Fans of DC Comics have speculated for years about who they think would triumph in a fight between Batman and Superman. The never-ending discussion has been influenced by an infinite number of reasons, ranging from the superhuman talents of the Man of Steel to the tactical brilliance of the Dark Knight. There is currently no unanimous agreement on this matter. Famous comic book writers like Frank Miller and Grant Morrison have both made attempts to respond to this inquiry, but their divergent points of view on the matter have only served to stoke the flames of controversy around the topic.
The answer to this age-old question was provided by Tom King, the writer of the critically acclaimed hit series Mister Miracle and The Vision. In Superman: Up in the Sky, written by King, Andy Kubert, Sandra Hope, Brad Anderson, and Clayton Cowles, King revealed who Superman believes would win in a fight to the death.
There is room for debate on King’s conclusion. It is conceivable that in the future, other comic book writers may challenge it with stories that reflect their own ideas, sentiments, and points of view on the subject. Having said that, this particular viewpoint originates from a profound comprehension of the fundamental nature of each of these heroes. This is not a response to the discussion that is derived from a physical confrontation, nor does it involve a study of the circumstances, the weapons that are accessible, or the amount of time spent planning. Instead, King draws his conclusion only from the characters of the heroes, particularly Superman’s. This is a unique entry point for the ongoing “Batman vs. Superman” controversy that is frequently discussed.
The Man of Steel finally accomplishes his long-term objective in the series Superman: Up in the Sky, which was to save Alice, a little girl who had been kidnapped from Metropolis by extraterrestrials. As the two make the long voyage back to Earth, the girl asks questions to pass the time. Her inquiries touch on a number of age-old arguments, like how Superman’s powers actually function and whether or not he was responsible for Lex Luthor being bald. At some point, she gets around to asking the age-old question: “Who would win in a fight between you and the Dark Knight?” To her astonishment, and maybe the amazement of the readers as well, Superman chooses Batman as his candidate.
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Alice, like any self-respecting Superman supporter, draws attention to the staggering scope of the Man of Tomorrow’s ability set. He can sprint almost as fast as the Flash, fly, shoot beams out of his eyes, and freeze things with his breath. His abilities are truly incredible. In response, Superman concedes that what you said is accurate.
Nevertheless, the question is not whether or not Superman COULD overcome Batman because it is self-evident that he could. However, it is impossible for Superman to fathom any justification for doing so, or any circumstance in which victory would be preferable. Therefore, the only way that it is even remotely possible for it to take place is if Superman concedes victory to Batman. To put it another way, Superman will never willingly beat up or beat down one of his friends. Supes tells Alice that Batman has had a difficult life and that winning would make him feel better about it. Supes believes this to be a positive development. However, winning the battle would never make Superman feel better because he is aware that it will be a very uneven fight and that he will be inflicting bodily suffering and possibly embarrassment on a buddy.
Again, there is a possibility that fans will disagree with Superman’s viewpoint with regard to power. On the other hand, both King and Superman are broadening the scope of this discussion in order to get to something more fundamental. The answer lies outside of the talents and abilities that Superman and Batman possess. It focuses instead on their psychological advantages and disadvantages, which leads to an original conclusion that sets Superman and Batman against each other as humans rather than as superheroes.
In recent years, Batman has been at the heart of a family that has been steadily expanding, yet he continues to put a primary emphasis on his work as a vigilante who fights crime. As a consequence of this, Batman evaluates the value of his life based on how well he does his job as a hero. In contrast, despite the fact that he takes his responsibilities to the citizens of Metropolis very seriously, Superman also finds meaning in his life through a variety of other pursuits. These include his connection with Lois Lane, his job at the Daily Planet, and the straightforward delight that comes from assisting other people. Superman: Up in the Sky provides consistent support for the notion that Superman’s humanity is his greatest asset, as the show often emphasizes this point. His determination to achieve his goal of rescuing Alice and helping the many people he meets along the route gives him the fortitude to triumph over the challenges that he faces along the road.
Tom King puts Superman and Batman against one another in a combat that is over as soon as it begins and backs up the outcomes with decades of comic book history. He does this by contrasting the characters’ characteristics. Superman takes pleasure in the insignificant things that make life worth living, whereas Batman is preoccupied with the bigger picture and holds himself to impossible standards, while Superman recognizes his own limitations and works to overcome them while still achieving the highest possible level of success. Tom King suggests that there is only one viable conclusion to the “Batman vs. Superman” debate in his response to the question. It is impossible for Superman to win because he will never consider it a victory even if he is able to defeat Batman. However, if Batman is allowed to triumph, this basically validates both of their moral compass points. Superman could never feel like he won anything without first experiencing defeat. It’s a climax that’s sure to rile up a lot of people, both viewers and the people who made the show. Nevertheless, putting more emphasis on who these characters are as opposed to what they are capable of doing lends the argument a one-of-a-kind tone that other people, even if they disagree with it, will certainly find difficult to dismiss.
