[williamssl]

OK folks this is it - the finals of our Superhero Showdown. Our two #1 contenders from the Marvel and DC families are going up against each other. From Marvel: Spider-Man. And from DC: Batman.

This is where we debate the pros and cons of each and try to convince your peers how they should cast their votes.

I asked my soon-to-be 7-year old and he reasoned "Who has beaten the most bad guys? I think Batman has. Batman wins". So there's one argument.

Talk it up because there's no holding back. The poll goes live this Saturday.

[OpTard]

BATMAN! BATMAN! BATMAN!

[salmonjunkie]

SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-MAN!

[OpTard]

ASIANS SUCK! JEWS RULE!

[The Canadian Content]

Fuck Superman!

[Batman]

You fuckers... Come on Sal, you're the biggest mark for Peter Parker around here. Make a case for him, and I'll make a case for Batman.

I think my case for Superman actually deterred people from voting for him, so you're going to want me to do that!

[Deleted]

Do we really need to make an argument, here? Spidey gets by and kicks ass with his physical abilities and wits WITHOUT needing the help of any large sum of $$$.

He's got the better villains. He's got the cooler costume.

While he often teams up with other heroes, he hasn't ever had the need for a permanent sidekick.

He's got MJ.

He has grown 4 extra arms on more than one occasion.

Macho Man guest-starred in his movie.

Doogie Howser used to do his animated voice.

A lot of the general public HATES Spider-Man, but he goes on with his obligations, anyway.

[National Champion Chris Cole]

My own personal list goes Superman, Batman, Spiderman. So therefore I vote for Batman. He has the best villians to square off against which makes him even cooler. I have enjoyed the Spiderman movies though so this is much closer for me then it would have been 10 years ago if you asked me.

[Batman]

gatorbait said:

Do we really need to make an argument, here? Spidey gets by and kicks ass with his physical abilities and wits WITHOUT needing the help of any large sum of $$$.

And Batman kicks ass without any help from radioactive spiders.

He's got the better villains. He's got the cooler costume.

Clearly you have become confused and are talking about Batman now, right?

While he often teams up with other heroes, he hasn't ever had the need for a permanent sidekick.

He's got MJ.

This one I'll grant you. Batman is a total closet case. This will count against him in some folks' minds; to me it just makes him that much more interesting.

On the other hand, how many guys who Spider-man mentored made it into this tournament? 'Cause for Batman, the answer is two. Not one, but two!

He has grown 4 extra arms on more than one occasion.

Macho Man guest-starred in his movie.

Doogie Howser used to do his animated voice.

These are pluses?

A lot of the general public HATES Spider-Man, but he goes on with his obligations, anyway.

To paraphrase what folks said against my Superman case: you're using that argument against Batman?

[williamssl]

gatorbait said:

Doogie Howser used to do his animated voice.

So Spider-Man is gay then. Don't think this helps him much. Well, maybe with BTR but he can't read any of this anyhow.

[OpTard]

anyone who doesn't think batman has the coolest villians needs to be killed, then murdered, then put to death.

[The Canadian Content]

Since when are any of Spidey's villains cooler than the Joker or the Riddler (when handled properly)?

[Batman]

Riddler? The "proper" way to "handle" Riddler is to write a different villain in his place. Green Goblin is way cooler.

But Batman's best villains--Joker, Two-face, and Ras--are the best villains in comics. Doom is the only guy on the whole Marvel side who is even in their league. (And maybe Magneto.)

[The Canadian Content]

When Riddler is written as brilliant and creepy, he's awesome. When he's goofy, he sucks.

[Batman]

Example, please. And if you say "Hush," I'm smiting you...

[Deleted]

I'll take Venom, Carnage, Green Goblin, and Kraven over Joker, Penguin, The Riddler, and Two-Face any day.

And when I was saying that large portions of the general public dislike Spider-Man, I was referring to the general public of the Marvel Universe.

[OpTard]

spidey's got one major thing working against him...

HE'S NOT BATMAN!

[The Canadian Content]

Gator sez: I'll take Venom, Carnage, Green Goblin, and Kraven over Joker, Penguin, The Riddler, and Two-Face any day.

And when I was saying that large portions of the general public dislike Spider-Man, I was referring to the general public of the Marvel Universe.

Venom is cool, no doubt, but none of the others hold a candle to Joker.

Batman is hated by a large portion of the DCU, especially during the most recent "Crisis".

[Batman]

Mastur Bator--

Ahh, you like Carnage and Venom, this explains why you would count his rogue's gallery on the plus side for Spidey.

I'll grant you Kraven had one awesome storyline, but before that he was a total lame-o--which was sort of the point of the "Last Hunt" storyline. And after that he was dead.


In other words, replace "Venom" with "Green Goblin" and I'm with thorfag.

[Krydor]

Batman doesn't need money or gadgets, they are just icing on the cake. He uses deductive reasoning, as he is (first and foremost) a detective.

Spiderman, without his magic powers, is some goober in jammies.

If Batman was put in a box and thrown in a river, sans utility belt, I bet he gets out. Spiderman gets thrown in a river without his powers, he dies.

[The Canadian Content]

krydor said:

Spiderman, without his magic powers, is some goober in jammies.

Just out of curiosity, does that make Venom's suit "magic jammies"?

[Deleted]

How can you honestly say that Carnage or Green Goblin don't hold a candle to Joker? Keep in mind: we're dealing with all incarnations of these characters. Personally, I thought Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Joker sucked 100 types of ass (including donkey ass). You want pure psychopath? You can't get any more psychotic than Carnage. And even if you're not a fan of the original Green Goblin, Ultimate GG is a fucking bad-ass.

[Krydor]

Well, I want to say "yes". Ah, fuck it. Everyone in Spiderman's universe has magic pajamas.

[Deleted]

Oh and I never buy the "Batman's a detective" shit. Whoopty-fucking-doo. The guys in Dragnet were detectives. Inspector Gadget was a detective. Being a detective does not make one cool.

And yes, Spidey has better costumes, too.

[The Canadian Content]

Gator -- I liked the Nicholson Joker. I was 12. I still think that was the best Batman movie by far until Batman Begins.

I'm not familiar with any of the Ultimate Universe, so I can't comment on UGG.

I've honestly never seen Carnage as being as big a threat to Spidey as Venom is. Is he psychotic? Without a doubt he is. I'm still not that impressed, though.

And no, Spidey does not have the better costumes.