Greatest US superhero of all time

[Keith Justice]

Remember guys, it's not who you like most... it's who's the greatest American hero of all time.



Spidey and even Bats looks up to Superman when it comes to what it takes to be a hero.

 

[KamenGrappler]

I get what you're saying Keith, but I like Batman the best because I feel he IS the greatest. I truly feel it is much more admirable to be a regular man that does the things Batman does, than be an unstoppable force like Supes. Anyone could be a hero if they had the power to move planets, but it takes someone truly special to actually risk their lives for others.

Also, this is just the comic geek in me, but Spiderman doesn't really "look up" to Supes because they exist in different realities.

As far as Batman looking up to Superman, that's true, but that's also a two way street. Check out Jeph Loeb's run on Batman/Superman sometime.

 

[Ragna "D" BloodEdge]

Yeah, if Spidey looked up to anyone, it was Captain America.

And speaking of which, why wasn't he in this poll?

 

[GekiBlack]

Superman

 

[KamenGrappler]

I also think Wonder Woman might have a place on there.

 

[MattComix]

I get what you're saying Keith, but I like Batman the best because I feel he IS the greatest. I truly feel it is much more admirable to be a regular man that does the things Batman does, than be an unstoppable force like Supes. Anyone could be a hero if they had the power to move planets, but it takes someone truly special to actually risk their lives for others.

Also, this is just the comic geek in me, but Spiderman doesn't really "look up" to Supes because they exist in different realities.

As far as Batman looking up to Superman, that's true, but that's also a two way street. Check out Jeph Loeb's run on Batman/Superman sometime.

*sigh* it's always the same thing.

First of all how much of a "regular man" is a guy who has endless streams of money, access to all kinds of crazy tech, hot women throwing themselves at him and a butler ready to serve him tea or stitch him up? All this in addition to knowing every fighting art there can possibly be and mastering them all as well as being quite possibly the greatest detective in history and able to survive in alley fights wearing a cape and not getting shot in the mouth? I love Batman but come on..

Getting back to Superman, he can't move planets unless you're going exclusively by the Silver Age version of his power levels and even then that gets been blown out of proportion by modern readers who can't be bothered to look at that era objectively or in its own context. Not to mention that style and approach to the character hasn't been canon for a long time.

Also not just anybody would choose be a hero with that level of power. It would take someone truly special to wield that power effectively and not give in to it or be arrogant or reckless with it. Simple fact is Superman was doing the "with great power comes great responsibility" thing before any other superhero. In fact even though he doesn't have it as a trademarked mantra, that is in many ways what the character is about and he didn't need guilt as a motivator to do it. That's not to knock Spidey cause I love that character to death. With the realization of his own origins and what Jor-El and Lara did for him combined with being raised by the Kents allowed Clark Kent to see his powers from a greater point of view. Doing what he does is a way of honoring those who helped him by helping and protecting others and no everything is not "easy" for him.

..and you know, I don't mind somebody not being into Superman or having him not be their favorite character but I get really sick and tired of some the lame things people come up with to hate on the character just because he's not like Batman or Wolverine. I'm not saying this to be hateful towards you personally, but it's a bad rap and I'm just sick of it.

 

[KamenGrappler]

I'm not hating on Superman, Matt. I truly don't believe I even put him down. He is without a doubt the most powerful and one of the very best heroes in existence. But -- I feel like Superman isn't as *special* as Batman because he doesn't risk as much. Superman is not going to die. That's just not going to happen. Even when Doomsday "killed" him all they hey to do was send him to the sun, a little time with reduced powers and bam he's back better than ever. So, in my humble opinion, because Batman truly risks his life with every encounter, he is in some way greater than Superman.

As far as Batman being a regular man, he is certainly an Elite human being (much like Tendou Soji, if you will) but I'm more referring to the fact that he is mortal and without any level of super human abilities.

I'm also not trying to argue with anyone, I just really love Batman (and Supes, but not Spidey) and it's nice to have a little discussion now and then.

 

[Ragna "D" BloodEdge]

I also think Wonder Woman might have a place on there.

Well, yes and no, man. The current Post-Crisis Wonder Woman isn't American. She's Greek.

Yeah, I know I'm nitpicking.:sweat:

 

[KamenGrappler]

Oh yeah.

Though we could also say Superman is Kryptonian if we go that route.

Doesn't Diana Troy have duel citizenship or something like that?

I'm honestly not even sure who Wonder Woman is right at the moment. I stopped reading during the whole "1 year later" thing.

 

[Ragna "D" BloodEdge]

Well....Donna's a bit more complicated since she's a magical replicant of Diana and all that. But if I had to go out on a limb and assume, she's regarded as both American and Themysciran.