Among the many superheroes, two have an everlasting impact. Instant recognizability. And have set the foundation for the superhero genre. Superman and Batman stand head and shoulders above other superheroes. Superman carved a clear path for other superheroes to walk on, including Batman. And Batman meanwhile is a character that continues to find success no matter what platform he is on. Superman represents what a superhero should be, always put others before yourself no matter how small they are and no matter how big you are. Batman represents what a superhero should be, always push on no matter the threat. They only get better when they get paired together. Their ideas, morals, drives, philosophies, and motivations clash and complement each other. Their opposites also clash and complement. It’s a pairing that is, for the most part, always welcomed, that always delivers. This was tried before in live action with very mixed results. That film caught just a sliver of what a pairing of Superman and Batman could be. With such a history and a dynamic relationship between them, James Gunn and company should try once more to bring the relationship of Batman and Superman back to the big screen.
The first thing that comes to mind when Batman and Superman get together is obviously that potential fight between them. Goes without saying, but Superman WILL beat Batman in a straight up fight. One flick, Superman could break Batman’s sternum. Could end the Dark Knight’s night real quick. On the other hand, Batman does prepare for everything. With Superman’s power, with evil versions of Superman, and threats on Superman’s level, Batman has plans, suits, weapons, equipment and resources that could get him a win. With Superman’s absolute power and Batman’s unrivaled intellect, it’s a classic battle between brains and brawns. In Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, there was a fight but it was short. In that short time though, it did show that both men could end the other. Batman has to rely more on equipment but was still capable. Superman also showed how quickly he could end Batman when he pushed Batman away at the beginning of the fight and when he flew Batman through the building right after. A potential movie with the two could expand on the fights. Could even have a fight where Batman outright wins, one where Superman outright wins, and one where it’s a stalemate. It could give fans on both sides some spectacle, some fireworks. However, this potential should not rely on the physical fighting between Batman and Superman because their relationship is much more than that. Perhaps later down the line it could happen. But in the beginning, they need to be on the same side.
Now, a lack of physical conflict doesn’t mean a lack of conflict. Like mentioned above, the ideas that drive both men do collide. Superman thinks that criminals have a right to be listened to. Batman thinks criminals need to be stopped right away. Superman does get impatient with Batman’s brooding and dark outlook on the world while Batman gets sicken by Superman’s naivety on the world. Superman wants Batman to see the light that gets poured onto the Earth while Batman wants Superman to see the dark that floods the crevices. The invulnerability of Superman could cause Batman some headaches because Superman could feel that there’s no consequences of fighting. But when something does happen, that’s a problem that Batman has to fix. Batman’s secrecy, paranoia and distrust could drive Superman insane. In the books and animation, even when they are on the same side, the two do break out into arguments at the most and disagreements at the least. All the constant friction between them because of their different philosophies is a large part of their relationships. It keeps the other on their toes but also teaches the other. It shows the they are always on edge with each other, shows that, although they may be good friends, they’re not fully comfortable with one other. But most importantly, this friction is overcome. Both men have set themselves on missions that have put others above themselves and at the end of the day, that commonality triumphs the differences.
And there’s a genuine respect for each other. At times, Superman is regarded as one of, if not the, greatest friend that Batman has. In some cases, too, Batman is regarded as one of Superman’s greatest allies, someone that Superman trusts the most. There’s this brotherly relationship between them. They’ll fight for each other as much as they fight with each other. If one goes into war, the other isn’t far behind, or at least that’s an idea the movie could work with. Batman relies on Superman’s good nature to bail them out while Superman is humbled by Batman. These two men are fully aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses and complement them. But behind the ‘masks’ both men have welcomed the other in their more personal lives. Superman even has trusted Batman to mentor his own child a few times. Even though Batman is a mortal, Superman still knows that Batman has it in him to mentor a half Kryptonian child. Batman didn’t accept Superman has died because on the surface, his death seems odd. But deep down, Batman could have refused his death because Superman means something to him. Having him gone just didn’t seem right to him. That is something that has been missing from a DC story for quite some time. There have been a few animated projects that have highlighted this relationship but it’s been fading. As of late, they just pass by each other at the least, and at the most, they’ve been on opposing sides. Since the DCU is leaning back toward the more hopeful characters and balancing well known characters and deeper cut characters, it leaves room for this brotherly Superman/Batman relationship. This relationship could even be the foundation of the DCU, similar to Iron Man and Captain America was to the MCU. This relationship has the flare of classic DC stories and could highlight Superman’s and Batman’s traits by simply having them as opposites. This relationship is the tone that this potential should adapt. Should rely on. These are the biggest characters in DC, and perhaps in all of comic books, and they need to be on the same side now in a big story.
Superman and Batman have a rich history with each other. They have been teammates, allies, adversaries, and friends. It’s an ever changing relationship. But that changing also goes in cycles. The dial needs point at them being these brothers that have a love/relationship. The DCU allows that to happen. It’s a great opportunity to showcase three things at once; Superman, Batman, and that great relationship between them.
