Weekly Standard Tackles the Great Debate of Our Time: Spider-Man vs. Batman

[E. Wilson]

Spoilers: Match to Spidey.

An interesting read, particularly if you're a fan of political theory. (You cannot imagine my surprise to see "Spider-Man vs. Batman" on the cover of this week's issue.)

[Jim Thompson]

Spoilers: Match to Spidey.

An interesting read, particularly if you're a fan of political theory. (You cannot imagine my surprise to see "Spider-Man vs. Batman" on the cover of this week's issue.)

Sounds as though the writer is looking forward to 2014's The Arachnid Rises!

[David Walton]

I've always kind of gone back and forth on this one.

But as long as Batman doesn't hand over the Bat-cave to the Joker and asks him to take good care of Dick, Damian and Alfred...it's looking pretty good for Batman in 2013.

[Jim Thompson]

I've always kind of gone back and forth on this one.

But as long as Batman doesn't hand over the Bat-cave to the Joker and asks him to take good care of Dick, Damian and Alfred...it's looking pretty good for Batman in 2013.

The writer also makes the essential mistake, I think, of believing Bruce Wayne is not trying to become a better man.

[David Walton]

The writer also makes the essential mistake, I think, of believing Bruce Wayne is not trying to become a better man.

I couldn't pull up the article, but that's just crazy. I hear that kind of talk all the time and it's frustrating. Bruce is crazy, Bruce is an ass...etc, etc.

Truth is, Bruce is the sanest, most decent guy in the DCU...and he's also the guy you want around when your ass is on the line.

Not a lot of people who ask firefighters if they're 'nice' people when they're getting pulled out of a burning building.

[Jim Thompson]

I couldn't pull up the article, but that's just crazy. I hear that kind of talk all the time and it's frustrating. Bruce is crazy, Bruce is an ass...etc, etc.

Truth is, Bruce is the sanest, most decent guy in the DCU...and he's also the guy you want around when your ass is on the line.

Not a lot of people who ask firefighters if they're 'nice' people when they're getting pulled out of a burning building.

Writer also neglected to mention Peter whines about his situation whereas Bruce doesn't.

[David Walton]

Writer also neglected to mention Peter whines about his situation whereas Bruce doesn't.

Which, at the end of the day, isn't a problem for me, either. I like them both. Batman is a hero who's more driven, and Pete's one who feels conflicted.

And they're both awesome people who tend to do the right thing when the pressure's on!

[Jim Thompson]

Which, at the end of the day, isn't a problem for me, either. I like them both. Batman is a hero who's more driven, and Pete's one who feels conflicted.

And they're both awesome people who tend to do the right thing when the pressure's on!

I actually believe they have more in common than most people realize.

[David Walton]

I actually believe they have more in common than most people realize.

Definitely. There's a lot of significance to when their tragedies occur, too-- Bruce reacts as a child determined to purge evil from the world, and Peter as a somewhat fashionably cynical teen who's really an idealist at heart.

[Jim Thompson]

Definitely. There's a lot of significance to when their tragedies occur, too-- Bruce reacts as a child determined to purge evil from the world, and Peter as a somewhat fashionably cynical teen who's really an idealist at heart.

Whereas Frank Castle reacted as an adult might.

[CyberHubbs]

I thought Castle reacted as a Goth teenager might.

[Jim Thompson]

I thought Castle reacted as a Goth teenager might.

Most Goth teenagers lack that sort of spine, I find.

[Chris S.]

I've always kind of gone back and forth on this one.

But as long as Batman doesn't hand over the Bat-cave to the Joker and asks him to take good care of Dick, Damian and Alfred...it's looking pretty good for Batman in 2013.

As long as Scott Snyder is writing Batman then it is looking good for Batman. I believe he said he had stories planned for awhile too. Copiel art is perfect too.

I've been re-reading Slott's run the last few days and I'm surprised how much it has grown on me, but Batman right now is firing on all cylinders. It is much stronger than Spider-Man has been in since Stern/JRJR.

[Jim Thompson]

As long as Scott Snyder is writing Batman then it is looking good for Batman. I believe he said he had stories planned for awhile too.

Synder's Batman has been very enjoyable, I agree. My favorite book right now.

[Mister Mets]

Always glad to see someone argue that Spidey's better than Batman. Interesting interpretation of Spider-Man by way of Tom Sowell.

The point about Arkham Asylum doesn't seem to be a distinction between the two heroes. Jails are essentially revolving doors in superhero universes, although that's largely because of the form dictates the continued recycling of existing villains.

"The Man of Perfect Justice" is an effective lens to view Spidey through. I could see that as part of a Brevoort style manifesto.