Superman or Batman
So the argument was made that Superman was the best of heroes because when all the other super heroes were too busy running around being their alter ego, secret identity, human selves ….. all that he had to do was be Superman, Kal El, the alien.
I rejected this argument completely. Not only was Superman trying harder than anyone to have a life, he based his entire existence upon the family values instilled in him by the Kent’s. His love of Lois Lane was only acted upon once that he was reassured that Lois chose Clark Kent over the man of steel. His secret identity may not have yielded the most complex of disguises yet there he was, an alien, the only one of his kind with unmatched powers, more concerned with being Clark Kent than the saviour of the world. He came from a loving family, grew up in the security of a small town, held position as a respected journalist and eventually married the woman of his dreams. All very human aspirations…specially for an extra terrestrial. Maybe he was overcompensating?
This brought Batman to mind. A man determined to exact revenge on crime over the death of his parents at a young age. Devoid of super powers, armed only with a working knowledge of the martial arts and a stubbornness that knows no bounds. He dedicated his life to becoming the worlds foremost detective and crime buster. Some would argue that he was Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne was merely a mask. The man was the bat. He was devoid of parents from a young age, he rejected love and chose a life that removed him from humanity. His only precarious ties came from his unidimensional relationships with his butler and series of side kicks that eventually moved on or died. He was a man, determined to live larger and die harder than any before him.
So who was the greatest hero? Was it an alien who embraced humanity or the human who rejected it? Both arrived at the same place, more or less with the same result by making decidedly different life style choices. Does one decide that Superman wins based solely on his invincibility and strength or do the honours go to Batman for being absolutely vulnerable and mortal?
Hard to decide but I will take The Bat every time. That dude is tougher than wood pecker lips!
tswingwalking 