Why is Spiderman Better than Superman, or Vice Versa?

Question

Your thoughts, please :) I'm in a debate tournament at my school, and for some reason, that's the topic I'm lined up for tomorrow. I'm not too familiar with Superman, so any insights would be useful (and probably entertaining, too)

Oh, I think I'm literally supposed to be debating about the characters themselves (their powers, their "personalities, etc), rather than the movies. Thoguh either/or probably works.

Wow, great responses so far! My debate was moved to next week, so please keep them coming!

Answer 1

spiderman would kick the crap out of superman.

WHY?

HES SMARTER!
Batman regularly hands out beatdowns to superman so much so that it has become a cliche' and batman doesn't have ANY powers. He is just brilliant and a brilliant tactician.

This is because superman approaches problems with his fists, no tactics and without analyzing it. Look at history, those who have better tactics in war, will win. Superman is like the general who marches his soldiers into a trap.

Spiderman would realize that superman has greater stregth and power and would find a way to beat him without attacking him head on with his fists and would use clever tactics and his intellect and planning to beat him. Superman's worst enemy (luthor) has no super powers yet is a match for him. Kind of sad.

Spiderman's enemies are usually intellectuals who have acquired some powers through messed up experiments or something. (green goblin, dock ock, etc.)

Superman is a mindless brawler with a lot of power. Intellectually he solves problems a tiny step above the Hulk ("hulk smash!").

HUMANITY:
Spiderman has always been popular because he is written as a "regular guy". He is the underdog in real-life but a hero in costume.
IN his job his boss is an ***, he is dirt-poor, he struggles through life and his powers and desire to help people come off as more of a hinderance than a blessing as his career as spiderman always seem to get in the way of him having a good happy life or getting ahead. More recently, his aunt was shot because of him bieng spiderman. He gets no thanks for what he does, and no reward. Yet he struggles on in life despite the constant harships and upsets. His life as spiderman has also impacted his wife's success (failure rather) as a model.

He is in short- human and an appealing character that we all can find some way to relate to and sympathize with.

Superman on the other hand is a reporter who has a "dream world".

He has a wife that is a successfull reporter, has a boss that is nice and works with him rather than bieng an ***. (who would you rather have JJ jameson or perry white).

Superman has little or no troubles in his life. As such his moral character is not regularly tested. superman gets the admiration of fans and is loved by all, unlike spiderman who does good despite the personal cost to him.

Superman actually gains from his powers.

Spiderman is just a better character on every level, and would win in a fight because he would think tactically not just "duke it out".

For a morality argument also spiderman presents a better role-model for children as he would teach them to think something through and approach a problem using thier brain rather than just impulsively acting and "punching the biggest bad guy till he goes down".

Answer 2

I heard that a Captain America movie will be coming out to introduce the Avengers movie. I never really learned much about Capt. America other than he was a guy who faught Nazis. He seems like a cheesy character, mostly because of his outfit and dumb shield, but this movie can be pretty interesting. I agree that Spiderman is a great super hero! He has awesome powers and a pretty creative costume. I also like how he's down to earth and more human than other supers. Superman is too godlike in my opinion and he has a cheesy name and outfit, but he is still pretty awesome in a way. I can't wait for the new superman movie that'll be coming out in about a year. I heard it's directed by the same guy who directed Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

Answer 3

Spiderman will beat up Superman in a DeathMatch as Superman has a weakness which is Krptonite. Don't forget Spiderman is a Scientist so he can do a research on how to create a killer kryptonite to kill off Superman.

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Answer 4

I would say that Spiderman is the better of the two. Sure Superman is insanely strong and could probably beat the living crap out of Spidey but Spiderman is just easier to relate to spidey was a total nerd and got the crap beat out of him on a daily basis so a lot of people really get what it like to be him. We have all had our moments where we have felt like losers.

Answer 5

If you're talking about in terms of character, Spider-man is much better. Peter Parker is an everyman, he's got problems with money, with girls (at least until he got married) the public doesn't trust him and he's more human and relateable.
Superman should get credit for being the first Superhero, but he just pretends to be like everyone else.

Answer 6

Okay...well in my opinion Spiderman is the best super hero out there. (me and my friend would play w/ the toys and stuff && we're 15&16 XP) well Superman is okay, so he's got super powers like super strength, he can fly, but his weakness being Kryptonite? I think that's stupid! Honestly Spiderman is better, he can sling webs, he's strong too, (though not as strong as superman) and all in all, he's awesome. In my opinion superman is crazy....How can a man be so strong and powerful, and have a weakness that can kill him as simple as Kryptonite!!! Outrageous No? heh. Spidey Rulez says Jess (me) && Gabe <3

Answer 7

Superman does what he does because he wants to help people. If he couldn't fly and have bullets bounce off of his chest, he'd STILL be helping people as Clark Kent, with his investigative reporting.

Spider-Man does what he does because he feels guilty about not catching the burglar who killed Uncle Ben. If Ben hadn't died, Parker wouldn't be a hero.

Also, most of what Spider-Man does is a complete homage to Superman.

Both are mild-mannered men who work for a great metropolitan newspaper.

Both wear red and blue.

Spider-Man was even CALLED Superman in Dr. Octopus' very first appearance! If you can find an honest reprint, you'll see it! :) Most reprints have fixed Stan Lee's mistake.

Now, people will call Spider-Man an everyman, without realizing he's NOT an everyman anymore.

How many everymen have incredible, high-profile jobs, with a college degree and are married to super-models? ;)

As for either Spider-Man or Batman being able to beat Superman, neither one's been able to harm him yet. There's a Batman book written by a clown that's on-sale every six or eight months who is laughing at the fans for not realizing the joke he is pulling on them.

Good luck with your debate! :)

Answer 8

Superman is better, he can fly, does not need to breath so his able to go into space, indestructible, made of iron, heat vision, ice breath, does not sleep, incredible strength, like his name "SUPERMAN" OH! and wears a cool cape.

Answer 9

in dc world, superman is the greatest superhero ever. in marvel it is spiderman.
i don't think that debating over this two will give a good result. it's a win win situation for both of them.

Answer 10

superman would make spiderman look like a weakling trying to lift a rock