‘Batman v Superman’: LI fans answer, ‘Who’s the better superhero?’
Brothers (and dueling Superman/Batman fans) Jared and Daniel Simeone of Port Jefferson Station. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
Two comic book icons are about to clash on the silver screen Friday. The thing is . . . they are both superheroes. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” sets the stage for a highly anticipated battle of epic portions.
In the left corner stands Batman — the Dark Knight who forages the streets of Gotham in the wee hours capturing criminals, vigilante style. In the right corner stands Superman — the son of Krypton, an alien from another planet who has come to Earth to fight for truth, justice and the American way.
Long Islanders love them both — but the Batman-Superman debate has begun. Here’s what some fans have to say:
BATMAN
ALTER EGO Bruce Wayne
BACK STORY After witnessing the death of his parents as a child, he uses his anger and fear to stalk villains in the night.
COMES FROM Gotham City
POWERS Superior intelligence plus high-tech gadgets and the Batmobile.
THE EDGE In a battle with Superman, Robert Meyers, 40, of Ronkonkoma, sees Batman as having the edge.
“Batman is a detective who uses his mind to get himself into and out of situations,” he says. “He has no powers, yet he is considered one of the most powerful superheroes in the DC universe.”
Batman’s paranoia serves him well, according to Daniel Simeone, 29, of Port Jefferson Station. “Bruce views everybody as a threat and trusts no one,” he says. “He has a contingency plan for every situation."
For Anna Lenz, 30, of Smithtown, Batman is the more relatable superhero.
“Batman has limitations and wears his problems on his sleeve,” she says. “He’s an anti-hero people can connect with.”
SUPERMAN
ALTER EGO Clark Kent
BACK STORY Sent to Earth as a child after his home planet Krypton is destroyed, he is raised in Kansas by the Kent family, who keeps his superpowers under wraps.
COMES FROM Metropolis
POWERS Flight, heat vision, super strength, freezing breath, X-ray vision, super speed, inability to be harmed
THE EDGE Jared Simeone, 25, of Port Jefferson Station, views Superman as being the superior superhero, hands down.
“Theoretically and realistically there’s absolutely no way that Batman could stand up to Superman,” he says. “Superman could break Batman in two before he even has a chance to think. But, he doesn’t see him as a threat. He sees him more as a friend.”
Beyond his physical strength, Superman’s core is based on a moral code, which he lives by, says Todd Zimmer, 47, of Commack.
“In the face of adversity, Superman always makes the right decision,” he says. “He never goes back on what he believes in, no matter how difficult the situation.”
For Dan Marquardt, 45, of West Islip, the logo on Superman’s chest says it all.
“The Superman symbol represents hope,” he says. “It’s a reminder that we all have the potential to be something better, something super.”
SUPER SNYDER
In 2004, Scott Snyder, 40, of Port Jefferson, was a customer at 4th World Comics in Smithtown. Today he writes the comics that sell on the shelves. Snyder isn’t just peddling his own indie books, he’s currently helming Batman, and even wrote for a year on Superman. But when pressed, he’s a Batman fan.
“Growing up in New York City in the 1980s made Batman very visceral and real to me. It made it seem like he walked the streets I knew,” says Snyder. “Batman is human; he’s like us. He takes this tremendous trauma and adversity and turns it into fuel to become this kind of pinnacle of human achievement proving you can overcome your hardships and make a hero out of yourself.”
Snyder also admires Superman, which he feels is the ultimate immigrant story.
“Superman comes to this planet and falls in love with humanity,” he says. “He saves us because he convinces us that we are worth saving.”
The writer, whose Batman #50 oversized issue drops Wednesday, goes back and forth on which superhero has the upper hand.
“Batman always wins because he’s prepared for everything,” says Snyder. “Superman thinks he has to go easy on him because he’s so powerful. But, he knows that Batman isn’t one to be trifled with.”
— DAVID J. CRIBLEZ
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
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