Move aside, Superman: You’re not the only superhero in town

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Watching “Superman Returns” raises an important question. What exactly makes him so super as compared to other popular heroes like Batman and Spiderman?

It’s not like he’s completely unique. Superman has several characteristics that are similar to the other two in question. For instance there are the costumes. It must be unwritten law that superheroes are required to wear tights. Superman and Spiderman even sport the same colors on their costumes: red and blue.

But give him a little credit. Superman is one of the few heroes who does not wear a mask. Does he have more self-confidence? Does he not care if anyone recognizes him as his human guise Clark Kent? Perhaps he just loves to show off his handsome face.

Speaking of costumes, there’s the idea of secret identities. All superheroes need some sort of alias so they can keep that essence of mystique about them.

Most superheroes choose introverted, somewhat nerdy guises like Superman’s Clark Kent and Spiderman’s Peter Parker. Parker and Kent also both work for newspapers. Meanwhile, Batman, lives a double life as Bruce Wayne, an opulent billionaire.

No matter what their nature, all three of these superheroes choose to live alternate lives that are completely different from their true identities. This offers them anonymity and protection from their enemies.

But why become a superhero? How did these guys get stuck with the responsibility of saving the world again and again? Batman and Spiderman both converted to avenge the murder of close family members. Superman, on the other hand, just flew in from another planet, powers intact, though undeveloped. Transforming into a superhero became just a natural step for Superman.

Now how about these superpowers? Who’s really got the power? Superman possesses super speed, strength, superior vision, flight, and breath that can freeze any object.

However, his greatest vulnerability comes in the form of kryptonite. This radioactive material from his home planet limits Superman’s powers, and is the only object that can give him pain.

One bite from a spider, and hum-drum Peter Parker gets his own set of spider powers.

Spiderman’s most popular superpowers are his ability to stick to and climb up walls, super strength, and excellent balance. Besides these physical capabilities, Spiderman is also highly intellectual, and invents gadgets to help him fight crimes. For instance, who can forget those spiderwebs he shoots out of his arms?

Though Batman was not given superpowers from an outside source, he made his own by becoming a superior fighter, and using intellect to drive away villains.

Take the Batmobile and his gadget-adorned untility belt. Has Batman ever gone on a mission without one of these inventions?

No matter what their powers may be, Spiderman and Batman have a leg up on Superman. They’re human. They’re limited in what they can do both physically and mentally, whereas Superman, being from another world and posessing superpowers from birth, has a restricted amount of weaknesses. Sure, being practically invincible is all well and good, but perfection also equals dull.

Fans of the other two heroes can take part in their human lives. They can laugh at Bruce Wayne’s ridiculously lavish lifestyle, or pine for Peter Parker and his crush, Mary Jane to get together. With Superman, that human touch becomes lost within his godlike nature.

Is Superman really that super compared to his fellow crimefighters?

That’s up to the indivdual to decide, but the Man of Steel clearly has competition for that top spot.

Francy Marcotte
Culture Writer

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