It’s no secret that Batman and Superman have always been the king and queen of the DC Comics world. The Caped Crusader and the Man of Steel have never been more popular than they are now. In fact, the two are enjoying such a symbiotic relationship that sometimes it’s hard to tell where one of them ends and the other begins.
Batman & Superman Vs. Aliens & Zombies
In the summer of 2014, Warner Bros. released its latest superhero movie, Man of Steel. The movie was wildly successful, earning more than $500 million worldwide. It quickly became evident that the cinematic universe of DC Comics had hit a new peak, and fans flooded theaters to see more Batman and Superman movies. It wasn’t just the success of MOS that caused this boom in movie watching. The studio also released the highly anticipated Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice in March 2016, and once again, audiences were treated to another thrilling superhero story. This time, it was about two of DC’s most popular characters going head to head. The winner was…well, we’re not entirely sure yet. After the initial screening, viewers were asked to choose between Batman and Superman using a special interactive ballot. But in the weeks following the film’s premiere, lots of people continued to wonder if Batman or Superman would emerge as the undisputed champion of the DC Cinematic Universe.
Why Are People Still Buying Tickets to See Batman & Superman?
Despite the fact that these two iconic heroes have been entertaining audiences for more than 70 years, Man of Steel (released in 2014) and Dawn of Justice (2016) are the first two DC Comics films to ever reach $100 million in North America. Before these two films, the studio hadn’t managed to crack the top 20 domestically with any of its superhero movies. Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice shattered that record, proving that DC Comics is more than capable of entertaining moviegoers.
The question is, why are people still choosing to spend their time and money on these films? Clearly, they’re enjoying what they see, but beyond that, what do they get out of seeing Batman and Superman fight each other?
The simple answer is that it’s addictive. Every Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer features cameos or appearances by iconic superheroes, and fans are drawn to this combination of all these familiar characters in unfamiliar situations. And while these cameos are fun and offer a little tidbit of information about the personality and powers of these characters, it’s still not the same as witnessing those iconic battles in theaters.
This is why, despite the recent box office dominance of Marvel Studios, DC still has the upper hand when it comes to cinematic universes. They have established a track record of consistently creating amazing stories that viewers want to see more of. But perhaps more importantly, they have created a world that viewers can get absorbed into. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, if you turn on a TV, you’re going to see Batman and Superman. They set the pace for what are often the most popular films each year.
Which One Will Win?
The simple answer to this question is: it depends on you. As an audience member, you get to choose which one will emerge victorious by voting at the end of each film. And while it would be great to see Batman and Superman put their differences aside and work together to save the day, that’s not how the DC cinematic universe works. Batman and Superman are more often than not, at odds with one another. Their individual missions and goals are rarely in sync, and it often takes a villain to bring them together and expose the problems that keep them apart.
While you may think that you know exactly what you’re getting into when you buy a ticket to see Batman and Superman face off against one another, that could not be further from the truth. It’s often a battle between good and evil, and it’s up to you which one you root for. It really does come down to personal preference. This is one of the reasons why these two films are so popular, because it allows viewers to discover traits about themselves that they didn’t know they had.
Will These Movies Make a Difference?
So, will these movies make a difference? Most likely yes. Did seeing Man of Steel change your life? Yes. Did seeing the Dawn of Justice trailer change your life? Most likely yes. If you’re not already a superhero buff, these films are going to warp your mind. You’re going to want to be wearing spandex in no time.
More importantly than that, these films serve as a window into a world that many people can’t experience. Whether you’ve felt excluded for your entire life or this is your first exposure to disabled people, these characters are going to open up a whole new perspective for you. These stories allow for some fantastic character development, and with each new trailer, we’re learning more and more about these incredible beings.
Yes, these films will make a difference. However, not only will they entertain you on a cinematic level, but they’ll also educate you about various social issues. It’s quite the mixed bag, really.
Which One Do You Prefer?
Let’s get one thing straight right away: we’re not supposed to pick favorites. Not when there’s a rivalry between two legendary superheroes and not when one of them is trying to kill you. We’re definitely not supposed to pick sides and choose a superhero we like more than the other. That’s not how this is supposed to work. We’re supposed to decide which one is better – and there’s a solid argument to be made for both.
Now, we’re not saying that one is better than the other. After all, they’re both incredible feats of cinematic imagination. It’s more like…which one do you think is the greater threat?
If we had to pick a winner based on pure effectiveness, it would be Dawn of Justice. While Batman attempts to protect a city full of innocent people, Superman decimates entire cities as part of his routine. There isn’t a character that embodies everything that’s great about superheroes more than the Man of Steel. He’s powerful, he’s confident, he’s altruistic…he really is a perfect embodiment of a Superhero. And if you’ve never experienced a Superman villain, then this is the movie for you.
On the other hand, Batman is the perfect role model for people who feel that they don’t fit in with society. He isn’t the most popular superhero of all time for nothing. If you feel like an outcast, a loner, or you just want to be able to kick ass and take names, then Batman is your man. He’ll give you the willpower and strength that you need to overcome any obstacle that you face. Plus, he looks cool as hell in a mask.
Do You Have a Dream Superman?
Speaking of cool as hell…does anyone else find it disturbing that Superman has always looked better in a mask? It’s like he was born wearing a mask, or at least grew up with them. They’re his natural state. While he hasn’t always worn a mask, it’s always been a part of his regular attire. Even in his non-masked appearances, he has worn a mask to conceal his identity. Why?! Why is he hiding from the world, from his own kind?!
If we’re being completely honest, the only time that Superman has ever seemed vulnerable was when he wasn’t equipped with a mask. The truth is, deep down, you know that he’s not really that great without them. It’s like he needs them to exist in the first place. Not to mention that he had lots of great fights without them, so it’s not like they’ve always been a detriment to his existence. The truth is, he needs us more than we need him. We need him to keep us safe, to protect our society, to keep the world from falling into chaos.
But that doesn’t mean that we love Batman more. Because, you know, sometimes he needs his mask to fight crime. Sometimes it’s better to have a dark side than a light side. Sometimes being a hero can be a lot more difficult than it seems. Sometimes the bad guy wins.