Superman is the dominate comic book superhero of all time, he was since he was created and will be for time and memorial, after all he is - SUPER. Superman is superior from every aspect imaginable. He does not have to resort to tricks like Spider-Man to get over large buildings. Superman does it in a single bound, and Spider-Man, he has to use sticky stings that flows from a wrist band. Now how can they even be close in comparison, and that is just one example. Superman has flown around the earth and turned back time, while Spider-Man does not even have the gift of flight. Superman has a the classic “S” for superman across the front of his outfit, a cape and gets away with disguissing himself by simply taking off a pare of glasses. Spider-Man? He is covered by a silly set of tights with spider webs drawn on them, has to cover his face with a mask, and what does he do in his spare time, take pictures, where Superman has a serious job as a journalist, which takes more talent and helps in his crime fighting. Superman was not from earth originally, he was sent here after conflict on his planet blew up his birthplace, Krypton, but his parents had a purpose for his journey here, and that was to save us from ourselves. On the other hand
Spider-Man was accidentally bitten by a radioactive spider. They simply are not comparable. Superman was the first to have his own award winning television show and all other comic book heroes come in a distant second,following in wake of Superman.
Lex Luthor is Superman’s archenemy, and is famous for his diabolical plots to destroy the planet and take it over. Spider-Mans’ competition is in the form of a bunch of second rate villains. Spider-Man is a mere armature in comparison. The important distinction is that Superman fights for, Truth, Justice and the American Way, while Spider-Man fought in revenge of his uncles death when he needed money. That sums it up, does it? Not even to mention Superman has ex-ray vision and superhuman strength. Spider-Man has some superhuman abilities like being lighting fast and is very personable. But no superhero will ever get the adoration that the, one for all time superhero receives, and that is-SUPERMAN, THE MAN OF STEEL.
When you turn towards flagship characters, the two big S names come to mind. The Man of Tomorrow, Superman, and the Amazing Spider-Man. But who could possibly be the best?
I’ve always been a HUGE Spider-Man fan, and who wouldn’t be? He’s a character who is easily related to, for starters. Money problems, crushes on women far out of his league, and a long running string of pure bad luck. If you were to wake up tomorrow and be a superhero, chances are you’d be more like Spider-Man.
But its more than that. He has a believable origin that could just as easily be seen in your newspaper as in your comic book. No, not the radioactive spider elements; that’s a bit far fetched. I’m talking about the needless death of his beloved Uncle Ben, murdered by the very thief that Spider-Man had allowed to escape him earlier that night. Driven by his Uncle’s death, Spider-Man is a character motivated to atone for a grand sin that he can never really atone for. Several writers have referred to Spider-Man as the ultimate “lapsed Catholic” for this argument.
And then there’s the style. The bright, red and blue costume with webs and giant eyes not only looks cool as hell, it gives off a bug-like appearance. The web shooters are a great offense and defense, and genuinely look like fun toys to have for yourself. And who wouldn’t want to swing around the New York City skyline at night?
He’s also boasting a far more impressive Rogues Gallery than the Man of Steel. Venom, Doctor Octopus, and the Green Goblin (just to name a few) are far more threatening in that they also have knowledge of, or some relationship to, Peter Parker just as much as Spider-Man. Not only can they physically attack and harm Spider-Man, but they also can destroy him emotionally. Its only his willpower and never ending desire to succeed that allow him to overcome such grand challenges.
In short, while Superman is a great character, Spider-Man will always be far superior to myself and other comic fans not because of his powers and stories, but because of his shortcomings. No other hero is capable of facing such odds and overcoming them, even if the odds are just bad writer/artist teams. The greatest superhero is Spider-Man, because he reminds us all that beyond the superhero is just an ordinary man who only seeks to do right.
