The Ultimate Superhero Bracket: Batman vs Spider-Man | Part 3
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Michael Wynands
It's time to find out who reigns supreme! For this video, we're pitting our Marvel champion Spider-Man against our DC champion Batman, to decide the greatest superhero of all time! To see how we got this far be sure to check out our previous Marvel and DC brackets!
Bracket Final Round: Spider-Man Vs. Batman (2020)_B4Q0V4
It’s time for the ultimate showdown. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be pitting Batman and Spider-Man against each other to see which hero reigns supreme.
This is the third in a trilogy of superhero tournament videos, in which we saw Spider-Man emerge victorious over his Marvel rivals, while Batman dominated the rounds for DC. Now, it’s time to watch our Marvel and DC champions go toe-to-toe. This Versus is about more than who would win in a fight; it’s a deep dive into the backstories, abilities, appearance, and pop culture significance of each character, to decide who feels the most essential at this point in time.
Please note, we are aware that this is a versus that we’ve already done. But that was a few years ago, and the world of comic book characters is always in flux. Between comic books, animated series, video games and films, a lot has changed. So without further ado, let’s get into it!
Round 1: Origin
Spider-Man swung onto the page and into the hearts of readers in 1962. Defying expectations, this teenage superhero quickly became one of Marvel’s most popular characters. After being bitten by a radioactive Spider, he develops a number of new and incredible abilities. At first, Peter Parker uses his powers for personal gain, partaking in a televised wrestling program in exchange for some quick cash. But when his Uncle Ben is killed by a criminal that Peter could have stopped earlier in the issue, he learns a painful lesson that puts him on the hero’s path: "With great power there must also come—great responsibility!"
Batman made his comic book debut all the way back in 1939. Rooted in the tradition of hard boiled detectives and larger than life characters like Zorro and the Phantom, he quickly joined Superman as a bestseller. Six issues after his premiere in Detective Comics #27, Batman’s tragic origin was immortalized on the page. Late one night, as a young Bruce Wayne was walking home from the movies with his parents, they were accosted by a mugger. The robbery goes sideways, ending in the tragic death of both Bruce’s parents. He’s understandably traumatized by what he’s witnessed, but he takes this pain and channels it into a lifelong crusade against crime.
Any truly iconic superhero needs a great origin story. And Spider-Man and Batman arguably have two of the most famous in the history of the medium. While both heroes are shaped by tragedy, Bruce Wayne is entirely defined by the loss of his parents. It’s what drives everything he does and makes him so compelling. And for that reason, he takes round one.
WINNER: Batman: 1 / Spider-Man: 0
Round 2: Costume
An compelling origin story is all well and good, but if you really want to catch the attention of readers, you need to stand out. And with his trademark red and blue morph suit, Spider-Man certainly turns heads. It’s the webbing pattern and distinctive eyes that really make it one of a kind though. Over the years, like most long-running heroes, Spidey has donned a number of variant suits. And for the most part, they’ve been pretty awesome. The symbiote suit literally took on a life of it’s own! But Spidey always comes back to the classic red and blue. And why not? It’s instantly recognizable, functional, and looks great swinging through the streets of New York City.
Batman’s suit strikes a perfect balance between functionality and theatricality. Even more so than Spider-Man, the Dark Knight isn’t afraid of changing up his look. He seems to be constantly tweaking the material, finishings and color combinations. Whether it’s black on black, black on gray, or blue on gray, Batman’s costume is always form-fitting and comes complete with a cape and cowl. He’s a creature of the night who deals in fear and intimidation, and he’s got a costume to match. It allows him to blend into the shadows and get the drop on his foes, ensuring that he always makes a big impression. And though we love a situation-specific variant outfit, the classic black and gray costume is timeless.
Both of these characters have great costumes that are instantly recognizable. That being said, Batman’s costume does feel a bit more dated, which is perhaps why filmmakers have struggled to make it translate to the big screen. Also, the constant changes undermine the concept of one true Bat-suit. When you think of Spider-Man, the classic red and blue instantly comes to mind. As such, Spider-Man takes it!
WINNER: Batman: 1/ Spider-Man: 1
Round 3: Powers, Abilities, Skills & Gadgets
Though we don’t imagine that being bitten by a radioactive spider is a particularly pleasant experience, there’s no arguing with the results! The encounter gave Peter various spider-inspired powers, including the strength, speed, and agility of an arachnid relative to his size; the ability to cling to surfaces; and a sixth sense, which he refers to as his “spider-sense”. This alone makes him quite the able-bodied hero, but that’s not taking into account Parker’s gifts that predate his superpowers - most notably his intellect. He’s blessed with a brilliant mind, which he not only uses to solve technological and scientific problems, but also design his own costume and tech - his web shooters being arguably his most iconic invention.
Despite being one of the most feared and respected heroes in the DC universe, Batman technically doesn’t have any superpowers. He’s just extremely gifted. He’s arguably the peak human specimen, having pushed his bodies to the physical limits in terms of speed, strength, stamina, etc. He’s mastered a wide variety of fighting styles and is an expert hand-to-hand combatant. And his unparalleled deductive reasoning and problem solving makes him the world’s greatest detective. His genius level intellect, coupled with his wealth, also enables him to craft countless gadgets, vehicles and tools to help him make up for his lack of powers.
Spider-Man and Batman are very different in this regard. Peter Parker is blessed with some truly incredible superpowers, whereas Batman is a mortal man who has to rely on his intelligence and gadgets. The thing is… Peter Parker is also a genius with a knack for gadgetry. So that’s another win for the Webslinger!
WINNER: Batman: 1/ Spider-Man: 2
Round 4: Rogues’ Gallery
Spider-Man has duked it out with more than his fair share of evildoers. As a member of the Avengers, he’s faced foes well above his weight class. Even in his own backyard of NYC though, he’s got plenty to keep him busy. His most iconic recurring villains include Vulture, Sandman, Lizard, Mysterio, Scorpion, Rhino, Shocker, Chameleon and more. Then there are those who’ve made the largest impact on his life, and with whom there’s REALLY bad blood. He and Doctor Octopus have tangled more times than we can count. Kraven the Hunter once buried Spidey alive, while Venom and Carnage are an endless source of frustration. Then there’s Green Goblin, Spidey’s personal nemesis and one of the most nefarious villains in the Marvel universe.
As a member of the Justice League, Batman is often called upon to face global threats. Heck, every now and then he has to save the universe or all of reality! Which is crazy considering how badly Gotham needs him. It’s a hotbed of zany supercriminal activity; villains seem to make up a sizable portion of the city’s population. Riddler, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Professor Pyg, the Court of Owls, Penguin, Scarecrow, Hush, Killer Croc, Black Mask, Mr. Zsasz … we could go on all day! And we haven’t even mentioned his international beefs with heavyweights like Bane (the man who broke the bat) or Ra’s Al Ghul. Frankly though, there’s one villain in Batman’s rogues’ gallery that puts them ALL to shame - Joker.
Batman and Spider-Man are both blessed with an abundance of colorful and memorable villains to keep them busy. But if we’re talking about high profile, iconic villains, Batman’s roster is undeniably larger and more impressive. Dark Knight ties it up!
WINNER: Batman: 2/ Spider-Man: 2
Round 5: Films
As much as we love comic books and consider them to be the defining medium for superheroes … there’s no denying the importance of film. Comic book movies bring these heroes to the masses. And few heroes have experienced greater success on the big screen than the Webslinger. 2002’s “Spider-Man” took the genre to new heights, and it’s sequel is still held up as one of the greatest comic book movies ever made. Since joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spidey has moved beyond New York City to fight crime internationally (not to mention in space) and Tom Holland fully embodies the character. In 2018, legacy Spider-Man Miles Morales made a big impression in his own right with the animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”.
Few comic book characters have graced the big screen as many times as the Dark Knight. Adam West’s take on the character might not be the Batman we think of most today, but there’s no denying the impact that the 1966 “Batman” film made. The two Tim Burton Batman films played a pivotal role in shaping the comic book movie genre as we know it today. And yes… they were followed by the embarrassments that were the Schumacher Batflicks, but for young kids, they were fun. And the Dark Knight trilogy, uneven though the ending may have been, is nonetheless an astounding achievement for the genre. Though perhaps not as widely consumed, the animated Batman films are of consistently high quality.
This round is a tough one. Both Batman and Spider-Man have achieved colossal success on the big screen and weathered disappointments. Schumacher’s films and the Batfleck era hurt, but then so did “Spider-Man 3” and Sony’s first reboot. In the end though, we have to give it to Batman, whose cinematic achievements still feel greater. Plus the volume of quality animated Batman features tips the scales. Batman takes the round, and our Marvel vs DC championship!
WINNER: Batman: 3/ Spider-Man: 2
Did we pick the right hero? Be sure to debate it in the comments! Check out the videos where we decided our Marvel and DC champions, and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos!
It’s time for the ultimate showdown. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be pitting Batman and Spider-Man against each other to see which hero reigns supreme.
This is the third in a trilogy of superhero tournament videos, in which we saw Spider-Man emerge victorious over his Marvel rivals, while Batman dominated the rounds for DC. Now, it’s time to watch our Marvel and DC champions go toe-to-toe. This Versus is about more than who would win in a fight; it’s a deep dive into the backstories, abilities, appearance, and pop culture significance of each character, to decide who feels the most essential at this point in time.
Please note, we are aware that this is a versus that we’ve already done. But that was a few years ago, and the world of comic book characters is always in flux. Between comic books, animated series, video games and films, a lot has changed. So without further ado, let’s get into it!
Round 1: Origin
Spider-Man swung onto the page and into the hearts of readers in 1962. Defying expectations, this teenage superhero quickly became one of Marvel’s most popular characters. After being bitten by a radioactive Spider, he develops a number of new and incredible abilities. At first, Peter Parker uses his powers for personal gain, partaking in a televised wrestling program in exchange for some quick cash. But when his Uncle Ben is killed by a criminal that Peter could have stopped earlier in the issue, he learns a painful lesson that puts him on the hero’s path: "With great power there must also come—great responsibility!"
Batman made his comic book debut all the way back in 1939. Rooted in the tradition of hard boiled detectives and larger than life characters like Zorro and the Phantom, he quickly joined Superman as a bestseller. Six issues after his premiere in Detective Comics #27, Batman’s tragic origin was immortalized on the page. Late one night, as a young Bruce Wayne was walking home from the movies with his parents, they were accosted by a mugger. The robbery goes sideways, ending in the tragic death of both Bruce’s parents. He’s understandably traumatized by what he’s witnessed, but he takes this pain and channels it into a lifelong crusade against crime.
Any truly iconic superhero needs a great origin story. And Spider-Man and Batman arguably have two of the most famous in the history of the medium. While both heroes are shaped by tragedy, Bruce Wayne is entirely defined by the loss of his parents. It’s what drives everything he does and makes him so compelling. And for that reason, he takes round one.
WINNER: Batman: 1 / Spider-Man: 0
Round 2: Costume
An compelling origin story is all well and good, but if you really want to catch the attention of readers, you need to stand out. And with his trademark red and blue morph suit, Spider-Man certainly turns heads. It’s the webbing pattern and distinctive eyes that really make it one of a kind though. Over the years, like most long-running heroes, Spidey has donned a number of variant suits. And for the most part, they’ve been pretty awesome. The symbiote suit literally took on a life of it’s own! But Spidey always comes back to the classic red and blue. And why not? It’s instantly recognizable, functional, and looks great swinging through the streets of New York City.
Batman’s suit strikes a perfect balance between functionality and theatricality. Even more so than Spider-Man, the Dark Knight isn’t afraid of changing up his look. He seems to be constantly tweaking the material, finishings and color combinations. Whether it’s black on black, black on gray, or blue on gray, Batman’s costume is always form-fitting and comes complete with a cape and cowl. He’s a creature of the night who deals in fear and intimidation, and he’s got a costume to match. It allows him to blend into the shadows and get the drop on his foes, ensuring that he always makes a big impression. And though we love a situation-specific variant outfit, the classic black and gray costume is timeless.
Both of these characters have great costumes that are instantly recognizable. That being said, Batman’s costume does feel a bit more dated, which is perhaps why filmmakers have struggled to make it translate to the big screen. Also, the constant changes undermine the concept of one true Bat-suit. When you think of Spider-Man, the classic red and blue instantly comes to mind. As such, Spider-Man takes it!
WINNER: Batman: 1/ Spider-Man: 1
Round 3: Powers, Abilities, Skills & Gadgets
Though we don’t imagine that being bitten by a radioactive spider is a particularly pleasant experience, there’s no arguing with the results! The encounter gave Peter various spider-inspired powers, including the strength, speed, and agility of an arachnid relative to his size; the ability to cling to surfaces; and a sixth sense, which he refers to as his “spider-sense”. This alone makes him quite the able-bodied hero, but that’s not taking into account Parker’s gifts that predate his superpowers - most notably his intellect. He’s blessed with a brilliant mind, which he not only uses to solve technological and scientific problems, but also design his own costume and tech - his web shooters being arguably his most iconic invention.
Despite being one of the most feared and respected heroes in the DC universe, Batman technically doesn’t have any superpowers. He’s just extremely gifted. He’s arguably the peak human specimen, having pushed his bodies to the physical limits in terms of speed, strength, stamina, etc. He’s mastered a wide variety of fighting styles and is an expert hand-to-hand combatant. And his unparalleled deductive reasoning and problem solving makes him the world’s greatest detective. His genius level intellect, coupled with his wealth, also enables him to craft countless gadgets, vehicles and tools to help him make up for his lack of powers.
Spider-Man and Batman are very different in this regard. Peter Parker is blessed with some truly incredible superpowers, whereas Batman is a mortal man who has to rely on his intelligence and gadgets. The thing is… Peter Parker is also a genius with a knack for gadgetry. So that’s another win for the Webslinger!
WINNER: Batman: 1/ Spider-Man: 2
Round 4: Rogues’ Gallery
Spider-Man has duked it out with more than his fair share of evildoers. As a member of the Avengers, he’s faced foes well above his weight class. Even in his own backyard of NYC though, he’s got plenty to keep him busy. His most iconic recurring villains include Vulture, Sandman, Lizard, Mysterio, Scorpion, Rhino, Shocker, Chameleon and more. Then there are those who’ve made the largest impact on his life, and with whom there’s REALLY bad blood. He and Doctor Octopus have tangled more times than we can count. Kraven the Hunter once buried Spidey alive, while Venom and Carnage are an endless source of frustration. Then there’s Green Goblin, Spidey’s personal nemesis and one of the most nefarious villains in the Marvel universe.
As a member of the Justice League, Batman is often called upon to face global threats. Heck, every now and then he has to save the universe or all of reality! Which is crazy considering how badly Gotham needs him. It’s a hotbed of zany supercriminal activity; villains seem to make up a sizable portion of the city’s population. Riddler, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Professor Pyg, the Court of Owls, Penguin, Scarecrow, Hush, Killer Croc, Black Mask, Mr. Zsasz … we could go on all day! And we haven’t even mentioned his international beefs with heavyweights like Bane (the man who broke the bat) or Ra’s Al Ghul. Frankly though, there’s one villain in Batman’s rogues’ gallery that puts them ALL to shame - Joker.
Batman and Spider-Man are both blessed with an abundance of colorful and memorable villains to keep them busy. But if we’re talking about high profile, iconic villains, Batman’s roster is undeniably larger and more impressive. Dark Knight ties it up!
WINNER: Batman: 2/ Spider-Man: 2
Round 5: Films
As much as we love comic books and consider them to be the defining medium for superheroes … there’s no denying the importance of film. Comic book movies bring these heroes to the masses. And few heroes have experienced greater success on the big screen than the Webslinger. 2002’s “Spider-Man” took the genre to new heights, and it’s sequel is still held up as one of the greatest comic book movies ever made. Since joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spidey has moved beyond New York City to fight crime internationally (not to mention in space) and Tom Holland fully embodies the character. In 2018, legacy Spider-Man Miles Morales made a big impression in his own right with the animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”.
Few comic book characters have graced the big screen as many times as the Dark Knight. Adam West’s take on the character might not be the Batman we think of most today, but there’s no denying the impact that the 1966 “Batman” film made. The two Tim Burton Batman films played a pivotal role in shaping the comic book movie genre as we know it today. And yes… they were followed by the embarrassments that were the Schumacher Batflicks, but for young kids, they were fun. And the Dark Knight trilogy, uneven though the ending may have been, is nonetheless an astounding achievement for the genre. Though perhaps not as widely consumed, the animated Batman films are of consistently high quality.
This round is a tough one. Both Batman and Spider-Man have achieved colossal success on the big screen and weathered disappointments. Schumacher’s films and the Batfleck era hurt, but then so did “Spider-Man 3” and Sony’s first reboot. In the end though, we have to give it to Batman, whose cinematic achievements still feel greater. Plus the volume of quality animated Batman features tips the scales. Batman takes the round, and our Marvel vs DC championship!
WINNER: Batman: 3/ Spider-Man: 2
Did we pick the right hero? Be sure to debate it in the comments! Check out the videos where we decided our Marvel and DC champions, and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos!
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