athlete, martial artist, detective, and strategist, could ever possibly be considered deeply flawed?

[Shellhead]

Superman needs to invent his own dance, like Batman did with the Batusi. Remember that scene in Pulp Fiction where Travolta's character is just owning the dance floor? He mixed in a little bit of Batusi in his moves.

[Brannon]

I was once told that because he is so deeply flawed a person, Batman is so easy to relate to. I had to wonder to myself how someone who is unwavering in their commitment to justice and to protecting the innocent, who is classically handsome and fabulously wealthy, and who is a preternaturally gifted athlete, martial artist, detective, and strategist, could ever possibly be considered deeply flawed?

Exactly. So many people miss the point of Batman, blinded by their bias or various other issues. It's like the brilliant line in Batman: Arkham Asylum where the Riddler refuses to believe that Batman isn't as corrupt as the villains because "No one is that selfless!"

[Mat001]

Because modern readers have a very limited palette of character types that they like? There does seem to be an extreme lack of tolerance for idealism nowadays.

That's because the world sucks and people adapt to it. Kevin Smith wrote it best in "Clerks."

Dante: "'Empire' had the better ending. I mean, Luke gets his hand cut off, finds out Vader's his father, Han gets frozen and taken away by Boba Fett. It ends on such a down note. I mean, that's what life is, a series of down endings."

But "cool" is not synonymous with "popular" any more than "uncool" means "disliked." There was no time more cynical than the post-Watergate 70's and Superman was never more of a straight arrow boy scout than in Superman The Movie. How'd that work out? Exactly.

Two things.

1. The world was in a state of shock following Watergate, the assassinations of three important men and the war. So they latched onto a feel good film in "Star Wars-Episode IV: A New Hope" and "Superman". But then years later, they've fallen back into the pattern of wanting darker stories and darker characters with more complexity. When "The Dark Knight" came out, it made more than "Superman" because it was a downer movie without the sunshine cheesiness of the earlier film.

2. Batman was a joke at the time. He's not now.

[abhilegend]

Two things.

1. The world was in a state of shock following Watergate, the assassinations of three important men and the war. So they latched onto a feel good film in "Star Wars-Episode IV: A New Hope" and "Superman". But then years later, they've fallen back into the pattern of wanting darker stories and darker characters with more complexity. When "The Dark Knight" came out, it made more than "Superman" because it was a downer movie without the sunshine cheesiness of the earlier film.

2. Batman was a joke at the time. He's not now.

You are talking like if batman is the current top character now, then he would be always top. Superman outsold batman for almost 50 years, he can do it again. TDK made so much because of Heath's suicide. TDKR is coming, we would see how much it makes now.

[Let's Kill Hitler]

Batman...

-is a billionaire playboy who sleeps around
-wears a dark costume
-is dark and grooding with a tragic past

Superman...

-grew up on a farm and disguises himself as a nerd and mainly only have eyes for one girl
-wears a bright, primary coloured costume
-is generally optimistic

I love Superman to bits but there's no doubt it my mind who's the "cooler" character.

Superman needs to invent his own dance, like Batman did with the Batusi. Remember that scene in Pulp Fiction where Travolta's character is just owning the dance floor? He mixed in a little bit of Batusi in his moves.

I think your on to something! We need a Superusi.

[Francisco]

Superman is way cooler than Batman and every single other fictional hero. The thing is Warner isn't pushing nearly enough. He should have a new cartoon every year, GOOD Video games and all types of merchandise. But as long as DC and Warner refuse to ride their winning horse at top capacity.. Nuff said.