If I had to, I'd say Iron Man is more popular than Captain America, but not by a crazy amount. Chris Evans and the way the Marvel Cinematic Universe have treated Cap (with some inspiration from Ed Brubaker's work) have made Cap and Iron Man (led by Robert Downey, Jr.'s charms) nearly neck and neck. Batman and Superman have never had such a tight race.
I'd say maybe it was close in the 60s, when Supes was revitalized by the science fiction angle, and Bats was getting all that television pussy. But since, aside from a strong blip in Supes favor by Christopher Reeve, its been the Batman show ever since. Supes can't catch a break while Batman gets led by award winning video games and Christopher Nolan. All leading up to now, where its no contest.
Admittedly, this last panel above is indicative of my own desire for Superman to be as popular as Batman. I love most things about the character and if you've been reading this comic or listening to the podcast very long, you know why. So while Superman may not struggle with an inferiority complex, I'm certainly having one for him.
The comics haven't helped. Soss always says, "there are a million definitive Batman stories. How many definitive Superman stories are there?" He's right. Not too many. But when a writer can mine that gold properly, you get why Superman has lasted almost a hundred years of publication.
Man of Steel hasn't lit the fire under potential Superman fans, but I'm holding out hope that Batman v Superman is going to deliver something no one's expecting.
I have to because I love Superman and want the world to love him too... just as much as Captain America, Iron Man and Batman.
-Gint
No comments:
Post a Comment