Name________________________________________
Period_________
Comparison Contrast Alternating Sample
Please read and annotate the following essay, using the pink ARG sheet as a guide. In addition
to the questions on the pink sheet, look for each of the parts asked for in the Cause/Effect essay
(refer to the checklist). For instance, does the introduction have all three pieces? Do the body
paragraphs cite their evidence properly? Label each sentence as something on the checklist:
Topic, Evidence, Analysis, etc.
The Great Debate: Batman vs. Superman
Not often in literary history do two characters contrast and match each other so well. Superman
and Batman are the figure heads of DC comics and were the only characters keeping the comic giant
above the rising waters of collapse. It is natural that the characters, both sixty plus years in print, have
acquired a massive fan base. The fan base of the two juggernauts of comics have been known to attack
one another with claims on who is superior or who is the most interesting. With all of the fan "wars" the
origins of the characters, their secret identities, and the style of justice they deliver have been the basis of
determining who is truly the best comic book character. Ultimately, fans prefer Superman because of his
complete dominance as a character, while the story of Batman him more relatable and accessible to fans.
The origin of each character is significant in determining their fan base. First let's talk about the
Man of Steel himself, Superman--or Clark Kent if you prefer. His comic book origin, oddly enough, has
gone through some odd changes during his tenure. Essentially the various origin stories all have
Superman coming from his home planet of Krypton in a rocket and narrowly escaping the apocalypse that
shattered his world; he is sent to the planet Earth where he is found and raised by Jonathan and Martha
Kent, a caring couple from Smallville longing for a child. (However, in some versions of the tale, Clark
begins using his powers at a young age as the hero Superboy, but recently this version of the story was
removed from history as it didn't make sense in the chronological time line.) Clark eventually leaves the
city of Smallville to go to Metropolis. There he develops the Superman persona we have all come to
recognize and begins to defend the world from the likes of Lex Luthor, Braniac, and various foes.
Superman’s origin is clearly supernatural, something that requires an extensive suspension of disbelief
from the audience. While this is attractive for some in providing a complete form of escapism, some
readers may find it to distant to be relatable.
Batman’s origins, on the other hand, stand in stark contrast to the Last Son of Krypton. Unlike
Superman, Batman is born into a wealthy family as Bruce Wayne and lives a normal life until, at a very
young age, his parents are killed at gunpoint during a back alley robbery. The murder of his parents is a
pivotal moment that shapes young Bruce Wayne's life. As a result of losing his parents, he is raised until
the age of eighteen by his loyal butler Alfred. At the age of eighteen, Bruce begins to travel the globe
learning various martial arts and weapons training. After about six or seven years of globe hopping, Bruce
returns to Gotham City and finds it corrupted beyond all belief. With crime lords ruling the streets and
government offices, Bruce decides to take matters in his own hands. Using the bat--an image to strike fear
in the crooks and villains of the city--Bruce develops the persona of Batman. With all his newly acquired
skills and technology courtesy of his own company Wayne Enterprises, Bruce wages an all out war
against crime. While it may be a stretch to say that Batman’s origins are relatable to readers, they are
certainly closer to the believable than Superman’s. His rise through his own determination and training
make his origin story appealing to readers who would like to see themselves in their hero.
Beyond Superman and Batman’s different origins, their different approaches to their secret
identities spurs the battle between their fan bases. Superman's secret identity is often a major topic of
discussion when the nerds gather. One argument is that Superman is his real identity and Clark Kent is his
alter ego since he was born with his powers instead of gaining them in life. Others argue that he is truly
Clark Kent and also just so happens to be Superman, since he was raised to be human and later discovered
he had powers. Either way both sides agree that Clark Kent purposefully behaves in a mild mannered way
so as to seem different from “Superman.” Clumsy, bumbling, and not all there, best describes Clark when
compared to his Superman persona. It is amazing that the only thing hiding his real identity is a pair of
glasses and a "spit-curl.” Even more surprising, he often fools those he is around all the time, both as
Superman and as Clark. For example, Lois Lane, Clark's love interest, never uncovers his identity. In fact,
it is this surprising ease with which he hides his identity that sets Superman apart from Batman.
Superman must do virtually nothing other than change his clothes for him to be unrecognizable to his
friends and foes. Again, this requires a significant acceptance by Superman’s audience to believe that he
would never be discovered. While this can be attractive to fans as a point of discussion, it can be so
unbelievable that certain fans might turn away from the Man of Steel.
In contrast to Superman, Batman takes up a secret identity that requires a great deal of effort and
thought. Bruce Wayne is careful to distance himself from his alter ego even to the extent of his
personality. For instance, Bruce Wayne is seen primarily in the day and only out at night for mandatory
public engagements. This serves to distract any possible ideas of him being Batman. In contrast, Batman
is never seen in the day time (unless he is fighting with the Justice League) and never makes public
appearances (again unless he is with the Justice League). Bruce is fun and outgoing: he tries anything and
everything. He becomes a billionaire playboy spending outrageous amounts of money on lavish luxuries.
By contrast, Batman is brooding and often rude to those he is around (and yes even the Justice League).
He never behaves outlandishly; his behavior is never over the top. Finally, the costume that Batman wears
to hide his identity is costly and often a point of focus in the Batman story, especially during his origins.
Unlike in the case of Superman, it is quite plausible that Batman’s friends never learn his identity.
Because Bruce Wayne takes such effort to conceal his alter ego, this aspect of his character again
becomes more accessible to his audience.
Finally, Superman and Batman’s secret identities enable them to deliver their own brand of
justice. Instead of hunting down villains, Superman just stands back and reacts to every crisis, threat, and
emergency, always protecting the lives of the innocent--and sometimes the evil--from immediate danger.
He is never unprepared for the task at hand, seemingly taking no personal interest in what it may be, only
knowing that he should protect the unprotected. Perhaps it is this all-encompassing justice that appeals to
his fans who see him as the superior hero. However, his lack of human vengeance or even goals also may
alienate him from other fans.
Batman, on the other hand, has a completely different style of fighting crime, mimicking a
cowboy in an old Western. He comes into a crime-filled town and hunts down the cancer that is killing
the city. He is proactive instead of reactive, and more of a detective. He uses his brains to hunt down his
villains. While smarter than the average human, Batman is still only human and makes mistakes in his
judgment, often plaguing him throughout his life. His own personal vendetta gets in his way at times,
making him both flawed to some viewers, but appealing because of those flaws to others.
Perhaps all of the differences between Superman and Batman can be summed up in the simple,
obvious observation that one is human, and one is not. Batman carries with him all of the flaws and
attractions of a mortal man, while Superman transcends human limits, but lacks a certain appeal that can
be drawn from other seeing oneself in one’s hero. Ultimately, it would be arrogant of me state the
superiority of one over the other, and it would only be a drop in the bucket that is that ongoing debate.
Certain fans are drawn to the overpowering wonder of Superman, while others love the relatability of
Batman, and despite what I may think, both groups will continue to thrive. Perhaps that is the real point
of this debate. Rather than attempting to choose a winner, we should simply celebrate the fact that both
of these characters have touched the lives of so many fans. They continue to fascinate us, as they
fascinated our parents and grandparents, and will likely fascinate our children. We likely will never
decide who is superior in this great debate, but we can know that these staples of American culture will be
with us for years to come.
Name__________________________________
Period______
Superman vs. Batman Questions
1. What is the claim? Does it make a strong statement on one side of the
argument or the other? Please rewrite the claim to be more definitive.
2. What is wrong with the evidence in this essay? If you were to keep this
topic, how could you incorporate better evidence?
3. What are the pros and cons of structuring this essay in alternating/point-bypoint style? If you were to write an essay with similar evidence, would you
leave it this way, or write it in block structure?
4. Even though the essay remains officially undecided, do you see a certain
bias towards one hero or the other? Where? Quote directly.
5. Everyone enjoys weighing in on the debate. Tell me: Superman or Batman?