They are arguably the biggest stars of the 21st century. Batman, Holmes, and Edward all helped make these men superstars. But which of them is the greatest? We’re asking the question and compiling a comprehensive list of pros and cons to help you decide.
Which Is The Greatest Of The Three?
Let’s begin with the most recognizable and arguably the greatest of the three: Batman. This is the character whom the general public first identified with and later came to love. And he deserves all the praise and fame he’s received. However, what many people don’t know is that he was originally based on a British comic book hero named Mr. A.C. Bennett. In the comics, Mr. Bennett is the writer of the iconic Arkham Asylum stories. If you’ve never read a Batman comic book, or seen the movie, than Mr. Bennett is the guy who wrote the stories that inspired Christian Bale’s version of Batman.
As a writer, Mr. A.C. Bennett created the character of Batman to inspire both children and adults. However, in a recent interview, Mr. Bennett stated that he was inspired by a real-life tragedy. He recounted a story about a family friend who committed suicide after becoming frustrated with trying to deal with his demons. The man’s death haunted him, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he should have tried a little harder to save him. This is why Mr. Bennett chose to write a story about a dark knight who battles criminals in his own way. He wanted to give the character he created the ability to save lives just like his friend, giving the character motivation and, ultimately, a deeper meaning. Now, this is not to say that all of Batman’s stories are about inspiring tales of heroism. Some of the most iconic Batman stories revolve around themes of revenge and madness. And let’s not forget about that infamous “Pow!” When Batman first appeared onscreen, moviegoers were treated to the sight of the Dark Knight falling prey to his enemies. Over the years, this has evolved into one of the most iconic images in movie history. This scene was not scripted, as the animators had to figure out how to make Batman’s fists glow in the dark on their own. And let’s not forget about the “grim determination” Mr. A.C. Bennett saw in Batman’s eyes when he looked into them. This is why he chose to name the character after himself.
As previously stated, Batman is arguably the greatest of the three. However, he’s not the only one deserving of such praise. His partner, Jim Gordon, has quite the story, too. During World War II, Gordon was the highest-ranking law enforcement official in Gotham. He worked tirelessly to restore order to the city, even joining the army to fight against the Nazis. When the war ended, he returned to Gotham and continued fighting crime, this time for the police. Gordon has seen his share of tragedy. His brother, a priest, was brutally murdered by three thugs. After this tragic event, Gordon vowed to hunt down the murderers and bring them to justice. This made him a man of “conviction,” as he puts it. In many ways, Jim Gordon is the anti-Batman; he isn’t necessarily looking to fight crime, but rather to solve it. This makes him the logical choice to be partnered with Batman. When Batman meets Gordon, his first words are “You’re the guy I was looking for.” This statement is both a testament to Gordon’s skills as an investigator and a sign of their implicit trust in one another.
Finally, let’s not forget about the Master Thief, Edward. This is the character whose eccentricities and incredible intellect made him a fan favorite. One of the reasons why Edward was so fascinating to watch was his witty repartee with police captain Gordon. While in prison, Edward developed a relationship with Holmes, the brilliant detective at 221B Baker Street. Through conversations with Holmes, Edward learned how to pick locks, solve crimes, and develop disguises. When he was released from prison, he returned to continue his fight against organized crime. He eventually founded his own detective agency, The Bureau, where he continues to fight crime and develop ingenious disguises. Though he’s never held public office, he continues to be an active police consultant on cases involving his former partners.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Batman mythos is how little some of the characters, particularly the villains, know about the Dark Knight. The Joker, Penguin, and the Riddler all have a surprising amount of knowledge about Batman, yet they don’t know anything about how he really functions. And this, in turn, makes their respect for him that much greater. Without giving too much away, let’s just say that, at the end of the day, these are the three greatest fictional detectives of all time.
The Pros
All three of these men have, in their own ways, devoted their lives to protecting the innocent and pursuing justice. So it only seems right that we should start with the good stuff. As previously stated, Batman is, without a doubt, the greatest of the three. He has the highest praise rate among viewers and critics alike. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest movie characters of all time. And, arguably, one of the greatest ever created for comics. So, all things considered, let’s give Batman the top spot on our list. Here are some of the reasons why.
- The Greatest Fictional Detective
- Greatest Movie Character
- Iconic Batman Mask
- Ethics
- Motivation
- Dedication To Justice
The Cons
While Batman is undoubtedly the greatest of the three, he’s not without his fair share of criticism. For starters, some people feel that he’s more of a dreamboat than a leading man. After all, he spends the vast majority of his time alone, protecting Gotham City from evil. This makes him, literally, a loner. However, even the most famous Batman movies feature cameos from several secondary characters. Sometimes, the smallest characters in the movie will address the audience directly. But, more often than not, the film will feature several characters who will provide witty repartee or add some depth to the narrative. Though Batman is, generally, portrayed as a humble and selfless man, he can also be a very greedy and selfish character. This is the reason why we must dive a little bit beneath the surface to find the real Christian Bale.
Now, onto the twins. Though they have their differences, they both have a lot in common. They are both action film stars who often play, you guessed it, twin brothers. And, like their superhero namesake, they have both dedicated their lives to protecting the innocent and fighting crime. However, there is one glaring difference between these two anti-heroes. While Batman is a no-nonsense man of action, Ben Affleck’s character, Daredevil, is a former lawyer and activist who became disillusioned with the legal system. This made him decide to withdraw from law practice and become a vigilante, defending the oppressed and fighting crime on behalf of “the little people.” While we love a good underdog story, Daredevil is a much more complex character. He is both a man of conviction and principle, as well as a dedicated father and patriot. This dichotomy can make him, at times, both a hero and a villain. However, whether you love him or hate him, there is no denying that Matt Murdock is one of the most fascinating characters in all of fiction. And, like Batman, this is largely due to his complexity. Though Ben Affleck is certainly no slouch, Matt Murdock is, in many ways, a better actor. This is especially true when pitted against his relatively unknown cousin, Patrick, in the 2007 film, The Social Network. Affleck won the award for Best Actor that year for his portrayal of the title character. However, Matt Murdock captured the imagination of moviegoers and inspired a generation of men who wanted to grow up to be just like him.